Six Terraces Overlooking the Ishim River

View of the «Fish»

The terrace windows of Astana Nury overlook the pedestrian Atyrau Bridge, which resembles a silvery fish — a gift from the Atyrau region for the capital’s 20th anniversary. Evenings here are filled with live music, waiters in crisp vests and bow ties, and a menu that stays on theme: royal fish soup, grilled sea bass and salmon, baked pikeperch and dorado. For something unique, try the saj — fish simmered with vegetables over a flame and cooked to perfection in a sizzling pan right at your table. Savor it while gazing at the river and Astana’s evening glow.

Hotel Chic

A panoramic restaurant at The St. Regis hotel, boasting one of the city’s most beautiful terraces with views of the Karaotkel arch bridge. Mornings at La Rivière mean five-star breakfasts (from classic porridge to eggs royale topped with caviar), Sundays feature old money-style brunches, but the real highlight is dinner. The menu leans Italian, with house-made pasta (including gluten-free options), pizza, and textbook tiramisu. And since it’s a hotel, there’s also a concise lineup of tourist favorites: samsa, beshbarmak, kuyrdak, and a selection of horse meat delicacies.

Lounge Mansion

In the heart of the pedestrian area, near Atatürk Park, Tangiers is a lounge restaurant with great views and an English club vibe: staff in bowler hats, moody lighting, candles, and a touch of grunge. The franchise spans Kazakhstan, Russia, and the U.S., and the menu roams from Europe to Southeast Asia — bruschetta, burgers, pastas, steaks, sushi rolls, and fried rice. The star? Beef Wellington, fitting for this «Mr. T’s mansion» fantasy. The bar serves classic Aperol spritzes and martinis, Chinese loose-leaf teas, and a hundred wines.

Eastern Tales

This Eastern-style café feels like a still shot from The Magnificent Century — stone columns, mosaic walls, and sofas in vibrant patterns. The menu travels from Turkey to Uzbekistan: Turkish and Uyghur breakfasts in the morning, followed by minced meat manty, manpar, fried lagman with garlic chives, and pilaf by afternoon. The guests are always invited to admire the view of the river and the Kenesary monument.

Gastro Evenings with a Twist

Tucked away from the riverside promenade, Felice is an Italian restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Giuseppe Ricchebuono. The menu is a Mediterranean vacation on a plate: «catch of the day», crudo bar, burrata and mozzarella starters, a dozen pastas, and wood-fired pizza. The vibe leans romantic — dates and celebrations are welcome, dress code encouraged (sneakers might get you stopped at the door). Sipping a Limoncello Spritz or wine (the list boasts 150+ labels) while gazing at the Ishim, you might just imagine you’re on a entirely different shore.

Timeless View

Na Kryshe by Good Project (Eva, Selfie, and other restaurants) isn’t right on the embankment as you’d expect — it’s set slightly back, but the Ishim remains the focal point, with the Jetisu Park in the backdrop. The interior works for both quiet dinners and lively nights out. The menu features bruschetta, mini-chebureki, raw and grill, meat and fish, pizza and pasta. Backing it up: an impressive wine list of 200+ labels with a spotlight on Europe and New Zealand.

Photos: restaurants’ websites and social media; Yandex Maps