When it comes to choosing Italian restaurants in Moscow, I know the best answer to that! In the very heart of Moscow, on Sretensky Boulevard, lies “Pasta i Basta” — a cozy osteria that offers guests the authentic taste of Italy combined with a homely atmosphere and impeccable service.

My absolute favourite detail in the restaurant is the plates. As the waiters love to tell the customers, all dishes were specially ordered from Italy. While eating the delicious food, one can almost feel the warm breeze and hear the sea’s waves from the plates.

The restaurant’s interior is styled in vintage Italian chic, giving it a special charm. The dining hall features painted ceilings, pendant chandeliers, and a tiled pizza station. On the walls, a collection of pasta types is presented in the form of heraldic crests, serving both as decor and an educational element for visitors. I love to look up at the display of pasta when I'm choosing from the menu. Special attention is paid to the details: Murano glass chandeliers, ceramic tableware, and other decorative elements were imported directly from Italy, creating the feel of a true Italian osteria.

The menu is a harmonious blend of classic Italian recipes and chef’s original ideas. Particular attention is paid to the pasta — there is a great variety of it, from traditional orecchiette with parmesan and walnuts to linguine with seafood, served for two or more. One of the highlights is the truffle pasta with pesto and goat cheese mousse, which offers a surprising and delightful flavor combination.

Pizza at “Pasta i Basta”, which is my absolute favourite, deserves special mention. Thin crust, a variety of toppings, and the use of fresh ingredients make each pizza unique. A standout is the truffle pizza, which combines a rich taste with an elegant presentation.

In addition to main courses, the restaurant offers a range of appetizers like chicken liver pâté with champagne jelly, as well as soups and salads that perfectly complement the meal. For dessert, guests can enjoy tiramisu, cannoli, chocolate soufflé, and icy semifreddo.

The wine list is carefully curated and features both draft options from the Italian province of Valdobbiadene and selected bottled wines from Italy and France. Guests can choose based on labels or on pairings recommended for special dishes. The bar menu also includes classic cocktails such as Gimlet, Aperol, and Bellini, as well as fruit- and berry-infused grappas.

The service at “Pasta i Basta” is marked by warmth and attention to detail. The chef often interacts with guests personally, offering his signature dishes and enhancing the overall dining experience. This personal approach brings a genuine sense of Italian hospitality to the restaurant.

The restaurant also caters to families. On weekends, entertainment and educational programs for children are held — including art workshops and basic Italian language lessons. Every Sunday, guests can enjoy a puppet theater performance by the Moscow New Puppet Theater. On a child’s birthday, the entire family receives a 20% discount on the menu. This family-friendly concept allows parents to relax and enjoy their meal, knowing their children are engaged and happy.

“Pasta i Basta” is more than just a place to eat — it’s a little corner of Italy in the heart of Moscow. The combination of authentic dishes, refined interior, and warm service makes it an ideal spot for anyone who values quality cuisine and a cozy atmosphere. Whether I’m hungry after a church service on a Sunday afternoon or simply out with my family, I know that I will be able to spend the best time in this little cosy restaurant. Among busy Moscow streets “Pasta i Basta” promises an unforgettable experience for every guest.

People usually choose night flights just to cut down on costs. And that makes sense: who would drag themselves to the airport across a sleeping city, fight off sleep while waiting for their flight?, and if there’s a layover somewhere, things get even worse. Then you touch down at your destination, and you can’t even leave the airport, because public transport isn’t running at 5 a.m. It’s a brutal ordeal, to say the least.But I’d like to share the opposite experience.

It was an incredible night flight from Yerevan to Venice. Actually, it wasn’t the flight itself that mattered, it was the fact that we ended up in the heart of Venice at 4 a.m. We got off a crowded bus from the airport, and while we were admiring the canals and bridges for the first time, utterly dazed, the other passengers seemed to vanish into thin air (they probably headed to their hotels but we couldn’t check in until after lunch). So there we were: completely alone on a winter night at the edge of island Venice. Around us only huge seagulls, the lapping of seawater in the Grand Canal, and a sprawling maze of narrow, dark alleyways. We were carrying heavy bags and had many, many hours to kill before we could get into our hotel room and crash in bed. By that point, we’d been up for nearly 24 hours.

It seemed like far from the best start to a trip. And yet, that first morning in Venice turned out to be the most memorable of the whole journey through Italy! Even though we were cold and a little scared (the narrow, poorly lit alleys looked like they’d come straight out of a horror movie about medieval maniacs), from the very first moments we felt as if we had stepped into a fairy tale. Venice was just as beautiful as in all the movies I’d watched. Even at night and near the train station. We crossed our first bridge and set off wandering aimlessly around the city, with no plan and no map. Venice is often described as a city ruined by overtourism, but we saw it completely deserted, ghostly and frozen in time. The distant cry of seagulls and the rustle of our footsteps on the cobblestones were the only sounds we could hear. And above the dark silhouettes of the palazzo rooftops, the sky was full of stars.

About an hour later, we spotted a warm glow spilling from a window. At 5 a.m., a café popular with the locals had already opened up. Naturally feeling hungry, we went inside and ordered a croissant and coffee. We were surprised that the streets were still so empty, yet the café was already buzzing with Italians. They’d pop in before the workday started for a strong Americano and a few minutes of friendly chat with the neighbours and the cashier. Actually the cashier knew every single customer by name! We were outsiders who had accidentally wandered into this cosy, closed little world.

We carried on. Suddenly, the Rialto Bridge came into view. This is one of Venice’s main sights, and I had jotted it down in my “must-see” plan. But here it was, showing up earlier than expected and completely empty, too. Of course, we took a photo, and that was my very first picture in Venice. The Rialto Bridge, absolutely deserted, not a single tourist in sight, the stars overhead, and my eyes lighting up with happiness.

Then we made our way to St. Mark’s Square. That’s when we realised just how tiny Venice really is. We had simply been strolling around the outskirts, but we had accidentally ended up right in the city’s core. Normally this place is swarming with tourists, but we saw the main square as if it were in its raw, untouched state. Just us and the magnificent basilica, the silhouette of which left us speechless. And then the first rays of sun appeared above us…

The most magical moment of all? Watching the sunrise from the main square, then heading out to the lagoon and taking in the view that felt completely unreal. The city was gradually waking up; locals were starting up their boat engines and laying out goods in the shop windows, while we just stood there, gazing at the row of gondolas along the shore and at the pink sky reflecting off the white marble of the Doge’s Palace. I had a strange sense of unreality, the last three hours felt like a magical dream, and I didn’t want to wake up at all.

When we finally got to the hotel, took a shower and crawled into the cosy beds, I closed my eyes with a feeling of pure happiness: this was only the beginning of our trip…

The headline tells the whole truth: it is no coincidence that this small establishment is literally called “Skrepka”. At first glance, this is not a very large cafe in a side street of a well-known district of Moscow, but inside it turns out to be much more spacious than you might imagine. I have never met such a cozy Italian restaurant with delicious dishes and affordable prices.

What my friend and I value most is the peace and aesthetic pleasure of our “cafe walks”. That's why it's so significant for us to choose the decent place to eat from all the varied options Moscow has to offer. We were almost in despair when we stumbled upon this relatively new restaurant by chance and decided to take a look. I'm so glad now that we went there after all and tried its unique food.

"Skrepka" is an urban cafe created by the team from the popular Moscow bar "Rovesnik". This bistro has an unusual feature: breakfast is served without time restrictions, meaning you can order it at any time, even late in the evening. This is a convenient quality for those who wake up late and therefore don't have to rush anywhere on their "lazy day".

First of all, the interior. Russian people often say: “they judge you by your clothes” and there is the same way. As soon as we entered, we felt the coziness and tranquility of this place. The tables were small but tastefully decorated. The indoor light is also important. By that time it was already evening, so the light inside was subdued and pleasant for eyes. In addition, some tables had lit candles, while others had beautiful flowers.

A nice young woman greeted us at the entrance and showed the possible seating options. Unfortunately, a couple of the tables by the window, which were considered the best, were occupied, but there were other comfortable places, both with regular chairs and sofas.

As soon as we sat down, we were brought menus and, just as importantly, complimentary bottle of water. I appreciated this because it already indicated the workers here knew the rules of proper service to guests. Actually, the choice of dishes was also not very large but varied and non-classical, with offerings of food that could be unfamiliar for us. For example, various natural flavorings, such as honey or interesting syrups, were added to regular cocoa, so its taste was already different from what we are used to.

As for our personal choices, we had a Neapolitan pizza with lots of cheese and mushrooms, two bruschettas with roast beef and herbs, and the same cocoa (since it was late and I couldn't drink coffee, but the options were also incredible in their combination of flavors). My friend ordered lemonade with aloe. We were also offered desserts, but we were already too full, despite really wanting to try them.

The service was excellent. We didn't have to wait long for our food. All dishes were served in the correct order: first appetizers and drinks, then the main course. No one disturbed us during our friendly conversation, and pleasant, quiet music played in the background. The kitchen was always in front of us, so we, as guests, could observe the reliable process of cooking. And no smells or sounds from there broke the magical atmosphere of this place.

This cafe reminds us of how guests should really be served.

The prices here are quite affordable for everyone. I must also mention all the amenities in the bathroom, especially for women. This is an ideal option for spending a weekend with your friends or loved ones.