Why food markets in Moscow are having a moment

When Danilovsky Market allowed food stalls and tiny cafes under its roof in 2015, no one expected that it would turn into a city-wide craze. After Danilovsky’s gentrification, the same company renovated another market, Usachevsky. These venues gave Muscovites access to restaurant-quality world cuisine at reasonable prices. Today there’s at least one food market in every neighborhood in сentral Moscow. Here’s a guide to some of the key players in Moscow’s food market trend.

Danilovsky Market

Danilovsky Market, located in a flat, circular Soviet modernist building, which looks like a kind of retro spaceship, is still a trendsetter. Come here for the best Vietnamese pho soup in Moscow and the famous “rat” burger (which is, in fact, made from nutria meat), as well as fresh produce from Russia’s southern provinces and a small vintage market in one of the annexes.

Bricket Market

Bricket Market, located on the top floor of the trendy shopping mall Tsvetnoy opened in September 2019. Head to Testa for Neapolitan pizza, Inzhir for innovative desserts and coffee and Ostorozhno, Slon! (Look Out, Elephant!), where an Indian chef cooks traditional thali set meals. There’s an open space in the middle of the market, which is used for public talks.

Central Market

Central Market is located right across from the station exit at Trubnaya Metro. The sign at the entrance says “1840”, but the building is actually brand new – that date refers to when Muscovites started trading in Trubnaya square. There’s a small delicatessen and fruit and veg market, a couple of coffee shops, and a cider bar. Around 40 different stalls serve dishes from round the world. The market also houses a restaurant, Gorynych, which is devoted to “new Russian” cuisine – traditional food prepared with a modern twist.

Vokrug Sveta

Vokrug Sveta (Around the World) on Nikolskaya St became party central during the FIFA World Cup 2018 as most of the football fans gathered there. As the name suggests, there are stalls with cuisine from all over the world. Head here for Pakistani food, or Canadian poutine – fries with gravy and cheese. This is also a great place to try poke, the Hawaiian seafood and rice dish, which is popular all over Moscow.

Depo

Another food market that is a must-see on any foodie’s tour of Moscow is Depo, so far the largest one in Moscow, hosted in a former tram depot. Depo has a smallish farmers market and more than 70 stalls, where one can sample food from around the world.

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