There are many options to create your best date night in St Petersburg with your loved one. Streets such as Dumskaya, Rubinstein, Konyushennaya Square, and New Holland Island are perfect if you enjoy lively nightlife with dance floors and bars.
However, we prefer 📍 Nevsky Prospect as our spot for a calmer and more relaxing date night in St. Petersburg. There are bars and lounges here too, but what we’re looking for is the best Russian restaurant to dine at. The street also leads to many historical landmarks and parks, from the Leningrad Hero City Obelisk, Yekaterininsky Garden, and Mikhailovsky Garden to Stroganov Palace and Palace Square, which is surrounded by historic buildings.
For this date night, we plan to spend most of our time around 📍 Lutheran Church, as we have a dinner reservation at Katyusha. Here’s a little guide for a date night in St Petersburg, from playing in an arcade museum to dinner in a Russian restaurant, and where to stay to keep the beautiful night going!
Image Source: Thinking Nomads
Start your date with a leisurely walk along 📍 Malaya Konyushennaya Ulitsa, a pedestrian zone where Katyusha is located. At the end of spring and throughout summer, the area becomes livelier with open book stalls, concerts, and literary performances.
As you enter the alley, you’ll be welcomed by a statue of Nikolai Gogol, one of Russia’s most famous writers.
At the end of the alley, you’ll find yourself in a complex filled with unique museums. If you’re a fan of Aleksandr Pushkin, you can visit The Pushkin Apartment Museum by the Moyka River. But if you prefer to stay nearby, there’s the Shadow Museum and Route 66, an antique car museum.
Experience Childhood During the USSR in the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines
Image Source: Third Eye Traveller
However, our interest led us to the 📍 Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines. Since we love both history and games, this museum is the perfect spot for an afternoon of fun. The museum gives us a glimpse into childhood during the USSR, showing how kids used to have fun. With its industrial interior of brick and metal, the retro atmosphere is thick in the air. It’s quite spacious and not too crowded if you visit on weekdays. Even on weekends, the lines aren’t too long—a true hidden gem in Nevsky.
It’s fascinating to realize how distinct Soviet arcade machines are compared to those in Western countries or Japan, which often feature galactic or fantasy themes. Most Soviet arcade games were inspired by the military, including Sea Battle, The Turnip Strength Tester, and Sniper 2.
However, there are also casual games like Dogfight, pinball, vintage chess boards, and more. Our favorite is the vintage photo booth, Which makes it feel like we are having a date night in the old Soviet-era through a time machine. You can also try an old Soviet soda machine or grab a drink at the mini café, which serves kvass, lemonade, and sweets.
Image Source: Museum Studies Abroad
🎯 Note: Unfortunately, not all the machines are in working condition. Nevertheless, there’s no need to worry—the staff is very helpful if you need assistance when the old machines act up. They are also happy to show you how to use any machines you don’t understand. It’s tourist-friendly, with English explanations for every machine and even an English-speaking tour guide if needed.
🕹️ How to Play at the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines: You’ll need to pay an admission fee of 450 rubles, which includes a set of 15 Soviet kopek coins to play the games and use the Soviet soda machine.
Image by. Plugnikov Vladimir & Nataliya
After finishing our nostalgic trip to the old Soviet arcade, it’s time to head back to Katyusha. You can return the same way, but there are two alternative routes that offer different views.
The first option is the 📍 Griboyedov Canal Embankment, a relatively quiet road along the canal. This route also gives you a view of the iconic Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.
However, we chose the 📍 Bolshaya Konyushennaya Street route, another lively pedestrian street lined with cafés, shops, and restaurants. Along the way, we made a quick stop at 📍 Pyshechnaya, where we tried a traditional Russian donut known as pyshki. They also serve tea and coffee, and the place has a distinct Soviet-era feel.
Dinner Date in The Best Russian Restaurant of Katyusha
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After indulging in Soviet-era nostalgia, we’re excited to dive deeper into Russia’s cultural roots on our date night in St Petersburg.
⚠️ First things first, don’t forget to make a reservation if you plan to have dinner at 📍 Katyusha in St Petersburg.
We don’t have any relatives in Russia, but stepping into the restaurant feels like arriving at the cozy home of a Russian grandmother, ready to welcome us with a hearty meal. The interior is vibrant, adorned with plenty of flowers on the walls and tablecloths, yet surprisingly not overwhelming—it’s warm and charming. Seeing the waitresses (they speak English too!) in traditional dresses makes the experience feel even more like stepping into a Russian fairytale.
They offer a special selection of vodkas infused with different fruits. The Russian appetizers were also incredible—especially the Russian Salad. With our limited experience with Russian cuisine, we were curious about Beef Stroganoff—probably the only familiar dish to us, which is why we ordered it. It turned out to be absolutely delightful. You can also try Borscht, a famous Russian soup made with cabbage and beets.
Most appetizers range from 400-600 rubles, while main courses are typically 600-800 rubles. It may be a bit pricey, but every ruble is worth it. Katsuyha is open until midnight.
Image Source: Avtobanket
By the end of the night, we reminisced about our date night in St Petersburg, cherishing it as one of the best we’ve ever planned. From romantic time-travel escape into Soviet nostalgia at the Arcade Museum to returning to the present for the best Russian dinner at Katyusha, the experience was unforgettable. There are already so many things we’re eager to plan for our next adventure in St Petersburg, especially around Nevsky Prospect. With more wonders to discover, we’ll definitely be coming back.