The canteen in the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg offers a variety of dining options at prices comparable to an average canteen, despite its location in the historic Mariinsky Palace. A recent visit revealed that while the canteen does not offer the lavish Soviet-era dishes of the past, it still provides a satisfying and affordable dining experience.

The canteen complex consists of three halls, each with a distinct atmosphere. The main hall, adorned with red walls, is suited for full meals. The second hall, filled with natural light from arched windows, offers pies, cakes, and takeaway options. The third hall, resembling an oak cabinet, is a more refined space for coffee or drinks.

The menu features meat and fish dishes ranging from 160 to 260 rubles, with the exception of salmon fillet on a vegetable cushion priced at 650 rubles. While there are no set lunches, a meal consisting of a vitamin salad (70 rubles), pea cream soup with smoked meats (140 rubles), chicken fillet schnitzel (170 rubles), and mashed potatoes (90 rubles) would cost approximately 410 rubles, excluding bread and tea.

The vitamin salad received high marks for its balanced dressing, and the pea cream soup, served with complimentary croutons, had a pleasant consistency. However, both the soup and the main course were served lukewarm. The chicken fillet schnitzel, a popular choice among Legislative Assembly employees, was deemed to be of medium size and not dry. The mashed potatoes were also praised for being prepared without powdered ingredients or water.

The confectionery hall offers a wide array of pastries, ranging from 45 to 120 rubles, including pies, Danish pastries, and the highly sought-after “Lakomka” cheesecake. A cinnamon roll from the main hall proved to be fresh and flavorful. The oak hall features a barista named Yuri who prepares standard coffee drinks (160-270 rubles) as well as specialty beverages such as turmeric latte (230 rubles), masala raf (270 rubles), and Irish coffee (560 rubles).

The canteen is open on weekdays from 8:30 to 16:00, with the buffet remaining open until 18:00. Before leaving, visitors are encouraged to visit the local museum, which houses the only ballot box in St. Petersburg.