Kazan Restaurants and Cafes.

Restaurants.

Staroye Mesto.
When in Kazan a visit to a Tatar restaurant to sample the traditional cuisine is a must. Staroye Mesto serves tasty, simple Tatar food for very low prices. The restaurant is beneath a cafe/bar just a stoneÕs throw from the Kremlin. The restaurant has a simple but pleasing decor and settings. Mains cost no more than 250 rubles ($9), salads are around 100 rubles ($3.70) and starters are between 100-200 rubles ($3.70-$7.40). Staroye Mesto also boasts a fine selection of wines and other alcoholic beverages. You can get one liter of juice here for just 55 rubles ($2)! Great cozy atmosphere and prices that will let you eat like a King. Highly recommended.
Address: Kremlevskaya Ul., #11. Tel: 292-9120. Open 11:00-23:00.

Dom Tatarskoy Kulinarii.
A larger and more pompous Tatar restaurant on the main street of Kazan that shares its digs with a casino. It lacks the small, intimate atmosphere of Staroye Mesto, but makes up for it with more professional service and a wider range of options on the menu. Tastefully decorated in a high style, the restaurant features dishes from the Tatar diaspora around the world. Not a cheap restaurant, an average bill will come in at a minimum of 800 rubles ($30). But the business lunches are much better value.
Address: Baumana Ul., #31/12. Tel: 292-7070. Open 12:00-23:00.

Aphrodite Stonegrill.
The gimmick here is that they bring you whatever meat you choose raw and you cook it yourself on an obscenely hot, portable rock that is put on your table. Some might find that quite fun. Others might point out that a major reason they go to a restaurant is so that someone else cooks for them. Aphrodite claims that itÕs better if the customer cooks the steak because then they can do it to their own liking. Of course, that depends on your proficiency at cooking on a stone slab and, at any rate, that should be the chefÕs job. But I digress. ItÕs actually quite a nice restaurant with excellent service and the parts of the meal that are cooked for you are very tasty. Though even classy restaurants seem to have cheap-looking decor in Kazan. An average bill here is about 600 rubles ($22) per person. Also boasts Wi-Fi internet access.
Address: Tatarstan Ul., #3/2. Tel: 292-3759. Website: www.stonegrillkazan.ru. Open Mon-Fri: 7:30-23:00, Sat-Sun: 11:00-23:00.

Rubai.
Rubai is a small and cozy tea house and Uzbek restaurant. It features the usual decor you would expect from an Uzbek themed place, though it is a little cheaper looking than MoscowÕs versions. It has comfortable chairs with the requisite multi-colored cushions and cushion covers that look like they were sourced from a dodgy Turkish carpet salesman. There is a large TV and nice, relaxing chill-out music. A cool place in general, whether youÕre coming for a meal or just a cup of the old chai. Mains are from 150 rubles ($5.50) up to 400 rubles ($15). An average bill is about 600 rubles ($22).
Address: Profsoyuznaya Ul., #23. Tel: 292-6464. Website: www.rybau.ru. Open 10:00-23:00.

Fish.
Fish is a popular place among KazanÕs well-to-do. And with good reason. ItÕs classy, benefits from impeccable service and is not too expensive, at least by Moscow standards. The restaurant is well-lit, tastefully decorated and has nice furniture and proper table settings. Obviously, the meals are mainly seafood based. There is a token meat menu but the chances are those dishes wonÕt be available. Main courses cost an average of 500 rubles ($18) but there are quite a few cheaper 300 ø 350 rubles ($11-$13) options. An average bill per person will come to around 900 rubles ($33).
Address: Universitetskaya Ul., 10/48. Tel: 292-9920. Open 12:00-23:00.

Meat Kick.
One of KazanÕs most popular restaurants and a big hit with tourists. Meat Kick is the complement to the next-door Fish. Decorated in saloon style and adorned with various Americana, Meat Kick is low on local flavor but does have some tasty meals on offer. The food is standard American fare. There are good quality, cheap breakfasts until midday for about 100 rubles ($3.70). The rest of the day an average bill will come to about 800 rubles ($30). Service could be better.
Address: Universitetskaya Ul., #10/48. Tel: 292-9332. Open 7:30-23:00.

McDonaldÕs.
Only worth mentioning because it has a 24 hour express window, making it one of the rare places in Kazan where you can eat at any time of day or night. The ÔrestaurantÕ itself closes at midnight.
Address: Baumana Ul., #72a. Tel: 292-1625. Open 24 hours.

Cafes/Bars.

Dream Cafe.
The pick of KazanÕs cafe scene. Upstairs is a restaurant with two halls and a limited range of European food on offer for mid-range prices. But downstairs is the better part of the venue with a bar, chill-out room and a room for watching sports. The sports hall, with comfortable chairs and giant screen is a great place for enjoying a game. Meanwhile, the chill-out hall allows patrons to relax and enjoy a drink or smoke kalian. There is often live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Otherwise some form of light dance music plays. An intimate cafe and bar with very friendly staff and very reasonable prices.
Address: Karla Marksa Ul., #50. Tel: 299-4335. Open 11:00-3:00.

Dom Blinov.
ItÕs not exactly a happening place, but itÕs on the main street, it has a cozy, homely feel and itÕs so damn cheap. You can order 200g of bliny goodness for a maximum of 40 rubles ($1.50) with a sweet topping and 65 rubles ($2.40) for a savory pancake snack. Also on the menu are a small selection of Russian dishes for no more than 70 rubles ($2.60) and both Russian and foreign beers for no more than 45 rubles ($1.70). Open until 2am daily, itÕs also a good place for a (relatively) late-night snack. Eateries donÕt stay open much later than that in Kazan. Dom Blinov is non-smokingÉ In Russia?
Adress: Baumana Ul., #45. Open 10:00-2:00.

Cafe Antalya.
One of many cafes on KazanÕs main street, Antalya serves up standard Turkish fare. The interior is quite bland but Cafe Antalya does boast a good location and tasty, good-value food. The main drawcard, however, is the cafe's brilliant summer terrace where you can sit and watch all the activity flowing past on KazanÕs main street. Main courses cost between 160 and 200 rubles ($4-$6), a 500mL Efes goes for 80 rubles ($3) while kalian is on offer starting at 150 rubles ($5.50).
Address: Baumana Ul., #74. Open 11:00-23:00.

Joker.
A European restaurant and micro-brewery attached to the Mirage Hotel. Joker is a slick and modern restaurant and bar in the Tinkoff mould that prides itself on its home-brewed beer. Business lunches are good value at 270 rubles ($10). Otherwise the menu consists mainly of light snacks to complement the beer. There is live music on weekends and a vibrant atmosphere any night of the week.
Address: Kirova Ul., #1a. Tel: 278-0505. Open Sun-Thur 11:00-0:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-2:00.

Shikolat Cafe.
A popular place with students due to its location just around the corner from Kazan State University. Shikolat Cafe has a great, hip interior and a relaxed atmosphere. Coffee here is quite decent although the desserts are nothing special and come in rather small servings. So itÕs a good thing the cafe has an array of discount offers such as buy a dessert and get a coffee for free.

Address: Universitetskaya Ul., #20. Tel: 238-6638. Open 8:00-0:00.

Tinkoff.
Well, if youÕve been to one of them youÕve been to all of them. Tinkoff in Kazan is pretty similar in design to its brethren in the bigger cities with a sleek, modern interior, a small stage for live music, TVs dotted around the joint for sports broadcasts and music videos and the requisite brewing keg in pride of place just to drive home the point that Tinkoff brews their on beer on site. Likewise, the menu and prices are identical to all the other Tinkoff restaurants. A good place to come if youÕre looking for a decent bar. Hosts some okay bands occasionally.
Address: Gorkovo Ul., #8/9. Tel: 570-4701. Open 12:00-2:00.