Hello there! I'm a local in beautiful St. Petersburg, and I've been to all the popular spots in the city. I've tried out plenty of cafes and bakeries, and I've got to say, I've been to them all. I'm reminded of my previous reviews, check out my review of the most budget-friendly bakery chain here and my review of a mid-range bakery.
Today, I'm reviewing a bakery that's a bit on the pricier side. I've been here a few times, and I've got some thoughts to share.
BUSHÉ Bakery & Confectionery, St. Petersburg BUSHÉ Bakery & Confectionery has plenty of locations around town, but I'm reviewing the one in the heart of St. Petersburg.
nab. canal Griboyedov, 18-20. This is the location I visit most often. Even though there's another BUSHÉ location in my neighborhood, this one has a special charm to it.
Interior: I think it's worth starting with the best part – the view. Especially for tourists, this bakery is a must-visit for the stunning view of the city.
BUSHÉ Bakery & Confectionery, St. Petersburg
Since the bakery has huge windows with a great view, if you manage to grab a seat by the window, you can take in the sights of the city's main attractions – the Kazan Cathedral and the Zinger House. It's right in the heart of the city.
BUSHY Bakery and Confectionery, St. PetersburgIt's no surprise that this place is always packed with people and long queues. The staff does a great job of serving quickly, but you still have to wait.
BUSHY Bakery and Confectionery, St. PetersburgThis bakery has two floors. You can grab food and drinks to go, or sit down and enjoy them on the spot.
BUSHY Bakery and Confectionery, St. PetersburgBoth floors are usually fully booked, and you might have to walk around to find a seat. They have small tables for 2-4 people, as well as a bar counter where you can sit.
Menu and prices: Given the huge crowds, it's clear that this place is in high demand. As for the prices, I specifically took a photo of the menu to show you.
BUSHY Bakery and Confectionery, St. Petersburg BUSHY Bakery and Confectionery, St. PetersburgFeel free to take a closer look at the menu. Personally, I think the prices are a bit higher than average. For me, frequent visits here would be a bit of a stretch budget-wise.
Shelves and assortment: One of the things I love about this place is that they display their ready-made items right on the counter. You can literally see everything you want to buy on the shelves. It's really convenient for customers.
BUŞE Bakery and Confectionery, St. PetersburgI've tried their sandwiches and pizzas, and they're all really good. The staff always ask if you want them to heat it up for you, whether you're eating in or taking it to go.
BUŞE Bakery and Confectionery, St. PetersburgThe food is always fresh and made in-house. The fillings are generous, and everything looks really appetizing.
BUŞE Bakery and Confectionery, St. Petersburg BUŞE Bakery and Confectionery, St. PetersburgThey also have a display case with all sorts of sweet pastries and desserts. You can even order something custom, like for a birthday. I love that they don't skimp on the fillings, and it's even visible on the display case.
BUŞE Bakery and Confectionery, St. Petersburg
The selection is really diverse, with both savory and sweet options. As they say, 'something for every taste and preference.' The variety is great, although it can be a bit sparse by evening due to the high foot traffic. BUSHY Bakery & Cafe, St. PetersburgOf course, since it's a bakery, you can buy bread. Prices are higher than in stores, but it's way more enjoyable to eat freshly baked bread with a crunchy crust than the stuff from the supermarket that's been sitting around for days.
Customer service and my experience: If you're taking it to go, you'll usually wait 5-10 minutes. Again, it's because there are so many customers. If you decide to stay and grab a bite, you'll get a number and the food and drinks will be brought to you by the waitstaff. Then, you start the fun game of finding an empty table. I've been here multiple times, and it's always 70-90% full. Sometimes, I've even had to eat at the bar because there aren't any tables available. The bar area is pretty cramped, and you'll be sitting right next to strangers, which can be a bit awkward. I did manage to find a table once, but the two women sitting next to me were having a loud conversation about their personal lives, and I was just trying to enjoy my meal in peace.
BUSHY Bakery & Cafe, St. PetersburgThe waitstaff don't always have time to clear the tables because new customers are waiting, and the old ones are leaving. I've even had to clean up crumbs from the table myself. Luckily, I always carry wet wipes with me. If you order dishes that need to be prepared, like the salmon omelette, be prepared to wait – it's usually around 15-25 minutes.
BUSHÉ Bakery & Café, St. PetersburgI've gotta say, it's way better to wait and know that your food's been made fresh, rather than from unknown leftovers. The taste is just not the same. But, let me tell you, the food here is amazing. I've ordered different dishes multiple times and the wait's always been worth it. For example, my omelet with salmon and matza costs around 700-800 rubles per person. It's not cheap, but the quality's definitely worth it. The fillings are always generous, and you get to enjoy your meal thoroughly.
So, let's break down the 'pluses and minuses': Since I've been to 'BUSHÉ' multiple times, I can give you my honest opinion. These are my personal 'pluses and minuses' that I've noticed.
BUSHÉ Bakery & Café, St. PetersburgActually, I found a photo from another 'BUSHÉ' location in the city center on Petrogradskaya Street. So, here are my takeaways:
➕ Delicious food and drinks
➕ Several locations across the city
➕ Generous portions of ready-to-eat food
➕ Beautiful interior
➕ You can take food and drinks 'to-go'
➕ Always plenty of fillings in the pastries and cakes
➕ Attractive food presentation
➕ Staff bring your orders to your table
➕ There's a loyalty program (you need to download the app on your phone)
➖ Always super busy
➖ Uncomfortable seating. People are packed in
➖ Staff don't always clear the tables quickly enough
➖ I've had to wait up to half an hour for my order to arrive
➖ Prices aren't the cheapest
➖ By evening, not everything is in stock and the shelves can be pretty bare
Don't get me wrong, despite the downsides, I'm still going to keep using 'Bouche.' I'd give it a solid three stars. But I'd still recommend checking it out – the food is great, and that's a big plus.
Hope you found this review helpful
Thanks for reading, folks! 👍