The place is amazing ! From the lavish tea room to the bathrooms, every little detail is thought out. The service is also nice and the food, although pricy was excellent. We went for an afternoon tea, without reservation and were able to find a table with no issue. Totally recommend !
Very good and authentic Russian food. We were a party of 6 and ordered all different dishes to share and taste - everything was very tasty. Very good service. Decor as in grandma's living room - very cute. Obviously not cheap (location!). I was positively surprized as I rather expected some sort of "a la russe" experience and happy to have been proven wrong.
Visited January 2013
My first experience with russian food and the hostess was extremely kind to run through the menu slowly with me. As I was dining for 1, it was no easy feat to land on my dish of choice. I decided to go with the classics: cabbage and egg perogi and beef straganoff. The beef straganoff was rich and decadent, packed full of creamy flavour. The perogi had a great exterior, almost like a buttery pastry. The egg and cabbage went surprisingly well too.
The russians clearly think this is sufficiently authentic as all customers except myself were russian. Gorgeous meal, great hospitality, beautiful decor. Don't forget to wash it all down with one of their vodka infusions.
I recently had a lunch in this beautiful restaurant in Knightsbridge. I missed Russian food a lot and was very excited to give it a try. First of all the interior was absolutely stunning, it was elegant and Cosy at the same time. I felt like home again
I tasted several dishes and I loved all of them specially the squid ink dumpling with sour cream!! Friendly staff, good atmosphere, lovely decoration and good location, just 3 min walking from Knightsbridge station. The only thing is the fact we can not stay longer than 2 hours, so for people who likes to chat a lot and take pictures can be a little bit stressful ;)
I started with the borscht, which was perfectly sweet from the beetroot, accompanied by a light-as-air brioche bun. The authentic rye however on the complimentary bread board also sat perfectly alongside the soup.
...pancakes were simply massive and gorgeous to boot and there was enough smoked salmon, (served with sour cream, chopped red onion and grated egg) to keep even Jackie Mason happy. And then we had chicken fritters, potato dumplings, and beef stroganoff, with mashed potato instead of the kasha (by request). The dumplings were delicious – superior comfort food.
The main dish was Goulbtzi, cabbage leaves stuffed with pork and veal and coated with a rather lurid tomato sauce. It really did live up to the description of winter warmer and was truly delicious. The kind of thing you can imagine your Russian grandmother serving up for you before you face the snow and ice!
Having eaten at Mari Vanna in Moscow I was genuinely excited to hear that they were opening in London. The fourth restaurant of the same name, others being in New York and St Petersburg. Mari Vanna is one of the 106 restaurants owned by the Ginza Project, a company incorporated in Russia in 2003 and taken over the service industry by storm. This is their first London outpost, and one they definitely haven't taken on lightly. The prestigious neighbourhood address and the front door adorned with countless bells and locks which can only be opened from the inside are just some of the similarities with its sister in Moscow. Mari Vanna London however, takes the interior design to a whole new level. This time it is not 'just' my grandmas house, this time it is my oligarch grandmas house. The attention to detail is remarkable, from colossal chandeliers hanging from rosette covered ceilings, to the traditional 'Khokhloma' serving spoons and 'Gzhel' wallpaper in bathrooms. I was taken back to my
The "house" exudes that glamourous vibe. Potted plants led way to a handsome hallway with garden decors. The dining room was immaculate but casual with hefty chandeliers cascading over dinner
Chris Edward Wurangian
+4.5
the most memorable dishes are the dumplings, I guess everything is great but haven't had another chance to try most of the dishes. love the wheat bread with salt and butter and, of course, the interior design of the restaurant, very lovely.
Absolutely beautiful so quirky inside beautiful decoration with plush sofas and massive chandeliers, Russian dolls and Russian fairytale books lining the shelfs, fantastic service and traditional Russian food all cooked perfectly. The cocktails Are named after famous Russian story's which I loved I wanted to try them all!
Most probably the best Russian restaurant in London.
Authentic Russian / Ukrainian food, cooked at perfection: the cosy atmosphere and nice memorabilia all around make the experience even better. Loved it.
The place is fantastic for a number of reasons. The locations is perfect, and the decor very authentic, reminds you of a Russian place. The food is well presented and very tasty. The service is great, and the staff very helpful. Had an amazing time here.
I really liked this place for its quirky and one of its kind decor. The ambiance too was very pleasant. The only improvement however that i would suggest would be a more appropriate music instead of the 80's pop songs!
The service here was pretty amazing and all the staff brilliant and efficient. The menu was quite impressive with a wide variety of incredible dishes on offer.The prices were a little expensive but the substantial portions slightly neutralized it.
I will go back for sure!
Lovely place to go with family. I went with my daughter and we enjoyed our meal. The food was great, everything perfectly cooked, and authentic too. The service is quick and the place is good value for money. Would recommend the place to all. A must visit.
Russian cuisine is termed to be basic home cooked food, but this restaurant makes the most simple food food extremely appetizing. The quality of the food is amazing and service is very prompt and pleasing. This place is a bit on a costlier side but you wont mind paying for their amazing food.
Lovely authentic Russian food on offer at this wonderful restaurant. The ambiance is great, and the decor very apt for the theme. The food was well cooked, and flavourflul, a little greasy however. The drinks were nice too. Would recommend to all.
We had been looking for a change from the ordinary restaurants and were recommended this restaurant. The interiors of this place have an amazing decor and a very hip look. The food was very authentic Russian and offered great value for money. The beetroot soup and dumplings here are highly recommended! I was also served quite a few items free of cost just to benefit my experience. I highly recommend this place!
The quality of food was excellent but what stole the show was their décor which was quite modern and lovely at the same time. The prices are in a reasonable range compared to the generous portions that they have to offer. I must recommend you to visit this place and I am pretty sure that you will get the value for your money.
I have never tasted Russian food before and I must admit that as a first time experience, this was truly awesome! The Borsh and the vodka served with it really complimented each other. If you are visiting this place, you must try the cucumber infused with honey chilli vodka.
I have fallen in love with the cuisine and will definitely be coming back for more.
The place offers Russian cuisine and I had a wonderful experience dining at this place. The food was excellent with all the dishes being absolutely delicious. The service was great and the staff was efficient and very prompt. The food here is a bit overpriced though. I would definitely recommend this place.
I visited this place with a friend, and we both enjoyed our meal. The place has a very homey and cozy quality, but with a very nice and artistic decor that indicates a good taste. The menu was so varied and comprehensive that there are options for everybody to choose from. My friend has been having Russian cuisine for long, and she vouched for their authenticity. We had the herring and salad with our dumplings. The portions were quite large, and it was difficult not to feel full even initially. The service was truly one of a kind, and they were well versed in the art of hospitality. I really recommend coming to this place.
We came in a group of four people and did not know that we would love Russian food so much. For starters, we ordered blinis with salmon and pirogi with beef and pork. The latter one i did not like, it was too salty for my taste. For mains, i went for their beef stagaroff that was delectable. Russian beer worked perfect with our food. Service was prompt. Highly recommended!
This is one of the places which go by the motto, prices are directly proportional to the quality! Yes, the food is extremely delicious and thus worth it if you want to splurge. They cook the best and most authentic russian cuisine. I am inclined towards their kitsch and khachapuri. They also have different flavored vodkas. The place has beautiful decor and you should visit!
This restaurant is both suitable for a group hang out or for a romantic evening. Our experience at the restaurant was splendid. the food was delectable. The salmon and the pancakes were incredibly tasty. The service is decent. They also have a vodka list which we are yet to try.
The place serves Russian cuisine, and it was the first time I was going to try it. I was pleasantly surprised as to how good the food was. The menu had an extensive list of dishes, both hot and cold. All the dishes that we ordered were delicious and extremely appetizing. I loved the cocktails too. The ambiance is very cozy as the place was a house before it converted into a restaurant. The service is good and the staff is hospitable. Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend this place.
I booked this place for my birthday dinner last year, and was stunned by the overall dining experience at this place. The ambiance of the place is lovely and filled with something authentic and inquisitive at every corner.
The food was authentic Russian food and was prepared brilliantly. The service was friendly, and they generally don't disturb you mid-bite.
I would love to visit this place again and try some more of the Russian dishes.
I had a lovely experience dining at this place. The interiors are charming and the ambiance is beautiful. The food here is incredibly delicious, with mouth-watering dishes. The service is also impeccable, with the staff being extremely courteous and hospitable. I would definitely recommend this place and will surely come back.
This is a very strategically and conveniently located restaurant, and is very accessible from all kinds of public transport. This place serves the most delicious and authentic Russian cuisine, and it looks and tastes very genuine. The culinary skills of the chef are evident in the brilliance of the menu, and the success of this restaurant is testified by the numerous branches they have.
Its been a while that I have been visiting this restaurant. I have loved their food from the day one and till date it happens to surprise me with their "oh so authentic" taste. You won't really find the ambiance amazing or stuff like that but I can assure you about the two things you are definitely going to love and that are, The quality and quantity of the food and the service that they provide. It has always been amazing visiting this place. Cheers.
Last night I and my griflriend visited Mari Vanna that is located in Knightsbridge. Both of use couldn't have agreed more that this place is amazing. I loved the food and beverage section and the staff was quite kind in getting us the desired items and that too on time.I loved the music that was being played there. In one word, this place was Awesome.
Gluten-free Since'93
+3.5
Mari Vanna attracts you not only with their traditional Russian cuisine but also with its interior design, which makes you feel like one of the people at the Forbes 100 list.
The atmosphere is great despite the service being a little snotty. You must try the Borsch and take Siberian dumpling. The combination of the two dishes is perfect for a wintery night, being a classic on the menu.
There is a wide variety of gluten-free dishes pointed out to you by the waitress (definitely take the half-baked chicken with herbs and tomato sauce). Definitely would recommend the restaurant for a cold night out.
Mari Vanna is a perfect restaurant for all the Russian people living in London, who are missing their homemade traditional meals. It's got some very yummy food, which is made by Russian cooks. It has also got a karaoke night once a week (on Tuesdays), where you can choose to sing any Russian/English songs and have a nice drink along with it. I'd definitely recommend it even if you are not Russian and want to try something different, which is totally worth it.
Atmosfera Russa, luogo pulito, l' ambiente e' quello di un abitazione, arricchito con oggetti e quadri, buon cibo, ovviamente russo. Un particolare che mi ha colpito: In bagno parte la registrazione con una voce che narra fiabe in lingua russa. :-)
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Mari Vanna boasts a beauty and charm that few other London restaurants can. The first indication of this is upon approach to the restaurant; a well-nigh botanical garden occupies the street at its mouth, overseen and protected by floral canopies and a couple of mysterious faces carved out into the painted stone above. The interior of the restaurant, reminiscent an early 20th century living room in the mansion of a Russian aristocrat, is even more impressive. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, lit candles sit on each of the antique-style tables and colourful curtains flow from the walls and windows. Adding to atmosphere are the imperial-age cabinets inhabited by Russian dolls and various pieces of china, a couple of enormous, decorative mirrors, and photos of various Russian characters from the past that line the walls. The scene is well and truly set with the air-filling Russian folklore music, and apron-wearing waitresses.
The homeliness of Mari Vanna is juxtaposed with an extensive Russian menu offering various delicacies from both modern day Russia and the states that once formed part of its historic empire (the first main course option on the menu is in fact "Ukranian"). I was there for a Friday night dinner with friends, including two ladies from Siberia and Moscow, who naturally took care of the shared order. I sampled the Russian Salt Salo served with Russian Breads, the Herring in a shuba-coat, a Russian Olivier salad with ox tounge and a khachapuri with traditional Georgian cheese to start. The salt salo dish was a simple concoction of bread, butter and salt, but both the herring and the Russian salad were very tasty (if you like white fish and Russian salads). The khachapuri was delicious- I was very willing to scavenge this from the plates of my friends when they felt they had consumed enough cheese. For mains, we shared the Pork Fritters and mashed potato, the Siberian Dumplings with cream cheese and the Golubtzi, which is essentially pork wrapped in cabbage leaves (similar to Dolma, a Greek and Russian dish that wraps pork in vine leaves). The Pork Fritters with mashed potato were excellent, as were the Siberian dumplings with cream cheese- an unorthadox combination for anyone who regularly eats East Asian food, but one that works well. The Golubtzi was good too, though as someone who eats the vine leaf equivalent in Greece on a regular basis, I was not overwhelmed.
No experience at Mari Vanna is complete without the order of one of the restaurants inventive, flavoured vodka shots. Feeling experimental, I ordered the horseradish flavour, which was ‘worth a try’ at best. Unsurprisingly, the honeycomb flavour comes more highly recommended.
Looks aмаziиg, вuт food is: jusт ок.
Иотнiиg тo do шiтн тне геаl Яussiaи food.
Dumplings, blinis with salmon roe, courgette fritters with smoked salmon with sour cream, infused vodkas, honey cake is incredible, Russian salad, cold seared beef fillet with horseradish, beautiful, stunning interior decoration, suitably rude but stunning ice-maiden Russian waitresses, good for group dinners and one-on-ones
The first time I went to Mari Vanna was at its Moscow restaurant on a colleague's recommendation and loved it. Have been to the London branch couple of times thereafter.
The ambiance is to give you a feel of traditional upper-middle class Russian apartment and it really makes you feel as if you are enjoying the hospitality of a Russian host at their home.
Love their beetroot soup in particular (very traditional Russian) and would highly recommend the honey cake and naked heart.
We really enjoyed our time in this fabulously designed restaurant... it's like having dinner in a well-off Russian's home. The food was very good, with never before eaten Russian specialties. The portions are big and it's not great if you're on a low-carb diet. Will definitely come again - a great and unusual place to bring friends.
The only thing... the service was quite slow - we waited a long time for drinks and between courses, but they were busy.
Within walking distance from Harrods, this cosy Russian restaurant is very popular among locals.
Russian borscht, dumplings, Kiev chicken are all delightful. Layered cake should always be the dessert of the night for the food lovers.
I will return.
Visited Mari Vanna for a friend's birthday and was thoroughly impressed. The ambiance was delightful, and the service was top-notch. A special shout-out to the singer who serenaded us with lovely tunes and even sang a birthday song for my friend. The food was equally impressive, capturing the essence of Russian cuisine. Highly recommend for a memorable dining experience in London.
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Such a great experience, and don't be fooled by the low rating.
I highly recommend this place if you want to get immersed in the Russian culture and cuisine.
Pro:
. Attention to detail on every dish and display of each centimeter in the restaurant. I was amazed by the decorations, tables, chandeliers, even in the toilet you feel the kind of vintage style.
. High quality food with little waiting time.
. There was live music playing after 7pm. Maybe it happens only on Friday but that made the atmosphere even cozier.
. Good place for insta pictures too
. Even though the place is small, it doesn't feel overcrowded as there is enough space between tables.
Cons:
. It can be a bit pricey. Consider you are in Knightsbridge area.
. Booking is the main way to get a table for dinner as the place isn't big and gets busy.
. Not a problem for me, but consider you might have only 2 hours time for your table.
Overall, if you want to get immersed in another dimension, culturally and culinary speaking, this is the place.
My visits to this restaurant left me with a sense of culinary satisfaction and a desire to return. The exceptional food, friendly staff, and delightful atmosphere all combined to create an experience that transcended a mere meal. Though it may be a tad overpriced, the overall package is undeniably remarkable. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to those seeking an elevated dining experience that delights the senses and nourishes the soul.
Amazing food! The chicken Kiev is to die for! Nice calm service and the atmosphere is authentic and lovely. It's my third time there. Other things I have tried weren't as good as the Kiev but still very solid. The honey cake is incredible too!
This restaurant screams Slavic vibes… I was extremely surprised I really enjoyed it and the food was very very good.
The food had a traditional home-cooked taste, the interior, especially the dining area was very traditional in setup and appearance which was a lovely change from many of the restaurants in London.
I would definitely recommend visit here, mainly to experience something different outside the “normal” London dining experience.
I’m convinced that the low average rating is only because of “blind Russian-hate” after the war started.
Because this restaurant is amazing, incl food quality and service. Also super cozy/unique interior design, relatively authentic dishes and friendly staff. Def recommend Hering with young potatoes and Holodets (холодец)!
Mari Vanna's the place for Russian cuisine,
Authentic and delicious, a dining dream,
The decor transports you to another land,
A Russian experience, everything but bland.
The Khachapuri is a must-try, Georgian dish,
And this place version is everything you can forever wish,
The cheese-filled bread, is a tasty sensation,
A dish to enjoy, without hesitation.
The service is helpful, when you are exploring the menu,
most of them speak Russian which matches the venue,
Mari Vanna is a gem, a dining delight,
An experience to remember at every bite.
Exceptional food, cozy atmosphere, quiet and prompt service. I fell in love with this place. Lovely and quiet afternoon with friends. Not crowded on a Sunday at 2pm.
We love the ambience and decoration here😍✨ food were also nice in general. Not sure about the dumplings tho… the skin was quite thick (are these supposed to be that thick?)
Bonus point: the jazz pianist is AMAZING!
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