3 Best Restaurants in Sochi, Russia

As part of the largest private museum of Caucasian artifacts and history, the restaurant at the Amshensky Dvor Ethnographic Complex serves some of the most authentic Caucasian dishes around. Here you can watch your meal getting prepared. Lavash, an Armenian flatbread, bakes in a wood-fired oven as meats and cheeses are smoked and stews are prepared in clay pots. The museum features over 2,000 artifacts that were collected over several years by local ethnic Armenian historian Eduard Kolodjian.

This moderately priced cafe is famous for its khinkali, or large Caucasian dumplings, with fillings like spiced meat, onions, and greens. Other Cacasian specialties include shashlyk, or grilled meat on a skewer, served with vegetables and lavash, an Armenian flat bread. Local wines and brandies are also served. The attentive staff is always a highlight.

The best khachapuri is to be had at Cafe Natasha. Here, the flaky Georgian pastries—usually made with cheese—can be ordered with or without an egg added in the middle. The cafe has a homey vibe and boasts a lengthy menu of snack foods like grilled sausages, chicken wings, fries shrimp and onion rings, cakes, and ice cream. It's best to go there hungry, as portions are large.