Cafe St. Petersburg

Best Russian restaurant in Boston. Fight me. Everything we had were absolutely delicious. Originally in Brookline, they moved to Newton in 2006, and thriving ever since. Amazingly authentic and delicious Russian food I didn't realize that I need! Love the Borscht, exactly what I wanted and remembered. Rich tomato beefy broth with cabbage and carrots inside. The secret was in the broth, absolutely divine. Pirozhki was also amazing. You choose the different flavors they offer, we got cabbage and egg&scallions. Cabbage filling was flavorful, seasoned with dill, very fresh and vibrant. Egg&scallion filling was also delicious, but cabbage was the clear winner. For main course, cabbage rolls were a must try. This was not like other cabbage rolls you would have had. The meat inside was well seasoned and tender, paired with a rich tomato sauce, full of tomato umami. Oxtail meat pie was also another perfection. Pie crust was buttery and flakey, not a single doughy spot. Tender oxtail meat filling paired perfectly with the mashed potatoes. If you want a Russian meal to remember, this is the place.

If you’re looking for real Russian food in Newton, Café St. Petersburg is a must-visit! I tried the Pozharsky cutlets and they were absolutely incredible—crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful inside, and paired perfectly with the sides. It’s one of those dishes that feels homemade yet elevated, truly authentic. What made the evening even more special was the atmosphere. We came for dinner and ended up staying for one of their fun events with amazing live music—the vibe was energetic, welcoming, and so different from anywhere else in the area. Café St. Petersburg is not just a restaurant, it’s a cultural experience. Between the warm service, the unique events, and the delicious menu, this is one of the best places for anyone craving authentic Russian cuisine in the Boston area. We’ll definitely be back!

This restaurant is truly a gem! The food is absolutely delicious and has that comforting, homemade taste that makes you feel right at home. Every dish is full of authentic flavor and prepared with so much care. The staff is polite, attentive, and always makes you feel welcome. On top of that, they often host fun and interesting events, which create a lively and warm atmosphere. A wonderful place to enjoy great food and culture. Definitely a spot I’ll keep coming back to!

Absolutely delicious and authentic experience at Café St. Petersburg in Newton! The vareniki with cherry were incredible — soft, juicy, and perfectly sweet, just like in Eastern Europe. You can really taste the love and tradition in every bite. If you’re looking for authentic Russian and Eastern European food near Boston, this is the place to go. The atmosphere is cozy and elegant, the live music makes it feel like a celebration, and the staff are always warm and welcoming. Highly recommend Café St. Petersburg for anyone who loves traditional Russian cuisine, Ukrainian food, homemade pelmeni, borscht, beef stroganoff, or dumplings with cherries. A true gem for anyone who wants a taste of real Slavic hospitality right here in Newton, MA! 📍Don’t miss their weekend events and live entertainment nights — amazing vibes every time!

This is an excellent spot to try some Eastern European or mostly Russian food in the heart of newton. Parking can be tricky with all that’s happening in the Langley lot and surroundings and it’s not so easy to find the entrance - the new management has done some work to make it easier to find but it could be easier if there was some more signs for first time visitors. Once you are in - the ambiance is a but “cavern-like” but the service and food will more than make up for it. We went back recently as we were told by friends that there is a new management and food and service has become better if anything. It is all true - the same great food and really warm service… The caviar starter and the chicken liver pate - which was served with honey and salt - were great and the drinks are tasty - and strong! (My wife asks for them to make it half strength every time!) Mains were excellent - though the stroganoff was not quite as good as I’ve had before. I don’t know how many times I would recommend a side dish specifically but the risotto side dish is a MUST try. They are also super generous with the bread which was all excellent. Desserts are all generous portions and very good We will be back again and this seems to be one of those management changes that don’t alter the soul of the place.

Amazing atmosphere! Upon walking in my colleague and I were warmly greeted by staff. It felt as if I was in Eastern Europe enjoying heritage cuisine. The owner came greeted us at our table. Warm vibes & great food. Looking forward to my next visit!

The borscht with a side of horseradish infused vodka is delicious! You have to get this…I wish they sold it in massive to go pots. Great for chilly weather and to keep your iron count up. If you’re not familiar with the Newton Centre area it might be hard for you to find, so I’ve added pictures to help orient people. Plenty of parking in the Langley Lot (formerly Newton Centre Triangle Public Parking Lot), especially in the evenings and on weekends. Plenty of street parking, too.

We came here for the event on Friday with my friends, and it was a blast! Thanks so much for hosting us tonight. The food is amazing, stuff is very friendly and the atmosphere is very welcoming as well. Come check it out!

Stumbled into Café St. Petersburg completely by chance, and it ended up being one of the loveliest dining experiences I've had in a long time. The hostess was incredibly warm and welcoming, and our server, Liza, was absolutely wonderful. We didn't even realise at first that it was a Russian restaurant--and despite a wedding happening in the back, they invited us in as if we were longtime friends. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between classy and comfortable, with a genuine family feel wrapped in elegant décor. The drinks were excellent, and although I didn't order the soup, I learned it's served with horseradish vodka--so naturally, I had to try the vodka on its own. It was fantastic. They also have live music on the weekends, which just adds to the charm. Highly recommend this place, and I'm already looking forward to coming back. .

We had a wonderful birthday celebration at St. Petersburg Café! Everything was perfect -- delicious food, excellent service (the staff was amazing), beautiful ambiance, and great music (not too loud, which was a huge plus). I also want to mention the very welcoming and lovely hostess. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in MA (we're visiting from FL).

" Good food on tablecloth dinning ; place got a little modern day makeover " So this place is cool if you want an old school table cloth dinning ; yet an upbeat trendy vibe . My husband and I came on date night . The food was delicious, fresh and good portion sizes we thought . The service was excellent. The vibe is warm . We definitely will be back on another date night .

An absolutley beautiful dining experience. A charming environment. Brilliant food that you cannot find anywhere in Massachusetts. My Husband took me to this Resteraunt on our first date and He was so happy with the food as the chef's dishes reminded him of his Mothers cooking. he ordered almost everything off of the Menu just so I could try meals that were near and dear to his heart. A very romantic memory that stays with me every day. I highly recommend.

Had a great time at this restaurant. The vibe is cool and the food is good. I will be back soon

I didn't know it's now under new ownership. The chef has changed and the decor has been updated. No more piano dining and in goes the Dj booth. The dining room is a lot brighter than yesterday. The white table cloth service and modern take is refreshing. The menu has changed slightly, the borscht is still good but flavor is slightly different. The chicken kiev of yesterday was better but the one of today was still good. The beef stroganoff with barley risotto was vastly improved. The piroshki before came in a flaky pastry, the one now resemble more of a bread dough, more dense and less buttery. Sergei, hopefully I spelled that correctly; remains as fantastic as ever. Nestled in a Newton centre, it can be hard to find.

I wanted to thank everyone involved in the preparation and organization of our wonderful event!!! We had an amazing time at your restaurant! The organization was top-notch! Everyone was eager to help us, from the owner and managers to the waitstaff! You have wonderful employees--each and every one of them! Our guests mentioned that the food was delicious, and the service was excellent. Even the two vegan guests didn't go hungry--you took our wishes into account and prepared special dishes for them, and Sergey kept checking in to make sure everything was going well for them. That means a lot! The food was incredibly tasty, which made us even happier! Huge thanks to the chefs! You made our evening unforgettable! Here are some photos along with your happy customers!!!

My friend and I were wanting to try some Russian food in the Boston area, so we made the drive down to Newton to try Cafe St. Petersburg. It was my first time having a fully Russian meal and it certainly won't be the last. First, the restaurant is a bit more upscale than the pictures show - I would certainly not go in a tank top and shorts (I thought it was going to be much more casual!). Even so, the staff were so, so warm and friendly and I felt very welcome to lunch there. The dishes are definitely on the pricier side, but the quantity and quality is definitely there. I particularly loved the herring under a fur coat dish, which is a kind of cold fish salad with layered eggs and potatoes - I would highly recommend it for a unique dish to try! I would love to come back to try more dishes soon.

Me being Russian and my friend being a fan of me, we decided to give Cafe St. Petersburg a try. We live in back bay so the T ride out there was a little ways. However, now looking back it was all worth it! When we first walked in, we were immediately taken back to Russia with its fine dining. I especially liked the look of the patio, as it reminded me of being in my woodsy home. We were greeted by a very nice hostess who sat us immediately. He took our order and was very polite. He got us both some water as well as some bread which was cold but it reminded me of being my younger safe in Russia. The atmosphere was very interesting. Considering we were the only diners at the time, it felt like being in a house where you are lonely and have a whole bunch of booze next to you. But truthfully, it resonates with my home life so I didn't mind it to much. We got a shot of the house infused vodka which was very good. It tasted like lemon and didn't burn on the way down. So if your looking for a place to get drunk and don't wanna feel the burn this is the place for you!! We were the only ones in the restaurant for about 30 minutes until another couple walked in. The hostess was not at the reception desk, however, the couple eventually found him after poking there head into the kitchen. He was very attentive to them as well to me and my submissive. I found myself in need of a restroom, and I have to say, the restroom was quite pleasant. I ran into the nice waiter out in the hall and he was lounging in a chair playing on his phone. However, I figured he must of had a very long day with serving people so I figured he deserved a nice break. After I returned, i saw a kid run from the kitchen to the bar with these super dope light up sketches, and our entrees were served. I ordered the Marinated Hen and my friend got Chicken bagels (or something along those lines), they were both very delicious! I was super impressed how they presented the hen, with her legs spread and pussy out. I gobbled and ate the whole thing up! It was very delicious! My friend really enjoyed his dish as well! The fried potato and mashed potato sides were amazing! All and all, it was a wonderful dinner, and a terrific night out! I would give this place a double thumbs up and I certainly will be back for that delectable spread eagle hen and those delicious chicken ball bagels!

If you are from an Eastern-European country and your mother is a good cook, don't bother coming here. Tastes the same way as the frozen products at Baza. We had 3 different meals and all were boring. The bread and the service were good.

First time dining at this restaurant and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Service was very professional, - attentive and friendly. Bar was great - honest drinks, perfectly served. However, the real reason to visit this restaurant, in my opinion, is great food. They capture Russian cuisine perfectly. Every dish was presented beautifully and tested just like I remember from my childhood special events. Bravo to the chefs for their work. Since going to Russia is not viable anymore, Cafe St. Petersburg is the best option for us to enjoy Russian food.

Awful service and extremely overpriced For same money go to Capital Grill down the road

Excellent food and service! We really enjoyed the appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The waiter was very nice as well. Would highly recommend Cafe St Petersburg!

I really loved the food and service. Short ribs pasta is something. My favorite dish . P.S. owners , please change the price.... They are from 20 years ago )) I'm really looking forward to come back soon. Thanks a lot for wonderful experience.

Great neighborhood gem with a comfy and spacious outdoor patio in the warmer weather (see photo). I'd reccomend the vareniki (vegetarian potato dumplings in fresh sour cream), the classic borscht (hearty beet soup) and of course the housemade infused vodka (the cranberry and ginger have been our favorites!). Also, if you're a pickled fan or vegetarian, they've got a delicious pickled vegetable plate (also see photo)! It's a little hard to find, so make sure to use Google maps or look for the little sign across from JP Licks in Newton Center. :)

Decided to celebrate my birthday with my girlfriends at Cafe St Petersburg this year. The fifteen of us gathered despite everyone's busy schedule. The table was set impeccably, drinks were great and food was delicious! We were able to order the variety of appetizers and several main courses that we shared, this way everyone had a chance to try several things. The summer cold beet borsch was just like I remember my grandmother used to make! We transferred to the patio for champagne and desert, it was a great evening. I can not say enough about the service, it was attentive, without being overly friendly, just as one is hoped to encounter at the European restaurant. Will definitely come again, hopefully soon.

Newly re-opened Cafe St.Petersburg is a gem. Tasteful neutral decor, impeccable service, welcoming staff and out of this world food. Chef, fabulous, young and immensely talented came to the table to check on us. "Bring everything!" is now my order du jour. Prices are beyond reasonable for top-notch euro fare and stellar presentation. White tablecloth! Orchids! Grand piano and Viking look-alike bartender who will dazzle with his juggling skills and delightful concoctions. A must-go if you love refined yet jovial atmosphere, upscale service and food and drink that delight all senses.

Best food and best service. The Olivier salad, Borscht, and Chicken Kiev are perfect.

Trust me, I have Slavic ancestry. When mom makes such things at home, authenticity is easier to determine. I can confirm: yes, it's authentic! I was able to try: - Borscht - Chicken Kiev - Cranberry Vodka - Lemon Vodka Borscht is an interesting dish, in that it's very open to interpretation. The broth was pleasant and rather light, and the cabbage was cooked perfectly. My critique is regarding the meat: I found the pieces were rather small, but more than that I though there could be more of them. Other than this, the dish is very well balanced. Chicken Kiev was solid. The piece of chicken was large, and fried to a perfect golden brown. Just below that the chicken was fresh, tender, with the butter and herbs lending their own wonderful flavor. Also, despite being both deep fried and stuffed with butter, it was not at all greasy. My critique, however: the piece of chicken was rather large, probably about the size of a modest potato. About halfway through, once you've soaked up all the oil, you're just left with a decent piece of herbed chicken. The house villa were surprisingly great, the lemon and cranberry offered great flavor without being overly sweet, and the vodka itself was very smooth! The service was A-OK, speed was alright for fresh food, fairly attentive without overdoing it, and respectful (think polite but without the "of course, I'll get that for you right away" I look forward to returning and trying some more of their offerings.

Yesterday was the first day of their Sunday brunch menu. We went with a group of 8 and had a lovely experience. Vibe is simple and elegant, with lovely background music. The staff is friendly and professional. Our group sampled a good fraction of the menu choices and everyone was very pleased. Outstanding preparation and presentation of food. The attached photo is Eggs Florentine on a fluffy croissant. Inexpensive overall. Much recommended. Five stars for hitting the perfect combo of ambiance, service, food and value.

The best restaurant with Russian food in the US among 20+ I have tried. Wonderful food! Thank you!

Very nice atmosphere and super friendly stuff. The food is really good and I know good Russian food! Prices are more than reasonable. Definitely will be back

Delicious Russian food! Love having a little taste of home near by definitely a must try!

have gone here many times, wonderful experience with both old owners & new. food is always stellar, live piano was beautiful, and such a nice environment and service.

Okay the food was good but the service was way too slow. Our waiter was lovely and all but it took us, a party of 3 over an hour to get our food, when there were 6 patrons in total in the restaurant. That being said, the chicken tabaka and Georgian eggplant were both lovely. Rye and white bread on the house but it could do with being a bit warmer. I found the ambience to be lovely and very conducive to conversation. This could be a nice place for a date but yes the food comes out wayyy too slowly. Edit: I may have been a bit tired while writing this review, hence the overuse of 'lovely' have a lovely day everyone.

I had a great time at Cafe St. Petersburg with its authentic, delicious food and excellent service. The prices are also reasonable for the quality you get. The ambience was also great. Overall i give this place a 10/10 and cant wait to be back for more!

Excellent food, first time trying Russian cuisine. Not many other highly rated Russian restaurants in the area that I know of. Cafe St Petersburg was one of the only Russian restaurants to come up with good reviews. Service was also excellent, attentive and polite, not overwhelming.

The food was sub-par at best. Server seemed angry, and was not friendly. Would not eat here again.

Great food. My Russian friend approves. Pricer than other places in Boston. Good service always refilling drinks and polite. Soups were saltier than expected but goes well with the sour cream. The meat pastry with the borscht was a good surprise. Chicken Kiev wasn't dry inside yay! The best item from entree menu in my opinion. Had the cabbage wraps for the first time. They have a unique aroma might be difficult to get used to. The sauce was different from what my friend grew up with. Potato dumplings are great for sharing. Street parking. Had to loop around to find a spot on a Wednesday night. Tables were spaced out nicely not cramped. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained though a bit cold. Overall I will be back to try more things and get vodka too!

Have been coming to this restaurant for many years. However this time it was very disappointing; Our reservations were for 7:00 pm we were sited right away. But the appetizers were served an hour and a half later (8:30p), When ordering drinks we were informed that the restaurant has run out of 'Cognac' and some of the appetizers that we ordered. the main course was not served until nine thirty (9:30p). The waiter kept apologizing. This was a Saturday night usually the busiest day of the week this was very disappointing. As I said we have been patrons of this restaurant for many years and never ever had this happen to us. I think we will think twice before returning to this restaurant in the future...

Super nice restaurant, we went there for a friend's birthday. We started with drinks served in chilled glasses and shared appetizers and main courses. All the dishes were delicious including borscht, fish, and something that looked liked thin pancakes with potatoes. Very good Vodka. The service was very friendly and responsive.

Used to be fine, but a failure now. It was closed when it should've been open (Sunday lunch). Friendly as an ogre person inside has confirmed that it's "Not open". Time wasted, so I don't see myself coming back any time soon. Go there if you have nothing better to do, but have a plan B in place.

Great spot to have a Russian dinner party! Awesome selection of apps and snacks. Caviar, pickles and all the favorites. Great music, entertainment and service!

1. Food: delicious, well plated food; the most important part of any dish is that it is cooked perfectly because it is so easy to overcook and I truly believe that the chef has mastered that art at this restaurant. I wished I could remember all the names of everything I ate!!!Basically you can't go wrong! 2. Service: the quality of service was exceptional. They served in a team style, so a number of staff were interacted with over the course of a long dinner. All of them were impeccable in their timing, appropriate levels of attentiveness and friendliness, and remarkable attention to all of the small details which really adds up. 3. The decor and ambiance was romantic, somewhat rustic, very cozy (but not overly crowded). I enjoyed everything about the look and feel of this restaurant, great for parties of all sizes, intimate to large groups.

The restaurant didn't realize we made a reservation on OpenTable. They were closed for an event. We booked well in advance to celebrate my mom's birthday and confirmed that we were coming and instead, we had to hastily regroup and scramble to go elsewhere. Do not count on this place with an important meal, or maybe don't use OpenTable to book.

Cafe St Petersburg is a great place for a party, gathering or special occasion or event. I went here 2 times for my families birthday parties (we are russian) and we got great food and dancing was fun. We ordered appetizers, Main course (second) and dessert. For the appetizers we got a lot of stuff such as Seeweed and Avacado salad, Salad Olivee, Caviar (black and red), bread (white and rye), Russian hams (calbasa) and many other salads and appetizers. For the second appetizer course, we got Crepes and red caviar- they were to die for. Then we also got Russian pastries (perashkei) filled with meat and tiny pieces of what I believe was onion. They were very good. Then we had a dancing celebration with many Russian songs and some upbeat songs that we know of. We had a very good musician play for us and a singer that sung the songs. Everyone was dancing and cheering and having fun! Then after dancing, we got to eat the main course which was delicious, it was Chicken Kebob, Ribs and fried potatoes and a tiny side of greens (spinach and onion). It was so good especially the chicken, it was soft and had tiny bits of pepper which helped it get its rich flavor, the fried potato pieces were good too, crispy on the outside, soft in the inside. Just how I like em. Then there was a bit more dancing and singing. Then the dessert came. For dessert we had a cake which was some crispy cake with cream and almonds. It was "okay". We also had fruits which were strawberries, blueberry, Raspberry, blackberry, watermelon and cantaloupe. The waiters were all men (some Russian and some not). There was also a mini bar for adults which had drinks and soda water. My complaint is they did not have regular Water and you kept having to ask for a glass water if you want plain water. They had a little relaxing chair near the entrance to relax which was good. The bathrooms were very clean which is impressive for a restaurant anywhere. Overall great place and fun for celebrations. I wouldn't go here just to eat with a few people, because sometimes they might be crowded or kick you out Unless you have reservations. If you are having a celebration then come here if you like Russian food and culture, mainly Russians come here and they speak Russian to you because it is a Russian restaurant but they also speak English for non Russian speakers. Overall great place would recommend!

Very cool little niche cafe. Very comforting and chill vibes inside, somewhat loud at times but just from everyone talking and enjoying themselves. Awesome spot to hang if you just want to enjoy your company and get some baked goods and decently priced drinks

Despite a tacky decor the food was surprisingly good. I wanted to go to Cafe SP for a long time, but I was a bit skeptical for the mixed review I had received. Nevertheless, yesterday with my foodie friend I decided to give it a try. My first impression wasn't good. I mean, the decor is pretty tacky and the pic at the entrance doesn't make sense at all. Anyway, we went there for the food not the decor. We had the blini with salmon caviar and Norwegian salmon. Really tasty. The blini were light and soft. Then I ordered the Borsch. Yummy, but a little bit too garlicky. As main course I got the Siberian Pelmeni, my favorite meal, scrumptious. The service was a bit slow, but in a cold day like yesterday didn't bother us. A tad pricey, but overall it was a nice experience. Go there for the food not the decor. I would definitely return.

Pretty nice place with great atmosphere. Been here a few times over the years. Last time was about a year ago for a Russian karaoke night. I don't speak Russian but I still had a lot of fun. Drinks were decently priced and good quality (real Russian vodka rather than the more common Polish or Baltic). As for the food, I really like the blintzes with cheese and potatoes, as well as the bliny--Russian pancakes with sour cream and caviar. Good luck eating it all by yourself though lol.

Wonderful food. Sadly we were the only ones there. Didn't matter as the service was perfect.

This is Russian soul food in Newton Center!! Just celebrated an anniversary there and it couldn't have been better. A very broad selection of traditional appetizers, meat pies, caviar, pancakes... and the Russian mixed grill! Everything from the pickled vegetables to the grilled meat was great. The owner is always around doing quality control. They even brought the grand piano over from the other hall so our kids could play for us. It was very warm and we felt very taken of. The service was perfect and each course of food was excellent. Our party of 15 felt like we were VIPs even though the place was pretty full on a Saturday. Would recommend for Russian authentic food and events. So much delicious food we even took a lot home! Excellent dessert to top it all of!

This place is well hidden, but well worth seeking out. The food is amazing. Great appetizers, hot borscht, blini that are more delicious than any food has the right to be. I am told by people who know better than I that this is the good, authentic stuff when it comes to Russian cuisine. I asked about mixed drinks and the waiter answered in the negative with a look that was simultaneously tolerant and deeply disappointed. Take note: Russians take their liquor unadulterated, and suggesting that one might do otherwise (evidently) causes grave offense. The house-infused vodkas are quite exceptional, though. The experience of drinking the garlic-pepper variety is not unlike being assaulted violently with a clove of garlic, it's also quite good with the borscht.

My review for Cafe St Petersburg won't be the typical review because I visited it for a wedding a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time here and I loved nearly every minute of it. The restaurant is traditional Russian fare. The decor is beautiful and you truly feel like you're eating dinner in St. Petersburg. Now let's talk about the food...since it was a wedding, we didn't order off the menu. The food was served family style at each table. But wow, what a spread! There were 4 courses and I believe it is pretty typical of a normal dinner at Cafe St Ptersburg based on previous reviews. Here's the run down - Appetizers - HUGE selection of the most traditional and random Russian food that I could ever imagine. Our table was filled with almost 20 different plates of smoked fish, pickled vegetables, salads, shrimp, caviar, pate, beef, etc. Even though I am a daring foodie, I was only about to try about half of the items on the table. Crepes - the 2nd course was handmade fresh crepes that you fill with caviar and sour cream. Not exactly my cup of tea but supposedly it was a great version of this classic dish from my fellow Russian friends. Main Course - we were already full and in dancing mode by the time we got to the main course (around 10pm). But I still forced myself to try all of the options and it was amazing. There were traditional Russian ravioli/dumplings, chilean sea bass, lamp chops and the best schnitzel I've ever had. It was ground up chicken and veal and then breaded with BAGEL crumbs! Simply amazing and I would go back for this dish any day. Dessert - nothing to write home about but a tasty almond cake for the wedding. If you're in the mood for some vodka and Russian food in a nice ambiance, check it out. It will definitely be different than your normal night out

I've been saving my 100th review for a while, and was hoping it would be Dodger stadium. I already reviewed it. Damnit. I'll just do this establishment as a tribute to my Eastern European born girlfriend haha. Anyways, back to business on this review. This place is absolutely fantastic! Their borscht is amazing, really amazing. Their food is very traditional and beautifully served. The ingredients are very fresh and every bit of food that made contact with my palette exploded with flavors in my mouth. I had a bunch of appetizers and beef stroganoff which was so good. Oh my god now I'm hungry just thinking about it. Their pirozhok was very good as well. I had the meat one. Just amazing. Man let me tell you it was a hell of a meal. Russian food at it's best, at least in the USA. That night we had a party of six individuals, my parents, and my girlfriend and her parents. They are from the Ukraine and we thought that it would be fun, and it really was. They even had a piano player play in the dinning hall. I'd advise you make a reservation, especially on the week-ends since the place gets packed. As far as the alcohol goes... well it's a Russian establishment, need I say more? Their vodka selection was impressive but we stuck to wine and were very happy with our 2 bottles that night. Their prices are a little expensive but guess what, it's a speciality restaurant. Their food is damn worth every penny we spent there. Fantastic! Parking is ample too, since there's the Newton Center public lot right there.

I am Russian and live in Newton. I'd like nothing better than to have a Russian eating house close by. Unfortunately Cafe St Petersburg was a disappointment. Looking back, there were red flags. The menu is huge. They seem to make everything. It's almost never good in a non-Asian restaurant, because it means most dishes are pre-made and sit in the fridge for days (or weeks) waiting for someone to order them. We came on a weekday around 6 pm. The place was empty and half-lit - it probably does most of the business later in the evening. It is a cavernous underground hall. Our waiter was very pleasant and helpful - he deserves to be in a much better restaurant. Our party had a Russian lady who didn't speak English. The restaurant (that caters heavily to Russian expats) had no Russian language menu. It was a very hot day in the middle of July. We asked for kvass to drink. No kvass (a Russian restaurant without kvass is like a Chinese restaurant without tea). We asked for mineral water (Russia and former Soviet republics have many, many kinds of excellent mineral water). We got San Pellegrino. The bread in the bread basket had seen better days. Brown bread slices had white crumbs on them, and white bread had brown crumbs - clearly recycled from another basket. The menu is huge but unchangeable. Cafe St Petersburg doesn't believe in seasonal variety. Any half decent restaurant in Russia would have a cold soup in July - okroshka, sorrel soup, cold borsch... Even gazpacho. But here it is forever January 1979. Hot Borsch, solianka, sauerkraut soup - something hot and meaty to go with vodka. The appetizers were so-so. The Russian salad (called St. Petersburg Salad here at $7.95) consisted primarily of mayo. The "Vegetable Zakuska for two" couldn't be served because they were out of the main ingredients. The vinaigrette salad wasn't bad, but it's hard to spoil completely. Solianka ($7.50) was disappointing. It's a soup originally invented by 19th century Russian restaurants to utilize yesterday's meat and cold cut scraps. Cooked in a strong, spicy broth with pickles, olives and sour cream, they make an unexpectedly delicious meal, fragrant and filling. Here it looked and tasted just like a bunch of hastily boiled scraps that it was. The broth was thin, the meats dry and stringy. I asked for lamb shashlik - they were out. The waiter helpfully suggested roast leg of lamb. What they call "Roast leg of lamb" ($21) is in fact braised lamb shank. I am sorry, but it's completely different, much cheaper cut. It was too salty and generally uninteresting. It came with fries and a few slices of plastic cucumber. The stuffed cabbage ($14.50) came spoiled! Seriously, the meat stuffing had an obviously bad smell. We could not eat it (the waiter took it off the bill). This is one of the dangers of huge, unchangeable menu. We didn't try any of the infused vodkas that are a specialty here. Perhaps if we did we might have enjoyed our meal better.

I knew little of Russian cuisine until i found the cafe St. Petersburg. Believe me, finding was the hard part. They do have excellent directions on the home page, follow them! It was a dark, rainy, snowy night that I went. The dining room was empty, too bad for the owner, great for us. We sampled, soup, appetizers and two different appetizers. The food was amazing. The owner was gracious and attentive. We were even treated to an opera performance, what great luck. I would definitely reccommend and go back!

The food was excellent and the restaurant also had a nice ambiance. Definitely recommend.

Popped in for a (surprisingly cheap) lunch today and the restaurant was completely empty. It's a total throwback--been operating in various locations since the '90s. I had the Pelmeni w/ kasha and my friend had borscht and pate. The Pelmeni was solid and had a flavor that's simply hard to come by around Boston. The borscht was excellent. The pate was... meh. Our waiter Sergei was a very nice gentleman and helped us non-initiated make some food choices. Yes, it was 12:30 on a Wednesday, but this place should have been more crowded. The food was up to par and there isn't another Russian restaurant within driving distance. If I find myself in Newton, I'll definitely be going back for dinner.

The waiter was great but the food wasn't. They were out of borscht and we ordered some sampler platters. The waiter didn't tell us it was all cold food, and the jellied meat was... interesting. We've had great Russian before and this was not that. Also, it was basically empty and when we walked in, the waiter made sure we had reservations before he would seat us.