L’elephant

L'Elephant is a Russian-French bistro right in the center of Kazan, near the Kazan Kremlin. The project is part of the Fine Group restaurant group, also known for the venues Chirem, Gina and Zuka.

The bar list features a collection of wines from France, Crimea and Krasnodar Krai, plus original cocktails inspired by Kazan's culture.

The interior was designed by the Moscow bureau Bespoke, blending the aesthetics of Russian merchant houses with French cafés. The decor is dominated by wood paneling, marble surfaces, mirrored glasswork, velvet, velour, and rattan furniture. The room is furnished with items found at flea markets across Europe and Russia: decorative elephant figurines, an antique cash register, samovars, and copper trays. In summer, a spacious terrace styled after a Parisian café opens up, with a view of the street and the surrounding architecture.

The menu offers a contemporary take on Russian and French classics, with an emphasis on an original approach to presentation. In the Russian section, try Chaliapin-style borscht with prunes, jellied duck with rémoulade sauce, and vareniki with crab and red caviar. The French section includes French onion soup with baguette and gruyère, duck confit legs, and pâté with brioche. The morning menu offers a French omelet with crab, croissants with a truffle scramble, blini with salmon, and oatmeal with berries.