Zoe

A Saint Petersburg bakery with breakfast, pastries and coffee. The founders of Zoe, Sergey and Irina Zubchenok, show off the whole life cycle of a bun, from flour in the kitchen to the display case. Brand baker Maxim Babich brings novelty even to classic recipes: a simple croissant becomes more or less buttery depending on a tweak in technique, and a doughnut turns out extra fluffy.

Composed breakfasts (scramble, avocado, chives, salmon) are especially good paired with sparkling wine.

The coffee shop's name comes straight from its concept. Zoe is a name that evokes something warm, familiar, cozy — as if grandma were baking homemade bread. In Greek, "zoe" means "life," and in Saint Petersburg the team gives its bakery that same meaning.

It's great that they open at 8am — everyone has time to grab a coffee and a fresh pastry before work or school. Breakfast at Zoe The Bakery can run late too, served until 7pm (6pm on Mondays). Expect original pancakes, trendy avocado toast, and familiar omelets.