Must-see restaurants in Bishkek

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Supara Ethno-Complex

    Bishkek

    This delightful though somewhat contrived 'ethno' complex is a rapid-fire presentation of all things traditionally Kyrgyz, attracting mainly well-heeled…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Shashlyk No. 1

    Bishkek

    It claims to be the best shashlyk in town...and may actually be right. Aside from the obvious meaty treats, the mushroom (шампиньон) kebabs are a real…

  • Chaikana Navat

    Bishkek

    The city-centre outpost of this expanding local chain is among the most atmospheric, with Central Asian handicrafts decorating the space and tapchan …

  • Pur-Pur

    Bishkek

    Perhaps the best Georgian food this side of the Caspian, gigantic khachipuri (Georgian cheesy bread) and flowing decanters of house wine keep this cosy…

  • Vinoteka

    Bishkek

    Classy ambience and well-executed European dishes are a hit with local expats, as is the wine list that for Bishkek approaches encyclopaedic. Service is…

  • Kulikovskii

    Bishkek

    Long a local favourite for baked goods and sweets, Kulikovski has moved off of the supermarket shelves and into their own cafe space in the city centre…

  • Aria

    Bishkek

    This unassuming basement cafe is Bishkek's only Afghan restaurant, with delightfully fluffy raisin-studded plov and grilled meat heavy on the spices…

  • Varenichnaya Korchma

    Bishkek

    Classic Russian and Ukrainian dishes fill the menu of this diminutive cafe tucked off of Chuy, but the namesake vareniki dumplings are the standout…

  • Testo Mesto

    Bishkek

    This hip take on common pelmeni rises to the occasion: dumplings are flavourful, filling and won't cost you a lot of dough. Popular fillings include lamb…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Chef

    Bishkek

    Highbrow fusion in a modern setting that feels removed from Bishkek. European cuisine with a post-Soviet twist fills the inventive (but expensive) menu,…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Vkys Vostoka

    Bishkek

    A quick and cheap 'taste of the east' is available 24 hours a day at this casual national cuisine restaurant – the laghman with black mushrooms (ГГуйру…

  • Lapsha Po-Landzhouski

    Bishkek

    Fans of Chinese-style hand-pulled noodles should head to this authentic cafe in the Vostok 5 neighbourhood, east of Bishkek's centre. Generous portions of…

  • Plov Center

    Bishkek

    Despite the large menu of Central Asian and international favourites, there's little reason to stray too far from the namesake plov (pilaf). The smaller…

  • Arzu

    Bishkek

    One of central Bishkek's most convivial upper-market eateries has delicious national cuisines, but the service is notoriously slow. Unusually tasty…

  • Chaikhana Jalal-Abad

    Bishkek

    The faceted facade evokes an archetypal Central Asian teahouse with carved wooden columns, tapchan (bedlike platform) and octagonal lattice-work pavilions…

  • Fakir

    Bishkek

    You don't need to dig too far into the menu of Kyrgyz and Russian dishes – Fakir is known for laghman, and for good reason. Wander over for a look in at…

  • Buffet

    Bishkek

    This modern version of the old Soviet stolovaya cafeteria serves up surprisingly high-quality fare at excellent prices, and the round-the-clock hours make…

  • Faiza

    Bishkek

    High-quality rapid-service local dishes at reasonable prices are brought by waitresses in scarf and tunic to heavy marble-topped tables. Expect queues at…

  • Frunze Restaurant

    Bishkek

    A classy addition to the Bishkek dining scene, local favourites plus European and pan-Asian food is served in an elegant outdoor garden with fountains or…

  • Chicken Star

    Bishkek

    The chicken, kimbob and bingsoo are authentic tastes straight out of proprietor Chihoon's native Korea, and when he's in there's top-quality coffee as…

  • Torro Grill

    Bishkek

    While the whole steakhouse menu is reliably good, it's the burgers that are the real standout, and its intimate atmosphere makes it a popular place to…

  • Burrito Stand

    Bishkek

    The inexplicable location of this Tex-Mex burrito stand in the south of Bishkek doesn't stop it from doing a brisk business. Point out your toppings, pony…

  • Derevyashka

    Bishkek

    Airy if bare, this pine-and-glass beer hall has large indoor spaces with low couches plus ample outdoor space that can get rollicking late at night. Fine…

  • As Kazan

    Bishkek

    The full range of Central Asian favourites is on offer here but the real standout is the selection of 20 different varieties of laghman, including several…

  • La Petite Maison

    Bishkek

    A little bit boulangerie, patisserie, and cafe, the menu here is limited but authentic French flavours and quality sweets and baked goods on a screened…

  • Mamina Dacha

    Bishkek

    European classics and Caucasian favourites, with a special focus on the cuisine of Azerbaijan, make this a solid choice in the centre of Bishkek. The…

  • Greenwich Pub

    Bishkek

    Genuinely good Georgian food - including some of the best khinkali (Georgian dumplings) in town - complements a fairly standard sports bar theme, but the…

  • Adel Hotpot

    Bishkek

    Authentic Chinese hotpot, down to the yin-yang style split pots filled with fiery red broth. Order the fatty lamb meat for a Kyrgyz touch, or stick with…

  • NY Pizza

    Bishkek

    We won't go quite so far as to say it's as good as the New York namesake, but it's certainly tasty pizza. They'll even deliver it to your hotel after a…

  • Izyum

    Bishkek

    A surprisingly wide range of excellent-value Central Asian classics are available 'round the clock at this joint just off the main square. Things get…

  • Nar

    Bishkek

    Set amidst Turkish rugs and Azeri tunes, this little Azerbaijani restaurant off Bishkek’s main square is something of an underrated gem, particularly for…

  • La Parilla

    Bishkek

    There may be other restaurants that claim to serve Tex-Mex in Bishkek, but none do it as deliciously as here. Quesadillas, burritos, and even a decent…

  • Salaam Namaste

    Bishkek

    Drop in and say 'namaste' to authentic Indian cuisine in a classy interior, with probably the largest menu of all the South Asian restaurants in Bishkek…

  • SlimFit

    Bishkek

    Soups, salads and sandwiches make up the bulk of this fitness-conscious menu, though you certainly won't go wrong with the steaks or duck fillets either…

  • Cooksoo

    Bishkek

    Korean-style noodles, bibimbap, and kimbap, including a handful of vegetarian-friendly options. During summer there's an outdoor terrace that opens onto…

  • Bal Ayaz

    Bishkek

    In addition to more standard flavours, local tastes like kurut (dried small balls of tart, dried yoghurt) and kymys (fermented mare’s milk) make this…

  • Balyk.Kg

    Bishkek

    No surprise given the name's translation of 'Fish.Kg', expect a fish-heavy menu supported by a decent selection of wines and cocktails, best enjoyed from…

  • Burger House

    Bishkek

    Fast-casual has come to Bishkek with this American-style burger joint, and the combination of fresh ingredients and a diverse menu put it well ahead of…

  • Cyclone

    Bishkek

    Take a break from the plov and laghman with Italian favorites and a healthy vegetarian selection – on summer days, try to grab a seat on the shaded patio…

  • Hanoi

    Bishkek

    Find legit pho, spring rolls and more in this spartan but excellent-value Vietnamese restaurant on the 5th floor of the new GUM shopping mall. Menu is in…

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