Useful tips

Here you can find useful tips (recommendations) developed by our team to make your staying in our country more comfortable so that you get rid of the feeling that you are coming in the unknown.

TIP 1. WHERE TO EAT

The are plenty of restaurants for different tastes in Minsk and we picked only best ones represented in every cuisine we have here.

Belarussian cuisine:

1. Kamyanitsa is a real corner of ancient Belarus, traditional cuisine, unique interior and authentic music which give the opportunity to plunge into the Golden days of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Traditional food such as draniki, mochanka and more. Address: Pervomayskaya street, 18
2. Vasilki. Home-like chain of restaurants where you can try delicious dishes of Belarusian cuisine. Restaurants are dotted around the city, so it will be very easy to find them. Most of the restaurants are located in shopping malls. Waitresses in traditional clothing will please an eye.
Address: shopping malls Galleria; Galileo; Nezavisimosti Avenue, 16; Yakuba Kolasa street, 37

European cuisine:

1. Grand Café. One of the oldest and most expensive restaurants in the city, which is located in the centre of Minsk. Here you can not only relax in a stylish interior, but also take a girl for a romantic dinner. Address: Lenina street, 2
2. The View. The View is a restaurant that welcomes guests on top! This is the only institution in its form in Minsk, where you can see the city from a bird's eye view and try the original author's dishes. Restaurant "ze view" is located at an altitude of 100 meters, it is spacious and can accommodate 100 people. Modern style, purple tones, the highest summer terrace in the city - everything is done at the highest level and without frills. Address: Pobediteley Avenue, 7A

Pizza&Pasta

1. La Scala. La Scala Trattoria Ignazio on Nemiga street is a new Italian restaurant that hospitably opens its doors to all who love Italy! Warm, friendly atmosphere, impeccable service and delicious, clear home-cooked Italian cuisine will impress anyone who has ever visited La Scala Trattoria Ignazio. Trattoria is a place where you can have a delicious meal at home, have a good time and get real pleasure from casual communication in an atmosphere of comfort. Each visitor of La Scala Trattoria Ignazio will be able to have a good rest in one of the two spacious halls of the restaurant, taste the traditional pizza of the Sunny country, cooked in front of guests, and become a part of a real, friendly Italian family.
Address: Nemiga street, 36

2. Underdog. In order to plunge into the world of aesthetic minimalism with panoramic Windows and a maximum of living greenery, you do not need to specifically go somewhere and look for a long time, because pizza place "Underdog" is located very close — on Oktyabrskaya street, in the heart of city life. Here You will find pizza from the oven and seafood dishes, good list of quiet wines and craft beer, as well as maximum comfort with a minimum of distractions from a good conversation and tasty dishes.
Address: Oktyabrskaya street, 23A

Burgers

1. Enzo. One of the first restaurants appeared on this street and it is a really good choice if you love meat and burgers. Here customers will find attentive staff, great wine and really tasty food.The main direction in the menu and cuisine of the restaurant is steaks, burgers and wine. In ENZO you can try a variety of premium and alternative steaks; burgers with different types of meat, from classic beef to fancy with bacon and pomegranate, vegetarian burgers, as well as Tartars, warm salads, author's sauces and desserts. Enzo serves Breakfast throughout the day. From 12.00 to 16.00 Enzo has a lunch menu, which is updated weekly.
Address: Oktyabrskaya street, 23A

Asian cuisine

1. Yantzy. This Chinese restaurant feeds its visitors in the best traditions of the great and varied cuisine of the Eastern country. Many dishes of beef, pork, fish and seafood, poultry, vegetables, as well as soups, cold snacks and sweet dishes – all this will please any connoisseur of the East. "Yantzy" is true to the rich traditions of Chinese culture, here pay attention to every detail. Thus, all the details of the restaurant's interior are brought directly from China, and the kitchen is dominated only by the chef from China, who knows all the subtleties of cooking native dishes. Address: Svobody Square, 8
2. Ronin. Traditional Asian cuisine, first-class service and stylish interior design are the main trumps of the Japanese restaurant "Ronin". The menu of the restaurant will surprise you with rare dishes for Minsk, and the spacious halls of the restaurant will allow you to relax under the relaxed music from the invited DJs. Guests have the opportunity to stay at large tables for a company or places for two. Address: Maxim Bogdanovich street, 78

Hookah

1. Hookah Place. "HookahPlace Lounge Bar" – hookah with a unique format of reсreation. In "HookahPlace Lounge Bar" carefully selected hookah Park, which will take into account the tastes and preferences of our guests. The team of hookah masters recruited only real experts who will devote each guest in the hookah culture. Served all the famous dishes of European cuisine with the author's view on them. The emphasis of the kitchen menu is made on cooking on the grill, preserving the quality and juiciness of meat dishes. Separately I would like to note the tea card of the institution. It presents many varieties of tea to the taste of any connoisseur, as well as alternative ways of brewing tea to achieve a perfectly balanced taste. Address: Yakuba Kolasa street, 42

Pubs

1. Gambrinus. Gastro-pub "Gambrinus", located in the historic centre of Minsk, is always happy to connoisseurs of good beer and all those who are important cozy atmosphere and gloss of a good beer restaurant. Visitors can choose from a variety of bottled Beers and a great variety of delicious snacks. In addition, its range includes thirteen varieties of fresh draft beer from around the world. Lovers of foam drink will be pleased with gifts from Ireland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Russia and Belarus. Address: Svobody Square, 3
2. Malt & Hops pub is divided into 2 halls. In the first is the widest bar, behind which, sipping from a beautiful glass of real Irish beer and exchanging a few words with the "neighbors", you might think that the yard is really great Britain. The second room is designed for meetings with large companies: wide leather sofas, large tables — relax here comfortably and at the same time fun. Alcohol card also surprises a wide range of whiskies from the UK and other countries. Beer here is also mainly English and Irish, but you can find varieties that are popular, for example, in Germany or the Czech Republic.
Address: Zybitskaya street, 9
3. Druzya pub. Restaurant and brewery "Druzya" is one of the largest restaurants in the CIS. Every day up to 2000 guests relax here, drink more than 500 litres of beer, listen to about 4 hours of live music.
"Druzya" is 5 000 square meters of friendly atmosphere, high quality service, quality music and good mood! The main menu consists of a variety of traditional dishes of beer countries. Here you will find a large hearty meals, lighter snacks and salads. Mini brewery in the Czech Republic PACOVSCE STROJIRNY with an annual capacity of 350,000 litres of beer. 31 brands of beer of own production. High-quality sound, professional light show and the atmosphere of a Grand celebration from the best cover bands of the city is waiting for you every day.
Address: Kulman street, 40

TIP 2. HOW TO GET FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER

Public transportation in Minsk is very good, but after relaxing in our restaurants and bars it is better to use taxi.
The best option here is to take a taxi online using a special App.
As any developed country we have Uber here, but if you open already installed App, most likely your phone will offer you to download Yandex.Taxi, do not hesitate and do it, Uber and Yandex.Taxi is the same in our country.
One more App that you can use is Taxi Bavaria. Business class taxi and they are using only BMW 5 cars, polite English speaking drivers. It is more expensive than Yandex.Taxi, but it is more comfortable.
Installing of this Apps requires password that you get via SMS to you phone number, so it is very good if you have roaming or local SIM-card. If you do not have any of it the best option for you to get a taxi is to ask the staff in the restaurant or somebody on the street to call you a taxi. Belarusians are very friendly and always ready to help tourists, so do not hesitate to ask.

TIP 3. HOW AND WHERE TO GET A SIM-CARD

There are 2 major mobile operators in Belarus MTS and Velcom/ A1, which one to choose is up for you to decide. They have special tariff plans for tourists. Have a look what they offer.
MTS. Tariff plan is called “Super Max for Guests”. It costs 23 BYN or approximately 11 dollars. Here you have unlimited everything: internet, calls to Belarusian numbers. it is necessary to come to any MTS office with a passport and issue a SIM card, immediately pay for it and use it. It is valid for one month, if you want to use it for more than one month you simply need to top up the balance.
Address: Nemiga street, 5

Velcom/A1
Tariff plan is called “Hello, tourist!”. It is a very good option if you are staying in Belarus for a week and even less. You are given 5 GB of the Internet, 50 minutes and 50 SMS for Belarusian numbers. After 7 days the contract automatically terminates and you can not use it anymore. It costs 10 BYN or 5 dollars. To get it you also need to come to their office with passport.
Address: Internatsionalnaya street, 36/2

TIP 4. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCY CASES

Minsk is a quiet city, even in the evening and not in the Central areas you can not worry about your safety. But you should know what to do and where to call if something happens after all. If you leave in the hotel you just need to go to the reception desk and tell them about your problem. They will try to solve it as soon as possible. If you rent a flat the best option is to call the following numbers:
112 – Single emergency number
102 – Police
103 – Ambulance
In case of an emergency with health do not forget to show your passport and insurance policy. Hospital staff should call the telephone number listed there and provide the name of the insured and the number of the insurance policy or contract. If you have insurance "Belgosstrakh", the round-the-clock contact numbers: +375 17 252 48 90, mob. +375 29 231 42 24 (MTS)+375 25 741 42 24 (life)+375 44 741 42 26 (velcom); and if "Beleximgarant" – contact phone: + 375 173 60 21 21

TIP 5. HOTELS

3*
Belarus Hotel. The hotel offers 477 rooms. The hotel complex consists of a 22-storey main building. The upper floors are easily accessible by lift or stairs. There is a wardrobe, a safety Deposit box and currency exchange. Wi-Fi in public areas will keep you informed. There is a very good gift shop on the first floor. Location of the hotel is great. Simultaneously stands on the bank of the Svisloch river, located in the centre of the city but away from the hustle and bustle of noisy city. Belarus hotel has the best observation platform in the city located on the roof.
Hampton By Hilton. Offering a fitness centre and a 24-hour front Desk, Hampton by Hilton Minsk City Centre is a 7-minute walk from Minsk train station and 1 km from Ploshchad Lenina metro station. The rooms feature air conditioning, cable TV, work space, Ironing facilities and an electric kettle. The bathroom comes with a Hairdryer, Slippers and free toiletries. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. A business centre is also available.
Garni. This hotel is located in the historic part of Minsk, just a 5-minute walk from the Palace of the Republic. At Garni hotel you will find a 24-hour front Desk and free wifi. The air-conditioned rooms are elegant and classically decorated in warm colours. They are equipped with a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator and a private bathroom. The restaurant "pan Hmeli" restaurant serves Belarusian and European cuisine. There are many cafés and restaurants within a 5-minute walk of the hotel. Parking is available at an additional cost. Garni hotel is a 5-minute walk from freedom square, a bus stop and Nemiga metro station. Minsk Central train station is a 10-minute drive away, and Minsk international airport is 40 km from the property

4*
Victoria. Hotel Victoria is located on one of the main avenues of the city, so this location lures guests from all over the world for a long time. The hotel has everything you need to relax: sauna, swimming pool, cozy rooms. And there are also conference rooms for work. The rooms are designed in a classic style and this is so popular with guests. There is a bathroom, the necessary equipment, and most importantly, it is comfortable beds, which are so nice to fall asleep in the evening. The hotel has several dining areas: a restaurant, a bar and a lobby bar. From this we can see that the hotel has made sure that any guest was always full.
In the equipped conference room you can hold a meeting, negotiations or a meeting and You will always be satisfied with the quality service during these events. Close to the Victoria Hotel, there is a Victoria Spa Hotel. What is the difference? Victoria Spa is more expensive, but it has jaccuzzi, swimming poopl and a wide range of SPA programs. But why to pay more if you can stay at Victoria and visit SPA and swimming pool in Victoria SPA?
Minsk hotel. It is the first 4* hotel in the city located just in the administrative centre of Minsk. A wide choice of rooms with wide bed, superior rooms for Vip guests, accommodation for people with disabilities, secured parking, ATM and currency exchange are offered by the hotel. Hotel Minsk has a very convenient location within walking distance from the most popular attractions: Red Church, railway station, Old Town and Independence Square. The hotel offers restaurants for Breakfast, lunch and dinner, business Lunches and 24h lobby bar. The prices are average.

5*
Double Tree by Hilton. DoubleTree by Hilton Minsk is popular among business audiences around the world. The hotel offers 193 modern rooms: from the standard, with a beautiful view of the city, to a spacious Suite with an elegant living room. Each room is designed to provide the comfort and convenience that guests expect from an international hotel. Due to the location in the center of Minsk and the high level of service, the hotel is often chosen for conferences and seminars, receptions and VIP dinners. DoubleTree by Hilton Minsk positions itself not only as a business, but also as a gourmet hotel. For example, restaurant Ember offers a unique for Belarus steaks, aged for more than 36 days in the chamber dry-ager, and also has a fichcorner with seafood. Sky bar BAR:DOTXX1 is loved by Minsk residents for its cocktail menu and pan-Asian cuisine.
Europe Hotel. “Europe” is a world-class hotel specially designed for sophisticated travelers who appreciate exclusivity, personalized service and superior quality. The hotel includes 67 spacious and luxurious rooms of different categories.
In the hotel "Europe" you will find everything you need for a pleasant stay in the centre of Minsk! Hotel "Europe" is a hotel with a century of original history. Over the years different famous people have stayed here. So, if you want luxurious stay just opposite the historical centre of the city in a close vicinity of the best bars and restaurants of Minsk, you choice is very clear. It is hotel “Europe”