Start your food tour by indulging in the traditional Kazakh breakfast at Nauryz. This cosy little cafe serves freshly baked bread, jam, honey, cheese and other delicious delicacies, all made in-house. Don't miss trying their signature beverage, shubat, a fermented camel milk drink that pairs perfectly with your breakfast spread.
For lunch, head to Gosti, a stylish restaurant that serves traditional Kazakh and Central Asian cuisine with a modern twist. Try their lagman, a hearty noodle soup, or their signature dish, beshbarmak, which is made of boiled dough sheets, onions, and tender meat. Finish off with the mouth-watering Kazakh-style sweet treats like baursak or kurt.
To end the day on a high note, visit Mamaliga for dinner. This restaurant serves authentic Moldavian and Romanian cuisine, including their famous mamaliga, a traditional cornmeal dish similar to polenta, that you can pair with stew or grilled meat. Top it off with their delicious sweet cream cake, called placinta.
Start your day with brunch at Mr. Whiskey, known for its modern European menu and expansive whiskey collection. Try their signature dish, the Whiskey Benedict, and their black forest waffles, both of which are as delicious as they are photogenic.
For a casual lunch, visit Mad Murphy's Irish Pub, where you can enjoy classic Irish pub grub and a pint of beer. Try their fish and chips or their hearty shepherd's pie, which are both popular choices.
End your day by trying the traditional Russian cuisine at Olivier. They are known for their namesake salad, made of boiled potatoes, pickles, carrots and meat, topped with mayo. Try their popular mains, like pelmeni or beef stroganoff, and their Napoleon cake for dessert.
Start your final day with breakfast at Abajour, a cosy cafe that serves breakfast all day long. They have a variety of egg dishes, from Benedict to Shakshuka, and some amazing coffee to fuel you up for the day ahead.
For your last meal, savour the traditional flavors of Kazakh cuisine at Zheti Kazyna. The interior of the restaurant evokes the elegant nomadic life with its beautiful Kazakh carpets and decor. Order the quintessential Kazakh dish, besbarmak, which consists of boiled meat chunks on a bed of homemade pasta, or try the dainty manti dumplings filled with meat, pumpkin or potato. Finish your culinary adventure with the sweet and sticky qumyz syrup with nuts and cookies.
If you have more time, you can take a trip to the nearby Alma Arasan ski resort or explore the beautiful Kok Tobe hill offering stunning city skyline views. If you have less time, consider skipping Mamaliga or Mad Murphy's Irish Pub. Don't forget to sample the local beers, which are known for its refreshing taste and reasonable price at most places. Avoid using public transport during peak hours to beat the heavy traffic.