Kazan is a city known for its rich cultural blend of Tatar, Russian, and international influences, and that’s reflected in its growing craft beer scene. Craft beer bars in Kazan are gaining popularity, offering unique brews paired with traditional Tatar and Russian food for an unforgettable gastronomic experience. If you’re a beer enthusiast looking to explore Kazan’s best craft beer bars, where you can enjoy a great pint alongside delicious local cuisine, this guide will introduce you to the city’s top spots for craft beer and food pairings.
1. Craft Beer Café
Located in the heart of Kazan, Craft Beer Café is a must-visit for beer lovers. Known for its extensive selection of local and international craft beers, this cozy spot offers a variety of brews that can be paired perfectly with traditional Tatar and Russian dishes.
Why It’s Great for Craft Beer and Food Pairings
- Diverse Craft Beer Menu: The café features an ever-changing menu of craft beers, including local brews from Kazan and the wider Tatarstan region. They offer everything from pale ales and stouts to IPAs, ensuring that there’s something for every beer enthusiast.
- Traditional Tatar Food: The food menu includes a mix of classic Tatar dishes such as samsa (savory pastries filled with meat) and pirozhki (stuffed pies), which pair wonderfully with lighter beers like pilsners or wheat ales. The café also serves hearty Russian dishes like beshbarmak (boiled meat with noodles), perfect with a full-bodied stout or a rich porter.
- Relaxed Atmosphere: The laid-back, rustic ambiance creates a perfect environment to enjoy a pint of craft beer and savor traditional dishes.
Insider Tip
- Try pairing their pale ale with samsa or chebureki (fried meat pastries) for a great balance of crispness and richness.
2. Beer House
Beer House is another fantastic spot in Kazan for craft beer lovers. With an impressive selection of both local and international craft beers, this venue brings together a great beer experience with traditional food pairings.
Why It’s Great for Craft Beer and Food Pairings
- Extensive Beer Selection: Beer House boasts a variety of craft beers on tap, including seasonal and limited-edition brews, as well as a curated list of bottled beers. Whether you prefer a hoppy IPA or a malty bock, you’ll find a beer that fits your taste.
- Tatar and Russian Cuisine: Their food menu includes hearty and traditional Tatar dishes such as kystybyi (flatbread with potatoes) and shurpa (meat soup), ideal for pairing with medium-bodied lagers and amber ales. For something more indulgent, try the beshbarmak with a strong dark beer or porter.
- Vibrant and Social Atmosphere: With its lively ambiance, Beer House offers a great setting for beer tasting and food pairing with friends or fellow beer enthusiasts.
Insider Tip
- Try their IPA with a serving of shashlik (grilled meat skewers) for a satisfying combination of hoppy bitterness and smoky flavors.
3. The Barrel Pub
If you’re looking for a true craft beer experience in Kazan, The Barrel Pub is one of the city’s top destinations. Known for its artisanal beers and cozy pub feel, this spot combines great craft brews with a variety of local and Russian food that enhances the beer-drinking experience.
Why It’s Great for Craft Beer and Food Pairings
- Wide Selection of Craft Beers: The pub offers a range of carefully selected craft beers from local breweries in Kazan and around Russia. With rotating taps, you’ll always find something fresh to try, from lagers and IPAs to stouts and sours.
- Traditional Food Pairings: The Barrel Pub pairs their craft beers with delicious Russian and Tatar foods. Pirozhki and kystybyi are favorites here, complementing lighter brews like wheat beers or pilsners. For a heartier option, pair a porter with a plate of beshbarmak or samsa.
- Comfortable Pub Atmosphere: The pub’s laid-back, rustic ambiance creates a great environment for enjoying both beer and food, whether you’re with a group or enjoying a quiet meal alone.
Insider Tip
- Don’t miss the dark stout with beshbarmak—the richness of the beer perfectly complements the savory meat and noodles of the dish.
4. Zhar-Pivo Brewpub
Zhar-Pivo Brewpub is a fantastic place to enjoy craft beer brewed on-site in Kazan. Known for its cozy interior and friendly service, it offers a delightful beer experience combined with traditional Russian dishes.
Why It’s Great for Craft Beer and Food Pairings
- House-Brewed Craft Beer: Zhar-Pivo Brewpub brews its own beer on-site, offering a range of styles from pale ales to rich dark beers. Their house-brewed beers pair excellently with the food offerings, making this brewpub a must-visit for beer aficionados.
- Pairings with Traditional Russian Food: The menu features hearty Russian dishes such as borscht (beet soup), pelmeni (dumplings), and shashlik (grilled meat), which pair beautifully with the pub’s craft beers. A crisp lager is the perfect companion to the tanginess of borscht, while a rich porter pairs wonderfully with shashlik.
- Relaxed, Pub-Style Vibe: The cozy, pub-style environment makes it an ideal place to unwind with a cold pint of craft beer and hearty Tatar or Russian food.
Insider Tip
- Pair their house-brewed pale ale with pelmeni for a satisfying and balanced meal, or try a rich stout with grilled meats.
5. Beer & Food Bar
For those who appreciate great beer paired with authentic, local food, Beer & Food Bar is a wonderful option. With a focus on pairing craft beers with traditional Tatar and Russian dishes, this bar ensures a flavorful experience for its guests.
Why It’s Great for Craft Beer and Food Pairings
- Excellent Beer List: The Beer & Food Bar serves a wide selection of local craft beers from Kazan, alongside beers from other Russian regions. Whether you prefer hoppy IPAs or malty stouts, the bar offers a beer for every taste.
- Traditional Food Pairings: You can enjoy traditional Tatar dishes such as samsa, pirozhki, and kystybyi, each perfectly paired with specific beer styles. The beef pirozhki goes particularly well with a pale ale, while samsa pairs beautifully with a porter or stout.
- Casual and Comfortable: The cozy bar environment is perfect for a relaxing beer and food pairing session, where you can enjoy different combinations and explore new flavors.
Insider Tip
- Pair a hoppy IPA with a serving of samsa for a delicious combination of crisp bitterness and rich savory flavors.
6. Brewery Pub 3
Brewery Pub 3 is a trendy spot in Kazan for craft beer enthusiasts, offering house-brewed beers and a variety of local food pairings. Known for its fun atmosphere and excellent service, this pub makes for a great place to discover the world of craft beer while enjoying hearty Tatar food.
Why It’s Great for Craft Beer and Food Pairings
- House-Made Craft Beers: Brewery Pub 3 offers a variety of freshly brewed craft beers that pair perfectly with traditional Tatar and Russian dishes. The selection ranges from light lagers to rich stouts and everything in between.
- Tatar Food Pairings: The food menu includes classic Tatar dishes like shurpa, kystybyi, and beshbarmak, all of which pair beautifully with different beer styles. For example, light pilsners pair excellently with kystybyi, while rich dark ales complement the flavors of beshbarmak.
- Relaxed Setting: The pub’s lively yet comfortable atmosphere makes it a great spot to enjoy your craft beer and traditional food pairings in a friendly environment.
Insider Tip
- Try their dark ale with shurpa—the robust flavors of the beer enhance the rich, meaty broth of the soup.
Conclusion
Kazan offers a fantastic variety of craft beer bars, each providing a unique combination of locally brewed beers and traditional Russian and Tatar food. From Craft Beer Café and Beer House to Zhar-Pivo Brewpub and Brewery Pub 3, you’ll find many places where you can enjoy expertly paired craft beers and local delicacies. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or a foodie eager to explore traditional flavors, these spots offer the best of both worlds for an unforgettable dining experience in Kazan.
