8 Third-Wave Coffee Spots in Almaty

A Berlin-inspired café-pizzeria by a team from Tomsk, where coffee and food perfectly complement each other. Designed as a two-in-one space: start your morning with a filter coffee or cappuccino, then transition seamlessly to wood-fired pizza — all without changing locations.

At Coffee Roots, the coffee is roasted in-house. Bar manager Sasha personally selects beans and experiments with batches to keep the shelves stocked with bold, distinctive flavors — from classic Kenyan with balanced acidity to exotic Brazilian aged in rum barrels. For home brewing, you can have any beans ground to suit your device, along with a selection of drips.

A hidden gem for coffee geeks, tucked away in the courtyards between Panfilov and Nazarbayev. This shop boasts its own roastery, where beans aren’t just roasted but carefully refined — testing new processing methods to perfect their flavor. The menu features espresso, filter, and more adventurous alternatives. Behind the bar? Champion baristas who know coffee inside out, from terroir to the subtlest aftertaste.

For enthusiasts, Probarista hosts workshops and courses in Almaty and Astana, and you can stock up on home-brewing essentials — from pour-over cones to rare beans. The minimalist, industrial-chic interior underscores the brand’s values: taste, process, and attention to detail above all.

What began as a small-scale roastery has grown into a major café chain. Today, Vanilla has two concepts: Vanilla Coffee Shop — a go-to for morning coffee, fresh pastries, and leisurely breakfasts — and Vanilla Handmade Coffee, where you can buy freshly roasted beans, merch, and gear for alternative brewing.

Their lineup includes espresso blends and single-origins from around the world, curated for batch brew, Hario, or AeroPress. Classic options like americano, cappuccino, and latte are always on offer. Not a coffee person? Try their selection of green matcha (Akane, Shiro, Keito) or three types of cocoa, each with distinct acidity and flavor notes.

Flask’s story began with the travels of South Korean entrepreneur and artist Chihun Jong, who noticed a lack of specialty coffee culture in Central Asia. After launching in Bishkek, he brought his vision to Almaty.

Today, Flask roasts premium beans in-house on Korean Stronghold machines, with pride in their Quantum Series — high-altitude farm beans. The café has hosted masterclasses by world champions, represented Kazakhstan at Jakarta’s coffee festival, and collaborated with top Asian roasters.

Their menu caters to all tastes, featuring lattes like «Apple Pie,» the Black Hole filter with strawberry and pomegranate notes, and a signature raspberry cold brew tonic. Flask has three locations: a casual spot on Kurmangazy, a sleek café in Esentai Mall’s Elements Store, and a trendy outpost at Nuno Concept Store.

A specialty café where beans are handpicked for espresso, pour-over, Turkish, or moka pot brewing. Shelves are stocked with freshly roasted coffee from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Tanzania — processed using washed, dry, anaerobic, or honey methods. The drink menu covers the full spectrum, including nitro coffee a rare find in Almaty, cold-extracted and nitrogen-infused for a creamy, smooth texture.

Other perks? All-day breakfast, a pet-friendly policy, and Instagram-worthy jars for cold drinks — perfect for summer strolls.

Formerly knowk as abr, Julius is now run by «Friends of Friends.» The focus remains on coffee, pastries, and atmosphere, with beans sourced from top global roasters: DAK, Massimo, Three Marks Coffee. Alongside espresso classics, they offer alternative brews like V60, Orea, and batch brew — paired with Chinese teas, bean-to-bar cocoa, and matcha. Fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, and breakfasts complete the experience.

You’ll recognize Julius by its red door on Kabanbay Batyr. Inside, an open bar and warm lighting set the mood; outside, a summer terrace overlooks the Opera and Ballet Theater.

Inspired by Japanese aesthetics and catering to lactose-free and keto diets, Ichi puts coffee front and center — both in concept and design. Their brewing arsenal includes V60, V4, Origami, Wilfa Dripper, and AeroPress. If these terms excite you, come. If they’re a mystery but intrigue you — still come. The baristas will guide you.

For the biohackers: Ichi serves bulletproof coffee — infused with butter, a Silicon Valley favorite for cognitive boosts and longevity. The café also sells beans, drips, hand grinders, filters, cups, and matcha whisks — everything for your morning ritual.

It is the sole coffee corner in Platfoma’s 24-vendor food market. Flow Power works with beans from Colombia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Brazil, selecting lots with rich flavors and complex acidity. Processing ranges from washed to natural, unlocking a spectrum of aromas.

The menu balances classics and experiments — espresso and filter coffee sit alongside banana raf and «pumpkin cream» creations. Take home your favorite beans, like Guatemala Cuxinales (red apple and caramel notes), Ethiopia Banco Gotiti (bright citrus), or Kenya Kangoch Karatina (blackcurrant hints).

Photo:  websites and social medias restaurants; Yandex Maps