Situated some way from the city centre in the leafy parkland of Krestovsky Island, Karl i Friedrich is something of a destination in its own right, especially for families with small children. It traces its origins back to two German brewers who were invited to St. Petersburg by Peter the Great and built a brewery with a windmill on the site in 1724. Just over a decade ago, one of their descendants decided to honour them and several other historic beer bars on Krestovsky Island by recreating the establishment. The result is a stylized windmill with sprawling gardens and a large children's playground, and even a small petting zoo next door.
There are five types of beer brewed on site by a German brewmaster to historic recipes. The menu combines traditional German dishes with an eclectic mix of up-market fare from throughout Europe and, while it is possible to have a reasonably priced meal at Karl i Friedrich, it is also very easy to spend a lot more. Fish comes fresh from the ponds of the neighbouring restaurant. In all, Karl i Friedrich is definitely worth the trip for those who wish to relax with children and are willing to pay a little extra for the privilege.
