About
Creators of GS Coffeeshop are the children of the coffee revolution which swept all over Russia and eventually reached Kaliningrad. When they opened their first coffeeshop on a quiet street just off the central Victory Square they had to explain to their puzzled guests the difference between latte and flat white, and show what Chemex or AeroPress were. Since the opening in 2015, it has become one of the most popular spots for local coffee lovers, hipsters, and intellectuals. It's a small and cozy room with a bunch of tables and sofas where you can play chess or take a book from the bookshelf and browse it while sipping a cup of delicious coffee.
GS Coffeeshop has recently opened their second branch on Prospect Mira. The new place which is even smaller than the old one was named Laundry. According to the owners, the name suggests that the new coffeeshop is meant to wipe off the old image of coffee that people of Kaliningrad may have had (i.e. instant coffee that many Russians still drink every day), and create a new one, of coffee as a rich and complex product which has hundreds of varities and flavours.
Address
1 Generala Galitskogo St. (ул. Генерала Галицкого, д. 1);
76 Mira Avenue (пр. Мира, д. 76)
Opening hours
Coffeeshop on Galitskogo St.: Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun 12-9pm;
Coffeeshop on Mira St.: Mon-Sun 10am-10pm
English-speaking staff
Best for: coffee
Order this: saulted caramel latte, Raf coffee (latte with cream and vanilla sugar), Flat White, Australian Lungo, AeroPress, Chemex.
About
One of the most upscale restaurant in Kaliningrad, Tchaikovsky certainly lives up to its name. It is located in an old German house, together with a cozy boutique hotel under the same name. There're violins to remind visitors of the Violin Concerto composed by Tchaikovsky, a ballet tutu at the entrance and tiny ballerinas on the tables which evoke images of Tchaikovsky's famous ballets.
The food is predominantly Russian but with a French twist. According to the chef, he tried to recreate the dishes which were popular during Tchaikovsky's lifetime, and add some local specialties to it. During the summer months they open a lovely terrace decorated with old wooden doors and sea-related signs. It's a great place to start your day with a hearty breakfast before heading to a zoo which is just a stone's throw from the restaurant.
Address
43 Tchaikovskogo St. (ул. Чайковского, д. 43)
+7 4012 67 44 41
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9am-12am
Menu in English
English-speaking staff
Best for: breakfast/lunch/dinner
Order this: Beetroot, potato, and pickles salad ('vinegret') with Baltic sprats served in a loaf of brown bread; pumpkin & potato flapjacks with sour cream; Borscht with beef, lard, dark bread, and horseradish; Ukha fish soup; homemade Russian dumplings with various fillings; perch baked in vine leaves; Tchaikovsky burger; rabbit simmered in black currants; Pavlova
Buckthorn & honey infusion and spicy pear, Feta and mint sandwich
GS COFFEESHOP
TCHAIKOVSKY
ЧАЙКОВСКИЙ
BREAD AND CEZVE
ХЛЕБ И ТУРКА
About
A great new coffee spot in Kaliningrad, Bread and Cezve was opened by the owners of ArtVorota gallery. The location can hardly be better: an 18th-century city gate which houses various modern art and photography exhibitions. There's a coworking space upstairs, and a library with art books and mazagines which you can bring to your table and read. They make excellent coffee and tea, both classics, and specials such as sweet halva latte and various berry infusions, smoothies, and lassis. And you definitely need to try their 'craft'-sandwiches, they're absolutely delicious.
Address
Sackheim Gate, 63 Litovsky Val (ул. Литовский Вал, д. 63)
+7 4012 42 24 02
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-10pm
Menu in English
English-speaking staff
Best for: tea/coffee/snack
Order this: halva latte; buckthorn & honey infusion; spicy pear, Feta and mint sandwich
ULITSY BAR
БАР УЛИЦЫ
About
A cozy café and a bar is hiding in an inconspicuous building behind an ordinary grocery store. The bar was opened by a couple from St Petersburg who a year ago decided to move to a new place and start a restaurant business. As a result, they created a place with a perfect St Petersburg vibe - quiet and decent during the daytime, and loud and wild at night. They serve a mix of street food and Asian staples, most of which is really great. Low prices and hearty portions make it even more attractive. For something more exotic, come here on Wednesday evening when they serve Russian appetizers for free to go with the shots of Russian vodka.
Address
13 Mira Av. (пр. Мира, д. 13)
+7 931 603 50 78
Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 1pm-1am; Fri-Sat 1pm-6am
Menu in English
English-speaking staff
Best for: lunch/drink
Order this: cottage cheese pancakes with sour cream; woks and burgers; homemade lemonades