12 Delicious Restaurants in Almaty (+ What to Order, Map, & Tips)

This site uses affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.

Post Overview: Almaty has a thriving gastro scene and this guide highlights what I think are the best restaurants in Almaty. I have eaten at every place in this guide (many of them multiple times), and all are on this Almaty restaurant guide for a reason.

You’ll find a mix of Kazakh food, neo-nomad cuisine, and international fare. I will also tell you a bit about dining out in Almaty, including common ingredients, how to navigate the scene as a vegan/vegetarian, and more. A free map is included below.

I have spent a lot of time in Almaty over the years and even lived there for a while. And one of my favorite things to do in the city is to EAT. There is so much delicious food that I find it difficult to manage trying new spots alongside going back to my favorite places when I am there.

The restaurant scene in Almaty has blossomed over the years, and I’m here for it. While I have always been a big fan of Kazakh cuisine like beshbarmak and kuurdak, it has made me happy seeing those dishes mentioned on a global scale in recent years, even if it is a result of the evolution of traditional food in Almaty (what is now being referred to as ‘neo-nomad’).

In this guide, I am sharing my favorite places to eat in Almaty, including places to enjoy Kazakh food, international food, and more. I also highlight different foods and ingredients you will find across the city, and some general tips for eating out in Almaty.

Is your favorite restaurant in Almaty missing from this guide? Please let me know in the comments. Do know that I have intentionally omitted some places in this guide due to comments made by foreign owners about the locals. If you want to know which places they are, feel free to reach out to me personally, and I will share.

Best Restaurants in Almaty Overview

Each of these places is handpicked by me based on my experiences at each. I have personally eaten at each place in this guide and most of them several times. While I am certain there are other tasty places to eat in Almaty, I feel this list is good for someone planning their first trip to Kazakhstan.

There are a few budget restaurants here, as well as some fine dining experiences. I also wanted to include options that are not Kazakh or Central Asian because they are an important part of Almaty’s gastro scene and just downright delicious!

Each restaurant in the guide will come with a quick description, a few pics, and what I ordered (and the price). I also specify why I think it is worth visiting.

Guide Glossary

Below, you will find some words used throughout this guide and what they mean.

Common Ingredients in Kazakhstan

One of the best things about Kazakhstan is how high-quality the ingredients are. Now don’t get me wrong… some of this is imported from other parts of the region (Uzbekistan has some insanely good fruit due to its climate), but either way… it is still ‘local’.

Some ingredients you’ll find in dishes on Kazakhstan menus are: dill, onions, meat (usually beef, chicken, or horsemeat), apples, pears, bell peppers, millet, tomatoes, cucumbers, lots of bread, carrots and other root vegetables (potatoes and beetroot especially), cabbage, noodles and macaroni, parsley, coriander, pumpkin, varieties of squash, and a fair amount of dairy.

Horsemeat in Kazakhstan (Kazy)

While I, personally, don’t find horsemeat any more controversial than beef, pork, or chicken, I totally understand that not everyone is keen on tasting it. But if you do want to try it, you can find it ubiquitously across menus in Almaty. I have grown to love it.

It is called kazy (қазы in Kazakh and казы in Russian) and may come in different cuts, sausage-style, or smoked. If you see et on a menu, this means meat… so you may want to specify the type with your waiter, as it could be any type of meat.

Vegan and Vegetarian in Almaty

Almaty has become increasingly vegan and vegetarian-friendly over the years. While 10 years ago I would have said the opposite, now I don’t think the city presents much of a challenge for vegans and vegetarians. You may have to stick mostly with salads and vegetable-based dishes or sides, but it is still possible.

As with any city, you will have better luck going to places that are in the city center rather than spots in the microdistricts that cater more to locals. Many places have menus online these days, so be sure to check that and even inquire beforehand.

Cash, Card, and Tipping in Almaty

Tipping is common in Almaty, but it may already be included on your receipt. You can check and see. Typically, it is 10% (although the Sandyq receipt I shared shows 15%). You can bring cash with you for tipping, as it is easier for the waiter to manage than a machine (which often does not allow tipping).

Cards work almost everywhere in Kazakhstan these days. As does Apple Pay. I don’t even think I grabbed cash out on two of my trips this year (I did on a third trip for tipping purposes). You should have no issue paying with a card at the establishments listed in this guide (unless you grab something from the bazaar or a street food stand).

2GIS.kz

A forewarning to those reading… Almaty doesn’t really use Google Maps. They use something called 2GIS. This app doesn’t currently download from most international iOS and Android stores, so it is relatively hard to use (you can use it in your browser, but it is only in Russian and Kazakh).

I have included a Google Map at the end that you can save offline. I have also linked to each place individually on 2GIS.kz, where I detail its location, so you can see up-to-date information and reviews if you can read Russian or Kazakh.

My Favorite Restaurants in Almaty

1. AUYL

✅ Go here for: neo-nomad food, spectacular interior and ambience
📍 Location: Kerey Zhanibek Handar 586 (Medeu)

This has become Almaty’s most distinguished restaurant over the last couple of years and for very good reason. AUYL specializes in neo-nomad cuisine and has won several awards for its experimental dishes and flavor. And while I could rave about the food all day, it is the atmosphere that has brought me to visit on multiple occasions.

Inside, there is a completely open kitchen with two seating areas – one with standard tables and another with topchan underneath a sea of linen ribbons and shyrdak from Kyrgyz design experts, Tumar. Outside, there is a spacious terrace that overlooks the mountains from Medeu, where AUYL is located.

The architects, NAAW, are a women-founded and owned company, and they brought in Dunie (also owned by a woman) to do the design. Every detail is thought-provoking and tells a story (they gave me a tour of the place).

Anyway, AUYL is a must if it fits into your budget. I have eaten their beshbarmak (8300 KZT), Dungan pulled noodles with quail (5300 KZT), Hoshan manti (4500 KZT), roasted pumpkin salad (5300 KZT), a croquette with dried camel (4500 KZT), and their incredibly tasty baursak with balqaimaq (1500 KZT). All were delicious.

Please know that this restaurant is in Medeu, so you will need to use public transportation or take a taxi to reach it. They are open Monday to Friday from 12pm to 12am, Saturday from 11am to 12am, and Sunday from 11am to 11 pm. Reservations are a good idea for dinnertime.

2. Sandyq

✅ Go here for: Kazakh cuisine, a museum-like setting
📍 Location: Abylai Khan 55

Sandyq is another one of my favorite restaurants in Almaty. The owners are from Shymkent and are also the owners of Tary, which sits pretty close to Sandyq (and is also the same cafe that you’ll see at visitor centers across the region). They started Sandyq (and Tary) due to the gradual loss of Kazakh cuisine among younger generations.

When you walk into Sandyq, the atmosphere is almost like a museum. You’ll see crafts displayed and hear traditional music from the inside. But it is not kitschy like some traditional restaurants I have visited throughout the years. This is an elevated experience.

They have a signature menu, a kymyz menu, and more. I have been a couple of times and have had the beshbarmak (7990 KZT), kuurdak (7790 KZT), and kozhe nomad soup with dried horse (5590 KZT).

Sandyq is open daily from 12pm until 12am. Reservations are a good idea if you’re visiting during dinner time.

3. As-Kazan

✅ Go here for: laghman options, budget-friendly options
📍 Location: they have 5 locations, but I love their Gogol 13 and Baribayev 33 locations

As-Kazan has been around Almaty for 16 years and I have been hanging out there for around 10 years of that after first discovering it. This is my favorite laghman spot in Almaty, and the two locations I enjoy going to now are very close to each other on Gogol and Baribayev.

They offer 32 different types of laghman, but I go for their tsomyan every single time (hey, creature of habit here!). It is a fried laghman and is around 2690 KZT on the menu. I like As-Kazan because it is very casual, you don’t need reservations, and you are served pretty quickly. They also offer very budget-friendly Uyghur and Kazakh dishes inside (but I’d stick with the laghman).

Both the Baribayev and the Gogol locations are open daily from 8am to 10pm.

4. Qaimaq

✅ Go here for: Kazakh food in a different part of the city
📍 Location: Abai 46A

I used to love going to Qaimaq back in the day as they had my favorite beshbarmak in Almaty. And while it is still extremely delicious there, it is kind of out of the way of where I stay, so I don’t make the trek these days (I have only been once out of three trips to Almaty this year).

Qaimaq has been around for a while, and they have a spacious interior along with a large terrace that includes fountains and private dining areas. They specialize in Kazakh, Uyghur, and Uzbek dishes but I tend to stick to the Kazakh ones.

Their beshbarmak is typically what I order (8400 KZT) and recommend to others. You can walk here from the Baikonur metro station.

5. Bauyrdaq

✅ Go here for: affordable Kazakh and neo-nomad food
📍 Location: they have several locations across Almaty

Bauyrdaq is a budget-friendly place to try local foods, both in a traditional sense and also innovative neo-nomad ones. I actually didn’t love Bauyrdaq when I first tried it (I got manti for 2290 KZT at the location near Nurly-Tau), but I loved it when I revisited and ordered different dishes closer to the city center.

They call themselves ‘Qazaq Fast Food’ but it is not that fast. It is more of a casual dining experience with budget-friendly prices. They are known for their baursak burgers (but I have yet to try one… let me know how it is if you have done so).

Anyway, I have enjoyed their beshbarmak (4390 KZT) as well as their Nauryz kozhe (2390 KZT). There are 39 branches of Bauyrdaq across Kazakhstan, but do be aware that prices slightly vary depending on the location. I can recommend any of the ones in the city center and you’re never too far from a Bauyrdaq.

6. Sydyk

✅ Go here for: camel meat and shubat
📍 Location: Zheltoksan 155 (you’ll see a camel outside)

I was hesitant to put Sydyk on this guide because I don’t love it personally, but it is popular and part of the reason I don’t love it is that I don’t love camel meat in the form that I ordered it in. So that was my mistake. It is still a unique spot to check out and try something new.

Sydyk specializes in camel meat and shubat. I ordered a kuurdak here (4000 KZT) and it was well-prepared, but I think I just prefer it with horsemeat. The portion was huge, on the other hand, so this is definitely something you can split between two people if you’re looking to try camel for the first time. Their shubat was absolutely delicious, on the other hand, and was 495 KZT for a large cup of it.

The other thing I didn’t love about Sydyk was that the ordering process was a nightmare. I was apparently supposed to order via a tablet/app, but then it didn’t work, and the staff was pretty inattentive. I was the only one inside when I was there. I also find the atmosphere a bit weird as it feels like you’re in the lobby of a corporate building.

Nevertheless, this is a place to try camel and it is highly rated and does a really good job! They also have a gift shop which sells unique items that might be worth taking home as a souvenir! Sydyk is open daily from 9am to 12am.

7. Gulfairus

✅ Go here for: fine dining with a Central Asian twist
📍 Location: Masanchi 59 (top floor of the Tselinny Center)

Gulfairus is a new spot that opened in Almaty in late spring, and I got to check it out almost instantly after it opened. It is located at the top of the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture and was designed by the women-led powerhouses at NAAW (part of the reason I wanted to dine there).

Anyway, this is not a cheap place for most people, but it stays on par with what I pay for an average night out in Finland, so I found it within my budget. 

The atmosphere is very much fine-dining, but they didn’t care that I had on super casual clothes since I was traveling. They require reservations, and there is a beautiful indoor area as well as a terrace that has views over the mountains.

My friend and I ordered a beef wellington with lazzhan sauce (11300 KZT), pink tomatoes with tonnato sauce and tarragon oil (3900 KZT), broccoli with tzatziki and green salsa (2900 KZT), samsa with oxtail and tzatziki sauce (4300 KZT), and some bread and butter.

If you’re looking for a place with a fine-dining atmosphere, this is a good option, especially if you have time to check out Tselinny before. They are open daily from 12pm to 12am.

8. Unapasta

✅ Go here for: Italian food with chill vibes
📍 Location: Abylai Khan 123

I rarely crave Italian food unless I am in Italy or my partner makes it for us at home (he can cook regional dishes and make pasta from scratch). So finding myself at Unapasta was a bit random, and the reason I ended up there was that I wanted to flee the rain.

Turns out, I found one of my favorite restaurants in Almaty in the process! Unapasta calls themselves an Italian bistro and listening room and I had no idea what that meant until I took a seat in their backroom for lunch. You can see what I found in the photo.

I ordered a pretty basic dish of pappardelle bolognese for 4200 KZT, and it was banging. I actually sat around for longer wanting to reorder it, but I opted not to. But the entire time I was eating, I was shazaming songs they were playing on my phone.

The entire experience was atmospheric, and you can see more of what they are up to on their Instagram. They often have listening sessions with locals, so it is worth checking out to see a different side to Almaty. Unapasta is open daily from 10am to 11pm and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.  

9. Alcha Restaurant

✅ Go here for: Azerbaijani and Kazakh fusion
📍 Location: Dostyk 109B

Alcha is a restaurant that you’ll find when going toward the mountains on Dostyk that specializes in Azerbaijani and Kazakh food. Since I am likely never allowed back to Azerbaijan, I thought it would be fun to take a ‘mini-trip’ there and see what Alcha was all about since it had such high reviews.

Another reason I wanted to visit is that there is a large Azerbaijani community in Almaty. When you see Caucasian restaurants across the city (particularly the shashlik places), they are usually owned by someone from Azerbaijan. So they have become an important part of the city’s demographic over the years!

Anyway, the menu situation was super weird (I hope they fixed this), and they brought a woman to my table with a weird life-sized screen and she helped me through what to order. Not a fan of this at all. But aside from that, everything else was top-notch!

The decor was beautiful and the food was sensational. I ordered sadj, qutab, and some tea and paid 11950 KZT for all (I don’t have the breakdown because the large menu screen was hard to take photos of). Alcha is open daily from 11am to 12am.

10. cece

✅ Go here for: cocktails and Asian fusion
📍 Location: Makataeva 45/1

I had been wanting to check out cece for some time, but their location kept moving on my first trips to Almaty this year, so I held off. I finally had a chance to visit in May with my friend and I LOVED this place. It is a little out of the way (behind the Green Bazaar) but worth the visit. Don’t be alarmed if you have to wait for a table, though.

cece has an Asian-inspired menu with dishes like Sichuan noodles, tteokbokki, and pork belly ramen. I ordered the Sichuan noodles (3700 KZT), and they were mind-blowingly good (my photo doesn’t do them justice, though). I also ordered a cucumber salad (1800 KZT) and broccoli with ponzu sauce (2000 KZT).

What really impressed me about cece was their cocktail selections. I actually just asked them to make me something non-alcoholic, and they created something with qurt that was like nothing I had ever tasted before.

cece is open daily from 12pm to 12am. They do get crowded, so you may want to go outside peak hours or be prepared to wait for a table. 

11. Massiso

✅ Go here for: Korean BBQ and other tasty dishes
📍 Location: Zhibek Zholy 102a

Central Asia has a lot of Koryo-saram and because of this, Almaty has a thriving Korean food scene.

While I go back and forth between which Korean spot is my favorite in Almaty (I also love Rodem), I went back to Massiso this year, and it delivered, so I thought I’d include it on here.

They have three locations across Almaty, but my favorite one is at Zhibek Zholy 102a. I ordered Yukgaejang soup on my last visit; it was 3990 KZT and came with an array of banchan.

12. Kompot Neighborhood for Shashlik

A very ‘Almaty’ experience to have during the warmer months is to find a shashlik joint in the Kompot neighborhood and enjoy it on a terrace with beer. My favorite spot is Nash Dvor (Kabanbai Batyr 40). I used to live in this neighborhood back in the day, so I was frequenting this spot a lot!

There is also a place called Atash Döner in Kompot that is popular and worth checking out.

Cafeteria-Style and Budget Places to Eat in Almaty

Qaganat

Qaganat is a popular cafeteria chain in Almaty with multiple locations. It is woman-founded and has been around since 1996. Their locations are affordable, have fresh food, and are actually quite stylish! The one I usually go to is near Dostyk Plaza.

Qaganat is open 24/7 and my favorite is located at Dostyk Avenue 20 (but they have 25 locations across Almaty, Astana, and Karaganda).

Bahandi

I have only been to Bahandi once and didn’t have a chance to get good photos of my burger (I was on a food tour many years ago). But the burger was tasty and deserves a spot on here for a budget traveler!

They have locations all across Almaty these days, including standalone kiosks. The burgers are a fusion of Indian and American styles, and they are incredibly popular with locals (almost every location has a 4.9 or higher on 2GIS).

Location hours vary, but they are usually open from around 11am until 12am.

Almaty Restaurants in This Guide (On a Map!)

Do you have any questions or favorite restaurants in Almaty I missed in this guide? Please let me know in the comments so I can check it out later!