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With the weakening Rouble and a crisis on the cards Russia is finally getting cheaper again. Although Russia has never been famous for being easy, there are a surprising number of places where you can pick up a quick meal with little difficulty and on a tight budget. Here we've tried to pick out the cheapest and best.

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St. Petersburg | Restaurants and cafes | Good & cheap

Carl's Junior
This American burger chain is increasingly praised by burger connoisseurs. Whilst still of the fast food genre it's a definite step up from Mcdonalds in terms of quality and price. The super star is for the super hungry and the chicken club is highly reccomended. The burgers don't wait around here, [...]



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Malaya Sadovaya ul. 8

tel. (+7) 812 448 57 50

Open 08:00 - 05:00 Metro station:

Nevsky pr.
Chainaya Lozhka (Teaspoon)
No coffee is to be found in this orange-tinged chain cafe, whose name means teaspoon. Here it's  just tea, pancakes and salads. The pancakes are served up in a flash in tiny little parcels, although be sure to watch out for all the hidden extra charges (such as for extra butter, sour cream or [...]



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Nevsky pr. 44

tel. (+7) 812 571 46 57

Open 09:00 - 22:00 Metro station:

Nevsky pr.
El Machete
Inexpensive fresh Mexican and Russian dishes can be found in this small, hidden cafe on the Petrograd Side. All the avocado salads are great (the one with crayfish is the best), the same for the chilli con carne. If you need the toilet, you have to walk though the kitchen. A real Russian attraction [...]



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PS, Kamennoostrovsky pr. 38/96

tel. (+7) 812 346 24 85

Open 11:00 - 22:00 Metro station:

Petrogradskaya
Evrazia
Evrasia certainly don't sell the best sushi in the city but it's not terrible either and they are famous for their discounts. In every restaurant happy hour runs from 15:00 - 18:00 (Monday to Friday) and everything on the menu is buy one get one free. Some branches also have a night time happy hour [...]



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Nevsky pr. 88

tel. (+7) 812 579 67 43

Open 12:00 - 06:00 Metro station:

Mayakovskaya
Frikadelki (Meatballs)
Meatballs, a quick service bistro right in the centre is just the place to head to pick up a snack or enjoy a light meal. Serving european cuisine as well as Russian favourites, it is beloved by students who hang around the orange coloured booths for hours. It's clean, has signage in English and th [...]



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Nab. Kan. Griboedova 8/1

tel. (+7) 812 571 51 35

Open 08:30 - 23:00 Metro station:

Nevsky pr.
Kroshka kartoshka
This very no-frills joint is an ode to the humble potato (kartoshka). You can get your kartoshka in the kroshka style (i.e baked) with a choice of fillings such as feta cheese, bacon and sour cream or aubergine stew. They also do paninis, salads and very cheap beer to wash it all down. [...]



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Nevsky pr. 122 A

tel. (+7) (901) 305 21 50

Open 24hrs (cleaning break 03:30 - 05:00) Metro station:

Pl. Vostanniya
The ultimate cheap and greasy, quick and easy snack joint. Pyshki or doughnuts are a legendary snack from the Soviet times and this place has been here for decades, you'll find many other imitators but this place is the real deal. It's all turfed up in a no frills Soviet style and the locals are of [...]



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Ul. Bolshaya Konyushennaya 25

tel. (+7) 812 314 08 68

Open 09:00 - 20:00 Metro station:

Nevsky pr.
Head upstairs and worship at the throne of  Teremok - the pancake or blini kings. Although it is strictly fast food, the blini are assembled as you order them and there is a wide variety including the Ilya Murometz, a popular concoction of boiled pork, mushrooms and cheese. They also do differ [...]



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Nevsky pr. 60

tel. (+7) 812 314 27 01

Open 10:00 - 23:00 Metro station:

Nevsky pr.
Aimed at the tourist market, this slightly cheesy Russian eatery packs in both Russians and foreigners alike. They come here for the good value meals, the staff mincing around in traditional costume and that aromatic smell of shashlik from behind the grill. Sit under the plastic forest canopy (somehow this is oddly appealing), while filling up on an all-you-can-eat plate from the buffet wagons or order something from the menu. Also at Malaya Konyushennaya 9, tel. 571 03 85. [...]



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Nevsky pr. 88

tel. (+7) 812 273 15 94

Open 07:00 - 05:00 Metro station:

Mayakovskaya