After an uncharacteristically cold and rainy start to the summer season, Moscow`s restaurant scene is finally experiencing a much-needed surge in business, driven by the sudden arrival of intense heat. Following a dismal June that saw many outdoor seating areas sit empty, the city`s temperatures have soared, reaching levels reportedly hotter than popular tropical destinations like Bali, Bangkok, and Turkey, significantly boosting foot traffic to summer verandas.
The hospitality industry in the Russian capital is heavily reliant on good weather during the brief summer months to compensate for slower periods. Restaurateurs note that the cold, wet conditions throughout much of May and June severely impacted their economic performance. Denis Ivanov, founder of several Moscow restaurants, highlighted the critical dependency on sunshine for verandas, stating that the early summer`s chill was detrimental.
While the current heatwave is a welcome change, providing a palpable uplift in customer numbers, industry representatives caution that a short burst of warmth may not be enough to fully recover from the challenging start. They estimate that at least two consecutive warm months are necessary to reach a break-even point, expressing hope that a warm autumn (“Indian summer”) might extend the favorable period.
Despite the current positive trend on verandas, the sector continues to grapple with broader economic pressures. Inflation has led to increased costs for products and staff wages, which in turn have impacted menu pricing and contributed to an overall downturn in sales compared to previous years. Evgenia Levshitskaya, a partner at Perelman People, observed the rush to verandas but also pointed out the compounding effect of the mid-July vacation season, which sees many residents leave the city, potentially counteracting the weather-induced boost.
Not all businesses were equally affected. Restaurateur Semyon Nebolsin mentioned that some establishments, particularly those equipped with features like gas heaters, managed to maintain some veranda business even during the cooler June weather and are already seeing their outdoor areas become profitable. He reiterated the negative trend driven by inflation and rising costs impacting sales across the board.
Traditionally, Moscow`s summer veranda season can extend quite late into the year, sometimes lasting until November. For now, businesses are making the most of the current heat, hoping it signifies a sustained period of favorable weather that can help mitigate the losses incurred during the difficult spring and early summer months.
