Moscow, Russia: Where to Eat with Kids

There are a lot of child friendly cafes with special kid’s menus because being out with the kids is the “thing to do” in Moscow. If there is no kids’ menu, you can improvise with the options on the menu such as porridge or buckwheat with milk or mushrooms, just don’t forget to ask for less salt and sugar.

Try Russian soups like borscht (beetroot) or schi (cabbage). In summer, try okroshka (fresh cucumbers, potatoes, boiled eggs with kvass). Kids usually love Russian pelmeni (meat dumplings) and vareniki (fruit dumplings) with sourcream. And of course, kotleti (cutlet) with mashed potatoes.

One of Moscow’s most loved places is Kofemania, it’s pricy but ideal for tourists due to its more international flavors. Try the Russian pelmeni (meat dumplings) for kids and pan-asian cuisine for adults. There is a smoking area for grown ups. Try their smoothies and cakes – some of the best in Moscow. And coffee too!

Mari Vanna is a small soviet dacha style restaurant near Patriarshie Ponds. Try their ‘olivie’ (russian New Year and all holidays salad) and borsch (beetroot soup), drink birch juice or homemade kvass. As a dessert choose a memory from a soviet childhood – milk ice cream in a waffle cup. At Mari Vanna it’s better to reserve a table, especially for weekend brunch. Kids will love the real cat and dog who live in the restaurant. (But keep in mind that some children refuse to leave the place without the pet.)

Less pricey but not any less delectable is Wolkonsky bakeries. For a comfortable dinner with the family choose the one on Sretenka street. And try the small and cozy cafe near Patriarshie Ponds for a cup of tea. Kids will love ‘zemlyanika’ (wild strawberry) marmalade and ‘beze’ (meringues). All the places are non-smoking.

All-american confectionery cafe Friends Forever (Bolhoi Kozikhinsky pereulok, 18 +7 (495) 699-43-02) has a special kids room and a menu full of cup cakes for those who get homesick. On weekends they offer special cooking class for kids.
Correa’s (Gasheka st., 7, bldg. 1, Dukat Place II, +7 (495) 789-96-54) is another option with so called “American” cuisine. On weekends they bring toys to a special area but it’s not match for the big dessert table in the center of the room.

Also for casual dining is the popular European chain Le Pain Quotidien (multiple locations) with its all wooden interiors, terraces and non smoking area makes it a nice place for summer dinners in the open air. Great sandwiches and soups and our favorite tea is camomile-apricot mix with honey.

For traditional Russian pies (pirogi), hop over to Saint Petersburg chain Stolle (Bolshaya Sadovaya, 8 bldg. 1
+7 (495) 650-9352, 650-9353). But get there early or risk their being sold out by 4pm.
U Juseppe (at Juseppe’s) (Samotechnaya str., 13, +7 (495) 681-13-26)is a small Italian restaurant near Olimpiysky sport center and Durov animal theatre boasting arguably the best pizza in the city! They have a tiny area with toys and black walls where anyone interested can leave a chalk drawing. Great entertainment for event the most active kid. Try to reserve a table on the glass terrace.

Lyudi kak Lyudi (“Common People”, Solyansky proezd, 4/1, +7 (495) 621-1201) is well known for its cheap and tasty lunches in the form of sandwiches. It was one of the first places in Moscow to offer smoothies.  They don’t have any facilities for kids (so it’s not appropriate for babies) but the atmosphere is warm and friendly and the barmen usually chat with the little ones (and occasionally feed them free fruit!). Plus it’s non-smoking upto 9pm.
Also for sandwiches and quick lunch head to to Prime Star, the Russian copy of Pret-a-Manger, particularly if you are craving healthy food like porridge or veg soup. They also offer salads like beetroot-feta or classic Ceasar salads and are non-smoking.
Finally, you can find all the common fast foods from Starbucks to McDonalds in Moscow, including Russian
Kroshka kartoshka (“baby potato”) and Teremok (“tower room”).  Also try pan-Asian Wokker with fast delivery (or at least as fast as it can be in Moscow).

Next in Moscow:

Moscow: Where to Stay with Kids

Moscow: Things to Do With Kids

Moscow: Where to Shop with Kids

Moscow: Medical Care