20 Best Places to Eat in Kazakhstan: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Kazakhstan's culinary tradition is deeply rooted in its rich nomadic history, emphasizing hearty meat dishes, savory baked pastries, rich dairy drinks, and diverse Central Asian flavors. Today, modern cities like Almaty and Astana boast vibrant dining scenes blending traditional nomad feasts with contemporary gastronomy.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

Beshbarmak: The national dish of boiled horse meat or beef served over thin flat noodles with onion broth.
Kazy: Traditional handmade horse meat sausage seasoned with garlic and black pepper.
Baursaks: Golden-fried fluffy dough pillows served as a sacred staple at every gathering.
Shashlik: Tender, marinated skewers of lamb, beef, or chicken charcoal-grilled over open coals.
Kumis & Shubat: Traditional fermented mare's milk and camel's milk health beverages.

20 Best Places to Eat in Kazakhstan

1. Navat Teahouse

Cuisine: Central Asian / Kazakh
Location: Dostyk Avenue, Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Beshbarmak & Tender Lamb Plov
About the Place: A beautifully decorated restaurant featuring traditional Central Asian carpets, cozy tapchan seating, and authentic regional comfort dishes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Navat Teahouse

2. Alasha Restaurant

Cuisine: Uzbek / Kazakh / Silk Road
Location: Ospanov Street, Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Charcoal Shashlik & Fresh Flatbread
About the Place: Styled like a grand Khan's palace, offering open-air courtyard dining accompanied by traditional folk music and dance performances.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Alasha Restaurant

3. Qazaq Gourmet

Cuisine: High-End Fine Dining Kazakh
Location: Mangilik El Avenue, Astana
Must-Try Dish: Elevated Beshbarmak & Smoked Kazy
About the Place: An award-winning fine dining establishment modernizing ancient nomadic recipes with gourmet presentation and premium ingredients.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Qazaq Gourmet

4. Auyl Restaurant

Cuisine: Modern Kazakh Eco-Dining
Location: Medeu Gorge, Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Braised Horse Ribs & Wild Herb Teas
About the Place: Located in a mountain canyon, this restaurant combines nomad architectural design with open-fire live cooking.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Auyl Restaurant

5. Kishlak Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Central Asian
Location: Seifullin Avenue, Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Lagman Noodles & Manty Dumplings
About the Place: Rustic village-themed restaurant providing friendly service, generous portions, and hand-pulled local noodles.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Kishlak Restaurant

6. Line Brew City

Cuisine: Steakhouse / European
Location: Kensington St / Abay Ave, Almaty & Astana
Must-Try Dish: Prime Ribeye Steak & Craft Beer
About the Place: Styled like a medieval stone castle, famous across Kazakhstan for exceptional grilled steaks and house-brewed draft beers.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Line Brew City

7. Sandyq Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Kazakh Ethnographic Dining
Location: Abay Avenue, Shymkent & Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Naryn & Traditional Baursaks with Kurt
About the Place: An immersive restaurant featuring authentic antique Kazakh furnishings, heritage crafts, and centuries-old culinary traditions.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Sandyq Restaurant

8. Tyubeteika

Cuisine: Central Asian Comfort Food
Location: Satpaev Street, Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Uzbek Samse & Baked Lamb Leg
About the Place: Colorful local eatery popular among families for cozy booth seating, friendly service, and delicious baked meat pastries.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Tyubeteika

9. Astana Nury

Cuisine: Caucasian / Kazakh / Grill
Location: Republic Avenue, Astana
Must-Try Dish: Caucasian Kebabs & Khachapuri
About the Place: Situated on the banks of the Ishim River in Astana, offering scenic riverfront views and delicious charcoal-grilled meats.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Astana Nury

10. Kok Bazar Food Stalls (Green Bazaar)

Cuisine: Street Food / Kazakh Market Snacks
Location: Green Bazaar, Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Kazy Slices, Korean Salads, and Kurt Cheeses
About the Place: The historic bazaar's food hall where visitors can sample authentic homemade Kazakh delicacies directly from local producers.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Green Bazaar Food Stalls

11. Gakku Restaurant

Cuisine: Heritage Kazakh
Location: Keremet District, Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Kuyrdak (Pan-fried Organ Meats with Potatoes)
About the Place: Dedicated to preserving authentic nomadic recipes served in an elegant classical setting decorated with Kazakh folk art.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Gakku Restaurant

12. Vechnoye Nebo (Eternal Sky)

Cuisine: Turkic & Central Asian Nations
Location: Dostyk Plaza Area, Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Turkic Mixed Grill Platter
About the Place: Rooftop restaurant celebrating nine Turkic national cuisines with panoramic high-rise skyline views over Almaty.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Vechnoye Nebo

13. Cafeteria Almaty

Cuisine: European Bakery & Bistro
Location: Kurmangazy Street, Almaty
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Butter Croissants & Artisan Coffee
About the Place: A trendy, leafy sidewalk cafe popular with locals for weekend breakfasts, pastries, and outdoor people-watching.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Cafeteria Almaty

14. Arnau Restaurant

Cuisine: Fine Dining Kazakh
Location: Turan Avenue, Astana
Must-Try Dish: Royal Beshbarmak with Tender Foal Meat
About the Place: An opulent palace-like venue along Turan Avenue hosting upscale banquet dinners and refined Kazakh hospitality.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Arnau Restaurant

15. Chechil Pub

Cuisine: Pub Food / Kazakh Craft Beer
Location: Multiple Locations (Almaty & Astana)
Must-Try Dish: Smoked Chechil Cheese & Grilled Wings
About the Place: Lively local pub chain renowned for vibrant energy, craft beverages, live rock bands, and savory beer snacks.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Chechil Pub

16. Kazakh Aul Yurt Village Dining

Location: Medeu Valley, near Almaty
Cuisine: Nomadic Yurt Experience
Must-Try Dish: Traditional Stepped Tea with Kazakh Sweets
About the Place: Dine inside real felt yurts set in alpine meadows, enjoying authentic horse riding and nomadic meal experiences.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Kazakh Aul Yurt Village Dining

17. Tarhan Restaurant

Cuisine: Southern Kazakh / Uzbek
Location: Turkistan City
Must-Try Dish: Samarkand Plov cooked in Cauldron
About the Place: Located near the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi shrine, serving freshly steamed dumplings and aromatic rice plov to visitors.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Tarhan Restaurant

18. Aidana Plaza Cafe

Cuisine: Shymkent Street Grill & Bakery
Location: Central Shymkent
Must-Try Dish: Shymkent-style Shashlik
About the Place: Shymkent is famous throughout Kazakhstan for having the country's most flavorful and affordable grilled meat skewers.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Aidana Plaza Cafe

19. Taldy-Kurgan Fish Houses

Cuisine: Fresh Lake Fish / Seafood
Location: Lake Kapchagay / Balkhash roads
Must-Try Dish: Fried Caspian & Lake Balkhash Carp
About the Place: Famous roadside fish restaurants serving golden-fried fresh wild lake fish with spicy sauces and flatbreads.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Taldy-Kurgan Fish Houses

20. Paul Bakery Astana

Cuisine: French Pastry / European Bistro
Location: Dostyk Street, Astana
Must-Try Dish: French Onion Soup & Fruit Tarts
About the Place: Elegant bakery bistro providing premium French pastries, coffee, and light meals in central Astana.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Paul Bakery Astana

Featured Image

Traditional Kazakh Beshbarmak Dish