Baku, with its diverse architectural styles, rich cultural heritage, and cosmopolitan vibe, stands as a testament to the blending of tradition and modernity. The city’s booming oil industry has not only attracted people from around the world but has also transformed it into the largest industrial hub in the South Caucasus. In recent years, Baku has emerged as a coveted destination for travellers seeking not only its allure but also its thriving culinary scene. With a wide range of international cuisines, including Turkish, Persian, Georgian, and, of course, Azerbaijani, Baku has become a mecca for food enthusiasts. In this article, we will guide you through the top restaurants in Baku, ensuring a memorable culinary journey during your visit.
Firuze Restaurant
Firuze Restaurant is one of the amazing places at Fountain Square. Although it locates in the basement, the interior design gives you oriental vibes with traditional wall decoration and carpets. It serves a great variety of local authentic Azerbaijani cuisine. The chef pay s visit to ask about the foods you’ve just tried. It is worth giving yourself a treat once during your visit by ordering pilaf (rice with topping), the king of all foods to the Azerbaijani People.
Mains from 9-15azn. Kebabs 8azn. Tarlan Aliyarbeyov street 14. +9940124939634. http://www.firuzerestoran.az/en. Open 12pm-1am.
Qaynana
Through the Double Gates (Gosha Gala Qapilari) and behind the historic twelfth-century Citadel Walls locates Qaynana Restaurant. That is another favorite of Baku’s high middle and high class. This would be the best place for breakfast with təndir çörəyi (tandir bread is cooked in a clay oven) to start your day in the most historic part of the city in environs of medieval and oriental spirit.
Mains from 8-12azn. Breakfast from 5azn. Kichik Gala street, Old Town. +994704340013. www.facebook.com/qaynanarestaurant. Open 8am-23pm.
Fisincan Cafe
Fisincan Kafe locates just on the edge of Fountains Square crossing busy Nizami street. It also has a nice terrace with transparent glass to observe everyday Bakuviens in their daily routine. It is an enjoyable place to try out traditional cuisine, an excellent choice would be fisincan plov, or chill out with a pint of local beer, Xırdalan, during summertime in Baku.
Mains from 7-11 azn. Xirdalan from 4 azn. Nizami Street 63. +994125949990. www.instagram.com/fisincancafe. Live Music every Mon-Fri. Open 10am-11pm.
Cafe City
With its terrace and indoor sit-ins, Cafe City blends breakfast options with traditional cuisine, an international food lifestyle, and healthy food with top-level service quality. It is a place your orders appear on your table as it is seen on the pages of the menu. Above all, you can have your dish taste the same all the time. It is an extremely satisfying place to stop by for dinner or supper. It is a little bit more expensive than some other places around Fountains Square, but it is worth every penny for all the delicious food or Saj for two people.
Mains from 10-20 azn. İslam Səfərli küç. 3. *1666. www.instagram.com/cafecitybaku/. Open 9am-12am
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Baku: traditional cuisine, street food, wine tasting and tea&sweet guided walking tour
Dolma Restaurant
Similar to Firuze, Dolma Restaurant is one of the nicest and tastiest places in Downtown Baku. As its name says, you can taste juicy, meaty, and steam-cooked dolma, one of the most popular traditional food of Azerbaijani Cuisine. Their menu lists just some of the best dishes of Azerbaijan cuisine when visiting Baku. They got 8 different dolma dishes as well as a list of vegetarian options (ajabsandal) to try that are from local food lifestyle. Dolma (dish) would very yummy choice for dinner.
Mains from 8-15 azn. Mammadamin Rasulzadeh street. +994556009909. www.instagram.com/dolma.restaurant/. Open 9am-12am
Shirvanshah Restaurant-Museum
Just 15 minutes walk from Fountains Square, Shirvanshah Restaurant-Museum is an excellent place in Baku because this place has turned the old historic bathhouse into a terrific restaurant. You find yourself back in the old times with the traditional oriental interior, and outfits of waiters, and even in meantime your time here, they offer a historical walking tour of this massive place. It serves all kinds of traditional dishes from different regions of Azerbaijan. Order basdirma kabab for best kebab options. Besides, do not miss live music and traditional dances every day after 8 pm.
Mains from 9-17 azn. Salatin Asgarova street. +994502420903. www.facebook.com/shirvanshahmuzeyrestoran/. Open 12am-12am
Art Club Restaurant
Art Club Restaurant presents itself as a state-of-the-art venue in the heart of Baku’s Old City to impress with traditional Azerbaijani hospitality. It has an irresistible atmosphere, delectable fare, and an impressive selection of traditional food, sweets, and local wine made of local grape varieties. It promises to deliver the highest quality, most satisfying dining experience that you’ve ever had in Old Town Baku. They have the best dushbara soup in the town. The service is impeccable, the ambience is cozy, and the food is top-notch in particular they have the best dushbara in Baku.
Mains from 12-25 azn. Asef Zeynalli street. +994704922013. www.instagram.com/artclub.az. Open 7.30am-11pm
Nakhchivan Restaurant
Nakhchivan Restaurant should be your go-to place if you want to avoid the crowds, and noise of the busy streets of Baku Downtown. You will enjoy modern interior design with bright colors that is masterfully combined with services of traditional Azerbaijani cuisine from the Nakhchivan region. Their bughlama tastes out this world. The food is amazing, and the service is quick and welcoming, which is quite hard to find nowadays.
Mains from 10-25 azn. Parlament Avenue 8A. +994555008558. www.facebook.com/NakhchivanRestaurant/ . Open 12pm-12am
Chayki Restaurant
Located on the coast of the Caspian Sea, Chayki Restaurant is one of the most beautiful points of interest to spend your special day. The Mediterranean and Hawaiian interior design with a view opening to the majestic Baku Bay and a panoramic view of the city’s skyline is second to none in Baku. The foods served are unique Azerbaijani cuisine and international food lifestyle and all are prepared and designed by chefs specifically for this place.
Mains from 15-30 azn. Neftçilər avenue 24/1. +994502946464. www.instagram.com/chaykirestaurant. Open 10am/12pm-12am
Updated 9 January 2023
Azerbaijan Traveller 
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