The expert explained the reduction of restaurants in the Central Administrative District

From October 2025 to January 2026, 64 restaurants and cafes stopped operating in the Central Administrative District of Moscow. Marina Chernyakova, head of the commercial real estate department at the Mangazeya development company, told Izvestia on February 20 about why the reduction of establishments began in the capital.

According to her, the market is simultaneously being pressured by an increase in VAT, a 20-25% rise in the price of products, a shortage of staff and a decrease in real incomes of the population. With this cost structure, projects with a minimum margin of safety are the first to close, especially those operating under high rental loads. According to her, this is not about the complete withdrawal of business from the center, but about adjusting the model and recalculating the economy.

"The center is still the showcase of the city, but the working conditions here have become tougher. Rental rates are among the highest in Moscow, and traffic patterns have changed. Locations like Patriarch's Ponds and Arbat keep the tourist flow going, but some of the regular audience has cut costs. The flow of guests is more often concentrated on weekends and around major events, while expenses remain fixed," the expert explained.

Lunch budget: retailers deprive restaurants of visitors

What is the reason for this and what trends are changing the field of public catering

She stressed that with rising food prices and wage funds, the issue of location is decided based on simple economics — whether the daily flow is able to cover fixed costs regardless of seasonal peaks. Under these conditions, some projects consider sites outside the historical center, primarily outside the Third Ring Road.

According to a survey conducted by Mangazeya, almost seven out of ten respondents admit that it is possible to build a sustainable restaurant business model outside the center. Almost two thirds consider the rental rate 20-30% lower than in the center to be comfortable. According to Chernyakova, such a difference can significantly affect the payback period of the project.

This is reflected in the formats as well. In the new areas, casual cafes and bistros, as well as coffee shops with breakfasts, work better, while chamber restaurants and gastro bars are more often in demand in the center. The expert noted that decisions about opening establishments are being made more carefully today, and the address is no longer perceived as a guarantee of success — the flow of guests, rental load and payback period are becoming key.

On January 10, Postbank analysts reported that during the New Year holidays, Russians spent 28 times more on movie tickets than in the same period in 2022, 1.7 times more on theaters, 1.5 times more on museums. At the same time, according to information from the fiscal data operator Platform OFD for January 1-8, which was reviewed by Izvestia, the average check in Russian cinemas jumped by 16% more than last year for the same period. The indicator was 745 rubles. The number of purchases increased by 25%, and sales increased by 39%.

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