3 Food Courts that are Redefining Moscow's Culinary Experience
The emergence of Moscow as a gastronomical capital has already been well documented and one of the great food stories of the last decade.
But a less reported aspect of this trend is the fact that, alongside the upmarket (and often overpriced) award-winning restaurants, a whole new breed of food courts and markets have also popped up in different areas of the city, offering an impressive selection of international cuisine choices at democratic prices.
Truth be told, there were already plenty of casual dining options in Moscow, but the novelty is in how these have now been brought together, literally, under the same roof, recovering some emblematic historical buildings along the way and transforming how new generations of urbanites eat out in the Russian capital.
Where to find Moscow’s best food courts, food malls and gastronomic markets?
Read on to enter the Moscow food court revolution!
Tsentralniy Rinok (Центральный рынок) - “Central Market”
True to its name, Moscow’s Tsentralniy Rinok (or “Central Market”) is located right in the middle of one of the boulevards that ring the inner area of central Moscow.
A market of some sort has existed at this spot at least since the mid-19th C, although it was not until later in the mid 20th C. that a proper market building was built. Like other institutions in Russia, the market suffered during the messy years following the fall of the Soviet system and it was closed in 1994.
It would take over two decades for a new project for the Central Market to be reborn. In 2017 Tsentralniy Rinok re-opened. It’s external appearance had been more or less preserved, but inside it had gone through an total and thorough redesign, an entirely different concept.
Tsentralniy Rinok (Центральный рынок)
Rozhdestvensky Blvd, 1
Moscow 07031
https://moscowcentralmarket.ru
Metro: Trubnaya / Svetnoy Boulevard
A modern food court in a classic building
Unlike other Moscow food courts, Tsentralniy Rinok is devoted almost entirely to eating out. No market stalls here, but close to 50 casual eating stalls representing a broad diversity of different cuisines from around the world.
This international focus is actually one of the differential points of Central Market. There are, of course, some food outlets offering foods classical of the region, for example, food from the Russian north or Georgian food (there’s even has a bakery where you can see how bread is baked in a traditional oven), but most of the space is devoted to specialities from other parts of the world, Moroccan tagine, Swiss raclette, Mexican tacos, Japanese food, Chinese food and more….
Besides some classics, like Chinese food (below), there is also a re-evaluation of specialities from the Russian regions, such as “northern cuisine” (above). Also the idea of sourcing and traceability is also making inroads as you can see in this illustrated poster map that depicts where the different types of fish and seafood at the Central Market have been sourced from.
Most of the action is at the central food court.
The market-like purpose-built architecture has facilitated the structuring of the market offerings all around the central space on the lower floor.
There are also a (less busy) upper floor and a lower ground floor.
The structure of the building is the original, but the inside has been completely redone, including the roof that has also got some greenery in the process!
Usachyovskiy Market (“Усачевский рынок”)
Usachevskiy Market traces its roots back to the 19th C. when a trader called Usachev was based at this spot on the Khamovnikov (Хамовников) area of Moscow.
Since 2017 Usachevskiy Market has enjoyed a new lease of life after undergoing extensive renovation.
Compared to the other two food courts-markets featured in this post, Usachevskiy market is still primarily a market, with stall overflowing with all sorts of fresh produce.
Nevertheless, there is also a food court at Usachevskiy market also quite a few interesting options for those that looking for a spot where to eat out.
Seafood is a particular star here, with several places offering a selection of fish, oysters and other crustaceans. But there are also some international choices, from Greek to Asian food.
Depo (“Депо”)
I have deliberately left for last what is arguably the largest and most diverse of Moscow’s new generation food courts
“Depo Moscow Foodmall”, which opened in 2019, claims to be the largest food mall in Europe and while I have no way to verify this, it is certainly very large and a remarkable sensory experience.
Its name “Depo” is not coincidental: it is housed in what used to be the maintenance depot of Moscow’s municipal bus company.
Depo is part of a rather large red-brick compound very close to Belorusskaya station, one of Moscow’s main business hubs (many multinational companies have their offices nearby) and the terminus of Aeroexpress, the direct fast train to Sheremetyevo airport.
In addition to the foodmall, some of the nearby buildings house restaurants, cafés or shops, thus helping make of this also a rather busy culinary entrepot
Depo Moscow Foodmall
Lesnaya Ulitsa, 20
Moscow 125047
Metro: Belorruskaya or Novoslobodskaya
Welcoming visitors at Depo are some of the old buses that used this facility when it was a repair and maintenance shop. A nice touch that, in addition to paying homage to the place’s heritage, adds a touch of character and uniqueness (not to mention that old buses can make for a nice Martini bar too!).
Before making you choices I would recommend any first time visitors to Depo to walk around and check out the different aisles thoroughly, the amount of food choices is simply staggering!
More than 60 food establishments have a stall at Depo, with pretty much all major culinary styles from around the world represented here: Russian, Central Asian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, Middle Eastern, Greek, Japanese…there’s even a traditional English pie shop!
Seating is available on a couple of larger open halls, but also in myriad other smaller spaces scattered on two levels all over this larger former industrial setting.
A little army of service staff makes sure that all is impeccably clean. Make sure you don’t leave your food try unattended for even a few minutes…chances are that it will be removed and thrown to the bin!
If there’s a place where the paradox of choice can be plainly explained and experienced, this is Depo! Granted, it may not be high cuisine, but we are talking tasty, varied and reasonably priced casual eating here.
Just imagine working in one of the nearby office blocks and compare with the typical workplace canteen. Or let’s say you can’t make your mind and want to try small portions, mixing different tastes and products. Or you are a group with varied preferences. Problem sorted!
In addition to the ready to eat food, there is also a market at Depo, where you can buy different types of products, from dried fruit to fresh vegetables and imported products. Unlike the restaurant stalls, it is rather upmarket here.
Talking upmarket…there is even a small Gucci store within the premises!
And it is not just about food…the central hall at Depo has also a stage for all sort of shows and performances.
In short, the latest major addition to Moscow’s food scene has lots going for it. Definitely a must visit if you happen to be around the Beloruskaya/Novoslobodskaya area and feeling hungry!
