Valentine’s Day: Date Ideas

When you want something beautiful, calm, and free of surprises

This is an option for when you want to turn February 14 into a small social outing. Astra is a grand cafe where the idea of «beautiful living» is implemented quite literally: in the dazzling interior, upscale table settings, polished service, and overall atmosphere. A bohemian breakfast with champagne, a tea ritual with Vista Alegre porcelain, and an elegant Mediterranean-style dinner all feel equally fitting here. Astra is a space of predictable pleasure, when you know the evening will be smooth and effortlessly elegant.

A date for those who appreciate not only the cuisine, but also the setting. Ogonyok is housed in a round pavilion of Soviet modernism, which adds an extra layer of meaning to the evening. Here, everything from steaks to Camembert is grilled and baked over an open flame. The cocktails keep the architecture discourse going: «Lermontov Theater» unfolds like a performance, with an opening, rising tension, and a memorable finish, while «Circus» is a popcorn cocktail served beneath a recognizable mini-dome.

If you want subdued luxury without the extra fuss, Nuala is a perfect match. It’s a restaurant that doesn’t broadcast status, but conveys it with quiet confidence through the interior, its wine selection, and calm, professional service. The menu, curated by Taras Korchagin, is split into «Water» and «Earth»: oysters, scallops with truffle ponzu, and vongole pasta sit alongside horse meat, beef ribs, and ribeye from local suppliers. Another reason to come is the wine: more than 800 labels and over 120 bottles of champagne.

When you want something memorable and a little out of the ordinary

A restaurant at an equestrian club that grew out of an Akhal-Teke breeding farm in the late 1990s, Haragun is a rare format for Almaty: «out of town without leaving the city». Apple orchards, wide-open space, and fresh air (at last!) set the tone. The menu is substantial: farm-raised lamb, seafood, Italian and European classics. The wine list shines with Kazakhstani producers, Champagne, European grand crus, and lively New World wines. A great pick for a date if you’re after quiet, unhurried conversation and that «country escape» feeling.

The perfect «date with a follow-up»: start with an exhibition, then head to dinner and swap impressions. Wander through Richard Serra’s monumental labyrinths and step into Yayoi Kusama’s immersive room, take in the show, maybe even book a private tour for two, then stay for dinner at Alma. The interior nods to 1970s–80s aesthetics: Marcel Breuer chairs and ceilings reminiscent of the iconic «Alma-Ata» restaurant. We recommend classics with a chef’s twist: horse meat lasagne with jussai and kurut mousse for her, horse steak with pepper sauce and carrot purée for him. Alma is the perfect place for a date with meaning.

A Spanish night in a lively, full-throttle format: tapas for two, conversations across the table, and wine that never runs out. A feast for the eyes, too: arched vaults, frescoes, columns. On the menu: empanadas with slow-cooked horse meat, croquettes, octopus, anchovies, and aged Manchego, finishing with Spanish classics like crema catalana. The wine list is impressive: more than 40 by-the-glass options alone. In the evenings, there are DJ sets, and Palomar turns into a stylish Spanish party right in the city.

Without the glamor or the usual romance, unexpected, and genuinely fascinating

How about a romantic lunch at the Green Market? Come in from Zhibek Zholy: the stairs on the right take you up to the second floor, where you’ll find yourself in Gulnara’s culinary embrace. She’s a true superstar when it comes to lagman, beshbarmak with cobra, and other simple pleasures in life. There’s even a saying: «The nicer the restaurant, the worse the lagman», so don’t be put off by the no-frills format. This date isn’t romance in the usual sense, but a shared experience that’s built on trust, with a view of the bustling market.

With your favorite person, even a trip to the car wash can feel like a date. Head to a cozy Asian spot with no sign, tucked into a semi-basement, that’s been featured in international publications. The move at Xie-Xie is to order half the menu and share: don’t miss the pho, authentic ramen with pork belly, Berlin noodles, karaage chicken, and peanut curry. For a toast to love and peace, go for the house nonalcoholic cocktails, like Pace with kurut and pineapple, and White Poppy with poppy milk.

Korean barbecue straight out of your favorite K-drama. Right in the middle of the table is a built-in grill where you cook the meat, then build your own combinations with vegetables, sauces, and side dishes. The variety of ingredients and the «be your own chef» format make it feel hands-on and engaging. Tens is a great pick for February 14 when the interactive experience matters more than the ambiance.

Photos: restaurant websites and social media, Yandex Maps