Shashlik, the beloved Russian version of skewered and grilled meat, is a staple in Russian cuisine and is often enjoyed in a social setting. Saint Petersburg, with its vibrant food scene, offers an impressive array of restaurants and eateries where you can savor perfectly grilled shashlik. From traditional flavors to modern twists, these top restaurants provide the best places to enjoy shashlik in the city.
Here are the best shashlik restaurants in Saint Petersburg, where you can indulge in juicy, tender, and flavorful grilled delights.
1. Shashlychny Dvor: Traditional Russian Shashlik at Its Best
A Rustic Eatery for Authentic Shashlik
Shashlychny Dvor is one of the most popular spots for enjoying traditional Russian shashlik. Known for its rustic atmosphere and commitment to authentic cooking, it offers a variety of grilled meats served in generous portions.
What to Expect
- Authentic Shashlik: Shashlychny Dvor serves a variety of meat skewers, including lamb, beef, chicken, and pork. The meats are marinated and grilled to perfection, ensuring tenderness and rich flavors.
- Traditional Russian Side Dishes: The shashlik is typically served with fresh salads, pickles, flatbreads, and grilled vegetables.
- Casual, Cozy Atmosphere: The restaurant has a welcoming, rustic interior that makes you feel at home while enjoying your meal.
- Insider Tip: Try their lamb shashlik—it’s incredibly tender and flavorful, a true representation of Russian grilled meat.
2. Kroshka Kartoshka: A Popular Spot for Grilled Meat and Comfort Food
Grilled Meat with a Cozy Vibe
Kroshka Kartoshka is a popular spot in Saint Petersburg, known for its deliciously grilled meats and hearty comfort food. While it is most famous for its baked potatoes, it also serves a variety of shashlik that will satisfy any craving for grilled meat.
What to Expect
- Grilled Shashlik: Enjoy beef and chicken shashlik, marinated and cooked over an open flame, giving it that perfect smoky flavor.
- Accompaniments: The shashlik is served with classic sides like pickled vegetables, flatbreads, and fresh herbs.
- Casual and Friendly Atmosphere: The atmosphere is laid-back, making it a great spot to enjoy some shashlik with friends or family.
- Insider Tip: Pair your shashlik with their signature baked potatoes for a truly satisfying meal.
3. Tandoor: Traditional and Modern Shashlik Dishes
A Fusion of Traditional and Contemporary Shashlik
Tandoor is an excellent choice for those looking for a fusion of traditional Russian shashlik with international influences. The restaurant specializes in grilled meats cooked in a tandoor oven, adding a unique depth of flavor to the skewers.
What to Expect
- Shashlik with a Twist: While the restaurant offers classic Russian shashlik made from beef, lamb, and pork, they also serve Indian-inspired tandoori meats. The tandoor-cooked meats are juicy, tender, and packed with spices.
- Variety of Sides: Alongside the shashlik, you can enjoy a selection of sides, such as naan bread, grilled vegetables, and salads.
- Elegant Dining Experience: The restaurant has a stylish interior with a cozy ambiance, making it ideal for both casual and special occasions.
- Insider Tip: For something different, try their tandoori chicken shashlik for a fusion of Russian and Indian flavors.
4. Pivnoi Dvor: Beer, Shashlik, and a Relaxed Vibe
Perfectly Grilled Shashlik with Beer Pairings
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy shashlik with a refreshing beer, Pivnoi Dvor is the place to go. This beer hall-style restaurant offers a hearty selection of grilled meats, perfect for pairing with a pint of local beer.
What to Expect
- Shashlik with Beer: Pivnoi Dvor serves a range of grilled meats including pork, beef, and lamb, all prepared with the perfect balance of seasoning and marinades.
- Beer Pairings: The restaurant offers a great selection of Russian craft beers that pair perfectly with the rich flavors of the grilled meats.
- Relaxed Atmosphere: The lively and relaxed setting makes it a great place to enjoy a casual evening with friends while indulging in shashlik.
- Insider Tip: Don’t forget to try the pork shashlik—it’s tender and juicy, perfect for a laid-back meal.
5. Bar BQ Café: A Trendy Spot for Grilled Meat Lovers
A Trendy and Chic Restaurant for Shashlik Lovers
Bar BQ Café is a chic and modern restaurant that focuses on the art of grilled meats. It combines a contemporary setting with a love for traditional flavors, serving up a variety of shashlik options.
What to Expect
- Variety of Shashlik: Whether you’re in the mood for beef, pork, or lamb, Bar BQ Café offers a diverse selection of shashlik cooked to perfection over a grill. The meats are marinated and served with flavorful sides.
- Contemporary Dining Experience: The restaurant’s sleek, modern design and upbeat atmosphere make it a perfect choice for a special meal out.
- Great for Groups: Bar BQ Café is ideal for enjoying shashlik with a group, as they offer generous portions that are perfect for sharing.
- Insider Tip: The lamb shashlik here is exceptional—tender and bursting with flavor.
6. Shashlik House: A Family-Friendly Spot for Grilled Goodness
Traditional Shashlik in a Family-Friendly Environment
Shashlik House is a family-friendly restaurant that specializes in classic, traditional shashlik. The restaurant focuses on delivering authentic flavors and tender meats, making it a great spot for a casual meal with loved ones.
What to Expect
- Traditional Shashlik: Enjoy shashlik made with beef, pork, chicken, or lamb, all grilled to perfection. The meats are marinated and served with a variety of fresh sides, including flatbreads and pickled vegetables.
- Casual, Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The restaurant has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for a fun family meal.
- Affordable Prices: Shashlik House offers delicious food at reasonable prices, making it a great option for a budget-friendly meal.
- Insider Tip: Pair your shashlik with a refreshing glass of kvass for a true Russian experience.
7. Taverna 2: A Cosy Corner for Traditional Shashlik
A Cozy, Rustic Restaurant for Grilled Meat
Taverna 2 is a hidden gem offering a cozy setting for traditional Russian grilled meats. The restaurant specializes in shashlik, using high-quality meat and classic Russian seasonings to create a truly authentic dining experience.
What to Expect
- Classic Shashlik: The menu at Taverna 2 includes a selection of shashlik made with beef, lamb, and pork, all marinated and cooked to perfection over an open flame.
- Rustic Atmosphere: The rustic décor creates a welcoming atmosphere, where you can enjoy your meal in comfort and style.
- Fresh Sides: Enjoy your shashlik with traditional Russian sides such as grilled vegetables, salads, and flatbreads.
- Insider Tip: Their lamb shashlik is tender and flavorful, a true standout on the menu.
8. Kavkaz: A Taste of the Caucasus
Delicious Shashlik with Caucasian Flavors
Kavkaz offers a taste of the Caucasus region, renowned for its excellent shashlik. The restaurant brings the flavors of the Caucasus to Saint Petersburg, providing a unique and flavorful grilling experience.
What to Expect
- Caucasian-Style Shashlik: Enjoy a variety of shashlik options, including beef, lamb, and chicken, all cooked with authentic spices and marinades that are typical of Caucasian cuisine.
- Bold, Rich Flavors: The meats are packed with bold flavors and served with spicy sauces, grilled vegetables, and flatbreads.
- Casual Dining: The restaurant offers a relaxed and casual environment, ideal for enjoying hearty and flavorful grilled meats.
- Insider Tip: The lamb shashlik here is a standout, with smoky, spicy flavors that capture the essence of Caucasian grilling.
9. Bakinskiy Dvor: A Place for Perfectly Grilled Shashlik
Cozy Dining for Grilled Meat Lovers
Bakinskiy Dvor is a cozy restaurant specializing in shashlik and other grilled meats. Known for its excellent service and traditional cooking techniques, this spot offers a perfect environment to enjoy grilled delights.
What to Expect
- Traditional Shashlik: The restaurant serves juicy beef, chicken, and lamb shashlik, marinated and cooked over open flames, giving it a smoky and tender finish.
- Comfortable and Cozy: The setting is rustic yet comfortable, making it ideal for a relaxed meal with family or friends.
- Generous Portions: The portions are generous, ensuring a hearty and filling meal with every visit.
- Insider Tip: Don’t miss their chicken shashlik, which is known for being juicy and perfectly seasoned.
10. Kavkazskaya Plennitsa: A True Taste of the Caucasus
A Cozy Restaurant for Grilled Meat Lovers
For a unique twist on shashlik, Kavkazskaya Plennitsa offers a rich selection of Caucasian-inspired shashlik dishes. This restaurant brings the flavors of the Caucasus to Saint Petersburg, making it a great choice for those looking for something different.
What to Expect
- Caucasian-Inspired Shashlik: Enjoy tender lamb, beef, and pork shashlik, all cooked using traditional techniques and spices that highlight the flavors of the Caucasus region.
- Delicious Sides: The shashlik comes with a variety of sides, such as grilled vegetables, pickles, and flatbreads, which complement the smoky meat.
- Intimate Atmosphere: The restaurant’s cozy, intimate vibe makes it a great choice for a relaxed meal.
- Insider Tip: Try their lamb shashlik for a rich, flavorful experience that brings a taste of the Caucasus to your plate.
Conclusion
Saint Petersburg offers a range of excellent restaurants where you can indulge in delicious shashlik. Whether you’re craving traditional Russian-style shashlik at Shashlychny Dvor, a modern take at Bar BQ Café, or the flavors of the Caucasus at Kavkaz, these spots provide the perfect environment to enjoy this iconic grilled meat. Each of these restaurants promises a unique and satisfying dining experience, making them the best places in the city to enjoy shashlik.
