Ludi Kak Ludi is my go-to place when I want good food at a reasonable price (more like super cheap, actually, given the portion size). Mind you, the neighborhood is packed with great eateries, but I still keep coming to Ludi Kak Ludi. I’ve been here dozens of times, and literally everything I’ve ever tried was delicious. Homemade pies, sandwiches, desserts – all stellar. Their fruit smoothies are also quite famous. Instead of fancy names, they go by numbers, and loyal customers can be heard heatedly debating which is the best one, number 5 or 9 (or is it number 2?).

The place is tiny and immensely popular with the locals, so it’s almost always crowded. I kid you not: last summer I peeked in at 3 a.m., and there were quite a few people enjoying their pies and fruit smoothies. Be prepared to squeeze yourself in at the counter – or, better yet, order your food to-go. Kitay Gorod is, in my opinion, the cutest neighborhood in Moscow, so that makes total sense. Turn right as you exit the cafe, walk up the street, sit on the bench and happily munch on your savory pie while admiring the beautiful churches around you.