Must-see restaurants in Kyrgyzstan

  • 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 …

  • Ashlyan-Fuu

    Karakol

    When the people of Karakol go for ashlyanfu, this tin-roofed shack off Jusaev is where they go. It's the best in the city, therefore perhaps the best in…

  • Tsarskii Dvor

    Osh

    This big ski-lodge–style log chalet has heavy wooden throne seats, a rear beer terrace and a range of barbecues, fish dishes and sausages. The shashlyk is…

  • 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

    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…

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • Shashlyk Nur

    Kyrgyzstan

    The grounds are run-down, the music's too lound, and it's too far from the centre – but take a bit of the delicious shashlyk and you'll agree it's worth…

  • 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…

  • Ash Borboru

    Kyrgyzstan

    Though the name is literally 'plov centre', any of the dishes off the local-cuisine menu go well with a fountain-filled courtyard overlooking the valley…

  • 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…

  • Nirvana

    Osh

    Nirvana's well-executed and larger-than-average menu of Central Asian favourites and grilled meats offsets the lacklustre house beers, though it's still…

  • 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…

  • Izyum

    Osh

    Osh's most complete drinking/dining experience is a hit in summer for its riverside and woodland tea/dining platforms, but it also has a stylishly angular…

  • 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…

  • Alymbek Datka Village

    Osh

    At this handful of tapchans and yurts off the centre of Alymbek Datka Park, the menu at first glance looks like the standard array of Central Asian fare…

  • 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…

  • U Rybaka

    Issyk-Köl Oblast

    As one might expect from a place called 'the fisherman', seafood is the highlight of the menu as this local favourite. Both the ground floor tables and…

  • Barashek

    Issyk-Köl Oblast

    The Cholpon-Ata branch of this popular Bishkek restaurant serves up reliable local dishes and hit-or-miss European favourites. It's also one of the few in…

  • 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…

  • Reina Kench

    Karakol

    Slightly classier than the competition – the modern styling complement an English menu with a wide range of usually reliable options. Sadly the summer…

  • Lepota Cafe

    Kyrgyzstan

    Beside the highway in the northernmost settlement before the climb towards Bishkek, this 2nd-floor cafe prepares surprisingly good local dishes and has a…

  • Twelve Fireplaces Tavern

    Kyrgyzstan

    Open-air seating over the Alamedin river and gorgeous mountain views make this a favoured escape from Bishkek, about half an hour south of town. The small…