A nice place to go north of the Ichim. Comfortable sofas around low tables, ...Read more
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TimetableKazakhstan does not have the tradition of the small café or tea room where you can relax with friends. Chaikhanas, the traditional teahouses, are usually the haunts of aksakal, the "white beards", who play backgammon or watch the world go by around them; but apart from that, you generally sit down at mealtimes, eat and that's it. It's only in the cities that a few cafés (notably the Coffee Boom chain) have sprung up, where students and families gather for a bite to eat. But all these establishments generally also offer catering services. Numerous in Almaty and Astana, they are spreading to the country's medium-sized towns, but have yet to appear in provincial villages.
Budget & TipsBars catering to expat customers in Almaty or Astana are obviously more expensive than others. Imported beers, Western-style burgers and snacks are charged at full price. Elsewhere, a Kazakh or Russian beer with local nibbles will only cost you a handful of euros.
Age restrictionsAlcohol is banned from sale to minors, but checks are far from frequent. Please note that the alcohol tolerance when driving is 0 grams.
SmokersWhile establishments everywhere have gone smoke-free, small provincial establishments haven't always seen the light of day. And whatever happens, many restaurants, pubs and chaikhanas have terraces where you can indulge your vice more freely.