Better bread - St. Petersburg's best bakeries

For a country that consumes bread with every meal, Russia has taken a while to truly re-embrace the baker's craft, but today in St. Petersburg you can find a number of artisan bakers offering a full range of breads and baked goods, including some local specialties.

Like most traditional crafts, the art of baking was largely eroded away by the industrial homogenization of the Soviet Union. It's only in the last few years that really good, handmade bread has been easily available in the city, and even now the number of high-quality outlets is not large.

Selected bakeries:

Bushe

Pastries, Cakes, Desserts, Sandwiches, Snacks $

This long-established chain of bakeries and coffee shops has a well-earned reputation for good-quality fresh bread and a tempting range of pastries and other sweet delicacies.

Bulka Khleba

Pastries, Cakes, Desserts, Sandwiches, Snacks $

A reliable option for low-cost baked goods, Bulka Khleba has several locations serving a classic range of Russian white and black breads, as well as pastries and pies.

Bulochniye F. Volcheka

Pastries, Cakes, Desserts, Sandwiches, Snacks $

A small chain of artisanal bakeries with the emphasis on high quality and baking traditions. The assortment includes Russian and international favorites, as well as pastries and pies.

Lastochka

Pastries, Cakes, Desserts, Sandwiches, Snacks $

A charming independent bakery and café on Vasilevskiy Island, Lastochka offers fresh-baked breads and sweet treats to take away or eat in, with a cozy atmosphere and great views.

Le Pain Quotidien

French, Pastries, Cakes, Sandwiches $$

This well-known international chain has now set up shop in St. Petersburg, offering top-quality fresh-baked bread and a wide variety of French-influenced dishes in the very center of St. Petersburg.