By Malika Sattybaeva, CAYN 2016 alumna from Kazakhstan
If it is your first time in Astana (or if you haven’t been here for some time) this restaurant guide should definitely help you answer one of the most important questions: WHERE TO EAT?
Astana has changed tremendously in terms of its restaurant culture in the last couple of years. If previously the city was almost completely “occupied” by Italian and Japanese cuisines, now it is much more diverse. Astana is becoming more and more globally integrated: restaurant giants as McDonald’s and Starbucks have come to the market in 2016 bringing the world service standards with them. Such terms as “brunch”, “gastrobar” and “brasserie” are becoming more and more widely used among citizens. Now the requirements that are set for a good restaurant are not only food but interior, trendy location, unusual concept. Gradually people are becoming more demanding and the quantity of restaurants is increasing precipitously. It is sad that quantity does not always equal quality, but in general it is impossible not to notice that Astana has significantly progressed towards much more developed restaurant sector.
Our guide will provide information on more than 40 city restaurants and cafes, all of them are divided into 6 lists.
- The manner in which restaurants are listed does not indicate which of them is better or worse: number 1 does not mean that this food place is better than others in the list.
- It is important to mention that although we attempted to be maximally objective the list is still very subjective. We all not by hearsay know that food is a topic that can make your brain work slower and you just have to follow your heart.
Nevertheless, we tried our best to make it as informative and diverse as it was possible. We have lists of fancy restaurants as well as super-affordable ones, so we really hope that you will find a place to eat no matter of your budget or food preferences.
However, before starting your journey around the city you should definitely keep in mind some simple tips from our Astana team to make your travel easier.
3 Tips on How to Navigate Around Astana
1. Astana is a new city (it is only 18 years old), so, the names of streets are constantly changing. Moreover, as everywhere in the world, capitals are always prominent for their great quantities of non-local population. Many people from smaller cities and villages come to the city and start working as “taxi drivers”. Therefore, because of these reasons sometimes it is really useless to tell them the names of streets and avenues. So, you should not rely only on the official information from web-sites. The trick is to try to read or find out what Trade Centers (TC), Shopping and Entertainment Centers (SEC), Residential Complexes (RC) or Business Centers (BC) are located nearby. We have tried to make your life easier by putting where it was possible TC, SEC, RC and BC into the “Location” lines. The city is also filled with different kinds of governmental institutions, so if your hotel or apartment is situated next to, for example, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is more useful to memorize such kind of information instead of the streets and house numbers.
2. The good news: the fact that Astana is a very young city is not always bad because the city is very well structured: especially, its new part, The Left Bank (note that Astana is divided into two parts, The Right Bank and The Left Bank, by Ishim River). Every residential complex has its unique name and architecture, so locals widely use their names to orient around the city. Such residential complexes as “Northern Shine”, “Highvill Astana”, “Astana Triumph”, “Grand Alatau” and “Nursaya” are among the most famous and recognizable ones. The first floors of large RCs are always full of various restaurants, eateries and bars. “Nursaya” is very close to the visit card of Astana, “Bayterek”, and there you can find a lot of places to eat for different budgets. Also if you feel hungry after the excursions in “National Museum of Kazakhstan”, “Palace of Independence”, “Palace of Peace and Reconciliation” and “Hazret Sultan Mosque” you can definitely rely on “Highvill Astana” that is located close to all of these attractions and have a number of different restaurants and cafes for you, some of them will be mentioned in our lists. Thus, knowing names of at least some residential complexes will help you a lot.
3. We have double-checked phones and working hours of the restaurants mentioned in this article but nothing is protected from changes. So, if you want to make sure that the chosen restaurant is open or you need to clarify to a driver where it is located, use super-useful app that is called 2gis! Why is it so useful? The first reason is that information is in the most cases up-to-date. The second reason is that you can download it only once and then use it without access to the Internet (it is especially important if you do not want to waste a lot of money on 3G or 4G in a foreign country). And finally, it is free! What can be better? You can download it from AppStore, PlayMarket or check their web-site: https://2gis.kz/astana.
Using our tips on how to navigate around the city will minimize your chances of getting lost. So, now we can move to the most interesting part: the list of recommended restaurants. Enjoy and As Bolsyn! (Bon Appetit in Kazakh)
Top 10 Best Breakfast Restaurants in Astana:
- Traveler’s Coffee
· Type: European, fast food
· The average check (per 1 person): 3–12 USD
· Location:
1. Irchenko St 31 (08:00–24:00)
2. Republic Ave 19 (08:00–24:00)
3. Kunayev St 12 (08:00–24:00)
4. Kabanbay Batyr Ave 15a BC “Q” (08:00–20:00), (08:00–15:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.travelerscoffee.ru/places/astana
2. https://www.facebook.com/travelerscoffee.ru/
3. https://www.instagram.com/travelerscoffee/
2. Le Dessert
· Type: European, French
· The average check (per 1 person): 15 USD (but breakfasts are
really affordable! For example, the costs of a croissant is 1 USD, a sandwich
with chicken is 3 USD)
· Location:
1. Amman St 4 RC “Milanese quarter” (12:00–00:00)
2. Syganak St 18/1 RC “Uyut” (08:00–22:00), (10:00–18:00)
· Social networks:
2. https://www.facebook.com/ledessertastana/
3. https://www.instagram.com/ledessertastana/
4. https://www.instagram.com/ledessert_astana/
3. Marrone Rosso
· Type: European
· The average check (per 1 person): 7–15 USD
· Location:
1. Dostyq St 9 SEC “Keruen” (08:00–00:00), (08:00–01:00)
· Social networks:
2. https://www.facebook.com/marronerossokz
3. https://www.instagram.com/MARRONE_ROSSO/
4. RAFE COFFEE & FOOD
· Type: Italian
· The average check (per 1 person): 9–15 USD (breakfasts are more affordable: 4–9 USD)
· Location:
1. Kunayev St 14 RC “Nursaya-1” (08:00–00:00), (10:00–00:00)
2. Bukeikhan St 16 A RC «Altyn Orda» (08:00–00:00), (10:00–00:00)
3. Kunayev St 12/2 RC “Water-Green Boulevard” (08:00–00:00), (10:00–00:00)
4. Turan Ave 18 BC “Turan-18” (08:00–20:00)
5. Dostyk St 2 BC “SAAD” (08:00–20:00)
· Social networks:
2. https://www.facebook.com/rafekz
3. https://www.instagram.com/rafecoffee_food/
5. Favorite Cafe
· Type: American, European
· The average check (per 1 person): 4–9 USD
· Location:
1. Abay St 67 near to TC “Zhannur” (11:00–23:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.facebook.com/favoritecafeastana/
2. https://www.instagram.com/favorite_cafe/?hl=en
6. Espresso Bar
· Type: European
· The average check (per 1 person): 3–12 USD
· Location:
1. Auyezov St 2 (08:00–00:00)
2. Orynbor Ave 19 RC “Aysanam” (09:00–00:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.facebook.com/EspressoBarAstana
7. La Tartine
· Type: French
· The average check (per 1 person): 3–12 USD
· Location:
1. Dostyk Ave 9 SEC “Keruen” (10:00–23:00) (08:30–24:00)
2. Kabanbay Batyr Ave 53 “Nazarbayev University” (08:30–18:00)
3. Qorghalzhyn Hwy 1 SEC “Mega”
· Social networks:
2. https://www.facebook.com/latartine.kz
3. https://www.instagram.com/latartinebakery/
8. Black Duck
· Type: Signature Cuisine
· The average check (per 1 person): 21 USD (breakfasts are much more affordable: 6–12 USD), no service charge
· Location:
1. Turan Ave 37/9 Block B RC “Rixos Khan Shatyr Residences” (07:00–00:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.facebook.com/cafeblackduck/
2. https://www.instagram.com/cafeblackduck/
9. Ma Famille
· Type: European, French, Italian
· The average check (per 1 person): 4.5–6 USD
· Location:
1. Kenesary St 30 (in front of SC “Sine Tempore” (locally known as “TsUM” )) (07:00–22:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.facebook.com/mafamille.boulangerie.5
2. https://www.instagram.com/ma_famille_astana/
10. Segafredo Zanetti Espresso
· Type: Italian
· The average check (per 1 person): 9–15 USD (breakfasts are much more affordable: 6–9 USD)
· Location:
1. Saryarka St 8a Park Inn Hotel, near the Radisson Hotel (Mn 08:00–00:00) (Fr 08:00–01:00) (St 09:00–01:00) (Sn 09:00–00:00)
2. International Airport Astana 2nd floor (around the clock)
3. Kunayev St 14/1 RC “Nursaya-1” (Mon 08:00–00:00) (Fri 08:00–01:00) (Sat 09:00–01:00) (Sun 09:00–00:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.facebook.com/segafredoastana
2. https://www.instagram.com/segafredoastana/
Top 8 Restaurants with the most Spectacular View:
1. Вечное небо Астана (Vechnoe nebo Astana) (can be translated as “Eternal Sky Astana”)
· Type: Azerbaijani, Balkar, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tatar, Turkish, Turkmen, Uzbek, Uyghur
· The average check (per 1 person): 9–18 USD
· Location:
1. Dostyk St 18 BC “Moscow” , the 25th floor (Mon-Thurs, Sn: 12:00–01:00) (Fri-Sat: 12:00–02:00)
· Social networks:
2. https://www.facebook.com/vechnoe.nebo.astana/
3. https://www.instagram.com/vechnoe.nebo.astana/
2. На крыше (Na kryshe) (can be translated as “On the Roof”)
· Type: European
· The average check (per 1 person): 24–35 USD
· Location:
1. Zhalairi St 2, near the RC “Milanese quarter” (Akbulak 3 micro district) (12:00–01:00)
· Social networks:
1. http://1goodproject.kz/eng/nakryshe/nakryshe.html
2. https://www.facebook.com/goodprojectastana/
3. https://www.instagram.com/goodproject.kz/
3. Sәttj (Satti) (can be translated as “Fortunate” from Kazakh)
· Type: authentic Kazakh cuisine mixed with European dishes, Italian specialties and Japanese cuisine
· The average check (per 1 person): 24 USD
· Location:
1. Kabanbay Batyr Ave 32 on the Round Square, near the “KazMunayGas” (11:00–01:00)
· Social networks:
1.https://www.facebook.com/satti.arka/
4. Vista Restaurant & Bar
· Type: European, Oriental
· The average check (per 1 person): 30–35 USD
· Location:
1. Dostyk St 2 Astana Marriott Hotel, the 27th floor (Sun-Thurs: 17:00–00:00, Fru-Sat: 17:00–02:00)
· Social networks:
1. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/tsemc-astana-marriott-hotel/
2. https://www.facebook.com/AstanaMarriott/
3. https://www.instagram.com/astanamarriott/
5. Yakitoriya (Terrace)
· Type: Japanese
· The average check (per 1 person): 12–14 USD
· Location:
1. Turan Ave 21 (12:00–02:00)
· Social networks:
2. https://www.facebook.com/yakitoriya.kz/
3. https://www.instagram.com/yakitoriya.kz/
6. Revolving Restaurant
· Type: European, Kazakh and Chinese
· The average check (per 1 person): 35 USD
· Location:
1. Syganak St 27 Soluxe Hotel Astana, the 23rd floor (15:00–00:00)
· Social networks:
1. http://soluxe-astana.kz/en/restaurants/show/4
3. https://www.instagram.com/soluxe_hotel_astana/
7. Gentlemen`s Quality Bar Asia Astana
· Type: European, Japanese and Pan-Asian
· The average check (per 1 person): more than 30 USD
· Location:
1. Dostyk St 18 BC “Moscow”, the 24th floor (Mn-Th, Sn: 12:00–02:00), (Fr-St: 12:00–05:00)
· Social networks:
1. http://www.moskva.kz/panoramic-restaurant/gentlemen-s-quality-bar-asia/
2. https://www.facebook.com/%D0%91%D0%A6-%D0%9C%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B2%D0%B0-132370243625159/
3. https://www.instagram.com/gqastana/
8. Orynbor (Summer Terrace)
· Type: Kazakh, American, European and Eastern
· The average check (per 1 person): 15–30 USD
· Location:
1. Orynbor Ave 16, near to the General Prosecutor’s Office (11:00–02:00)
· Social networks:
1. http://www.arka.kz/Restoran.aspx?ID=8#
2. https://www.facebook.com/arkai.astana?fref=ts
Top 5 Best Inexpensive Restaurants:
- Избушка (Izbushka) (can be translated as “Small Hut” from Russian)
· Type: Russian
· The average check (per 1 person): from 3 USD
· Location:
1. Dostyk St 1 (Round-the-clock)
2. Zheltoksan 2a RC “Grand Alatau” (Round-the-clock)
3. Dostyk St 9 SEC “Keruen” (10:00–24:00)
4. Turan Ave 37 SC “Khan Shatyr (10:00–24:00)
5. Bauyrzhan Momyshuly St 2 (Round-the-clock)
2. Тайқазан (Taikazan) (can be translated as “Big Cauldron”)
· Type: National, Eastern, European
· The average check (per 1 person): from 3 USD
· Location:
1. Dostyk St 13 (08:00–05:00)
2. Zheltoksan St 12 (Round-the-Clock)
3. Petrov St 13 (08:00–05:00)
4. Bogenbay Batyr Ave 25 (Round-the-Clock)
3. Баурсакоff (Baursakoff) (Baursak is a national Kazakh pastry)
· Type: National, Eastern, Western
· The average check (per 1 person): from 2 USD
· Location:
1. Mirzoyan St 14 (08:00–23:00)
2. Turan Ave 24 SEC “SaryArka” (09:00–23:00)
4. Pizza Red Astana
· Type: Italian
· The average check (per 1 person): 1.7–5.5 USD
· Location:
1. Munaitpasov St 16, in front of ENU (Eurasian National University)
· Social networks:
2. https://www.facebook.com/pizzaredastana/
3. https://www.instagram.com/pizzaredastana/
5. Sunday
· Type: European, American
· The average check (per 1 person): 6 USD
· Location:
1. Kunayev street 12/2 RC “Water-green Boulevard” (11:00–24:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.facebook.com/sundayastana/
Top 5 Fast Food Restaurants
- McDonalds
· The average check (per 1 person): 3–6 USD
· Location:
1. Qabanbay Batyr Ave 26 (07:00–00:00) McDrive (Round-the-Clock, break: 04:00–05:00)
2. KFC
· The average check (per 1 person): 3–6 USD
· Location:
1. Turan Ave 24 SEC “SaryArka” (10:00–22:00)
2. Valikhanov St 20 (10:00–00:00)
3. Tauelsizdik St 18 (Round-the-Clock)
4. Amman St 14 TC “Mechta” (11:00–23:00)
5. Zhanibek and Kerey St 12 Gas Station “Nomad Oil” (10:00–24:00)
6. Qorghalzhyn Hwy 1 SEC “Mega” (11:00–00:00)
7. Turan Ave 37 SEC “Khan Shatyr” (10:00–00:00)
8. Dostyk St 9 SEC “Keruen” (10:00–00:00)
9. Republic Ave 7 (10:00–02:00)
10. Bogenbay Batyr Ave 19 (11:00–23:00)
11. Kabanbay Batyr Ave 21 SEC “Asia Park) (10:00–22:00)
12. Momyshuly Ave 24 (10:00–00:00)
3. Hardee’s
• The average check (per 1 person): 3–6 USD
• Location:
1. Dostyk St 9 SEC “Keruen” (10:00–00:00)
2. Kabanbay Batyr Ave 6 (10:00–03:00) (10:00–04:00)
3. Republic Ave 7 (10:00–03:00) (10:00–04:00)
4. Qorghalzhyn Hwy 1 SEC “Mega” (11:00–00:00)
5. Turan Ave 37 SEC “Khan Shatyr” (10:00–00:00)
6. Tauelsizdik St 21/1 (10:00–03:00) (10:00–04:00)
7. Akan Sery St 71 (10:00–03:00) (10:00–04:00)
4. Burger King
· The average check (per 1 person): 3–6 USD
· Location:
1. Beibitshilik St 9 SC “Sine Tempore” (locally known as “TsUM”) (10:00–23:00)
2. Sarayshyk St 13a, near to the park “Arai” (10:00–00:00)
3. Qorghalzhyn Hwy 1 SEC “Mega” (11:00–00:00)
4. Turan Ave 37 SEC “Khan Shatyr” (10:00–00:00)
5. Dostyk St 9 SEC “Keruen” (10:00–00:00)
6. Pushkin St 10/1 (10:00–01:00)
7. Republic Ave 8 (10:00–00:00) (10:00–01:00)
5. Kakao Dak
· Type: Korean
· The average check (per 1 person): 6–9 USD
· Location:
1. Baytursynov St 5 RC “Highvill” (Block D7) (10:00–23:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.instagram.com/kakao_dak/
Top 5 Kazakh National Restaurants
· Two of them (Satti and Vechnoe nebo Astana) have already been mentioned among the restaurants with the most spectacular view
- Arnau
· Type: Kazakh
· The average check (per 1 person): 9–29 USD
· Location:
1. Turan Ave 37 Fitness Palace (12:00–01:00)
· Social networks:
1. http://www.arnau-restaurant.kz/ru/
2. Сато (Sato)
· Type: Kazakh
· The average check (per 1 person): 3000–5000 KZT
· Location:
1. Baytursynov 1 RC “Highvill” (Block A) (08:00–00:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sato/861519233865843
2. https://www.instagram.com/satorestaurant/
3. Астана Нуры (Astana Nury)
· Type: Eastern, Kazakh, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Caucasian
· The average check (per 1 person): 15–23.5 USD
· Location:
1. Republic avenue 3/2 Ishim River’s embankment, near to “Ramstor”
· Social networks:
1. http://www.a-n.kz/eng/index.php
Top 10 International Cuisine Restaurants
- Del Papa
· Type: Italian
· The average check (per 1 person): 10–15 USD
· Location:
1. Abay Ave 59 (Mon-Thurs, Sun: 11:00–00:00) (Fru, Sat: 11:00–01:00)
2. Kabanbay Batyr Ave 34 (Mon-Thurs, Sun: 11:00–00:00) (Fri, Sat: 11:00–01:00)
3. Dostyk St 9 SEC “Keruen” (11:00–24:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.facebook.com/AbRestaurants/posts/396402427082445
2. https://www.instagram.com/del_papa/
2. Кафе Целинников (Kafe Tselinnikov)
· Type: Georgian
· The average check (per 1 person): 10–15 USD
· Location:
1. Kenesary St 32, near to “Congress Hall” (12:00–00:00)
3. Pane & Vino
· Type: Italian
· The average check (per 1 person): 12–21 USD
· Location:
1. Sarayshyk St 5 RC “Azure Quarter” (“Lazurny Kvartal”) (12:00–01:00)
· Social networks:
1. http://www.panevinoastana.com
2. https://www.instagram.com/pane.e.vino/
4. Korean House
· Type: Korean
· The average check (per 1 person): 15–27 USD
· Location:
1. Turan Ave 23 near to SEC “Mega” (12:00–00:00)
· Social networks:
2. https://www.facebook.com/KH.Restaurants
3. https://www.instagram.com/korean_house_kz/?hl=ru
5. Rumi Astana
· Type: Uzbek
· The average check (per 1 person): 7–9 USD
· Location:
1. Zheltoksan St 2/2 RC “Grand Alatau” (Mn-St 10:00–01:00) (Sn 10:00–00:00)
· Social networks:
6. The Shoreditch
· Type: American, Pan-Asian, Malaysian
· The average check (per 1 person): 12–18 USD
· Location:
1. Kabanbay Batyr Ave 7 RC “Premiere” (Mon-Thurs: 11:00–01:00) (Fri-Sun: 11:00–02:00)
· Social networks:
1. https://www.facebook.com/ShoreditchAstana/
2. https://www.instagram.com/the_shoreditch/
7. Dim Sum
· Type: Chinese
· The average check (per 1 person): 15–27 USD
· Location:
1. Republic Ave 23/1 (12:00–01:00)
· Social networks:
1. http://1goodproject.kz/eng/dimsum/dimsum.html
8. Griboedov
· Type: Russian
· The average check (per 1 person): 6–12 USD
· Location:
1. Kabanbay Batyr 19/1 (12:00–02:00)
· Social networks:
2. https://www.facebook.com/griboyedov.astana
3. https://www.instagram.com/griboedov_astana/
9. Kiku Matsuri
· Type: Japanese
· The average check (per 1 person): 15–27 USD
· Location:
1. Turan Ave 30 “Fitness Palace” (12:00–01:00)
· Social networks:
10. Традициональ (Traditional)
· Type: Russian
· The average check (per 1 person): from 27 USD
· Location:
1. Turan Ave 33
· Social networks:
