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Because most of the suburbs are just a short trip from St. Petersburg, there hasn't been any real demand for tourist-oriented restaurants and cafés. There are some exceptions, notably in Pavlovsk and Pushkin, but on the whole it's best to pack some sandwiches. You will, however, find plenty of beer tents and ice-cream vendors.
The best option on the grounds of the palace itself is in the palace's old oranzhereya, or garden house. A comfortable, quaint spot for a snack and cup of tea, it also serves prix-fixe Continental meals with various kinds of fish and meat, including venison and duck courses, or traditional Russian options such as borscht (beet soup) or solyanka (slightly spicy meat soup with pickles). The restaurant is open from 10 to 6 from May to October.
