Falafel, smoothies and vege burgers. A guide to the best vegetarian food in Kazan

The extensive gastronomic map of Kazan is ready to offer everything from burgers to Vietnamese Pho. However, many still want to know who serves the best chickpea cutlets, a vegetarian alternative to the traditional echpochmak pie or a hot bowl of borsch with beans instead of meat. We have put together a list of some of the best vegetarian cafes and restaurants in Kazan.

Vegan Day

A small eatery that has long been loved by local residents in the heart of the Old Tatar Quarter, operates as both a cafe and a store. In the cafe you can order goodies like banana and matcha smoothies, cold gazpacho soup, fish burger, and vegetarian pizza on dough made from inactive yeast. The cafe has also developed vegetarian versions of popular dishes: nori under a fur coat (a twist on the popular ‘herring under a fur coat’ salad), Caesar salad and tofu cheese syrniki pancakes. However, most come to Vegan Day specifically for the filling falafel which they serve with vegetables on a plate or in a pita wrap. Everything you see on the shelves between the tables is for sale - cereals, fruit and vegetable chips, peanut butter, tofu cheeses, oat and coconut milk, nuts, vegetarian sausage and healthy sweets.

Location: 18 Shigabutdina Mardzhani St

Opening hours: Open daily: 09:00am - 09:00pm

Govindas

Govindas Cafe were the first to jump on the gluten-free bandwagon in the city, and subsequently became the first vegetarian establishment in Kazan. The menu is divided up into days of the week, with a different set of dishes assigned to each day including salads, pastries, soups, hot dishes, and specialty bread. Some of the favourites here are the pilaf, lasagna, curry soup, lagman soup, Greek pie, cheesy khachapuri bread, shawarma, and mozzarella with tomatoes and spaghetti. In terms of drinks, you have a choice of non-alcoholic Spanish wines, eco-friendly coffee or tea. If you’re staying on for dessert, Govindas offer healthy sweets and ice cream they make themselves.

Location: 79 Chistopolskaya St

Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 12:00pm - 08:00pm

Green Life

Green Life Cafe with its panoramic windows is located in a small building extension at the busy intersection of the main street of the city. The cafe fits about five people inside, so it’s best to make your order to go. However, the menu ticks all the boxes of a health nut: berry and nut smoothies, vegetable and lentil soups, falafel or tofu sushi and sandwiches, vegetarian burgers and espresso-based coffee drinks. The open kitchen conveniently lets you watch your food being made, and you can also check out the tofu cheese and soy milk available for sale at the counter while you wait.

Location: 11/46 Universitetskaya St

Opening hours: Open daily: 09:00am - 09:00pm

‘Rita V Ritme’

This cafe (which means ‘Rita in Rhythm’ in Russian) appeared in Kazan a year ago and quickly became a hotspot for Kazan Federal University students. A green sign leads visitors through to a bright room, which at first glance looks like a grocery store: plated meals and desserts are displayed in food cabinets while the refrigerators are stocked with drinks and fresh fruit. The cafe primarily sells everything to takeaway, however there are several tables for those who want to eat-in. A large number of vegetarian and dietary dishes are available here - various pasta, smoothies, sandwiches, salads, desserts, homemade bread and even fresh pastries. Additional benefits of this cafe are its affordable prices, their city delivery service, plus the fact that all dishes come with a calorie count per serving.

Location: 22 Universitetskaya St, 108 Garayevs St, 47 Akademika Koroleva St

Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 08:00am - 09:00pm, Sat – Sun: 09:00am - 09:00pm

Gyros

One of the classics of Greek cuisine – gyros, are the basis of this small eatery. The popularity of this place with the locals can be explained by their delicious Tzatziki sauce and hearty portions. The menu of the restaurant is quite small, but the three vegetarian options are worth a try: the vegetarian gyro, deconstructed vegetarian gyro on a plate and Greek salad. As for drinks, there is a choice of tea or coffee.

Location: 16 Tovarischeskaya St, 21 Gogolya St
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 11:00am - 11:00pm, Sun: 11:00am - 09:00pm

Camorra Pizza e Birra

This St Petersburg chain is perfect for lacto-vegetarians, offering pizzas with original topping combinations such as goat cheese, pumpkin and anchovies. Once a week, the entire chain introduces a ‘Pizza of the Week’, so it’s anyone’s guess whether this week it will be a fruit, cheese or perhaps a seafood pizza. The pizzeria also serves breakfast: piadinas with tuna or mozzarella, porridge cooked with your choice of milk or water, and ricotta with strawberries. If you’re feeling thirsty, Camorra use both classic and alternative coffee brewing methods, but also sell soft drinks, several varieties of craft beer and dozens of varieties of bottled beer. To add to all this, the Italian-style interior is very ambient with its brick walls, arched floor lamps and unique photos of tattoos and inscriptions on the walls of Sicilian prisons.

Location: 5 Kavi Najmi St

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