Soviet public catering is making a comeback.
The old cafes of St. Petersburg still preserve the Leningrad character: from the legendary pastry shops to the rare creperies and pie shops. These places have survived decades and remain almost the same as before. This selection features functioning Soviet establishments where one can easily feel the atmosphere of the city of the past.
The pie shop, founded in 1956 near Victory Park, still greets visitors with rosy pies fresh from the oven. The atmosphere retains the spirit of old Leningrad: workers in aprons flit between the counters, and a local cat lazily strolls through the hall. The cash register stands separately from the shelves, and the walls are tiled — a simple yet warm setting where taste takes center stage.
The cafeteria of the Russian National Library remains a special place accessible only to readers of the RNL. It is located in a basement, and the menu changes daily: soups, main courses, salads, pastries, tea, and coffee. In the center of the hall stands a large Soviet television that continuously shows old films and programs. Here, students, researchers, and professors gather, creating an atmosphere of calm and focused Leningrad daily life.
The legendary pastry shop on Bolshaya Konyushennaya has its history dating back to the 1950s and still serves pastries generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. They are offered with simple Soviet coffee or tea, and instead of napkins — neatly cut paper. Lines at the entrance almost always form, and this has long become part of the ritual: people want to taste the flavors of the old city.
The pastry shop on Sadovaya is less known but equally atmospheric. Here, they serve large pastries, almost twice the size of the usual ones, and the interior resembles the 1980s. Guests order hot coffee with milk and find a spot at the counters to enjoy a simple Leningrad recipe without unnecessary embellishments.
Café “Snezhnika” has been around for over 60 years and was once considered an alternative to the famous “Frog House.” Due to its proximity to Lenfilm, it was often possible to see actors and directors here. Now the menu has expanded — several soups, hot dishes, desserts, and even alcohol have appeared. But the atmosphere of the creative environment and the cinematic spirit are still easily recognizable.
<iframe width="446" height="793" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x9L8q78QykY" title="🥮 ПИРОЖКОВАЯ ИЗ СССР В ПИТЕРЕ! ЛЕГЕНДАРНОЕ МЕСТО! @Avery_SaintPetersburg #avery_saintpetersburg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
