In recent years the restaurant scene has changed dramatically in Moscow. The Soviet era state-licensed eateries didn't have any incentive to experiment and be creative. Many of the new places offer foreign cuisine. Sushi, vegetarian dishes, Chinese and Indian food are now popular, and can be found all over town. Many upscale places offer excellent service and Western-style cuisine, but are expensive and always require reservations. There are reasonably priced cafes that serve good Russian and ethnic meals.

Traditional Russian dishes such as pelmeny (meat dumplings), osetrina (smoked sturgeon), blini (pancakes) and borshch (beetroot soup) are widely offered. Most desserts are rich and include sweet pirogi, tarts and ice cream. There are popular chains around the city with moderately priced Russian food: Elki-Palki, Drova, Mu-Mu Cafe. The top range establishments, like Pushkin Cafe or TSDL (Central House of Writers), offer elaborate feasts, lush decors, and some of the highest prices in Moscow.   For the visitor who wants to experience higher-quality authentic Russian food, without "breaking the bank" at Pushkin or TDSL, there are a variety of options, including Glavpivtorg (near Lubyanka, with home-brewed beer, reasonable prices, tasty food and decorated to resemble a Soviet-era government office) and Na Melnitse (on the Garden Ring, near Sakharova Akademika Prospect). 

There are excellent ethnic establishments offering Georgian and Armenian food. Midmarket Genatsvale (one location on Ostazhenka and one on Arbat Street), Kabanchik (near Tishinskaya Square), atmospheric, but more expensive Kavkazskaya Plennitsa (Prospect Mira, north of the Garden Ring), and Tiflis (also on Ostazhenka)  offer shashlyk (kebab), kharcho (meat soup), lobio (beans dish) and Khachapuri (cheese bread).

There are many branches of international chains (MacDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Sbarro) across the city and a local chain of acceptable italian restaurants Il Patio.

Smoking is allowed almost everywhere, and beer and vodka are served all day. Smaller cafes and bars don't accept credit cards, so it is always wise to check beforehand.