Guidebook for Minsk
Food Scene
This time-tested Spanish restaurant offers good wine and excellent hors-d’oeuvres. They make very respectable sangria. In the summer it is best to sit on their cozy terrace. An average bill is € 20-25 per person, including a glass or two of chilled “home” wine. You don’t even have to order an entrée, simply sip your wine and much on tapas – they are all good here starting with tiny tuna sandwiches all the way to “barrel” olives with capers. If there is no empty table, you can always land at the bar. They serve brunch on week-ends.
29 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Tapas Bar
9 vulica Internacyjanaĺnaja This time-tested Spanish restaurant offers good wine and excellent hors-d’oeuvres. They make very respectable sangria. In the summer it is best to sit on their cozy terrace. An average bill is € 20-25 per person, including a glass or two of chilled “home” wine. You don’t even have to order an entrée, simply sip your wine and much on tapas – they are all good here starting with tiny tuna sandwiches all the way to “barrel” olives with capers. If there is no empty table, you can always land at the bar. They serve brunch on week-ends.
This is one of the key kickoffs of the 2015 summer season located in one of the courtyards of the “quiet downtown.” There is stylish interior décor, a fancy menu, a vast cocktail and wine list (€ 4.5 on average) and an immense selection of alcohol (Amaro Ramazotti digestive – € 1.5 per shot, whiskey starts at € 3-4 per shot, Jagermeister is € 3.5). They have German lager and British ale at € 3.5 for 0.5 l. You can have a dinner for two for € 25-30. They have quickly blown their social network presence; let’s hope they don’t blow their kitchen and bar.
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Pinky Bandinsky
13А vulica KamsamoĺskajaThis is one of the key kickoffs of the 2015 summer season located in one of the courtyards of the “quiet downtown.” There is stylish interior décor, a fancy menu, a vast cocktail and wine list (€ 4.5 on average) and an immense selection of alcohol (Amaro Ramazotti digestive – € 1.5 per shot, whiskey starts at € 3-4 per shot, Jagermeister is € 3.5). They have German lager and British ale at € 3.5 for 0.5 l. You can have a dinner for two for € 25-30. They have quickly blown their social network presence; let’s hope they don’t blow their kitchen and bar.
is a cozy but classy little restaurant. We recommend duck pie with port sauce (€ 8) or rabbit ravioli (€ 6). They have a good wine list.
KITCH'N brasserie
8 vulica Kamsamoĺskajais a cozy but classy little restaurant. We recommend duck pie with port sauce (€ 8) or rabbit ravioli (€ 6). They have a good wine list.
They have excellent European cuisine and charming staff. It is nice to come here for breakfast and feel yourself “almost in Paris.” You can also do justice to snails and oysters here. The “de lux” part of the name is not an accident – they are far from cheap.
52 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Bistro de Luxe
10 vulica Haradski ValThey have excellent European cuisine and charming staff. It is nice to come here for breakfast and feel yourself “almost in Paris.” You can also do justice to snails and oysters here. The “de lux” part of the name is not an accident – they are far from cheap.
This restaurant is worth a special visit not least because you are not likely to get there by accident. Here every detail is well thought-out and food is really very good. The Spoon grows its own greenery used in cooking and tries to use more local and seasonal products. There is a “ready-to-eat” window and the main menu is updated regularly. It is appropriate both for a Sunday brunch with friends and a romantic dinner on a week-day. On Sundays, the Spoon offers culinary school classes for children.
Spoon
10А vulica BiruzovaThis restaurant is worth a special visit not least because you are not likely to get there by accident. Here every detail is well thought-out and food is really very good. The Spoon grows its own greenery used in cooking and tries to use more local and seasonal products. There is a “ready-to-eat” window and the main menu is updated regularly. It is appropriate both for a Sunday brunch with friends and a romantic dinner on a week-day. On Sundays, the Spoon offers culinary school classes for children.
After they re-launch, one of the pioneer places on the nearly iconic Minsk Kastrychnitskaya Vulitsa will become a burger-and-steak joint. Entrée prices are € 4-8. The menu features beer and hard liquor. We recommend it fiercely.
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
ENZO
23 vulica KastryčnickajaAfter they re-launch, one of the pioneer places on the nearly iconic Minsk Kastrychnitskaya Vulitsa will become a burger-and-steak joint. Entrée prices are € 4-8. The menu features beer and hard liquor. We recommend it fiercely.
This is a classical city café with high-quality service, frequently updated menu, the latest periodicals and newspapers, and staff that can keep up a conversation in English. This is a favorite place of the progressive business elite of the capital, local ex-pats, and serious people whose line of business is hard to determine at first glance. It opens at 8 A. M. And feeds you breakfast right away.
24 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
News Cafe
34 vulica Karla MarksaThis is a classical city café with high-quality service, frequently updated menu, the latest periodicals and newspapers, and staff that can keep up a conversation in English. This is a favorite place of the progressive business elite of the capital, local ex-pats, and serious people whose line of business is hard to determine at first glance. It opens at 8 A. M. And feeds you breakfast right away.
This is one more simple and nice place, whose name abundantly describes both its style and its décor. Serves breakfast and lunch.
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
My English Granny
36 vulica Karla MarksaThis is one more simple and nice place, whose name abundantly describes both its style and its décor. Serves breakfast and lunch.
It’s a good Italian restaurant with average prices. People choose it not for surprises, but for stable quality, because you usually know what to expect from italian food. There’s a special breakfast menu.
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Milano
19 vulica ValadarskahaIt’s a good Italian restaurant with average prices. People choose it not for surprises, but for stable quality, because you usually know what to expect from italian food. There’s a special breakfast menu.
A chinese restaurant located in the Beijin Hotel. Although it’s situated in the five star hotel, the prices are not so high and there are no a lot of people. Some dishes are served on the hot fry pans, watch out!
Sezony
19 vulica Janki Kupaly A chinese restaurant located in the Beijin Hotel. Although it’s situated in the five star hotel, the prices are not so high and there are no a lot of people. Some dishes are served on the hot fry pans, watch out!
is the most patriotic place of all presented in this overview. The interior is styled after a medieval tavern and once you come in you are immediately immersed in the atmosphere of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here you can try excellent Khrenovukha, Zhuravina, and house-made mead (at € 2 for 50 g.). There is a large selection of Belarus dishes; an average bill comes to € 35-40 for two, including alcohol. There is often live music and folk dancing. They even show the English Premier-League games!
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Kamyanitsa Restaurant
18 vulica Pieršamajskajais the most patriotic place of all presented in this overview. The interior is styled after a medieval tavern and once you come in you are immediately immersed in the atmosphere of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here you can try excellent Khrenovukha, Zhuravina, and house-made mead (at € 2 for 50 g.). There is a large selection of Belarus dishes; an average bill comes to € 35-40 for two, including alcohol. There is often live music and folk dancing. They even show the English Premier-League games!
The thai food restaurant with prices right twice as high as at the previous one. It’s better to take burning tom yum and sweet and sour pad thai away – it’s 20% cheaper.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Mai Thai
11 vulica Kirava The thai food restaurant with prices right twice as high as at the previous one. It’s better to take burning tom yum and sweet and sour pad thai away – it’s 20% cheaper.
The classy restaurant on the 28th floor is probably the best place to have dinner with a great city view. Pasta, risotto, fish, meat – they serve european food at prices above average. If you’re in a hurry, get at least a cuo of coffee at the table by the window to enjoy Minsk skyline.
12 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The View
7А Praspiekt PieramožcaŭThe classy restaurant on the 28th floor is probably the best place to have dinner with a great city view. Pasta, risotto, fish, meat – they serve european food at prices above average. If you’re in a hurry, get at least a cuo of coffee at the table by the window to enjoy Minsk skyline.
Singular elements of Belarus peasant life create the décor of this place. The portions are large and filling, you can also try the local kvas (a bread drink) and mors (a cranberry drink). Take a special note of the pan’s shank and Krambambuli. Open till 6:00 AM. It’s a bit on the expensive side and the service falters at times.
25 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Talaka
18 vulica RakaŭskajaSingular elements of Belarus peasant life create the décor of this place. The portions are large and filling, you can also try the local kvas (a bread drink) and mors (a cranberry drink). Take a special note of the pan’s shank and Krambambuli. Open till 6:00 AM. It’s a bit on the expensive side and the service falters at times.
Drinks & Nightlife
A new trendy sportbar where you can find a place to watch football matches, try their craft liqueurs and relax in a rock-n-roll atmosphere.
4-4-2
6 vul. ZybickajaA new trendy sportbar where you can find a place to watch football matches, try their craft liqueurs and relax in a rock-n-roll atmosphere.
This is a chain of beer restaurants with their own beer (there are three standard kinds – light, dark, and ruby; in addition they sometimes brew a seasonal one). The food servings are large with an emphasis on meat and beer chasers. There is a 50% discount on the entire menu at lunch time.
Staramiescki pivavar
4 vulica HiercenaThis is a chain of beer restaurants with their own beer (there are three standard kinds – light, dark, and ruby; in addition they sometimes brew a seasonal one). The food servings are large with an emphasis on meat and beer chasers. There is a 50% discount on the entire menu at lunch time.
Come here to have burgers and beer, enjoy quiet atmosphere at the city center. Be ready fro the prices a bit above average.
The Pub
6 vulica Karla MarksaCome here to have burgers and beer, enjoy quiet atmosphere at the city center. Be ready fro the prices a bit above average.
A tiny pub named after Minsk’s favourite mayor Karol Chapsky. Fresh craft beer from the local and international breweries, delis and a friendly vibe.
Čapski Bar
6 vul. Zybickaja A tiny pub named after Minsk’s favourite mayor Karol Chapsky. Fresh craft beer from the local and international breweries, delis and a friendly vibe.
This is one more important location that opened in Minsk during the summer of 2015 – a new wine bar with a heart and an atmosphere, a place you want to come back to. Take a glass of wine (or a bottle of Lambrusco – that’s the least expensive option), some bruschetta to go with it, and have a seat at a tiny table by the window. You can have something more substantial too, if you want (the menu is categorically separated into morning, day, and evening and Lord forbid you order something from the breakfast menu at 12:01).
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Bar Svobody.4
4 plošča SvabodyThis is one more important location that opened in Minsk during the summer of 2015 – a new wine bar with a heart and an atmosphere, a place you want to come back to. Take a glass of wine (or a bottle of Lambrusco – that’s the least expensive option), some bruschetta to go with it, and have a seat at a tiny table by the window. You can have something more substantial too, if you want (the menu is categorically separated into morning, day, and evening and Lord forbid you order something from the breakfast menu at 12:01).
Latino style bar that quickly won the hearts of our people. Dive in the rivers of tequila, classic (of course, get a Daiquiri or Margarita) and original cockatils, snacks and what is the most important, cool parties on Friday and Saturday nights when the bar’s tiny courtyard gets stuffed with the half of Minsk.
el Pushka
23 Pl. Svobody Latino style bar that quickly won the hearts of our people. Dive in the rivers of tequila, classic (of course, get a Daiquiri or Margarita) and original cockatils, snacks and what is the most important, cool parties on Friday and Saturday nights when the bar’s tiny courtyard gets stuffed with the half of Minsk.
The bar that attracts attention by belarusian fruit and berry liqueurs. Salads are served in tins, the bar is the longest in the city. 5 cutest bartenders won’t let you stay sober. Taking into consideration the fact that they have a cocktail named For those from Pushka, it’s the best place for a legendary end of the barhopping on Zybitskaya Street. You must try their specialty – a racy cocktail with dock.
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Banki-Butylki Bar
25а vulica InternacyjanaĺnajaThe bar that attracts attention by belarusian fruit and berry liqueurs. Salads are served in tins, the bar is the longest in the city. 5 cutest bartenders won’t let you stay sober. Taking into consideration the fact that they have a cocktail named For those from Pushka, it’s the best place for a legendary end of the barhopping on Zybitskaya Street. You must try their specialty – a racy cocktail with dock.
Sightseeing
A street where you will be living. Begin your acquaintance with Minsk at Praspiekt Niezaliezhnasci (former Francysk Skarina Avenue, former Lenina Avenue, former Stalina Avenue), a 15-kilometer thoroughfare that cuts the city in half. Most of the classic Minsk attractions are located either on the Avenue itself or close to it. In fact, the Avenue itself is also a landmark and a unique sample of the Stalin Empire style. The artist and writer Artur Klinau has come up with the term “Sun City” to describe this part of Minsk as the main artery of the Big Communist Dream.
15 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Praspyekt Nyezalyezhnastsi
praspiekt NiezaliežnasciA street where you will be living. Begin your acquaintance with Minsk at Praspiekt Niezaliezhnasci (former Francysk Skarina Avenue, former Lenina Avenue, former Stalina Avenue), a 15-kilometer thoroughfare that cuts the city in half. Most of the classic Minsk attractions are located either on the Avenue itself or close to it. In fact, the Avenue itself is also a landmark and a unique sample of the Stalin Empire style. The artist and writer Artur Klinau has come up with the term “Sun City” to describe this part of Minsk as the main artery of the Big Communist Dream.
You can start your tour at the Lenin monument, of which, for some reason, you are not allowed to take pictures. The monument faces the main building of the Belarusian State University with its back to the Government House, on the steps of which all the key events of December 19, 2010 took place. Government House was built back in the 1930s by Iosif Langbard, whose style still defines the appearance of present-day Minsk. His works also include the Officers Club, the Academy of Sciences, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Pobeda Cinema. In a good Belarus tradition the Red Church of Saints Simon and Helena, built in 1910, is just a step away from the Lenin monument.
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Plošča Niezaliežnasci
praspiekt NiezaliežnasciYou can start your tour at the Lenin monument, of which, for some reason, you are not allowed to take pictures. The monument faces the main building of the Belarusian State University with its back to the Government House, on the steps of which all the key events of December 19, 2010 took place. Government House was built back in the 1930s by Iosif Langbard, whose style still defines the appearance of present-day Minsk. His works also include the Officers Club, the Academy of Sciences, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Pobeda Cinema. In a good Belarus tradition the Red Church of Saints Simon and Helena, built in 1910, is just a step away from the Lenin monument.
This is the rhombicuboctahedron that has become one of the most controversial symbols of present-day Minsk. It was built quickly in the early 2000s; the entire country pitched in, sometimes on a willy-nilly basis. It has a view point and Book Museum tours as tourist attractions.
118 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Pambansang Aklatan ng Belarus
116 prasp. NiezaliežnasciThis is the rhombicuboctahedron that has become one of the most controversial symbols of present-day Minsk. It was built quickly in the early 2000s; the entire country pitched in, sometimes on a willy-nilly basis. It has a view point and Book Museum tours as tourist attractions.
This is Minsk historic center where you can try to feel the spirit of the early 19th century city. This is where the Holy Spirit Cathedral is located. It is the most important Russian Orthodox church in the city built in 1633-1642. The Minsk Town Hall is on Plošcha Svabody. It was built in 1600 in honor of Minsk receiving the Magdeburg Rights and was restored in 2003 according to the old drafts and drawings.
60 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Vierchni Horad
This is Minsk historic center where you can try to feel the spirit of the early 19th century city. This is where the Holy Spirit Cathedral is located. It is the most important Russian Orthodox church in the city built in 1633-1642. The Minsk Town Hall is on Plošcha Svabody. It was built in 1600 in honor of Minsk receiving the Magdeburg Rights and was restored in 2003 according to the old drafts and drawings.
probably deserves a special word in our guide. If you ask how the process of gentrification and revitalization is going on in Minsk, you can always point to the Kastrychnitskaya example – the former industrial street has in recent years become pretty much the most important exhibition-and-hang-out place in the city. This is where the Huligan Bar, the Depo crêpe house, snack-bars Lauka and Ultrabar, and café Enzo (see other sections) open their doors, where CECH works, and where progressive advertising agencies, publishing houses, and IT companies have opened their offices. This is also the location of the yoga studio and fitness center Moby Dick.
vulica Kastryčnickaja
vulica Kastryčnickajaprobably deserves a special word in our guide. If you ask how the process of gentrification and revitalization is going on in Minsk, you can always point to the Kastrychnitskaya example – the former industrial street has in recent years become pretty much the most important exhibition-and-hang-out place in the city. This is where the Huligan Bar, the Depo crêpe house, snack-bars Lauka and Ultrabar, and café Enzo (see other sections) open their doors, where CECH works, and where progressive advertising agencies, publishing houses, and IT companies have opened their offices. This is also the location of the yoga studio and fitness center Moby Dick.
Arts & Culture
This is a memorial of the Soviet-era constructivism. Initially, the building was supposed to have four floors, however in the course of construction the money abruptly ran out. Nevertheless, the building is still majestically impressive thanks to the ideal symmetry of the park, the statues on the pediment, and the abundance of marble and crystal inside. With tickets starting at € 2 it would be a shame to miss it.
117 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Nasyonal na Akademikong Bolshoi Opera at Ballet Theatre
1 plošča Paryžskaj KamunyThis is a memorial of the Soviet-era constructivism. Initially, the building was supposed to have four floors, however in the course of construction the money abruptly ran out. Nevertheless, the building is still majestically impressive thanks to the ideal symmetry of the park, the statues on the pediment, and the abundance of marble and crystal inside. With tickets starting at € 2 it would be a shame to miss it.
This is the most prominent collection of art in Belarus. There is a large collection of classical Russian paintings, old Belarus icons, and Sarmatian portraits of the Radziwily family. The Socialist Realism collection here warrants a special mention.
96 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Nasyonal na Museo ng Sining ng Belarusian
20 вуліца ЛенінаThis is the most prominent collection of art in Belarus. There is a large collection of classical Russian paintings, old Belarus icons, and Sarmatian portraits of the Radziwily family. The Socialist Realism collection here warrants a special mention.
This is the abode of modern Belarus art, a discussion area, and a place for lectures, meetings, and movie screenings. It is located in the same building as a souvenir shop and the legendary book store Lohvinau, which hosts most of the literary presentations and readings. This is one of the strategic cultural places in Minsk. It’s a must see!
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Ў Gallery of Contemporary Art
19 vulica KastryčnickajaThis is the abode of modern Belarus art, a discussion area, and a place for lectures, meetings, and movie screenings. It is located in the same building as a souvenir shop and the legendary book store Lohvinau, which hosts most of the literary presentations and readings. This is one of the strategic cultural places in Minsk. It’s a must see!
Parks & Nature
This is the central recreational area of Minsk with children’s rides, a couple of simple cafés and the training center of the Hockey Club Yunost-Minsk (where even in the summer you can roll around in the snow that comes when they clean the ice in the rink). We advise that you take a ride or two on the Ferris Wheel; just make sure you pick the closed cabins – they are better for viewing the city.
214 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Gorky Park
2 vulica FrunzeThis is the central recreational area of Minsk with children’s rides, a couple of simple cafés and the training center of the Hockey Club Yunost-Minsk (where even in the summer you can roll around in the snow that comes when they clean the ice in the rink). We advise that you take a ride or two on the Ferris Wheel; just make sure you pick the closed cabins – they are better for viewing the city.