Birch

Considered the toughest reservation to secure in St. Petersburg these days, Birch is a small restaurant about a 15-minute cab ride from the Astoria or Four Seasons. It has one main dining room with fewer than a dozen tables, including a communal counter; it also has two tables for four in the kitchen area with a chef’s counter. The design is Scandinavian sleek-simple. The kitchen manifest, which is outlined on a wall behind the chefs declares: “We are here not to feed the stomach but to fill the heart and soul.” And the chef delivers on his promise with innovation and flavor in the best way.

Each small plate is a delicious discovery, and the truly inventive pairings will leave you both surprised and sated, which is not always the case with experimental cuisine. While you can order à la carte, it is best to choose the tasting menu of small dishes, so you can experience the full range of flavor profiles, from beef tartar on brioche with black truffle and crab bisque with prawn wontons and coconut espuma to salmon fillet with asparagus and mozzarella sauce, hazelnut mousse with chocolate and Bailey’s ice cream. Each dish here costs around $7 USD making this also one of the best deals in St. Petersburg.