This historic restaurant, which has roots dating back to 1785, evokes a touch of royal grandeur with its elegantly set dining room, exquisite cuisine and rather theatrical service. Start off with caviar or foie gras, before moving on to grilled Ladoga white fish or beef Stroganoff a la Palkin.
It's a pricey but memorable experience – and one that that would have been recognisable to past guests, such as Tchaikovsky and Chekhov. Reservations are advised.