Good Eats: Russian Restaurant in Los Angeles

By Annie Suh —

If you’re a foodie on the hunt for something tasty, different and somewhat exotic other than your typical burger, taco, sushi or pasta dish, look no further than this nugget of gold: Traktir.

Tucked on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd and Crescent Heights in West Hollywood, Traktir serves authentic Russian cuisine that will give your palates something new to look forward to after trying it for the first time. Unpretentious and laid back with whiffs of Russian culture emanating the whole place (there’s also a Russian gourmet deli market attached to the restaurant), this eatery is definitely worth a visit.

For starters, it’s worth trying the Russian Trio which consists of three different Russian-style dumplings—potato, meat and sauerkraut Vereniki—swimming in a creamy mushroom sauce you’ll be tempted to dip your breads in.

If you’re looking for a hearty main dish, the ever-so-tender Beef Stroganoff will hit the spot and comes with a side of fluffy mashed potatoes and cucumber cabbage salad. For something more exotic to pair the dish with, go with the popular Russian-style salad concocted with beets, garlic and mayo.

Beef Stroganoff

But it doesn’t end there. Top off the whole cultural experience by washing down your meal with a cup of Mors—a refreshing berry drink, or Kvas—a popular drink in Eastern Europe made with fermented rye bread (imagine a mix of beer and soda), which might be an acquired taste for some.

Now that your meal is over, you can head over to the deli next door to grab a few Russian treats to bring back home, say your final good byes or continue to party on through the night in WeHo.

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Traktir

8151 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90046

M-Th, Su: 12pm – 10pm

F-Sa: 12 pm – 11pm

Parking: Private lot/Street