Must-see restaurants in Kyrgyzstan

  • 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…

  • Green Pub

    Issyk-Köl Oblast

    With more atmosphere than most and open year-round, this low-lit, green-decor pub-restaurant with heavy wooden tables and a partially covered summer…

  • Anarkul Apa Café

    Kyrgyzstan

    Small but relatively upmarket by Naryn standards. Remarkable for having an English-language menu and serving a few meat-free dishes (roast vegetables,…

  • 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…

  • Zubr Cafe

    Kyrgyzstan

    Excellent shashlyk and slight-chilled beer at private tarpaulin booths just by the river. There's no sign as such, but walking to the centre from CBT it's…

  • Kairat Cafe

    Kyrgyzstan

    Two tapchans in the garden make a great spot to while away the hours over a pot of tea and a rotating daily menu of Kyrgyz favorites. From the turn for…

  • 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…

  • Diyar

    Karakol

    A large selection of the multi-ethnic food that makes Karakol so exciting, served on a nice summer terrace. The menu is a bit hard to decipher for non…

  • Cafe Aika

    Kyrgyzstan

    On the 2nd floor of the bus station, this is some of the best food in Chaek. It's also a popular spot for wedding receptions and parties, so you may well…

  • 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…

  • Osh Ordo

    Osh

    Above the over-glitzy main restaurant is a summer rooftop with great views of Suleiman Too from stylish new tea pavilions, some set on rocker-wheels. The…

  • Islambek Cafe

    Osh

    This is where locals head for shashlyk, and even at odd hours it's usually busy. Try the oromo kebab – tender meat wrapped in a thin layer of fat and then…

  • 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…

  • Kafe Elnura

    Kyrgyzstan

    Idea for summers days, this appealingly tree-shaded chaikhana diagonally across Lenin from the southeast corner of the bazaar makes an ideal place to…

  • Caravan Cafe

    Karakol

    A wide menu of Kyrgyz, Russian and Chinese dishes in an arabesque-styled dining room overlooking the main drag. Food is of a reliably high quality, and…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Ordo

    Bishkek

    Among the tastiest and nicest of Bishkek's ubiquitous столовая (cafeterias). Walk through the glassed-in à la carte dining room for the cafeteria, through…

  • Zarina

    Karakol

    A wood-panelled dining room and log-cabin feel sit just fine with the particularly good laghman and shashlyk. Beer lovers should order the salted fish, an…

  • Dastorkon

    Karakol

    Local and western dishes, including hard-to-find meats like horse and yak. Service is quite good and excellent English is spoken, making it a popular stop…

  • Chaikana Chynar

    Kyrgyzstan

    Tucked behind the first row of bazaar stalls off Momunkulova, tasty national dishes are in abundance though coveted tapchan seats near the entrance are in…

  • Prego Club

    Bishkek

    Classic Italian cuisine and a refined atmosphere keep this local classic a mainstay in Bishkek's higher-end dining scene. Try to save room for dessert,…

  • Navigator

    Bishkek

    A stylish but expensive spot frequented by embassy staff working in the neighbourhood who enjoy the cooled patio in summer. It also serves great…

  • Ashlyan-Fuu 2

    Karakol

    With less vinegar and spice than most, this place is a little more suited to delicate palates than other ashlyanfu joints while still retaining the…

  • Omar Haiyam Chaikana

    Bishkek

    Think of this as upscale Central Asian, with favourite local dishes done better than most, with fresh ingredients, attention to presentation and an…

  • Cafe de Paris

    Bishkek

    Classic French brasserie dishes, fresh baguettes and croissants, and addictive cakes make for a worthwhile stop, particularly after 7pm, when baked goods…

  • Furusato

    Bishkek

    Authentic Japanese noodles and sushi by an expat Japanese chef, though the service can be a little over the top. Reservations are a good idea, especially…

  • Nice 2 Meat U

    Bishkek

    The steak-heavy menu should be no surprise, given the name, but don't miss the takeaway burger counter accessible from a side entrance on Bokonbaev, as…

  • Kochevnik Cafe

    Karakol

    As you might expect from a name like 'Nomad', it's heavy on Kyrgyz cuisine and the kuurdak (fried meat, onion and potato) is particularly good.

  • Ak-Bata

    Bishkek

    Authentic Chinese cuisine and cheap cold beer, especially nice on a warm evening from the plastic patio furniture that overlooks Victory Square.

  • Cafe Ylazyk

    Issyk-Köl Oblast

    This small restaurant may not look like much but local specialities – particularly the manty – are served up fresh and delicious.

  • Sultan Kebab

    Bishkek

    Tender kebabs served as complete meals with salad, bread and rice are excellent value even if the ambience is a bit bland. Halal, no alcohol.

  • Stealth

    Karakol

    National cuisine and shashlyk, plus cold draft beer. Service is a bit slow, but food is reliably good and the location is extremely central.

  • Lagmankana

    Karakol

    We're sure everything on the menu is good, but listen. It's called 'Laghman House'...order the laghman. Some of the best in town.

  • Argymak

    Issyk-Köl Oblast

    Beside the CBT office, central Bokonbaevo's biggest restaurants serves up respectable Central Asian standards but the service is glacial.