In 2023, Russian diners showed a growing curiosity for local culinary traditions and for dishes from Mexico, the Middle East, and the Caucasus, while interest in Western European cuisines cooled. This shift is revealed by the GoldenEgg food technology app, with findings summarized by socialbites.ca.
Overall demand for Tex-Mex, Israeli, Georgian, and Northern Russian cuisines rose sharply, nearly doubling in a single year.
An autumn-2023 activity study of the app indicates that the share of users with restaurants serving Caucasian cuisine rose from 42% to 63%, marking a substantial year-over-year gain.
The portion of users marking Northern Russian cuisine in their favourites or whose menus include Northern Russian dishes nearly doubled, climbing from 13% to 24%. Mexican restaurants that remained active grew from 11% to 19%, while Israeli eateries increased from 11% to 15%.
At the same time, the portion of Russian restaurant cards featuring Italian cuisine dropped from 71% to 58%, and French cuisine from 62% to 53%.
Experts note that Russians are already familiar with Italian and French classics, which prompts brand leaders to broaden their appeal with accents from Asia and the Caucasus. The trend shows that Russian cuisine is not only popular but also fashionable. New concept venues are presenting familiar dishes from fresh angles, according to Farid Abiev, a co-founder of GoldenEgg, reflecting the evolving dining landscape.
There is a clear split in consumer preference: some favor intimate, niche venues with unusual cuisines, a wide beer selection, and affordable pricing, while others are willing to spend more on concept restaurants that offer novel gastronomic experiences.
Establishments designed to resemble a cozy hut—featuring warm interiors, fireplaces, greenery, and open-fire cooking—are appealing to about 39% of users. Meanwhile, 24% of Russians added white-tablecloth venues with average bills in the range of 2,500 to 5,000 rubles (excluding alcohol) to their must-visit list.
The study highlights that younger guests, especially those aged 25 to 34, visited restaurants more often during January through November 2023, comprising 42% of active app users. The 35-44 cohort accounted for 36%, 45-54 for 14%, and 55 and older for 8%.
Users in the 24 to 34 bracket tend to research choices carefully. They review websites and social networks, read customer feedback, and pay attention to ratings. The data also show that women form a leading segment of active users, accounting for about 70% who seek additional information before booking and who leave reviews after dining.
The study also finds that Russians actively participate in shaping ratings rather than simply reading them. In the period from September to November 2023, 55% of users rated restaurants with five stars, 28% chose four stars, 12% gave three stars, and the remaining 5% offered two stars. The ratings are based on three main criteria: cuisine, service, and atmosphere.
Observers in St. Petersburg described the city as the culinary capital of Russia, underscoring its enduring influence on national eating trends and restaurant culture.