Meze, Dough, Grill — Inside the Urban Café Canteen

The space that previously housed Blanca has been given to a new authentic Eastern project by the abr restaurant group — Canteen. Translated from Turkish, the name means «canteen, ” but here it reflects not a format, but an approach: simple food for everyday enjoyment.

The menu is shaped by influences from the Middle East, Turkey, Cyprus, and other regions of the Mediterranean. The kitchen is led by a duo: Igor Evsyukov and Ruslan Zakirov. The main focus is on meze, dough, and the grill. The concept is simple — food for sharing. Small plates arrive one after another: hummus with za’atar, marinated cucumbers with tahini and spicy nuts, or labneh with spinach and mint. Then comes hot pita from the oven, meant to be torn by hand, and lahmajoun, served thin with crispy edges and spiced beef. Straight from the grill — mackerel, beef kebab, lamb kofta, and chicken with tahini sauce. Among the more distinctive dishes are Turkish manty with ayran sauce, beef börek with tomato sauce, and oven-baked orzo. Perfect options to finish the dinner include baklava cheesecake or caramel tres leches.

Breakfast at Canteen is served until 12:00 PM on weekdays and until 2:00 PM on weekends. The menu includes eggs in any style, menemen, börek with cheese and cottage cheese, Turkish yogurt with honey and nuts, and a large breakfast set for two priced at 8,500 KZT.

The wine list was curated by sommelier David Choi to complement the cuisine. The focus is on freshness and lightness: heavy red wines are almost absent. The selection strikes a balance between familiar labels and less common options, such as Pinot Noir from Patagonia or champagnes from small producers.

The interior was built around the original space, with an atmosphere reminiscent of an island taverna. The walls retain their texture, and in places you can still see the original architectural lines and arches. Along the perimeter — wooden panels densely decorated with photographs and drawings. High ceilings, fans, small tables, a few communal ones, low lighting, and candles. The seating is quite compact, and in the evening the space fills up quickly, so it’s best to book a table in advance.