Petrozavodsk Restaurants

There are many reasons Hotel Karelia should not be liked, with its monstrous figure ruining the waterfront and its prices being out of reach for the budget traveller.

However, come lunchtime, the "business lunch" concept (very common in Russia) kicks in, and Hotel Karelia's restaurant suddenly serves a very affordable (and good) all-you-can-eat buffet. We sampled most of what was available, including a rassolnik soup, some fish and grecha (buckwheat) served with vegetables, and everything was delicious.

It is unfortunate that we only stumbled upon the Hotel Karelia's "business lunch" on our last day in Petrozavodsk, because it is likely we would have lunch there every day if we had tried it out earlier.

Restoran Petrovsky is a very charming restaurant. Located in a building dating back to the late 18th century, it consists of a series of small rooms with wooden, vault-like ceilings where the waiters are attired in traditional Karelian dress. It serves a wide array of Karelian and Russian dishes and even also has some more international offerings (my girlfriend ended up having a Chinese variant of chicken, while I tried beef "a la Medvedyev", both dishes being very good).

In a city with few true restaurants, Restoran Petrovsky is as good as they come.

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"Karelian chamber" is the only place on the Earth where u can try traditional karelian dishes in unique interior, which immitates the traditional hut of Karelian peasant.
It is worth just opening the menu so that to feel a conquering atmosphere of traditional eating ritual. Bear's meat, elk's meat, venison, gamebird, tender fish, berries, mushrooms - all that begets a vision of a stove smoke, u can nearly hear a silent karelian tune - melody and a pattering of a wooden spoon. It is worth while quite understandable - all of the foodstuff is being lain in a stock at our local hunters, fishermen and reliable farmers. Modern equipment helps us to recreate an oven effect so that to bring a maximum reachable level of basis taste and wholesomeness.
The portions are really big - so that leaving therestaurant u feel like u've just visited ur grandmom, who only dream was to feed u for the rest of ue life!

Favorite Dish: I like fresh salmon roasted on a stone - the pecularity is that u can roast fish fillet by yourself as karelians fishermen did hundreds years ago!
And backery! It's something! Especially traditional pies with porrige - "kalitkas" and sweet pies with local berries...

A unique atmosphere of traditional Karelian house, friendly personnel and really big portions! It's like u visit ur grand mom from a distant northern village - something really warm and cozy! The only difference is that girls, who meet u, are young and really nice, and speak English! As for food - i am sure, everybody can find something special in their menu - different kinds of local fresh fish (salmon, vendance, white fish) and meat (not only traditional pork and beef, but bear, elk meat and even hazel grouse), their own (very tasty!) bakery and beverages... it's difficult to name all, but when i read a menu, i wanted to try all! We took salmon roasted on a stone - i grilled it by myself! - and a plate of appetizers (salted mushrooms, pickled cucumbers etc.), while my girlfriend tried venison steak with tomato-and-red-wine sauce and beet salad with elk meat. We both were completely satisfied with the quality of food - and really full, as the portions were really huge!
I'd defenitely visit the Karelian chamber once more, when i come to Petrozavodsk!

If you want to have a snack and to get to know a typical russian dish ''Bliny'' (Pancakes), it is the best place to drop in! ''Chainaja lozhka'' (''Tea spoon") is located in the centre of the town, at the Lenin avenue, not far away from the University. It is the favourite meeting point of students and other people. Here you can drink a cup of russian tea and choose among the different arts of Bliny: with honey, jam, chicken and others...Fast service and nice stuff!

Favorite Dish: All Bliny are worth of tasting! Dont stop, try more! You will like it for sure:-)

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I had a best time at this place! Eating! It was so cosy and sweet-smelling and comfortable and clean and I ate a lot and then I had a belly ache and could hardly move but it was worth it I must come back and try other dishes, too :)
Do not take a menu in English, it is very abridged!
Also, the restaurant is stylized as a museum of Karelia, each room is concepted as a room from old Karelian houses. And pleasant ladies are happy to give you a little excursion.
Oh, and the rest-rooms are also terrific - with toad-croaking sounds playing from a speaker above your head :)

Favorite Dish: Ok, everything I had was delicious - baked apple with a sweet fruitish filling, salmon with sauce, soup called shi.. made of cabbage, pen-cakes with honey, and also a slightly alcoholic hot beverage, I guess it was kvas, but I am not sure, tasted kind of ciderish, yummie. And a tea, of course.

If you want to invite a friend for a cup of coffee and if you travel with your children, it is in any case an appropriate place to drop in. Kaffe Haus was opened not very long ago and located right in the centre near Severnaya Hotel. It is very cosy inside. Different tasty desserts, ice-cream, coctails are for you here and in the night you can smoke calian there.

Favorite Dish: Desserts

Located right in the centre of Petrozavodsk, on the other side of the University, it is one of the favorit places of visiting by town citizens and tourists. It offers good food, good serving and nice music. The atmosphere is good.

Favorite Dish: The choice is big, but pizza i like most ;)