French dining in St. Petersburg

In pre-Revolutionary St. Petersburg, French cuisine enjoyed its rightful place at the top of the social order, served at the city's most fashionable and exclusive restaurants, all of which were owned and staffed by Frenchmen. In the modern city, however, French food has fallen far behind Italian in popularity amongst the wealthy, and good French restaurants are not easy to find. There are, however, a few exceptions worth investigating.

Jean-Jacques

This chain of stylish and inexpensive bistros is mainly recommended for its reasonably priced wines and cheerful atmosphere.
(10, Ulitsa Marata, +7 (812) 315-4903)
(166, Nevsky Prospekt, +7 (812) 232-9981)
(2/54, Gatchinskaya Ulitsa, + 7 (812) 717-1270)

Staraya Tamozhnya

Probably the best up-market French restaurant in the city, occupying beautiful historic premises on Vasilevsky Island and in business for over a decade.
(1, Tamozheny Pereulok, +7 (812) 327-8980)

Kukhnya

Again, it's the atmosphere more than the food that's the real draw at this charming bistro by the Fontanka River, though the menu is more than adequate, too.
(77, Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki, +7 (812) 310-0689)

Marseillaise

On Krestovsky Island, this sunny, moderately priced restaurant is well worth the trip from the centre for excellent Provencale food and a homely atmosphere.
(16, Naberezhnaya Martynova, +7 (812) 498-7777)

Matrosskaya Tishina

This small restaurant has an excellent reputation as one of the best places in St. Petersburg for fish, cooked in classic French style.
(54/34, Ulitsa Marata, +7 (812) 764-4413)

For our full listings of French restaurants in St. Petersburg, click here.