Bars & Restaurants
Approximate price guide
(Main course, garnish and a cup of tea)
$ - Expect change from 150 som
$$ - A little over 200 should do the trick
$$$ - Expect to pay in the region of 350
$$$$ - A crisp 500 (or more) needed in this joint
There's a fine line in Bishkek between a bar and a restaurant - places more suitable for drinking sessions are marked with a star*
Found a decent restaurant we haven't listed? Email a review!
American
Cowboy* (Toktogul/Orozbekova)
Bishkek's all American restaurant-cum-dance club has now gone a little more up-market, but wild nights are still to be had. Dig in to a kilo of chicken wings and then hit the dance floor. $$$
Hollywood* (Druzhba/Sovietskaya)
As you would probably guess, decorated with movie posters, photos of cinema icons and a bunch of American kitsch. Hollywood is popular with a younger crowd and is usually packed from mid-evening onwards. A fun place for a few drinks before heading off to the clubs. $$
Metro* (133, Chui)
In the impressive location of a former theatre, Metro remains the premiere drinking hole for ex-pats. A high ceiling, a long bar and friendly staff compliment a good Tex-Mex menu and a wide selection of drinks. Metro is one of the best bets for catching sporting events on TV, although thanks to the hideously late kick off times for Champions League football matches, don't count on the staff waiting up unless it's a big one. $$$
New York Pizza (177, Kievskaya)
Call 0312 664871 for takeaway orders
Decorated with pictures of the Big Apple and serving a fine selection of steaks and other American themed dishes, NYP is sure to get New Yorkers thinking of home. Also serves what many believe to be the best pizza in town. $$$
Armenian
Landau (Manas/Gorky)
Fancy something a little different? If you can tolerate the arthritic service, Landau isn't a bad spot for a pork steak or some other Armenian culinary goodies. Also, treat yourself to some decent Armenian conjac whilst your here, you'll never go near Bishkek conjac again. Ever. $$$
Ak Bata (108, Ibraimova)
This place must serve up pretty authentic dishes as it's almost always full of Chinese playing mah-jong and waving their chopsticks about. Smoky and stuffy, but in a nice way. $$
Chuchuara Hoga (117, Chui)
With
this Chinese restaurant, a little out of the way and rarely visited by
tourists, you really feel that you're getting the real deal. Request a hoga (your
own personal Chinese boiling-pot) and randomly select a variety of
unusual chinese delicacies to throw in. Beware of the 'spicy' sauce,
although delicious it may leave delicate stomachs in some distress
several hours later - consider the 'not-spicy' sauce as a suitable
alternative. $$
Peking Duck I & II (Sovietskaya/Druzhba & Chui/Togolok Moldo)
Call 0312 660372 for takeaway orders
Huge portions to feed even the biggest of gluttons and an english language menu that provides plenty of amusing translations. Dancing occasionally kicks off on more raucous evenings in the Sovietskaya establishment. We recommend the chicken gun bo with peanuts and the golden mushroom salad. $$
Dungan
Hui Min (Relocated to the Hotel Dostuk - Pravda/Frunze)
A former favourite, we have been told that Hui Min has now relocated to the Hotel Dostuk. Apparently the menu has been revamped and the prices increased. The Spektator will be checking it out soon. We hope they still serve the special Dungan tea, as it's rather good.
Georgian
Mimino (27, Kievskaya)
Mimino is nice, cosy and serves up bowl-fulls of steaming, hearty Georgian fare with pomegranate seeds a-plenty. We recommend the Georgian cheese bread and anything that’s served in a pot. Watch out for an Uncle Joe look-a-like at the door. $$$
German
Steinbrau* (5, Gerzena)
Don your beer drinking trousers and head down to Bishkek’s take on a Bavarian-style beer hall. They brew their own stuff - such a relief from the insipid bilge that’s normally sold as lager. Compliment your pint with a plate of German sausage with sauerkraut. $$$
International
2x2* (Isanova/Chui)
Trendy drinking hole with a circular bar and friendly staff . A good place for knocking back a few pre-nightclub cocktails. Slouch into one of the comfy lounge seats and try to look cool. $$$
Avant Gard (127, Sovietskaya)
We’re not so sure what’s so avant garde about Avant-Gard. They put candles on the tables in the evenings, but there is a distinct lack of Parisian Bohemians. Still, the food is fine and the relaxed ambiance means AG is a good place for a conversation, or a debate on existentialism. $$
Bacardi* (Togolok Moldo 17/1 round the back of Spartak Stadium)
Elite lounge bar affair with seperate rooms for dining, dancing and whiling the night away smoking hukkah pipes. Urban groove played at a reasonable volume and a full menu that includes a host of tasty platters $$$$
Beatles* (Sovietskaya/Gorky)
A bar to make Bishkek scousers feel at home. Beatles is a popular hang out with live music on most nights and occasional special events including a recent poetry contest, and regular art house movie evenings (in Russian). In the summer Beatles has a huge outdoor screen for sporting events. We recommend the great pork steaks served on a slab of wood with chopped onions and sauerkraut. $$
Blonder* (Pravda/Kulatova)
Blonder is the new brewery-restaurant to try out. Cavernous yet cosy inside, ther's decent blues every night, live football, Eurogrub and a good selection of ales. Regarding the latter we recommend 'Datski Shnaffer'. $$$$
Buddah Bar* (Akhunbaeva/Sovietskaya)
Call 0553 100000 for takeaway orders Like a Phoenix reborn from the ashes of the much missed Doka Pizza, Buddah Bar offers a taste of the East set in a Zen log cabin. Whilst the wisdom of rebuilding and relaunching a recently incinerated restaurant in a wooden house is questionable, there is no doubt that a lot of thought has gone into the menu which tempts the taste buds with some excellent Thai/Japanese inspired cuisine. The sushi is not bad at all, and if you are a little strapped, the stir fry noodle dishes (for around 150 som) make a great cheap lunch. Refined atmosphere, pleasant staff and wi-fi internet for 80 som per hour. Recommended. $$$
Captain Nemo’s (14, Togolok Moldo)
Small nautically themed restaurant with a selection of evocatively named dishes including ‘Fish from the ship’s boy’ and ‘Tongue from the boatswain’s wife’. Cosy wooden interior and porthole style windows create a hybrid underwater log cabin experience. Spirits, cocktails and a good business lunch. $$$
Coffee House (9, Manas & Togolok Moldo/Ryskulova) Treat yourself to some of the finest coffee and cakes Bishkek has to offer at the imaginatively named ‘Coffee House’, a cosy boutique café with a European flavour. Curl up and read a book, or just drop in for a caffeine hit and a chocolate fix. $$$
Concord (Alatoo Square)
Waiting staff dressed as airline stewards and an interior featuring some aeronautical paraphernalia attempt to lend a little glamour to this small diner just off Ala-too Square. Good, cheap food and further deals for lunch during midweek make this a popular spot during the daytime. $$
Cosmo Bar* (Sovietskaya/Moskovskaya)
Board the sweet smelling elevator, ascend to the top-floor Cosmo Bar and splash the cash with your fellow free-spending cosmonauts. Elegant interior, plush sofas, fancy drinks and pretty waitresses. Huzzah! $$$$
Crostini (191, Abdrahmanova in the Hyatt Hotel)
Situated in the Hyatt Regency, this is a joint to be reserved for a high end business lunch or marriage proposal. Renowned chef Taner Erdemir serves up mouth watering international cusine, but at a price. $$$$
Dilinger* (Tynystanova/Gorky)
Glamorous VIP complex including a restaurant, bar, apartments and casino . A decadently decorated and peculiarly endearing homage to the notorious bank robber - we're sure he would appreciate it. $$$$
Live Bar* (Kulatova/Pravda - near Ibiza club )
24 hour sports bar with live music at weekends. Plenty of leather couches provide the ideal place to sip cocktails whilst watching the Champions league at 3 in the morning. $$
Doka Pizza* (153, Kievskaya)
More sexed up than its Akhunbaeva sister bar (that burned to the ground), there’s a strip bar downstairs, Doka Kievskaya is often a post-party chillout venue for Bishkek’s young, rich kids. Enjoy the good food, the lively vibe, and the coquettish waitresses – just don’t break your beer glass, there’s a stiff fine. Also non-stop. $$$
Fatboy’s* (Chui/Tynastanova)
Civilised, friendly cafe bang in the middle of town and a popular ex-pat meeting point. Sensible spot for conversation, but if you’re alone there’s a minilibrary to peruse (although literary classics are thin on the ground). Check out the American pancakes for breakfast, top marks. $$$
Four Seasons (116a, Tynystanova)
One of the poshest places to eat out in Bishkek. Elegant, yet modern interior and polite service. Great place to splash out on a special occasion or just for the hell of it. $$$$
Jumanji (Behind the Circus)
It's strange. This place is decorated with fake jungle foliage and is based on a crap kids' film - yet it still sort of works. You also get to roll a par of Jumanji dice before you order for the chance to win a mystery prize. We like this. $$$
Griffon (Microregion 7)
A cosy log cabin affair with a large meat-roasting central fireplace. On one disturbing occasion the waiting staff were about as plesant as a bunch of chavs, but hopefully that was a passing phase. $$$
Jam* (179, Toktogula)
An underground oasis of cool. Jam is a cafe with a full menu and a lounge bar atmosphere, open till 3am. $$$$
Lounge Bar* (338a, Frunze)
One of our favourite places to drink in the Summertime, when we can afford it. Outdoor balcony-cum-terrace high above the street with slouchcouches and fine veiws of the circus - which you can sometimes smell in the summer. Nice. $$$
Meri (33, Gorkova)
In the summer months, Meri has one of the prettiest dining areas in Bishkek. International cuisine served 24 hours a day, more lively nights see jiving on the dance floor to all your favourite Kyrgyz pop tunes. $$$
Navigator (103, Moskovskaya)
A pricey, but pleasant place to while away an afternoon. Sit in the bar area over a beer or lounge in the airy non-smoking conservatory. Attentive service and a refreshing selection of salads, a good place for a light, healthy lunch when fat and grease are getting you down. $$$$
U Mazaya (Behind ‘Zaks’ on Sovietskaya near the Sovietskaya/Frunze intersection)
Possibly Central Asia’s only rabbit themed restaurant. Descend into this underground warren and tuck in. Also check out both the fairy-light adorned flagship U Mazaya in Asenbai micro region, and the brand spanking new U Mazaya on Almatinskaya/Chui. $$$
Sky Bar* (Razzakova/Moskovskaya)
Sky bar opened only recently on the eleventh floor of a highrise but already seems to have taken off - popular with a trendy crowd on most evenings. The windows offer fine views of the city - although wouldn't it have been better if they had been built facing the mountains rather than the grey sprawl of Bishkek? Decent food, even if the menu isn't overly adventurous. $$$
Stary Edgar’s* (15, Panfilova)
The concrete monstrosity of the Russian Theatre conceals one of Bishkek’s finest attempts at a cosy basement bar. Friendly staff, a decent menu and a collection of old bits and bobs decorating the walls make Edgar’s an attractive alternative to the city’s mainstream cafés. A blues band plays most nights and a pianist adds a romantic ambience on some Sunday evenings. $$$
Vavilon (Microregion 7)
Finely presented dishes, reasonably priced beer (60 som) genuinely friendly and attentive service and a music playlist that mixes up a bit of soul, jazz, swing and classical tracks played at just the right volume. Live music from 8-ish onwards most evenings. Definitely worth the trek out to the suburbs (tell your taxi driver to turn left at the yuzhniy vorota and head towards Asenbai for about 1.5km) $$$
Veranda* (Gorky/Soviet. Vefa Centre roof)
Wow, what a view. Eat rather decent international cuisine whilst taking in a superb view of the mountains from the 4th floor terrace above the Vefa centre. Great for outdoor summer dining. $$$$
Wooden Bar (Sovietskaya/Skrabina)
Tucked away at the back of a residential block, Wooden Bar is easy to miss. More restaurant than bar, the rustic interiors and pleasant staff make this a fine place for a quiet meal, and a pleasant change from more brash locales. European style menu. $$$
Indian
The Host (Sovietskaya/Frunze)
A varied and interesting menu including fine Indian food make this place a real treat. On midweek days there are also several excellent business lunch deals offering soup, salad, main course and dessert for 250-350 som. A stand out Spektator favourite! $$$$
Italian & Pizza
Adriatico (219, Chui)
Classy restaurant serving great pizza. Professional service and a fine selection of pasta dishes. $$$$
Bella Italia (Chui/Maladaya Gvardia)
Adriatico's former Italian chef, Walter, has moved homes and is now serving a practically identical range of dishes at this spot just behind October Cinema. Enjoy the best pizza in town, gnocci and other typical Italian numbers, washed down with a palatable house red (600 som/litre) $$$$
Cyclone (136, Chui)
Smart Italian restaurant with plush interior, efficient, polite serving staff and a warm atmosphere to alleviate Bishkek’s winter chills. Pasta dishes stand out among a menu of traditional Italian favourites. $$$
Dolce Vita (116a, Akhunbaeva)
Call 0312 543984 for takeaway orders
Cosy Italian restaurant with smiling waitresses serving excellent thin crust pizza. Also serves salads and European cuisine. Small terrace outside for summertime dining. $$
Imperia (116a, Akhunbaeva)
Call 0312 510707 for takeaway orders
Not an Italian, but a pizza joint in Vefa offering fabulous views of the mountains from its panorama widows. Sadly the staff play dance music at volumes dangerous to one's hearing which in turn attracts hordes of idiot teenagers - avoid this by taking advantage of their home delivery service. $$$
Japanese
Aoyama (93, Toktogula)
Elegant sushi joint frequented by serious looking suited-types concluding their latest dodgy deals. The food’s excellent though - if you can scrape together enough soms. $$$$
Watari (Shevchenko, Frunze)
A small Japanese-owned restaurant that serves sushi as well as dishes with a more indian flavour. The refined atmosphere makes it ideal for a business meeting or just a sophisticated night out. $$$
Fusion Cafe (Vefa food court - Gorky/Sovietskaya)
Call 0312 510707 for takeaway orders
Decent (for Bishkek standards) Japanese cuisine, although a noisy food court atmosphere. Good take away options. $$$
Korean
Petel (52, Zhykeeva Pudovkin)
Operating in the back room of a Korean family’s house, this is Korean style home-cooking at its most personal. Closed on Sunday. Ring: 0543 922539 $$
Santa Maria (217, Chui)
Plush Korean restaurant offering Eastern favourites, including exciting Korean barbecues where you get to cook your own dinner, plus an extensive European menu. $$$
Mexican
Mexican Cantina (Chui 158 next to the Chui/Isanova intersection and the UN building)
Call 0312 610823 for takeaway orders
Homemade Mexican food including Tacos, Burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, pesoli and menudo. Free chips and salsa, 60 som for a sangria, and American grill specials on Friday and Saturday. Home delivery also available. $$$
Moldovan
Restaurant Moldova (Kievskaya/Turusbekova)
If it's been a while since you last went out for a Moldovan, this wooden paneled, sturdy tabled eatery may be the answer to your prayers. Also, the Moldovan embassy is next door should you care to find out more about the world's favourite budget wine exporting nation. $$$
Regional/Central Asian
Arabica* (Mederova/Tynystanova)
This formerly sophisticated laid back shisha pipe bar has moved to a new location and the Spektator doesn't approve. By the looks of the bath in the toilets, may still be under development so it may be worth giving it a look after a month or two. Three floors, VIP rooms, shisha pipes a plenty. $$$
Jalalabad (Togolok Moldo/Kievskaya)
Basically the cheapest food (that won’t give you gut rot) in the centre of town. While it should stand out for its fresh lagman, Jalalabad is sometimes overlooked. Probably at its best in summer, when the shashlyk masters flanking the entrance offer their creations straight to guests sitting at Eastern-style tables – cross your legs and see how long you can last before cramp sets in. $
Arzu - I (Togolok Moldo, next to the stadium)
Offers a hearty selection of Kyrgyz and European dishes and a homely atmosphere. It’s probably a little too chilly for al fresco dining these days, but there’s also a great outdoor terrace. $$
Arzu - II* (on Sovietskaya just south of the Lev Tolstoy bridge)
Twenty-four hour joint that’s a godsend for those who get cravings for lagman or manty at four in the morning. Sometimes smoking isn’t allowed, sometimes it is, however the food and prices are constantly pretty good. Comfy booth style seats to dig yourself into after a heavy night. $$
Faiza (Jibek Jolu/Mira)
Possibly the best place to munch traditional grub in town. Their fried pelmeni and manti are so good they have often run out by dinner-time. Save an appetite and go early. $$$
Forel (Vorentsovka village)
Twenty minutes outside of Bishkek, Forel is a fish-based 'relaxation centre' set amongst babbling streams and offering fine views of the mountains. Fish your own trout out of a pool and have it deep fat fried for your pleasure. Only salads, bread, tea and juice are sold on site but you are welcome to bring and booze or garnish you desire. It's also possible to rent a BBQ. To get there take a taxi to Vorentsovka village and, if your driver doesn't know the place, ask a friendly looking local. Trout is 800som/kilo. $$$
Despite the name, you’ll be lucky to see one on the waitresses face. Nevertheless, if it’s decent cheap food you’re after, this isn’t a bad place to look. The eggs are just as good as those at Fatboys next door, and half the price. Think about it. $
Russian & Ukrainian
Pirogoff -Vodkin (Kievskaya/Togolok Moldo)
Classy restaurant with a turn of the 20th century atmosphere serving Russian specialities. $$$
Khutoryanka (Sovietskaya/Lev Tolstoy bridge - situated on the town side of the bridge on Sovietskaya St.)
Unassuming, to put it mildly, on the outside, this place is a revelation on the inside. Delicious food, reasonable service, Ukrainian brass band music on the CD player. We love it! $$$
Taras Bulba (Just west of the Yuzhniy Vorota at the end of Sovietskaya Street towards the mountains)
Like all the Ukrainian restaurants we've tried in Bishkek, Taras Bulba serves great food. We liked the potato pancakes with caviar, the delicious soups and fresh salads. $$$
Zaporyzhia (9, Prospect Mira)
Recently opened, Zaporyzhia is a cossack flavoured restauraunt in a varnish-scented log cabin. Hearty rustic dishes and a homely atmosphere. Recommended! $$$
Uighur
Karavan (Almatinskaya/Chui)
Excellent canteen full of timeless regional favourites. Being a Uighur restaurant its gero lagman and lagman po uighurski (noodle, mean and vegetable dishes) are particular stand outs. No smoking, sit, eat and leave. $
Turkish
Aria (27, Sovietskaya - near the Druzhba intersection)
Restaurant serving Turkish and European cuisine, kalian/hookah pipes, and private banqueting rooms. Frequented by a younger crowd. Hotel and Thai massage parlour in the same complex. $$
Carlson (166, Sovietskaya)
Nice outdoor seating area and hearty food - but the Karaoke singers are an aquired taste. $$
Huzar (Kievskaya/Togolok Moldo)
Free lipyoshki bread, and good affordable Turkish cuisine. Popular with the expatriate Turkish community. $$
Ibrahim (Gorkova/Oshskaya)
Several dining rooms including private booths and a covered outdoor terrace with an extravagant waterfall fountain to help you keep cool while tucking into your kebabs in the summer. $$
Istanbul (48, Chui)
Discretely tucked away on Chui Prospekt, Istanbul is a low key cafe offering tasty Turkish cuisine. Puff away on a hookah pipe or slurp lentil soup to your heart’s content, all at a nice price. $$
Konak (Sovietskaya/Gorkova)
Call 0312 591433 for takeaway orders
This Turkish joint used to be ‘Restaurant Camelot’ hence the incongruous suits of armour in the back room, and the rather crappy castle facade. However, the food is often great, the salads are large and fresh, and the staff are always pleasant. Recommended! $$
Yusa (Logvinenko/Bokonbaeva)
Apart from boasting the chef with the most extravagant facial hair in the city - a great big bushy white beard/twirled moustache combo - Yusa also offers cracking Turkish food. Everything is tasty, but you should definitely try the Iskander - lashings of meat served with yoghurt and a tangy tomato sauce. $$$
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