Yug22: A Mediterranean state of mind, reimagined in Almaty by Sun Group

The kitchen is entrusted to a quietly accomplished team. Brand chef Enver Dzhemilov (Lou Lou in Moscow; formerly Savoy and Alba Group projects) works in tandem with head chef Dmitry Dulov, whose background includes Buddha-Bar, Tanuki and Twin Pigs in Moscow, Toku in Tashkent and More& More in Almaty. The result is a menu that remains deliberately concise, yet carefully considered in every detail.

To begin, a series of well-judged mezze: tarama with bottarga and crisp vegetables (3,400 KZT), or roasted pepper hummus with sun-dried tomatoes (3,900 KZT), best accompanied by warm Cypriot pita. The raw section follows the same restrained line: seabass crudo with sun-dried tomatoes (17,900 KZT), a selection of tartares with a light vegetable salsa (14,900 KZT), and aged beef carpaccio with truffle aioli (6,800 KZT).

Further on, the menu moves into salads and mains, with a clear focus on seafood and the grill. Tabbouleh with shrimp and squid (7,600 KZT), salmon in a tomato glaze with yoghurt and za’atar (9,900 KZT), or fire-grilled seabass with lemon sauce (17,800 KZT). The main courses take a more unexpected turn: baklava with oxtail and pecans (9,600 KZT), a grand schnitzel with black truffle and a poached egg (10,900 KZT), or paella with striploin and porcini (21,200 KZT) — each reason enough to come in its own right. Separate sections are dedicated to steaks — from wet-aged horse fillet to dry-aged ribeye — alongside rarities such as five-year aged Iberico ham from Spain and bresaola. To finish, a pistachio kulun (5,800 KZT) or a grand hazelnut éclair (4,200 KZT) works as a fitting final note.

With around 200 seats, Yug22 easily lends itself to larger gatherings — the kind that stretch into long, unhurried evenings. At the same time, it knows how to hold a more intimate mood: there are tables that feel quietly tucked away, just right for a slower, more private conversation. The location carries its own quiet appeal. Just steps away, a walking path runs along the Esentai River — an easy excuse to let the evening drift into a gentle stroll. The team hints at what’s to come: lively nights, DJ sets, dancing, the occasional performance — a touch of theatre, woven into the rhythm of the place.

Photos: restaurant’s website and social media; Yandex Maps