La Cantine des Tsars, the Russian ravioli restaurant - Permanently closed

Are you a fan of Russian cuisine or simply curious to discover it? Well, in Paris, near the Louvre-Rivoli, there is a real gem of a neighborhood restaurant that is sure to satisfy your expectations. Its name: La Cantine des Tsars. 

Head to 21 rue du Roule to immerse yourself in the baroque and scarlet world of this Russian restaurant. Here, the great specialties are Pelmenis, Russian ravioli stuffed with lamb or pork, as well as Varenikis, the vegetarian version, here with potatoes and mushrooms. And to give Parisians a taste of Russian cuisine, at La Cantine des Tsars, the ravioli dough is prepared daily on site, and the ingredients, processed on site, come from local farmers. The icing on the cake is that the restaurant offers these specialties at an affordable price, with menus starting at €12.50.

Lulled by the Russian playlist, we study the menu. To start the tasting, we are tempted bythe Tsar's plate, an assortment of starters for two people that includes eggplant caviar, tomato and green apple caviar, an "Olivier" salad (potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas, gherkins, and mayonnaise), salmon roe with blinis, and Russian gherkins, all accompanied by black bread (Russian, of course).

And for those with a sweet tooth, you can also indulge in pirozhki, pastries served here with cabbage or potato filling. A great way to whet your appetite before getting down to business: Russian ravioli.

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Once again, for the pleasure of discovery, we opt for the assortment of Pelmenis and Varenikis (5 pieces of each, available in the evening only). We love the firmness of the ravioli dough made from organic flour from the Ferme de Grand'Maison in Seine-et-Marne, the flavorful fillings that testify to the quality of the products, and we have a real soft spot for the mushroom Varenikis, rich in taste. We also tried the homemade borscht on the menu, a soup made with cabbage, beetroot, Charolais beef, carrots, and tomatoes, topped with a dollop of crème fraîche, which warmed our hearts and taste buds. 

And to round off this tasting session on a sweet note, we can't resist the medovik, a honey, almond and walnut cake that is the Russian equivalent of a mille-feuille and is deliciously sweet. The pirog, an apple and cinnamon cake served with crème fraîche, is also a delight for the taste buds and is suitable for those with a less sweet tooth. 

And for vodka lovers who are surely wondering: a selection of white and amber vodkas and liqueurs is also available on the menu.

So, are you ready to be won over by Russian cuisine? 

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