Travelling to Central Asia — Almaty in particular — might seem challenging not only in terms of time spent in the air and layovers, but also from a gastronomic perspective. However, while traditional cuisine may differ from what is commonly popular worldwide, Almaty is a large multicultural city with a wide variety of dining options.
International fast food
Your typical international fast-food chains — including KFC, Wendy’s, Burger King, Hardee’s and Popeyes — operate in Almaty. Notably, McDonald’s, which many expect to find everywhere in the world, used to serve customers in Kazakhstan but exited the market in 2023. Its legacy has been taken over by the I’m brand, whose menu still offers mostly the same burgers, French fries and nuggets, though under different names. One of its cafés is located about a 10-minute walk from Central Stadium, right behind one of the conveniently situated hotels.
Even if the names are the same, expect menus in these restaurants to differ slightly from what you are used to in your home country.
Local fast food
The most common type of street food in Almaty is doner — a Turkish-originated dish made of chicken or beef with vegetables and optionally French fries, wrapped in unleavened flatbread. You will find doner stalls and cafés almost everywhere you go.
The most popular local doner chains are Doner Na Abaya and Doner Na Satpyeva. Both names refer to their original locations — Abay Avenue and Satpayev Street — though their café networks have long expanded beyond those addresses. These venues are especially popular with locals, often drawing long lines in the evening after work.
The average bill at both chains is around $4.
If you are looking for something more authentic and closer to traditional Kazakh cuisine, but still in a fast-food format, try Bauyrdaq. Their menu features unique items such as burgers with horse meat or lamb liver, paired with French fries, pickled vegetables and meat broth. Well-known dishes such as beshbarmak and manti are also available. The chain is widely spread across the city.
All its restaurants share a unified design code, blending elements of traditional nomadic homes with touches of modern Kazakh culture.
The average bill is approximately $7.3.
Local cuisine
If you want to avoid fast food and you are ready to dive deeper into Central Asian cuisine, consider trying Qaimaq. Located near Central Stadium and decorated in refined Eastern style, the restaurant offers several variations of beshbarmak, including one made with sturgeon. The venue also features a garden and a terrace.
The average bill is around $46.
For something more than just food, you could visit Qymyz Bar, part of the recently opened Yurta Boutique Hotel & Restaurant complex near Republic Palace. The bar is dedicated to kumys (or kymyz) — the traditional Central Asian drink made from fermented mare’s milk. It offers 20 different varieties of kumys sourced from 11 regions across Kazakhstan, each with its own distinct level of fermentation, ranging from light to bold and well-aged. Tastings can be accompanied by a professional kumys sommelier, who will guide you through the choices and provide cultural insights into the drink.
The complex itself is furnished to resemble traditional nomadic dwellings, adding to the authenticity of the experience.
