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…
Must-see restaurants in Central Asia
Shymkent
Overlooking the park behind Kinoteatr Kakakhstan, Bar Villa's two levels of mostly sofa seating have big windows to enjoy the leafy view, and there's a…
Shymkent
Another superlative restaurant inside the Rixos hotel, this informal Pan-Asian place features original decor with Kazakh elements, an open kitchen that…
Bukhara
Budreddin has a great location on the western side of Lyabi-Hauz, with a small blacksmith's workshop marking the entrance. The outdoor seating in the faux…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
Respectable Georgian establishment, decked out in 'village' style: lots of clay vessels, grapevines and wooden farming implements. The menu is full of…
Atyrau
Owners of this kitschy restaurant chose a Ukrainian peasant theme and decided to run with it a few miles. The decor may be a little OTT, all log cabin and…
Samarkand
This Uzbek theme restaurant remains one of the most popular places for groups and independent travellers alike. The national- and Russian-influenced…
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…
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…
Tashkent
Popular with local professionals and families, this glitzy place feels more expensive than it actually is. The ornate Oriental decor and pleasant terrace…
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…
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…
Nukus
With its red-and-cream upholstered dining room, this chintzy place may not live up to its hotel namesake, but it's a pretty sophisticated dinner venue and…
Bukhara
One the better choices in Bukhara's centre has tables set around a pleasant tree-filled courtyard as well as quieter options on the terraces and roof. The…
Samarkand
A handy place for lunch between the Registan and the Bibi Khanym Mosque, this 'art cafe' is purely the haunt of tour groups, but as the food is decent and…
Samarkand
Everyone seems to love this big bustling place. The top-floor Russian-style room has a ski lodge vibe with bear skins on the walls, but serves up…
Almaty
In a green and leafy part of old Almaty, this popular, upmarket chain serves a smorgasbord of spicy, flavourful dishes from the Korean peninsula, from…
Tashkent
Tashkent’s quintessential theme restaurant is tarted up like a made-for-Hollywood Uzbek home. The original menu is heavy on hard-to-find but well-prepared…
Almaty
With greenery-clad partitions granting patrons an illusion of privacy, this long-standing local favourite titillates local taste buds with a cornucopia of…
Tajikistan
Delicious Georgian cuisine is served from the decorated interior of this upmarket restaurant, and the bar in the corner offers a pre-dinner rendezvous…
Tajikistan
This popular meeting point has menus (unlike most chaikhanas), curtained booth seats and a large outdoor terrace on the street made cheerful with fresh…
Almaty
Local professionals swear by the fish and seafood here – the grilled seabass, the oysters! – but the rest of the menu is also refreshingly different from…
Shakhrisabz
Set under the cool domes of the 16th-century Koba Caravanserai, this new restaurant is easily the most architecturally atmospheric setting in town, though…
Uzbekistan
Opposite the Navoi statue some way from the bustle of Al-Termizi is this unassuming looking place. Go inside though, and you'll find a permanently…
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…
Kazakhstan
Khachapuri (Georgian bread with melted sulguni cheese), chicken satsivi (in walnut sauce), lobio (hot, fragrant bean dish) and other Georgian favourites…
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…
Kazakhstan
Ticking all the boxes when it comes to foreigner-friendliness, this shiny, casual place is part of the Pizza Blues franchise but specialises in perfectly…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
With polished service and stylish dark-wood decor, this establishment does a good job of replicating authentic Korean dishes, from bibimbap (rice topped…
Atyrau
A cross between a bordello and a nightclub, decor-wise – all crimson and mirrorballs – this is where Atyrau's trendy young things gather for sushi, steak,…
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…
The Pamir Highway
Beside the central bridge in Kalai-Khum are a pair of restaurants each perched above the swirling blue waters. With its Zoroastrian logo and smart…
Khiva
You can choose between outdoor seating on tapchans (bedlike platforms) in the shadow of the Islom Hoja minaret, or the more formal interior of the…
Kazakhstan
Georgian classics such as chicken satsivi (in walnut sauce), pkhali (cold, herb-infused vegetable starters), khinkali (steamed, meat-filled dumplings) and…
Shakhrisabz
Once a bustling local teahouse in the heart of the even more bustling bazaar, the Kullalik now overlooks the silent, yawning empty plaza. There is nice…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
Cavernous restaurant specialising in authentic Indian food – mostly from the north, with tandoori chicken, lamb rogan josh and other favourites, but with…
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…
Tashkent
A sprawling Russian chain famous for all-you-can-eat hot and cold salad bars with every Ukrainian and Russian speciality imaginable. It's a good place to…
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…
Tashkent
If you're ploved out and need a Western food fix, Urban Food is a definite step up from your average Tashkent fast-food joint, with quality burgers,…
