Irkutsk Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Irkutsk

October 14, 2017 Velvet Champine

Founded in the mid-17th century as a winter quarters for traders and tax collectors, Irkutsk came to prominence in the 1800s. Participants in the Decembrist revolt against Tsar Nicholas I were exiled to Siberia in droves, turning Irkutsk into their cultural center. Today, it’s one of Siberia’s biggest and most important cities, with over half a million people, many universities, many historic churches and museums, and beautiful Lake Baikal, just about an hour away by train.
Things to do in Irkutsk

1. Figaro

Karla Marksa St., 22, Irkutsk 664003, Russia Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards Italian, Mediterranean, European, International, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Brunch HK$78 - HK$785 +7 902 510-79-71
Excellent
72%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 387 reviews

Figaro

Reviewed By HobartResident - Hobart

As great as the food was, the bubbly and fluent English speaking staff made our visit to Irkutsk memorable

2. Prego Italian Restaurant

Karla Marksa St., 15A, Irkutsk 664003, Russia Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi Italian, Mediterranean, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night +7 395 297-97-57
Excellent
60%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 266 reviews

Prego Italian Restaurant

Reviewed By nelsoli - Seattle, WA

We stumbled upon this restaurant walking around town. It looked warm and inviting so we decided to give it a go and left feeling very satisfied with our choice.
The ambience is terrific. It’s very upscale (for Irkutsk) and we were the most underdressed in our hiking boots and fleece sweaters. We also appeared to be the only tourists in the restaurants – all others were locals. Nonetheless, the staff was great and looked after us well. There is an extensive picture menu in Russian and English. We had cocktails (all fruit juice was fresh squeezed) and great wine with our meal. There was a piano player who did a terrific job. This restaurant is more expensive than many of the restaurants we ate at but I didn’t feel hard done given the quality of service and fresh ingredients and the ambience.
If you are looking for a nice meal in Irkutsk, this is a great choice!

3. DesignBar

Karla Marksa St., 40 | 2nd Floor, Irkutsk 664007, Russia Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards Bar, Healthy, Wine Bar, European, Central European, Contemporary, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, Brunch HK$24 - HK$157 +7 395 240-33-99
Excellent
79%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 237 reviews

DesignBar

DesignBar - a modern city bar, which is always nice to be. And day at lunch and at the end of the working day to run as an aperitif, or come and stay the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner, see friends or meet new modern nice people. This gastronomic bar with great emphasis on a new supply of quality food. We want to show that an unusual and tasty food can be available and the price, and to understand. And you can see the menu and quite familiar dishes, they have a different cooking techniques or feed. In general, this is the place where you can get and the gastronomic and aesthetic pleasure. Much attention is paid directly filling the bar, an unusual cocktail menu will take a lot of pleasure. Effect, the cocktails - it is also an explosion of taste and a great mood, and alcohol is not the dominant ingredient.

Reviewed By Pottgirl - Leeds, United Kingdom

Located in the "Revolution Gallery", this small restaurant is by far the most interesting thing this otherwise rather lacklustre little shopping-center has to offer. Yes, it definitely has a touch of the хипстер about it - it was the first time in Russia that I found the whole collection of Fentiman's lemonades on the menu, and the friendly waitress was happy to help when we were looking for the Russian word for "elderflower."
But the hipster vibe doesn't mean you get weird looks if, like us, you come in straight from a rainstorm, dripping on the floor and wearing decidedly non-hipster clothes. Instead, everyone was helpful, friendly and eager to answer questions about the menu. We were lucky to arrive just after 1 pm - DesignBar isn't very big, and filled up swiftly for lunch. Portions aren't very big, but then again, that's a good reason to get dessert as well. It's also worth mentioning that there are a lot of vegetarian dishes on offer - not just the usual go-to greek salad.
The squid ink ravioli were al dente and delicious, as were the eggplant tortelloni. As for dessert, chocolate fondant with gorgonzola ice cream may seem like an odd combination, but it does go together well (the same is true for their home-made mango, cucumber and red peppercorn lemonade - both are worth a try).

4. Kochevnik

Gorkogo St., 19, Irkutsk 664025, Russia Delivery, Takeout, Waitstaff, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Reservations, Seating, Accepts Credit Cards Asian, Mongolian Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night HK$24 - HK$408 +7 395 220-04-59
Excellent
59%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 281 reviews

Kochevnik

Reviewed By Valerie Heide M

Sounded like an interesting place and it was recommended. Not very crowded but the food was good. The service was uneven but friendly. Friends in Irkutsk really enjoy this restaurant for special occasions. Staff volunteered to charge my phone for me; however they did not return my adaptor and refused to admit that they had had it. This was disappointing to say the least.

5. Rassolnik

3 Iyulya St., 3 | 130 Kvartal, Irkutsk 664022, Russia Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi European, Russian, Soups, Eastern European, Central European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night +7 395 268-68-78
Excellent
65%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 503 reviews

Rassolnik

Located in the very heart of the Irkutsk city centre the place where despite modern influences the cozy and comfortable Soviet apartment still exists. Restaurant "Rassolnik" offers exceptional cuisine while you have a chance to feel the history here. Every interior detail is the museum exhibit which you can even touch or hold in your hands. The two restaurant halls present the most prominent attributes of Soviet flat: an old piano, a wooden rocking horse, the bust of Lenin and etc... The good old Soviet films are shown on a "Rubin" TV set and when it's off the guests are treated with the timeless music of everybody's beloved films. The restaurant menu also matches the Soviet times: the dressed herring, the chicken Kiev and of course the three kinds of Rassolnik - all homemade recipes. Moreover, the signature feature of the restaurant and its merit are dishes cooked with Baikal omul, cisco, grayling and assuredly with wild fowls. "Rassolnik" has special "Farm menu" which offers meals prepared only with eco-friendly products from local farmers. Restaurant "Rassolnik" recreated the atmosphere of an intelligent soviet family flat in the seventies. If you want to become better acquainted with peculiarity of that time, please come and have a look. Before entering the door close your eyes and leave the noisy century behind. Inside you will meet friendly neighbors and homemade food. Welcome to "Rassolnik"!

Reviewed By Daniela-88_alema - Bonn, Germany

Rassolnik offers a good bunch of local food. I tried the beef stroganoff and even though, I don’t like meat a lot, it was very delicious.
Also the dumplings were good. And we had very nice waitresses in ancient style clothing.
It is definitely worth a visit.

6. Bier Haus

Gryaznova St., 1, Irkutsk 664003, Russia Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Television German, Bar, European, Central European, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks +7 395 255-05-55
Excellent
61%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 175 reviews

Bier Haus

Stable success for 13 years. Bier Haus is translated from the German language as «a house of beer» and this name reflects exactly spirit of this place. The restaurant offers the guests wide choice of German, Czech and Irish beer from Europe. It’s worth to say about our cuisine. Our restaurant offers classic European cuisine. Our chefs follow the European rules of cooking. The restaurant Bier Haus specializes in German dishes In the evenings there are Concerts of famous music bands, including foreign ones

Reviewed By FlutistCPA - Xico, Mexico

Great choice of beer. Nice atmosphere and live German band some nights. Good is good with large portions. The beer comes with addictive snacks (bread cubes cooked in butter and garlic).

7. Ohotnikov

uliza Jadrinzeva, 1J, Irkutsk 664009, Russia Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Validated Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards European, Bar, Barbecue, Pub, Russian, Central European Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, Late Night HK$204 - HK$479 +7 395 254-19-89
Excellent
80%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 167 reviews

Ohotnikov

Hunting - calling soul gentleman. Do any of these men's eyes light up at the sight of a beautiful gun, great hunting dogs and, of course, hunting trophies. Restaurant "Hunters" - a paradise not only for lovers of this ancient and elegant male hobby, but for all citizens of Irkutsk and guests who prefer service and top-level cuisine. The restaurant's interior is designed in the style of the hunting club, with various attributes - engraving colonial-style weapons and carved panels representing hunting scenes. Restaurant "Hunters" specializes in exotic dishes of wild meat, cooked on an open fire, as well as dishes from the Siberian fish. In 2010. Hunters Restaurant has been awarded as the best restaurant at the hotel. Also, the hotel has a cozy bar where you can sit with a glass of wine and a delicious cup of coffee, and in the summer open-air cafe. In addition, there are special offers outgoing banquets, business lunches, wedding services, and other celebrations.

Reviewed By petermax9 - Sydney, Australia

This place has been skilfully decorated and themed as a Soviet style restaurant. - with the big difference that the service is attentive and the food varied and well-prepared.

8. Rio Grande

Rossiyskaya, 17, Irkutsk 664025, Russia Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi Mexican, Latin, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +7 395 224-29-71
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 127 reviews

Rio Grande

Reviewed By ClemsonWendi - London, United Kingdom

I came here one evening for dinner and was a bit skeptical but was pleasantly surprised. I have found that good tex-mex is hard to find outside of North America. The queso dip was very good and spicy. The nacho chips that came with it were good but different - they reminded me of pita chips you can get in the US. I also had the beef enchiladas which were good but it ended up being too much food. I would recommend this restaurant in Irkutsk.

9. Belaya Vorona

Karla Marksa, 37, Irkutsk 664011, Russia Reservations Italian, European, Russian Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner +7 950 088-50-00
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 76 reviews

Belaya Vorona

Уютная кофейня для общения и чтения. В дополнение к ароматной чашечке кофе, сваренного по всем правилам кофейного искусства, у нас вы найдете: бесплатный Wi-Fi, стеллаж с книгами (ведь кофе и книга так хорошо сочетаются), спокойная атмосфера в центре шумного города.Карла Маркса, 37. Вход к нам через магазин цветов "Рассвет", находится между Л'Этуалью и Золотом Якутии. Заходите в цветы, немного проходите вперед и спускаетесь в цокольный этаж, идите на запах кофе))))

Reviewed By rusprof

Excellent Coffee shop. One of my favorite places in Irkutsk. Recommended to me by Sasha (from Nerpa Hostel), I visited it several times on my recent trip to Irkutsk to scout a sight for a term abroad program for my College.
This is a great place to go for free Wi-FI, wonderful atmosphere and excellent tea/coffee. I am a once a day espresso drinker myself and the first two times there I ordered espresso. The third time I went back to try the tea (these teas are amazing) -- try the raspberry tea if you're in to fruity teas. Real raspberries. Never had tea that tasted so good, ever!
I hear it gets really cool in the evenings with open mics and poetry readings, bands, solo singers, etc. Can't wait to get back there to experience that. This is the place to be in Irkutsk.

10. Cake Home

Marata Street 28, Irkutsk 664025, Russia Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi European Breakfast HK$71 - HK$204 +7 395 220-12-12
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 101 reviews

Cake Home

Reviewed By Robber222 - London

A tiny, dark and lovely little cake shop with great service. The cakes were delicious. We tried the Zebra and the Royal, which is full of dried apricots, prunes and cream cheese. Both were fresh and wonderfully tasty. The place has a real feeling of an intimate salon and has only four tables, with great coffee. The cakes are paid for by weight. Order a big slice! Highly recommended.

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