Muka

Café «Muka» on Gavanskaya Street, 35, just a short walk from Primorskaya and Lenexpo metro stations, works as a genuine neighborhood spot — a place that's convenient both for people living in the surrounding courtyards and for visitors coming from other parts of Vasilyevsky Island. On weekdays from 8:30 am, they serve breakfast, and not just porridge and syrniki: the menu includes eggs Benedict and sandwiches, and the porridge is cooked with either coconut or soy milk. The main kitchen is built around Italian traditions, overseen by chef Artur Pirogov, who previously worked at Italy Group, Paninaro, and Gusto. The carbonara is made the classic way, without cream, the pasta is made in-house, and prices stay reasonable. The café's name isn't just for show: they hand-make pelmeni and vareniki here and bake Neapolitan pizza. Besides the main dining room with a small kids' corner, «Muka» has a separate space housing its own bakery and pastry shop. There you can buy bread and baked goods, berry tarts, chia panna cotta, cakes, pies, and macarons to take away. The average check at the café ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles.