The City’s Best Rolls

The kind of place you’d happily show off to a guest from Tokyo

Akami is rooted in the classical traditions of Japanese cuisine. The kitchen is led by Vyacheslav Kim, whose training in Japan shaped both his precision and restraint. Having absorbed the discipline and quiet refinement of the country’s culinary tradition, he brought that experience to 66, Kurmangazy Street, where Akami now stands. From the outside, the restaurant remains deliberately understated — no bright signage, no theatrical invitation. Just a discreet plaque by the entrance, its name written in Japanese. Inside, three elongated dining rooms unfold in the same pared-back, minimalist style.

Fish arrives twice weekly from Japan and Europe, always chilled, never frozen. Rolls are offered in two formats: open, served individually — unagi, akami, wagyu, hamachi, or crab with red caviar, from 4,100 KZT — and the more familiar sets of four. Among the latter, the Ikami (10,500 KZT) — foie gras, eel, salmon and avocado — is beautifully balanced and well worth ordering. Their signature California (9,300 KZT), prepared with real crab rather than surimi, is another quiet standout.

For those drawn to sushi, there are lightly seared nigiri — salmon, wagyu, scallop — alongside a concise selection of gunkan: salmon with red caviar, poached egg with truffle, scallop with avocado and tobiko, and the most indulgent option, chutoro with black caviar (7,300 KZT). Sashimi is equally compelling: chutoro, pink dorado, Atlantic pagrus or wagyu with truffle. Beyond that, crab gyoza, miso-marinated chicken and slow-braised rib with bok choy complete the list of essential orders.

The Asian restobar at the heart of Almaty’s social scene

Part of restaurateur Alexander Orlov’s Sun Group portfolio, Dragonfly Izakaya sits just a short walk from the city administration — akimat. In Japan, izakayas are casual after-work spots for sake and a light supper. Here, the format is interpreted more freely — less about a quick drink, more about good company, warm lighting and dinners that unfold to a minimal soundtrack.

The roll selection (6,050–9,250 KZT) is notably wide, ranging from truffle scallop and crispy shrimp to seared salmon, crab, spicy tuna and red caviar. There are also hand rolls (3,250–7,250 KZT) — with yellowfin tuna, eel or crab — and open rolls (4,200–7,250 KZT), with standouts such as eel with foie gras and crab. Everything arrives generous in scale, assembled with a restobar sensibility where presentation matters as much as flavour. Beyond that, the menu moves freely: robata-grilled kushiyaki, Argentine shrimp with sweet chilli, Peking duck, and the expected udon and fried rice.

The city’s fish elite, just steps from Esentai Mall

Set against the brisk rhythm of Esentai’s business towers, Honey-Honey is the kind of place people head to with intent — for a polished business lunch and, invariably, for the rolls. At the heart of the menu lies an impeccable selection of premium fish: bluefin tuna (akami and chutoro), salmon, hamachi, seabass, dorado and eel. Each delivery undergoes careful in-house inspection, sourced from traders working closely with Japanese and European markets.

Prices sit comfortably above average, yet the quality speaks for itself. The Philadelphia Double Avocado Roll (9,680 KZT) is a fine example: soft avocado, a generous layer of cremette, minimal rice — all wrapped in pristine salmon. Equally noteworthy are the Dragon Roll with crab, eel and avocado (19,910 KZT) and the Spicy Tuna Roll made from bluefin akami (15,170 KZT), the lean, ruby-red cut of bluefin tuna.

Rice-free and low-carb options are also available. For something lighter, there are kani sushi — delicate crab sushi without rice (7,260–11,880 KZT) — as well as temaki (2,310–4,680 KZT) and generously composed sharing platters designed for the table. Beyond rolls, the menu travels widely, bringing together well-loved dishes from across the globe — ensuring no one leaves the table hungry.

A city classic since 2009

A long-standing legend of Almaty’s roll scene, Manga dates back to the days when orders were placed by phone rather than through an app. Founded by Maxim Bortnikov and Taras Bas, the project was built around accessibility: they transformed sushi from an occasional indulgence into something easy, familiar and available at approachable prices — dishes you could just as easily enjoy at home.

The menu has remained largely unchanged since its early days, and that consistency is part of its appeal. The ever-reliable trio still leads the way: Philadelphia (4,500 KZT), Deja Vu Tempura (2,800 KZT) and Eel Tempura topped with a creamy finish (3,200 KZT). There are brighter options, too — Rintaro with tuna, halibut caviar and truffle sauce (3,900 KZT), or Evergarden with shrimp and chilli-mango sauce (3,300 KZT). Beyond rolls, the menu extends to wok dishes, noodles and rice — including a comforting crab mix with miso broth — and, somewhat unexpectedly, thin-crust pizza. Introduced years ago, it has remained a quietly popular addition ever since.

A polished, contemporary izakaya from abr

Located on Abylai Khan Avenue, Raw is part of the abr restaurant group — a refined, modern interpretation of the izakaya concept. In 2025, it was included in the Ultima Guide’s top 30 restaurants in Almaty and Astana. Here, the idea of a relaxed evening over sake is reimagined through a distinctly urban lens: red neon glows softly across the space, the kitchen remains open, and ambient techno provides a measured, atmospheric backdrop.

The fusion-driven menu is overseen by brand chef Gianmaria Sapia, a Ligurian-born Italian who brings Mediterranean technique into dialogue with Asian flavours. Among the standouts are the salmon, eel and chuka roll (7,900 KZT), the caramelised eel roll (7,900 KZT), and Alaska with tuna and crab (7,100 KZT). A more unexpected pairing — Kamchatka crab with eel and coconut (7,900 KZT) — adds a subtle note of intrigue. From Friday through Sunday, a special Ebi Izakaya roll appears on the menu, combining cremette, shrimp and avocado (6,100 KZT). Beyond the rolls, the menu offers plenty to linger over: a katsu-teriyaki burger, duck gyoza, chicken katsu curry, and, to finish, a miso brownie draped in caramel made with Japanese whisky.

A sushi bar crafted by true connoisseurs of fish

Tucked into the ground floor of Forum, this compact sushi bar is the work of the Kingfisher team — a company with more than two decades of experience in fish and seafood. The expertise is evident from the start: the menu is built around chilled fish flown in from Japan, Norway and Scotland. On occasion, a whole tuna is expertly broken down in the dining room.

Rolls follow classic proportions, with a careful balance of fish to rice. The spicy hamachi lands with just the right level of heat (6,490 KZT), while the seared salmon roll offers a gentle hint of smokiness (5,690 KZT). For something richer, there’s eel with foie gras and tamago, alongside hand rolls and open rolls (2,990–7,490 KZT) — a format that favours generous fillings and minimal rice. Among the sushi, the botan shrimp, Scottish salmon and tuna are particularly worth noting.

The menu also includes a selection of warm dishes, from teriyaki salmon and gyoza to robata-style kushiyaki. Tataki appears in two variations: tuna with truffle and avocado, or salmon with a delicate coconut sauce. On weekdays, bento lunches are served from 12PM to 5PM; the grilled salmon set, for instance, is priced at 5,390 KZT.

A restaurant known for its generous portions and enduring reputation

Sumo-San stands somewhat apart in Almaty’s roll scene — a long-standing name and, for many, a familiar favourite. A true heavyweight of the genre, it’s easy to see why the city has remained loyal: the portions are generous, the fillings abundant, and the flavour consistently delivers.

The menu leans confidently on the classics. Philadelphia (7,200 KZT), Canadian Roll (7,350 KZT), American Roll with fried salmon (7,200 KZT) and California (7,500 KZT) remain reliable staples. Ramen holds its own here as well, with several variations on offer, though the house Sumo-San in a rich miso broth stands out as a clear favourite. Bento lunches remain a welcome addition for those working nearby — a quick, satisfying option.

American-style rolls with a polished cocktail programme

Located on Abay Avenue, Akunin is an Asian bistro brought to Almaty by a Karaganda-based team following its success back home. The focus here is firmly on rolls: chilled salmon arrives from Norway, shrimp from Ecuador — the kind of detail that quietly defines the menu. Among the favourites are the classic Philadelphia (4,900 KZT), a rice-free roll with snow crab, salmon and cucumber (3,900 KZT), as well as Canada (4,800 KZT) and California (4,300 KZT).

Akunin is equally known for its ramen — offered with turkey, beef or salmon — and for its shrimp tom yum, both of which draw a steady following. The bar menu is presented as a small illustrated booklet, complete with haiku, while the drinks lean into Asian accents: the signature Akunin with gin and cornelian cherry, Wasabi with wasabi-infused tequila, and Fuji with whisky and passionfruit.