Almaty may have ceded its capital status to the younger and glitzier city of Nur-Sultan, but it remains the breakfast capital of Kazakhstan, with stylish cafes serving excellent eats and great coffee. Check out our top picks here!
Aroma café
Located in the historical Golden Quarter of downtown Almaty, Aroma is a must-visit spot for breakfast lovers. Its menu features a good range of loose-leaf teas, French desserts and hearty Middle Eastern breakfast sets. If you are here with a companion, try the breakfast set for two, which includes homemade pita bread, humus, chicken pate, baked veggie caviar and feta cheese – definitely a good meal to start the day. Egg lovers will appreciate the Turkish poached eggs with flatbread and labneh, a thick and creamy Middle Eastern style yoghurt.
Expect to pay about $25 for the breakfast set for two, and $5 for homemade granola served with mango yogurt.
Horoshiy God
Located right in the city centre, Horoshiy God is a relatively new entrant to Almaty’s restaurant scene. But its contemporary decor and menu has won it many fans. You will find freshly baked bread, millet porridge with caramel pumpkin as well as syrniki, a popular cottage cheese pancakes in post-Soviet countries, on its breakfast menu. The café also serves a good range of teas and coffee, and those who don’t take dairy have the option of soy milk or coconut milk.
Expect to pay about $7 for vanilla pancakes with sour cream and $3 for a latte.
Сafeteria 2.0
Another favourite among locals, Cafeteria 2.0, with its small cosy tables and fresh homemade bakes, is a cross between a Parisian bakery and an Italian pastry shop. Its all-day breakfast menu includes savoury options such as shakshuka with sausages, chili con carne, poached eggs and grilled baguette, as well as sweet pancakes and granola bowls. On weekdays from 8am to 9am, the café serves free croissant with every order of coffee.
Prices start from $6 for a granola bowl, and $9 for the shakshuka.
Afisha
When the owners of Afisha established the restaurant, they had a simple philosophy: to offer food that brings comfort and happiness to diners. And this approach is evident when you glance through their menu, which offers classic dishes with a twist. For breakfast, try the meat pie with whipped cream mascarpone with herbs. Those who prefer a sweet breakfast can try the buckwheat porridge with nuts and berries, or the curd mousse with dulce de leche, fresh persimmons, tangerines and pumpkin seeds.
Expect to pay about $10 for the meat pie, and $6 for the curd mousse.
Vanilla
This chic café done up in Scandinavian style offers items that are friendly on the wallet. It also offers the usual breakfast favourites such as avocado and poached eggs on toast, and granola bowls topped with fresh fruits.
Breakfast prices vary from $4 to $10, and coffee costs just $2.
Honey Honey
Located just a short walk away from the Esentai River, Honey Honey is the perfect spot to enjoy your breakfast, especially on good weather days. Try their signature syrniki and poached eggs with guacamole, traditional smoothie bowls, as well as pancakes and omelette.
Honest Coffeehouse
This coffeehouse offers a good plant-based selection on its menu, catering to vegan and vegetarian customers. It also has a good variety of syrniki as well as specialty coffee, such as the non-alcoholic Irish cream coffee and tiramisu coffee – a real treat for breakfast!