Novosibirsk: Where to eat
Vegetarian/vegan in Novosibirsk. No problem!
Vegetarian life-style is getting more and more common and trendy, and Novosibirsk is not an exception. There is a common disbelief that one just won’t survive in Siberia as a vegetarian/vegan, especially in winter, and that there’s basically nothing to eat here other than meat. But as an experienced vegetarian (7 years) I know perfectly well how wrong these assumptions are. In this post I offer you a short ‘vegetarian/vegan guide’ of Novosibirsk.
I Dolci. A sweet piece of Italy in Novosibirsk.
Cold Siberian winter is the time when everyone wants to feel warm, nice and comfortable. It’s the time when you are looking for something sweet, spicy and delicious. Not necessarily healthy for the body, but definitely relaxing and calming for the soul. Well, you find all this in I Dolci cafe, a piece of Italy in the heart of Siberia.
Puppenhaus. More than just a restaurant!
Puppenhaus restaurant is mentioned in lots of guide books, travel forums, blogs and websites.
Delicatessen Store. New Way of Eating Out
The concept of delicatessen stores is not completely new for Russia. They existed during the Soviet Era, too, however, it was not common to eat out there and the food was rather plain, mostly represented by a few types pirozhkis (buns or patty cakes). For eating out there were canteens, the Soviet kind of fast food, offering very typical set of dishes, including mashed potatoes, chops, borsch and a salad or two. Of course, it was not common to ‘spend time’ there, and the quality of food left much to be desired. The modern delicatessen stores resemble their ancestors only in terms of plain interior, though of course it’s lots more comfortable and welcoming. Otherwise they are a fast, convenient, cheap and healthy variant of eating out suitable for all sorts of visitors. Fans of traditional food, vegetarians, vegans, followers of gluten-free diet and even raw-food enthusiasts won’t stay hungry here. Everything is always fresh, the choice is abundant, the staff is helpful and ready to explain what is what, and the service is quick, and the prices are very affordable. Exactly what you need, if you are in a rush, or if you are a traveler who want to eat healthy local food but don’t want to spend hours waiting for your dish. In the early hours you can be offered a traditional Russian or continental breakfast, and around lunchtime you will always choose one of 2 or 3 soup varieties. All food and drinks can be packed, so that you can enjoy them at home or in your hotel room.
Kolyada Cafe. Traditionally Russian and Great Food for Everyone
Kolyada is perhaps the best place to eat in Novosibirsk. Traditional Russian cuisine, traditional Russian interior, nice music, prompt service, great location close to the major attractions and business quarters. It’s affordable for everyone: families with kids, office workers, students, budget travelers, but it’s not surprising to see wealthy business owners and public figures here.
Coffee Collective. Tasty and Trendy.
Coffee Collective is a coffee shop close to the downtown. It’s hard to surprise visitors with good coffee; it is good nearly everywhere, so coffee shops try to surprise us with exclusive service, trendy interiors and specialties.
Mr.Cup — good coffee and fine bakery
Mr. Cup is another small and cozy place to have a cup of superb and original coffee with a piece of something tasty and sweet. Located Krasny Prospect 13, it invites you to have your drink and meal here overlooking the busy downtown or you can drop in, take your drink and stride off. Whatever you do, the place makes you feel welcome and happy. Friendly and fast service is really able to make your day.
Coffee Academy — a different cafe
Coffee is no longer a problem in Novosibirsk. In fact, there is too much coffee in Siberia these days, and too many places to have a cup of coffee. Besides, there are loads of small ‘stations’ with coffee-to-go. The quality of coffee is about the same everywhere, and the price is more or less similar, too. Is it possible to surprise coffee fans (and I am one of them) at all?
Traveler’s Coffee. Not only for travellers.
There are many places offering good coffee in Novosibirsk, but Traveler’s Coffee has been my personal favorite for many years. And it is definitely not because of coffee only, though it is extremely good here. It is the atmosphere I appreciate, and, however strange it may sound, it is its name. A traveller is not only the one who is on an actual travelin a strange place, but also the one who feels like a traveller staying in his or her home town dreaming of far-away destinations. And Travellers’ Coffee is the right place to feel the atmosphere of remote and exotic places where coffee and tea are grown and where delicious desserts are made.
Initially founded in Novosibirsk by Christopher Tara-Brown, an American, Traveler’s Coffee grew into a chain, which now has cafes in more than 20 Russian cities and abroad, including Ukraine, Kazachstan and even in China!
And everywhere it offers specialty coffee and fine food. A special feature of the chain is that is does not offer any alcohol, so parents should not worry about their teenage children who declare they are going to Traveler’s Coffee to meet friends.
Novosibirsk currently has the chain of 15 cafes, while the new Traveler’s Coffee, located Krasny Prospect 65, is one of the triendiest and definitely is the biggest in the city.
Let’s meet in Traveler’s Coffee for a cup of coffee and speak about travel. Settled?
Back to the USSR
It is easy and fast to get back to the USSR right in the center of Novosibirsk. Here, only 2 minutes from Lenin Square, ou can visit a place known as ‘Cafeteria No.1’ (Буфет №1).
