They said, «You can only eat cheaply in Astana at home.» They were wrong. Here are six cozy and affordable cafés in the capital’s center where you can enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank. This list skips chains like SF and CoffeeBoom — instead, we’ve got an authentic café with Bayterek views, a progressive dumpling spot, a humble noodle joint, and even a K-pop fan club.
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A regular feature in local guides — and for good reason. This urban café charms with its laid-back Almaty vibe and a diverse menu spanning Asian, European, and Indian cuisines. Burger lovers will find creative street-food options, while parents can sip still-warm coffee as kids play in the dedicated area. Koktem also boasts a cozy summer terrace, great themed events, and views of Bayterek. A well-deserved spot on our list.
· Borscht — ₸2,250
· Shrimp scramble — ₸3,350
· Homemade cutlets with mashed potatoes — ₸2,750
· Cheeseburger set (with drink & fries) — from ₸3,750
· Spaghetti Bolognese — ₸2,550
A minimalist Korean café on Vodno-Zeleny Boulevard, tailor-made for Gen Z and K-pop stans. Sunlit white walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and lush greenery set the mood. Couples and small groups fit snugly here (privacy’s scarce). Must-tries: crispy yangnyeom chicken, ramen, tteokbokki, and kimbap. Instagrammable? Absolutely. Bonus: free carafes of water mean you can skip paid drinks.
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· Chicken ramen — ₸3,000
· Tteokbokki — ₸3,400
· Tuna kimbap — ₸2,900
· Yangnyeom wings (6 pcs) — ₸3,500
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· Lentil soup — ₸1,390
· Tuna salad — ₸3,190
· Tagliatelle with chicken & mushrooms — ₸2,990
· Truffle panuozzo — ₸3,090
· Tom yum — ₸3,900
· «Ratatouille» panuozzo — ₸3,090
The lunchtime holy grail: grab a truffle panuozzo (crispy, golden, oozing filling) or savor fresh pasta (we vote for tagliatelle with chicken and mushrooms). While waiting, browse bookshelves, admire the decor, or swap smiles with the charismatic chefs.
One of few 24/7 spots in Astana’s business district. Mornings call for syrniki with berry compote or oatmeal with mascarpone mousse; evenings shift to romantic dinners with wine, Parma ham, and fontina cheese. We love its brown-green futurist interiors, semi-private seating, and staff who treat you like family.
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· English breakfast — ₸3,500
· Finnish soup — ₸1,900
· Antipasti platter — ₸3,500
· Braised ribs with basmati rice — ₸3,500
· Seafood pasta — ₸3,500
Every budget list needs a dumpling joint—especially one this quirky. Where else will you try blue dumplings with poultry, black squid-ink dumplings with shrimp, or a «Four Cheese» pelmeni tribute? Tucked into Keruen’s food court, it’s a rare spot for homestyle flavor. Seats are scarce at lunch—arrive early. Kids under seven eat free.
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· «Mimosa» salad — ₸1,700
· «Royal Shrimp» dumplings (15 pcs) — ₸3,300
· «Say Cheeeese!» dumplings (15 pcs) — ₸3,100
· Homemade lemonade — ₸700
· Vegan pasta — ₸1,550
· «Tokyo» noodles — ₸2,290
· Karak tea — ₸650
Astana’s only noodle-to-go shack, hidden in an alley between Talan Towers and the Moscow Business Center. Don’t let the plain white booth fool you — flavor bombs await. Dine at one of four tiny tables or grab a takeout box to conquer the world. Noodles? Ready in just two minutes.
· Alfredo pasta — ₸1,850
· Borscht with sour cream — ₸1,900
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· Shrimp noodles — ₸2,550
