One Day
In Saint-Petersburg: A Guide to Uncommon
Places to Visit

The story of one walk through unusual places in Saint-P.

In one of the oldest bookstores there is a cafe with a stunning view overlooking the Kazan Cathedral. This place attracts visitors not only for its gourmet meals and vintage decor but also for its delicious hot chocolate. Original. With a bitter taste. It is eaten with a spoon and accompanied by a glass of water.

If you want to sit at a table by the window, it’s best to book in advance.

Although the city is buzzing from early morning, in the center there is a sheltered oasis of peace and coolness — the Summer Garden. The lovely crunch of gravel under your feet, the awakening shadows of the trees, the snow-white marble of statues, and the singing of birds… In the morning, a walk through the garden’s alleys will calm even the most restless soul.

There is one more contemplative spot of our route — the Field of Mars. There is something about sitting on the grass and watching gloomy passers-by and happy dogs running after their toys.

An offbeat modern architecture of the Department store stands out from afar against the background of the row of simple buildings. Whether the fabulous appearance of the building or the brands shown off from the windows make passersby quicken their pace. But there’s no need to feel intimidated.

On the ground floor, there is a contemporary jewelry store, Poison Drop. Here you can find an unconventional gift from Saint Petersburg to suit any budget and taste. The collection of the store features jewelry and bijouterie of both international and Russian designers. And on the top floor you can try on Russian clothing brands.

If you ask where to go in Saint Petersburg, any self-respecting locals advise you of The Hermitage and The Russian Museum (and they will be right). That’s why I decided to highlight a less obvious option — the Manege.

The exhibitions taking place here are like a breath of fresh air for those who are tired of museum academicism. Classical topics on art are interpreted outside of the box and the plots for exhibitions could hardly be called trivial:"Provincial Russian Portrait of the XVIII-XIX centuries", "Contemporary African Art", "Russian Ballet".

Have you noticed how the weather has got worse? Sudden rain is the hallmark of the city. However, it’s lunchtime, and I’m going to show you a great place where you can take a break and grab a bite.

I suppose the name of the bistro refers to Yves Saint-Laurent's French Bulldog. At one of the bohemian Parisian parties, the "muse of the Russian avant-garde" Lilya Brik suggested calling the dog "Muzhik" (a word that means a "man" but in a more rude way), and the French fashion designer liked the sound of this word. Creative vision of the bistro’s founders and the past where Russian and French cultures are intertwined… Such reincarnations inspire me.

There are marvelous mussels and oysters, like those from the Côte d’Azur, and an impressive collection of wines (50 types!). Breakfast is served every day from 8:00 to 18:00. You can choose your set menu — a berry bowl with chia, an omelet with crab, crêpe Suzette, or something more familiar — a croissant with a glass of champagne, for example.

This private museum displays the world’s largest collection of works by Carl Fabergé. The most famous are Easter eggs created at the request of Russian emperors for their wives. All this luxury was not just gifts to beloved women, the imperial court was concerned with creating the legacy for Russia for centuries to come, and now, more than ever, we can appreciate it.

Here you can see valuables associated with The Imperial House of Romanov: personal items as well as gifts presented to notable figures of that time on behalf of the Russian Emperor.

In the era of the Internet, it seems that bookstores are on the brink of extinction. But the constantly overcrowded bookstore disproves it.
The store may be appealing not only for bookworms but also for people who are into unusual business projects.

Over the last ten years, the bookstore has flourished. Guys have launched their own publishing house and souvenir production, opened a second-hand bookstore, established a culture of reading as a hallmark of the city, and turned the bookstore into a popular venue for meetings and social interactions.

Two huge sphinxes about 3.5 thousand years old are lying in the embankment of Saint-P. Could these guardians of the ancient Egyptian temple. Could these guardians of the ancient Egyptian temple have imagined that they would someday admire the Neva instead of the Nile? Life is unpredictable.

This is one of the most romantic and mystical places in St. Petersburg. On warm days, people sit on the stone steps, listening to the splash of the Neva and enjoying the scenery from the embankment.

For many locals this restaurant ranks among the favorite spots and those who are passing through the city don’t miss the chance to visit it again.

A perfect blend of style and comfort reigns here. It’s all about the interior: light colors, furniture with smooth, flowing shapes and dim lighting. You can’t take your eyes off the open kitchen where, like in a movie, silent and nimble work is in full swing. Aesthetic serving complements the rich flavors of European and original cuisine.

Sevkabel Port is nestled on the territory of an existing plant. This place is notable for its industrial architecture and art objects. There is plenty to roam here: a bar line stretching along the Gulf of Finland, food courts with exotic snacks, neon lights, street art, and shops where you can find almost everything — from vinyl with Frank Ocean records to a carpet on which Lebowski is woven.

You know, there are fancy places where you’re hesitant to go because it seems like they have their vibes and you aren’t wanted there. So this is definitely not about this place. Here, it feels like you’re visiting old friends. Intimateatmosphere, the coolest music, live concerts on weekdays, and parties on weekends. Here you can listen to literallyeverything — from electronic, hip-hop, and indie-rock to jazz, disco, and psychedelia. The beer pong competitions here are legendary, and the Liquor Festival draws thousands of visitors.

Ordering a cocktail at Union is a win-win lottery. Whatever I order I’m always satisfied whether it’s a combination of wild berries and northern herbs or mix baked pears with blue cheese.

Published
02/12/2024

Text and photos (except for signed ones) were created by the author of the blog. You can contact me on Instagram or by email hey.dear@icloud.com.