Restaurants for the perfect date night

It’s an Almaty tradition: strolling through the Golden Square, then wrapping up the evening with a dinner overlooking the Opera & Ballet Theatre. Afisha is a place with history. Once a ticket office, the restaurant now pays homage to its past with vintage theater posters, white tablecloths, an elegant menu, and contemporary Kazakh art. It’s the perfect excuse to show off that little black dress.

Want a spot that really sets the mood? Try dining in a glass cube perched 1,057 meters above the city. It’s a dinner with a view and a feast for the senses, no matter where you turn your head. With impressive dishes, beautiful landscapes, and golden-hour sunsets, you can’t go wrong with this dinner at the top of a ski jump.

Fika is designed like a chic European loft, offering stylish decor, a tempting pastry counter, and plenty of books on art. The date recipe here is simple: a glorious mountain of bread and butter, signature specials, and a bottle of trendy organic wine. And if you start to feel inspired, don’t hesitate to whip out your laptop and get to work on your next creative project.

A grand café that’s celebratory, sparkling, sophisticated, and just the right amount of fancy. Perfect for marking a special occasion in style, Astra offers everything you need: fresh pastries by St. Petersburg baking star Maxim Babich, haute cuisine by Moscow’s Georgy Troyan, and a cocktail menu inspired by the French Riviera. Downstairs you’ll find a cocktail bar by the Agora team, where you can party like the Great Gatsby.

«Honey, we’re going to the Alps!"—well, the Almaty Alps. Rifugio del Monte, meaning mountain refuge, channels the charm of Northern Italy, nestled away from the hustle of Shymbulak’s ski resort. The terrace offers a breathtaking mountain view, with no tourists in sight, while the table should offer a view of delicious cheese fondue, oysters, pasta, and champagne.

A wine bar awarded «two wine glasses» by Wine Spectator, Àgorà is the perfect date spot for two amateur sommeliers. But don’t just order something «oaky» or «fruity» here—instead, ask for something that matches your zodiac signs or the story of how you met. The people here are wizards. They’ll surprise you.

You probably didn’t know that Monte Bianco has a hidden dining area with an impressive Italian menu. Well, now you do! The atmosphere here is homey, with pasta portions big enough to share, wines at near-wholesale prices, and two massive fridges filled with European cheeses and cured meats that they’ll slice up for you on the spot.

A semi-secret spot tucked behind a car wash near the Green Bazaar, exuding underground Asian afterparty vibes. We recommend ordering a few dishes to share. The generous portions of pho and ramen will instantly lift your spirits. And here’s the kicker: Cece’s non-alcoholic cocktail menu got a mention on The World’s 50 Best Bars list—a historic first.

The best dates are full of surprises. Luckily, we’ve got a big one: doner without fries or sauce. Sounds odd? Not after the first bite. Abi Tamasha Et fills their doner with beef marinated in goat’s milk, best paired with homemade ayran. It’s different. It’s delicious. It’s a guaranteed conversation starter.

A bonding experience with a touch of team-building. On this date, you’ll be cooking together—but not at home. Masisso has impressive BBQ tables where you can grill your own meats, wrap them in crisp lettuce, and load up on toppings. Hands-on, fun, and oh-so-satisfying.

Who said dates have to be at night? Even the workday feels better when it starts with an outdoor breakfast. Aurora offers everything from English breakfasts and croque madames to syrniki and buttery croissants. Head up to the second floor to soak in the morning magic with your special someone.

There’s a popular Russian meme: a girl may want strawberries and cream, but a woman wants juicy chebureks, a carafe of cherry liqueur, and old-school Soviet hits blasting in the background. If you’re the latter, this is your spot. A bright future awaits you at Svetloe Budushchee.

A bakery straight out of Paris. This gluten paradise offers traditional French pastries, savory rolls, and sweet treats that are baked fresh every day. Here’s a date idea: get one of everything and work together to choose your favorites. Hey, maybe you can even turn it into a picnic at the President’s Park. The seating here is limited, but indulgence is best enjoyed comfortably.

According to Syn32’s chef, Abdulla Amin, «It’s not easy working in the mountains». But planning a date at Central Asia’s highest-altitude restaurant certainly is! Kick it off with a few ski runs to build up an appetite, or go straight to après-ski mode and enjoy the signature burgers and mountain-themed cocktails.

Photo: restaurant websites and social networks; Yandex Maps