Moscow’s culinary scene is diverse, offering a wide range of dining experiences to cater to different tastes. Tapas and small plate dining are growing in popularity, as they allow for variety, sharing, and the opportunity to try a little bit of everything. From Spanish tapas to modern small plates, these restaurants offer delicious dishes that pack a punch in both flavor and presentation. Here’s a list of the best Moscow restaurants for tapas and small plate dining, ideal for those who enjoy a social dining experience and a diverse selection of food.
1. Toro Bar
Toro Bar is one of Moscow’s most famous spots for tapas and small plates. This trendy, upscale restaurant is known for its Mediterranean-inspired tapas, offering a wide range of flavors and culinary influences from Spain, Italy, and the Middle East. With its stylish interior and lively atmosphere, it’s a perfect place for sharing a meal with friends or family.
What to Expect:
- Mediterranean Tapas: The menu features a variety of small plates, such as tuna tartare, grilled vegetables, calamari, and chorizo.
- Creative Pairings: Many dishes are paired with local and international wines or unique cocktail creations.
- Chic Ambience: The restaurant’s modern, chic design creates a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for enjoying flavorful small plates.
Why It’s Great:
- Toro Bar offers a fantastic blend of Mediterranean tapas with local ingredients, creating a unique and tasty experience that’s perfect for sharing and enjoying with a group.
2. La Bottega Siciliana
La Bottega Siciliana is an Italian-inspired restaurant that serves a mix of small plates and Italian tapas, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Known for its Sicilian cuisine, it offers a cozy and casual setting to enjoy small portions of flavorful dishes.
What to Expect:
- Sicilian Tapas: Enjoy classic Italian small plates like bruschetta, grilled vegetables, arancini (fried rice balls), and swordfish carpaccio.
- Italian Wines: The restaurant has an extensive Italian wine list, offering perfect pairings for the small plates.
- Casual Vibe: With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, La Bottega Siciliana is ideal for casual dining and tapas-style meals with friends.
Why It’s Great:
- La Bottega Siciliana provides an authentic Italian small plate dining experience, with an emphasis on Sicilian flavors and high-quality ingredients, perfect for enjoying the variety and depth of Italian cuisine.
3. The Uilliam’s
Uilliam’s offers a more contemporary approach to small plate dining, with a menu that blends European, Russian, and Asian influences. Known for its modern twist on traditional dishes, Uilliam’s is perfect for those seeking a more innovative tapas-style dining experience.
What to Expect:
- Fusion Small Plates: The menu offers a range of creative small plates such as duck with truffle, fermented vegetables, oysters with caviar, and crispy pork belly.
- Creative Cocktails: Pair your tapas with unique signature cocktails crafted by the restaurant’s expert bartenders.
- Modern Ambience: The interior is stylish, with sleek design and an inviting, casual atmosphere that encourages a relaxed dining experience.
Why It’s Great:
- Uilliam’s stands out for its modern fusion of flavors, offering a fresh take on small plate dining with an innovative approach to European and Russian cuisines.
4. Rakia Bar
Rakia Bar specializes in Balkan cuisine and offers a unique tapas-style experience with small plates that highlight Balkan and Mediterranean flavors. Located in a cozy and trendy space, Rakia Bar is perfect for those looking for bold flavors and a social dining experience.
What to Expect:
- Balkan Small Plates: Enjoy a variety of tapas, including grilled meats, cheeses, olive tapenade, and grilled vegetables.
- Rakia Cocktails: The restaurant offers a selection of rakia (a traditional Balkan spirit) cocktails, perfect for pairing with your small plates.
- Warm Atmosphere: Rakia Bar offers a relaxed and inviting atmosphere that is ideal for sharing tapas with friends in a cozy setting.
Why It’s Great:
- Rakia Bar provides a unique Balkan tapas experience, offering bold, flavorful dishes that introduce Moscow diners to something a little different, making it a great spot for trying new flavors.
5. Buvette
A trendy and minimalist restaurant, Buvette specializes in serving small plates inspired by French bistro classics. Its chic yet casual vibe makes it a great choice for those who want to enjoy gourmet tapas-style dishes in a relaxed setting.
What to Expect:
- French Bistro Tapas: The menu features small plates such as croque-monsieur, ratatouille, mussels in white wine, and cheese boards.
- Seasonal Dishes: The menu changes regularly, focusing on seasonal ingredients to keep the offerings fresh and exciting.
- Wine Pairings: Pair your tapas with a great selection of French wines, adding an extra layer of indulgence to your meal.
Why It’s Great:
- Buvette offers a charming and intimate atmosphere with a French bistro twist on tapas-style dining, ideal for enjoying high-quality small plates in a relaxed yet refined setting.
6. Pinzeria by Bontempi
Pinzeria by Bontempi is the perfect spot for those who love Italian-style tapas and want to explore the flavors of Italy in a casual, vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant offers a variety of small plates inspired by Italian cuisine, specifically focusing on pinsa, a Roman-style pizza.
What to Expect:
- Italian Tapas and Pinsa: Enjoy small plates such as bruschetta, cheese plates, meatballs, and a range of pinsa (Italian pizza) with various toppings.
- Authentic Italian Wines: Pair your meal with a selection of Italian wines, ranging from light whites to full-bodied reds.
- Vibrant Atmosphere: The casual, fun setting makes it perfect for gathering with friends or family to enjoy a variety of small plates.
Why It’s Great:
- Pinzeria by Bontempi offers a delightful Italian tapas experience with a unique focus on pinsa. The casual atmosphere and great value for money make it a fantastic choice for enjoying small plates in Moscow.
7. Kuznya House
Kuznya House offers a fusion of European and Russian flavors, serving a selection of small plates that are both innovative and flavorful. The atmosphere is modern and trendy, and the food is prepared with local and seasonal ingredients.
What to Expect:
- Fusion Small Plates: Dishes include options like mushroom risotto, grilled vegetables, potato pancakes, and grilled meats with creative twists.
- Wine Pairings: A thoughtfully curated wine list that features selections from across Europe, adding to the overall flavor experience.
- Trendy Design: The interior is sleek and modern, providing a stylish setting for sharing small plates in a vibrant and relaxed atmosphere.
Why It’s Great:
- Kuznya House offers creative small plates with a focus on seasonal, local ingredients, combining modern techniques with a cozy, inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for tapas-style dining.
8. Muzeon Park Café
For a more casual and scenic tapas experience, Muzeon Park Café offers a variety of small plates in a relaxed park setting by the Moscow River. Enjoy a range of Mediterranean and European small plates while soaking in the natural beauty of Muzeon Park.
What to Expect:
- Mediterranean and European Tapas: Sample a mix of grilled meats, mezzes, seafood, and cheese platters.
- Parkside Dining: Enjoy your meal outdoors with views of the Moscow River and Muzeon Park, creating a picturesque backdrop for your dining experience.
- Casual Dining: The café offers a more laid-back environment, perfect for a relaxed meal in a scenic location.
Why It’s Great:
- Muzeon Park Café offers a laid-back and picturesque dining experience with a variety of small plates that make it ideal for casual tap-style dining by the river.
Conclusion
Moscow’s small plate dining scene offers an exciting array of options, from Mediterranean tapas at Toro Bar to Italian-inspired dishes at Pinzeria by Bontempi. Whether you’re seeking classic French bistro tapas, Balkan specialties, or innovative Russian fusion, these restaurants provide a diverse and vibrant approach to dining. Perfect for sharing, exploring different flavors, or enjoying a relaxed meal with friends, Moscow’s top tapas and small plate restaurants offer something for everyone.
