From Coffee Corners to Nights with DJs

Tastes and revelries of the depot food mall

Depot Market main entrance (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Architecture and history

The Depot is called that way because it is actually a depot. In the 1870s, the area was home to the Miussky Equestrian Railroad Park that serviced public equestrian transport. Once horses had been replaced with trams and trolleybuses, the park proceeded to house them.  

Depot Market (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Left almost untouched throughout the 20th century, the building preserved the industrial style of the 19th century, while the renovation effort removed its more recent annexes. Parked up front are two real trolleybuses that serve to remind of the place’s days of glory past.  

Depot Market (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Depot Top Picks

Food markets, including larger ones, have been opened before and after Depot, but it is this place that has bathed in popularity thanks to coming as close as possible to fulfilling Moscow’s greatest wish of getting all at once.

Depot Market (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Here you come to dine out, buy groceries, dance in the evening and spend weekend with your kids who can enjoy entertainment, and drop at fashionable restaurants next to the main building (KrabyKutaby, Lesnoi, Asiatique, Oyabun, Syrovarnya).

Depot Market (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Between 10 am and 11 pm the place is visited by nearly 25,000 – equal to the population of a small town.

People attracted to new kids on the block opening their first corners as well as established players such as Moscow’s most famous restaurateurs. 

Fruits corner (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Not all newcomers will notice that Depot routinely adds new faces to replace those gone.

The major players, however, are not going anywhere.

Confectionery (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

This is the place that the whole of Moscow visits to dine out. In the morning, people may breakfast at corners serving great coffee.

Lunch may present an opportunity to get familiar with Russian cuisine by trying bliny with various fillings at Pripyok or bear ribs stewed with taiga berries at Taiga or shchi, the Russian salad, chicken Kiev and pelmeni at Bistro Ruski.  

Georgian cafe (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Russian cuisine is complemented by many others. Depot presents exemplary Georgian pastry (all kinds of khachapuri, chebureks, and the famous Tbilisi cream doughnuts). Kritikos imports most of its products from Greece to offer an authentic taste of Greek cuisine.

Cooking (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

K-Town Korean BBQ has a barbecue built into the bar. 

J’pan serves donduri, takoyaki and can boast a matcha bar. There are Ki (ramen), Buba by Sumusan, Ryba International (sushi and sashimi. Indian cuisine is present as well, along with numerous others.   

Chocolate (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Meat corner (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Meat Dealers, a fully established restaurant rather than a corner, that serves 30 varieties of steaks, which will be cut and seasoned at the establishment, complemented with tartates, tataki, sashimi, cheeks and bone marrow.

Octopus (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Fish and seafood are served at Fish of My Own, with a large selection of oysters and fish dishes, and Mollusca, with 40 mussel dishes.  

Confectionery (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Those preferring neither fish nor meat will find food that fits their diet plan. 

Zhemchuga makes fancy-looking desserts and vegetarian dishes, while Gayane Breyova’s Veganutyye will appeal to the tastes of both vegans and rawtarians with dishes such as dough-free pizza and raw borscht.  

Dairy products (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Local residents see Depot as their neighbourhood market where they go to buy freshly baked bread, farm cheese, fruits and spices at dedicated shops.

Depot Market (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

Culture programme

Evenings at Depot are often filled with DJs and concerts. First time visitors may miss the second floor that has a lot of tables, but no cafes.

A dog at Depot Market (21st Century) by tm agencyFederal Agency for Tourism

The floor is usually quieter with fewer people, but its greater part is used to hold separate events such as wine expos for wine professionals or book presentations.

Credits: Story

Сhief Сonsultant — Ekaterina Drozdova, restaurateur, gastronomic entrepreneur, food and social activist, Photo production — tm agency, Contributors — Anna Kukulina, Proximity Russia, Denis Yershov, Aliona Ermakova

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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