Baku’s vibrant culinary scene explodes on its bustling streets and hidden alleys, where the aroma of sizzling meat mingles with the laughter of locals. Skip the “what to eat in Baku” lists and dive headfirst into a whirlwind of flavors, where melt-in-your-mouth doner kebabs, tantuni and various fast food burst with tradition in every bite. Become your own street food tour guru, navigating narrow lanes lined with friendly faces eager to share their secrets. Here is the list of fast food joints to uncover hidden gems, each a messy-fingered adventure waiting to happen in Baku (See the map at bottom of page).
1. Avtosh Döner
The story goes that youngster drivers waited to have streets fully empty until early morning to go drive crazy. They would treat themselves at this centrally located small doner joint, which is now the so-called ‘Avtosh Döner’ after the name given to those crazy drivers, open until very late. For some people that is the one and only döner joint in the town. Their service is really quick and only take-aways as there are no sit-ins. Bear in mind that their döners are a little greasy.
Döners from 3 azn, Drinks from 0.60 azn. Bül-Bül pr. +994553040202. Open all day.
2. Berlin Döner
They say that “Döners of Berlin, Germany are different kinds of döners.” Berlin Döner promises you that difference of taste. Just off Fountains Square, it locates on the corner of Nizami street next to Fisinjan restaurant. You can also treat yourself to a ‘business launch’ (döner, lentil soup and ayran) for just 5 azn from 12:00 pm to 15:00 pm. If you happen to pay a visit during the afternoon, then you get to deal with the local custom of standing in line and waiting for about 5-7 minutes.
Döners from 3.8 azn, Drinks from 1.4 azn. 1 Mizra Ibrahimov str. www.facebook.com/berlindonerbaku. Open Fri-Sat: 1130am-10pm, Sun: 10am-10pm.
3. Bir Iki Döner
Bir Iki Döner made almost all social media talk about them when they came up with the cool idea of serving free döners during some of the important public holidays. Their services are one of the most expensive döner joints in Baku. But still, that is one of the popular rebranded döner joints local people like to go to. The way their serve döner is of course fancy and they have quality döner, too.
Döners from 4.6 azn, Drinks from 1 azn. Yusif Mammadeliyev str. +994124989149. www.facebook.com/birikibaku. Open Fri-Sat: 1130am-10pm, Sun: 1230pm-10pm.
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5. Ajdaha Döner
Featured on Mark Wiens’s food blog, this legendary street vendor lives up to the hype in every sizzling bite. Baku’s true culinary magic unfolds at Köz Halil Usta Tantuni on 28 May. It will sure cast a delicious spell on yourtaste buds. Tender, juicy beef nestled in perfectly warmed lavash or bread, with just the right kick of chilies and a refreshing splash of lemon. Each bite was an explosion of savory goodness, a testament to the quality ingredients and skilled grilling
Tantuni from 4.9 azn, Drinks from 1 azn. 28 May Street. +994125984578. Open all day.
5. Ajdaha Döner
Ajdaha doner has a couple of joints around the city so easy to reach wherever you are in the city center. The staff is friendly and helpful. It has a couple of sit-ins in a small environment but is still tidy, clean, and nice. What is so specific is the use of local flavors such as herbs and vegetables in the döners they serve but in crusty bread. However, the taste of those flavors is a reflection of our everyday diet. They have döners for all kinds of customer budgets and rich, locals of foreigners.
Doners from 3.5 azn, Drinks from 1 azn. (a) Bül-Bül pr. 36B, (b)
Uzeyir Hajibayov 10. *7770 . www.facebook.com/ajdahadoner. Open 11am-11pm.
6. BORANI Tantuni Köfte Döner
It is a Turkish cuisine-oriented restaurant with fast food options, on the street at the edge of Fountains Square. It has tall transparent glass windows opening to one of the central streets with people rushing. The staff is friendly and quick to serve your order. Döner is served with soft bread. You can try tantuni, an alternative spicy Turkish fast food. You can even watch the cook preparing tantuni to be part of the experience.
Tantuni from 4.2 azn, Drinks from 1 azn. Yusif Mammadaliyev str.
7. Küçənin aşverənləri (Pilaf-Chicken)
Nestled amidst the bustling grandeur of Baku’s Fountains Square, lies a fast-food gem waiting to be discovered: “Küçənin aşverənləri“, meaning “Street Food Magicians.” With pilaf as their canvas and chicken as their brush, this charming eatery paints a delectable scene of Azerbaijani comfort food on a budget. It offers a delightful array of healthy street food delights made of rice, chichen, beens and cabbage pickles. A friendly atmosphere, the friendly chatter, and the shared tables where strangers become friends over steaming plates of pilaf.
Pilaf-Chihcek from 3 azn, Drinks from 1 azn. Fountains Square.
Updated 7 January 2024
Azerbaijan Traveller 