I’d want Kanye to experience more than Almaty’s restaurant scene — I’d want him to discover how the city really eats. My first stop would be the shashlik place in Remizovka. It’s one of those enduring local institutions people return to time and again, whether for the beautifully grilled meat, the house-pickled vegetables or the old-school Napoleon cake. After that, we’d head to a tiny kiosk on Natarov Street. It serves tandyr samsa exactly as it should be: crisp on the outside, deeply savoury within, and generously filled with perfectly seasoned meat, lamb fat and plenty of onions.
Brand Chef of Auyl, Spiros, Jinau, Palomar, Ogonyok and Table
Fashion blogger and art director
I’d take Kanye to Auyl. It may sound like the obvious choice, but minds as creatively ambitious as his are invariably drawn to places shaped by a compelling idea. For me, it’s never simply about taking someone to a beautiful restaurant; it’s about introducing them to the cultural identity of a place. Few do that as convincingly as Auyl. Its architecture weaves effortlessly into the landscape, bringing together contemporary design, nature, gastronomy and the enduring traditions of the Kazakh steppe.
I’d make sure the table included beshbarmak with kazy, baursaks with balkaimak, milk tea and slow-cooked lamb breast, before ending with the Umami ice cream made with kurt. To me, those dishes express the essence of Kazakhstan more eloquently than anything else. I think Kanye would respond not only to the food, but to the thinking behind it. Auyl is proof that heritage can be expressed in a thoroughly contemporary way without compromising its authenticity.
Blogger and PR Strategist
What I love most about Samrun, though, is the story behind it. Its founder, Farhat Kassymov, never set out to open just another takeaway. Instead, he brought together his two greatest passions — samsa and marathon running — to create a café that celebrates traditional street food while speaking to an active way of life. It was conceived with runners in mind, but it’s a place anyone can enjoy.
The one place I’d take Kanye without hesitation is Samrun. They specialise in tandyr-style Kulja samsa, and the secret lies in the pastry. It’s rolled until the edges are almost paper-thin, while the centre is left just slightly thicker. That subtle contrast creates layers that are exceptionally light and crisp, without the dense, heavy folds so often found elsewhere.
Ye has always been drawn to places with a strong visual identity, a sense of authenticity and an understated aesthetic. Honest places have always appealed to him more than overt luxury. And since he tends to seek out local food wherever he travels, I’d take him to Beshbarmachnaya at the Green Bazaar for his first taste of Almaty. There’s nothing polished or performative about it — just straightforward, authentic cooking done exceptionally well. I’d make sure he ordered the beshbarmak and a basket of freshly baked baursaks. Afterwards, we’d wander through the market, sampling kurt, local honey, dried fruit and whatever berries are in season — a simple, fresh way to end a generously satisfying meal.
Fashion blogger and stylist
While you’re there, I’d stop by Beshbarmachnaya, grab a coffee at Bowler, then cross the road to my favourite spot, Syo-Syo. Their recent inclusion in The World’s 50 Best Discovery says a great deal. To me, that’s Almaty at its best. You meet people, slip effortlessly into the rhythm of the city, leave with bags full of sarkyt and local treats, and walk away feeling less like a visitor and more like a favourite member of the family.
The very first place that came to mind was the Green Bazaar. Where else is Kanye going to experience something this authentically Central Asian? You simply won’t find anything quite like it back home in the States. Step into one of the city’s oldest markets and the experience begins almost immediately. Before you’ve had a chance to buy a thing, you’re already being offered local cheeses, dried fruit, honey and sweets, each accompanied by a smile and an insistence that you have a taste. That’s just how people are here. And knowing our culture, Kanye wouldn’t leave with only a full stomach. Someone would almost certainly press a bag of sarkyt into his hands before he left. Around here, sending a guest away empty-handed simply isn’t an option. I’m two hundred per cent certain of it.
Food influencer and sommelier, KazSomm Association
CEO, Doing Great Agency
I’d take Kanye to Domashniy. I’d love to watch him realise how a place so small and unpretentious can leave such a lasting impression — especially for someone whose world has always operated on an extraordinary scale. Its recent inclusion in The World’s 50 Best Discovery only reinforces the point. The following day, I’d send him to Svetloye Budushcheye for what I consider the benchmark chebureki, a proper bowl of borscht, and a bottle of wonderfully nostalgic Buratino lemonade. Sometimes, the simplest meals are the ones that stay with you the longest.
My recommendation would be Café u Gulnary at the Green Bazaar. Generous home-style cooking, spectacular portions and a balcony overlooking the vibrant bustle of one of the city’s oldest markets — it’s one of Almaty’s true culinary landmarks. Don’t expect to leave without tasting horse meat and irimshik; someone will almost certainly insist. It may seem like the obvious place to begin, but that’s precisely the point. Before you dive into the city’s more niche restaurants, you need to understand the classics.
Editor-in-Chief of Skhodit at Yandex Eats International
Photos: the restaurants’ websites and social media; Yandex Maps.
