See also FOOD STORES and SHOPPING for further information on food shopping.
All Saint Petersburg's Markets are open:
Daily 8:00 to 19:00,
Sunday 8:00 to 16:00.
All markets are closed one day per month for cleaning. This "Sanitary Day" is given below.
Rynok=Farmer's Market; Rubles Only.
History: The first Petersburg market "Obzhornyy" was established at Trinity (Troitskaya) Square right after the founding of St. Petersburg. In 1711 the market was moved to the city's outskirts to the Kronverk region and renamed "Sytnyy." The first indoor market of the city was Kuznechnyy, which was established in 1927.
What: The lively farmer's markets are the best place to buy fruit, vegetables, meat, sausage, cheese, milk, honey, eggs, jams, preserves, flowers, baked goods and usually at the best prices anywhere, if you know how to bargain. Many fruits and vegetables are now imported; seasonal fruits and vegetables are from Russia or CIS.
How: Take along plenty of plastic shopping bags, egg cartons and jars for honey, etc., as none is provided. Prices are quoted per kilo (2.2 pounds), eggs are sold by tens. Don't be surprised by the "kilo" of bananas or bag of tomatoes used as a "counterweight," but do watch for thumbs on the scales.
Haggle: This is a bazaar. Smell, squeeze, select and taste before you buy. A "net" (no) can bring a price down.
Food Testing: Most markets have facilities for testing for chemicals and radioactivity.
TYPNote: Be very aware of pickpockets.
