If the Russian alphabet and the unusual pronunciation hasn’t put you off and you are still burning with desire to learn Russian, than here are more tips for you for the vocabulary that you’ll need when ordering food and drinks in a restaurant.
Even though nowadays Moscow or St. Petersburg try to employ English-speaking staff, it is still quite rare and in many places (especially not very expensive ones) you might struggle to explain what you want.
Whereas in Moscow or St. Petersburg you may get lucky to be served by an English-speaking waiter/ess, in other Russian cities and towns your chances to find someone who speaks other languages are much slimmer.
That’s why knowing a couple of Russian phrases can come in handy if our two capitals are not the only destinations of your trip to study in Russia.
Я проголодался (male) / проголодалaсь (female) – I am hungry
Можно здесь поесть? [mozhno zdes’ poest’] – Can we eat here?
Есть у вас свободный столик? [yest’ li u vas svobodny stolik] – Is there a table free?
Можно ,пожалуйста, меню? [mozhno pozhalusta menju] – Can I have the menu please
Я буду… [ya budu] – I’ll have….
Очень вкусно! [ochen vkusno] – It’s delicious!
Приятного аппетита! [priyatnovo appetita] – Enjoy your meal!
Я хочу попробовать национальное блюдо [ya khochu poprobovat’ nazional’noe blyudo] – I would like to try a traditional dish
Что Вы посоветуете? [chto vy posovetuete] – What will you recommend?
Советую взять…[sovetuu vzyat’] – I recommend …
Больше ничего не нужно, спасибо [bol’she nichevo ne nuzhno, spasibo] – Nothing more, thank you
Счёт, пожалуйста [schyot pozhalusta] – can I have the bill please
Я хотел бы… (male) [yak hotel by] / Я хотела бы… (female) [ya khotela by] – I’d like some…
…сок (a) [sok] – juice
Апельсиновый [apel’seenovy] – orange
Яблочный [yablochny] – apple
Морковный [morkovny]- carrot
… минеральную воду (с газом, без газа) [mineral’nuu vodu (s gazom, bez gaza)]– mineral water (with gas, no gas)
… чай [chay] – tea
… кофе [kofe] – coffee
Ordering Traditional Russian dishes
Я буду… [ya budu] – I will have
… блины с икрой [blyni s ikroy] – pancakes with caviar
… блины со сметаной [blyni so smetanoy] – pancakes with sour cream
… борщ – borshch
… окрошку – okroshka
… осетрину по-русски [osyetrinu po rusky] – poached sturgeon with tomato sause and vegetables
… пельмени [pel’meni] – pelmeni (Russian dumplings)
P.S.
Well because I am from Moscow I would like take this opportunity to recommend you a couple of good Moscow restaurants specialising in traditional Russian cuisine.
1) Pushkin Restaurant (Пушкин) on Tverskaya street is a must. Even though it is quite expensive, I believe it is worth it. High-quality food, great interior design and very good service – ideal place for eating out in Moscow.
2) Mari Vanna (Мари Вaннa) on Pushkinskaya tube station. If you want some great ‘home-made’ Russian food, and cosy homely atmosphere, that is your choice #1.
3) Staraya Bashnya (Старая Башня) on Teatral’naya tube station offers delicious traditional Russian dishes, great view and nice atmosphere.
If you wish to learn more why not go to Russia itself on a Russian language course in Moscow or Saint Petersburg.
For more options browse language courses abroad.
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