Svet cafe

A new-format cafe combining gastronomy, coffee culture, and an exhibition space.

Svet cafe is a project by Marta Martynova, a graphic designer, artist, and lecturer at the Higher School of Economics. It grew out of a desire to combine a carefully considered visual approach with a vibrant urban context, and to go beyond the traditional coffee shop format. Marta's first cafe in Kudrovo was intimate and experimental, with only three seats and an exhibition of paintings. Svet cafe is the next step: a full-fledged gastronomic project with a menu created by chef Ilya Solomatin ("The Pech," "Sad"), an art gallery, and a developed evening program. Here, the visual language continues in the flavor profile—equally refined, layered, and personal.

The cafe is located in a historic building at 5 Svechnoy Lane, a place where candles were first made in Russia from bleached wax. This fact became the foundation of the concept: light as a cultural and material code. It is reflected in the architecture, the graphics, the food, and the ideas. The interior features many beige and metallic surfaces that absorb and reflect light, which changes in temperature, brightness, and color throughout the day. In the morning, it is soft and diffused, while in the evening, it is rich and accentuating. The central elements of the space are a bar counter made of split wax and a light wall where the light shimmers and moves in real time. For some, it is a metaphor for candle smoke, for others, it is the Northern Lights. Here, light is not just decoration, but a fundamental element.

The Svet cafe menu is based on the idea of comfort food—simple yet expressive gastronomy where the experience is as important as the taste. Chef Ilya Solomatin, with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, leads the kitchen. He creates menus around seasonal ingredients, textures, and precise combinations, creating a gastronomy that respects tradition while allowing for flexibility and improvisation. Dishes include chicken liver pâté with brioche and apricot, trout with zucchini soufflé and spinach, and a tarte tatin with cardamom and ice cream—not just a reproduction of the familiar, but an attempt to reimagine flavor memories.

The coffee program is curated by head barista Polina Shraler. The menu includes classics, various filter options (including pour-over and immersion methods), as well as a signature range of drinks inspired by the visual aesthetics of the space. These include a summer drink with rhubarb and peach, matcha with tropical passion fruit and mango foam, and a cocktail with lemongrass, rosemary, and cream. All syrups are made in-house using seasonal ingredients, without any pre-made mixes. The menu also features local teas and matcha from St. Petersburg suppliers. The signature menu will change depending on the season and the mood of the space.

The wine list is curated by sommelier Gelya Gaivoronskaya (Saro). It features familiar styles and a clear geographical representation: Europe, the New World, and Russia. The selections are designed to evoke easy associations: prosecco or cremant for a late breakfast, mineral whites and berry rosé during the day, and juicy reds in the evening.

The second room of the cafe functions as an exhibition space—an independent gallery with a curated exhibition. This is another level of connection between gastronomy and art. For the opening, the work of artist Dariella is on display. Her art literally emerges from light, which organically continues the overall concept of the project. The exhibition program will be updated every two months.

Svet cafe brings together those who are interested in the space and the people around them, in culture, and in thoughtful gastronomy. It is a place where you can feel the rhythm of life and find your own light within it.