Literary Café (The), St. Petersburg

Fans of Russian poet Pushkin and newcomers to Russia will be pleasantly surprised when they walk into this charming café, for there sits the great man himself, brooding and solemn. This cleverly crafted mannequin looks quite real, with life-like curls and sideburns. This was the café where the poet ate his last meal before his fateful duel in 1837, and his mannequin sits almost morosely, as if pondering on life's ironies, one of them being the swanky new KFC outlet nearby. The food is staid Russian – dull soups, thick salads and heavy meats, but the desserts are finger-licking good.