News Cafe is known as the best (and probably most expensive) breakfast in Minsk. The very small, intimate place is always teaming with foreigners, drinking fresh coffee and reading fresh papers. News Cafe is owned by the same wonderful people as Grand Cafe and Bistro de Luxe, and boasts austere, virginal decor of dark and light shades in delightful contrasts. The waiters show off pretty uniforms, immaculate makeup, tanned skin and foreign language skills. News Cafe reviews are positive regardless of the small menu and the high prices because the quality of food, good service, central location (close to the British embassy) and unmistakable European flair are all its selling points. It’s perfect for a cup of coffee, quick drink or salad, if you find a place: at lunch hour, this little cute cafe is PACKED. It’s all in good taste, pun intended.
Vasilki Minsk, Nezavisimosti 16
Vasilki is the place to be, in terms of middle-of-the-road cafes. It looks like a peasant hut, a very very clean peasant hut made of plastic. It is always busy, especially on weekends. Long lines of people waiting to get in are customary – not a pleasant thing if you are sitting near the entrance. The waitress may offer you to share the table with other visitors, or nice visitors, like a polite shopping tourist from Moscow did for us, can offer the arrangement themselves.
Chidlren’s Menu
Chidlren’s Desert Menu – cocktails almost the same prices as Mom’s and Dad’s – not complaining, just saying
Crayons and paper on the menu
‘Wooden’ utensils
Mulled wine (without the wine – a non alcoholic version)
‘Little Vitamin’ Children’s cocktail
‘Little Star’ Children’s French Fries
‘Fresh From The Garden’ salad – really yummy with sunflower seeds, onions, tomatoes and a variety of salads; arguably the best salad at Vasilki cafe
A la Caesar’s
Boletus Mushroom soup plus yummy bread
Frying pan of sausages and pork rind – really, really satisfying (4 hours on the treadmill)
‘Happy Tree Stump’ chicken chop with potatoes - children are welcome in Vasilki
Pear pie – errr, skip it
Cappuccino
Vasilki cafe is right in the center of Minsk. The service can be slow during the lunch hours and weekends so try to look for a ‘clear’ spot to enjoy this chain cafe of national Belarusian cuisine and the Vasilki shop next door.
