It’s fair to say that Moscow and St. Petersburg are the undisputed epicentres of all things fashionable in Russia, but at the same time, their stature is highly inspirational, giving rise to evocative initiatives in retail and hospitality in provincial cities such as Voronezh. Situated a six-hour car drive south of the Russian capital and only 300 km from the Ukrainian border, it’s here where the city’s Instagram generation has been wowed by a fantastical, purple-infused café. Whimsically named Kruzhok, meaning ‘donut’ in Russian, it occupies a 110 sqm. (1,184 sq.ft.) set across two rooms on the ground floor of a residential building in the heart of the city, and features a collaborative interior design by architect Eduard Eremchuk and architectural designer Katy Pyatitskaya. Owned by a pastry chef, a barista, and a general manager who bonded over a love for good coffee and breakfasts, the chosen aesthetic takes cues from the shape of the popular round pastry, melting glaze and cream, and elevates it to a whole new level.
The first room sees walls and furniture dipped in a sand-coloured, referencing different forms of dough, and adorned by oddly shaped sculptures in popping colours by artist Elena Minaev as a firm nod to Kruzhok‘s signature donuts which are decorated with caramelised popcorn. The setting in the adjacent larger room is all about melting glaze while boldly blending in a purple hue, captured by walls, tables and seating. They played with tactility by mixing mystic purple shades with soft velvet fabric, on the walls and accessories. Next to a tiered seating area, a communal table with crumply features, situated right below a matching chandelier, accommodates large groups. The toilet interior yet another aesthetic, and here, it’s inspired by creamy-sweet pastry filling, an effect which has been achieved by covering construction foam with a transparent epoxy resin. The menu at Kruzhok lists savoury bites such as Eggs Benedict with salmon of bacon and a bowl with Halloumi cheese and avocado, but also pancakes with different toppings, donuts and a wide range of classic coffee concoctions.
Kruzhok
Teatralnaya ulitsa 26
394036 Voronezh
Daily 8am-11pm
Publishers Note
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