Top 7 Kazakh Cuisine Restaurants in Astana

Kazakh cuisine isn’t (just) about meat and kumys — it’s an entire world of flavors and aromas that can transport you home, even if you’re thousands of kilometers away. It’s the generous hands of grandmothers, the scent of steppe grasses, the warm «aynalayin» greeting, and the airy warmth of freshly fried baursaks. Get ready for a culinary journey where every dish tells a story passed down through generations. We’ve gathered Astana’s best spots where you can not only enjoy great food but immerse yourself in the simple yet rich world of Kazakh cuisine. Bring your stretchy pants and remember: «Even water tastes sweet when given with kindness.»

Though this list isn’t ranked, we must start with Qazaq Gourmet, the haute cuisine temple of Kazakh gastronomy. Its creator and brand chef, Artem Kantsev, traveled across Kazakhstan collecting authentic recipes piece by piece to later become a guide in the exciting journey called «new Kazakh cuisine.» Traditional dishes shine in his interpretation with innovative techniques and unexpected combinations — just try the aerobauyrsak with mushroom mousse, stracciatella, and sturgeon caviar. For its unique vision of Kazakh gastronomy and gourmet interpretations of ancestral recipes, Qazaq Gourmet became the first Kazakh restaurant featured in The World’s 50 Best Discovery. Foodies take note: the restaurant frequently hosts conceptual dinners that belong in the «food as art» category.

Editor’s Picks:

·    Aşıqtar — Childhood game pieces transformed into ruby-red delicacies with tender liver pâté in sour plum glaze

·    Shymkent Lamb — Tender fillet with four sauces representing flavors from across the Great Steppe

·    Layered Tokash with pumpkin and village cheese — delicious, period

Dimash Kudaibergen, lamb shanks with vegetables, and an exhibition of musical instruments — what connects this seemingly random collection of words? Simple: book a table at Daididau restaurant, admire the duduk, kobyz, and jetigen, enjoy live music during dinner, order the aforementioned lamb shanks, and if you’re lucky, you might spot the famous Kazakh himself. Psst — this cozy spot is owned by Dimash’s family. We won’t spoil the most unusual dishes to preserve your «wow» moment, but we’re happy to share our favorites.

Editor’s Picks:

·    6-course Gastronomic Set featuring delicacies like argali heart, steppe vegetation tartare, and coal-crusted venison

·    «Bird Duet» — roulade of confit duck and chicken in dramatic plum foam

·    «Samaltau» — lamb tongues with green spaghetti and camel milk mousse

This team focused on Kazakhstan’s signature dish — et (better known as beshbarmak) — before it became mainstream. First, they launched their own production of sur et (smoked-dried meat), aiming to develop culinary traditions specifically from Northern Kazakhstan. Their beshbarmak uses only sur et, so don’t be surprised by the rich, smoky broth and dark-colored meat. In the café itself, you’ll find Kazakh-style «churchkhela» hanging above the stove, a chef frying mini-baursaks nearby, and a display case carefully arranged with various meat delicacies — and you’re still wondering where to go?

Editor’s Picks:

·    Signature Besh with sur et, boiled potatoes and tuzdyk — always pair them with aromatic sorpa, baursaks and kurt

·    In hot weather, watch for Kazakh-style okroshka — all the familiar ingredients plus horse meat and sur et as the star additions

·    Kazy, shuzhyk, brisket, and other sliced meats — perfect to take home or gift to foreign visitors

Slicing a baursak and stuffing it with meat — basic. Slicing a baursak and stuffing it with lettuce, tomato, and meat — that’s Bauyrdaq. This is unique Kazakh fast food that makes simple village flavors accessible, just like grandma used to make, has already won the hearts (and stomachs) of many Astana residents. Add charming ethnic-style decor, sprinkle in some Kazakh melodies — and your perfect Bauyrdaq lunch is ready.

Editor’s Picks:

·    If your mouth waters at the word «liver,» go for Combo #1 featuring baursak with lamb liver, fries, pickles, chili, sauce and a cup of hot sorpa

·    The star of festive dastarkhan in March — Nauryz koje —can be ordered here year-round. We take full advantage

·    For dessert, indulge in golden baursaks dipped in white and dark chocolate sauce

The premium authentic Kazakh restaurant Sandyq impresses from the entrance with its grandeur and lavish decor. It feels like walking into a luxury museum exhibition of Kazakh culture that culminates in a hall of Kazakh cuisine. The presentation of dishes, accompanied by brief descriptions from waiters (read: guides) in Kazakh, enhances the experience. Patriotic feelings are guaranteed to double here. Though we’ve found the service at Sandyq inconsistent — sometimes waiters hover, other times you’re left searching with a silent «Where are you, aynalayin?»

Editor’s Picks:

·    «Qymyz qabyrğa» — golden lamb ribs in kumys with an unconventional millet side

·    «Quyrq bauyr» — a rare restaurant find: liver with fat tail in an avant-garde presentation. Perfect when hosting qudalar (matchmakers).

·    One day you might wake up thinking, «Should I try lamb brains today?» When that day comes, remember Sandyq’s «My palau»

·    «Sümesüt» — a traditional milk dessert with berry sauce makes a perfect evening finale

Bet the restaurant name already intrigued you? Beshbarmak with shark, beshbarmak with sturgeon, beshbarmak with assyp sausage, beshbarmak with patterned dough — Astana restaurants have prepared Kazakhstan’s signature dish in countless ways, competing in flavor and presentation. But black dough for beshbarmak? That was our first encounter. Verdict: strange, distinctive, dramatic, delicious. The dough’s color doesn’t affect taste but perfectly offsets the trio of horse meat, potatoes, and tuzdyk. Beyond its creative menu, Black Besh boasts modern interiors, stunning Bayterek views, an extensive wine list, and of course, impeccable hospitality.

Editor’s Picks:

·    Baursaks with smoked kaymak and caviar — no words needed

·    Sturgeon with vegetables — the royal fish, rarely prepared well, earned an easy spot on our must-try list

·    Mini-chebureki with lamb — the chefs here cracked the perfect recipe: crisp dough, juicy meat, balanced sauce — all flawless

For over eight years, this Eastern restaurant has delighted residents and visitors with quality Eastern cuisine and, of course, kebabs — not cooked over saksaul wood, but no less delicious. Located near Keruen Mall and Bayterek on the left bank, it’s perfectly positioned for a post-meal walk to burn off that tandyr-roasted lamb. Modern interiors feature subtle Eastern decorative touches. The Kazakh corner delighted us — an improvised yurt with shanyraq, chests, cushions, and vibrant rugs for memorable photos with dombra in hand. Keremet!

Editor’s Picks:

·    «Nomad’s Breakfast» — boiled kazy and horse meat, hot baursaks, sorpa, suzma and strong Kazakh tea — breakfast of champions

·    Syrne — tender braised lamb pre-marinated in cream, served with boiled potatoes

·    «Zander Koktal-style» — local fish lightly smoked and baked with vegetables to golden perfection

·    «Saka Gold» — the restaurant’s signature: irimshik cheesecake with coriander caramel and zhent crumbs