Places I would return to

Two sampled reviews praise Mona for tasty food, a beautiful interior, good service and a quiet atmosphere for meeting a friend.

One of two sampled reviews praises the taste and service; the other reports pieces of cream cheese in the matcha.

Two sampled reviews praise the rolls, Thai ramen, udon, pomegranate tea and attentive menu advice; a returning guest also says favorite dishes declined after a menu change.

Two sampled reviews mention a beautiful interior, broad menu, children’s playroom and polite service; one review is entirely about an attentive server.

Two sampled reviews describe a quiet, attractive coffee shop near the Botanical Garden with tasty food and helpful service; the coffee receives specific praise.

Two sampled reviews praise the taste, reasonable prices, frequent new items and quick service; a seasonal cherry mocha was a particular favorite.

One of two sampled reviews praises the filling, unusual food; the other, from a returning guest, reports smaller portions and excessive fat in a dish.

Both sampled reviews focus on the warm, caring welcome, with guests separately thanking an administrator and a server for attentive service.

Two sampled reviews praise the coffee, food, friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere.

Two sampled reviews describe a stylish, cozy lounge with low-volume music, good food and quick, attentive service; one also praises the signature cocktails.

Two sampled reviews praise the tasty food and desserts, Nutella pastry, reasonable prices and welcoming staff who help with the choice.

Two sampled reviews praise the quiet work-friendly atmosphere, coffee, fresh unusual pastries and experimental drinks; one guest notes that the packaging softens the toast.

Two sampled reviews praise tasty dishes, quick serving and attentive service; one also mentions freshness, good portions and a cozy atmosphere.

Two sampled reviews praise the friendly service and calm, cozy atmosphere; one visitor specifically notes the round-the-clock opening hours.

Two sampled reviews praise the desserts and drinks, including a bubble dessert, ginger-raspberry tea, berry lemonade and a chocolate cookie.

Two sampled reviews praise the meat, tasty food, quiet cozy setting and quick service with clear menu guidance.

Both sampled reviews especially praise the khinkali; one also notes excellent service, while the other recommends the tenderloin with tkemali sauce.

Two sampled reviews praise the tasty food and quick preparation; one guest specifically highlights the kiwi-lime lemonade and high level of service.

Two sampled reviews praise the beautiful atmosphere, tasty national cuisine and quick preparation.

Two sampled reviews praise the cozy national-style interior, tasty fresh food and strong service; baursaks and tandoor samsa receive specific mention.

Two sampled reviews praise the tasty food; one guest also notes the clean, cozy interior, attractive presentation and good service.

One of two sampled reviews praises the large portions, quick service and accessible prices; the other reports a 40-minute wait and perceived unequal treatment of guests.

Reviews often praise the large rolls, taste, and cosy interior. There are clear caveats too: some visitors mention service, waiting, and uneven value for money.

The small sample praises the food, atmosphere, and attentive service, including help with the menu.

Visitors describe a cosy atmosphere, tasty food, karaoke, and polite staff. The sampled reviews are mostly short and positive, with no specific recurring complaint.

Reviews praise the spacious, clean setting, food, and atmosphere. One caveat separates the good dine-in food from weak delivery and disappointing rice.

Reviews most often mention tasty, filling ramen, large portions, custom toppings, and a cosy anime atmosphere. Some visitors mention the small number of tables and waiting for an order.

Reviews praise the cosy interior, caring staff, and particular dishes. A concrete caveat is repeated in one sample: mixed-up drinks, a missed order item, and disappointing tea and risotto.

Visitors mention tasty food, coffee, a cosy setting, and attentive servers who help with choices.

Reviews praise the varied menu, large portions, quick service, working air conditioning, and polite staff; billiards also comes up.

My review from 15 August 2025 included a clear caveat: “rude staff, especially the administrator.” The place remains in my “Eat Almaty” collection, and I would return.

Reviews praise the sandwiches, generous meat, sauce, and relaxed atmosphere; the menu is seen as small but well chosen.

Visitors especially mention the pan-Asian food, homelike interior, music, and signature items such as karaage and teas.

Reviews praise the staff, individual dishes, and the venue for meetings and events. One visitor would like a wider choice of places inside the food hall.

Reviews praise the Korean selection, atmosphere, cleanliness, and helpful staff. One concrete caveat concerns a faulty hot plate and undercooked ramen in the cooking area.

The small sample mentions helpful cashiers, Korean products, and convenience. One caveat is that a visitor could not find the expected ready coffee and reports an unreliable late-night schedule.

Reviews praise the cleanliness, selection, staff, and atmosphere. One visitor specifically reports insects caused by an open door and a non-working air conditioner.

Reviews mention fresh products, polite staff, a cosy setting, and popularity with students. One practical caveat says the advertised 24-hour schedule is not always reliable.

Reviews praise the prices, noodles, selection, and the option to sit with ramen. Some visitors report rude treatment by individual sellers, so the experience may depend on the shift.

Reviews praise the food, freshness, attentive service, and warm welcome from the administrator. One concrete caveat is a visitor’s strong dislike of the live music.

Visitors praise the breakfasts, pizza, updated mushroom pizza, cosy atmosphere, and service.

Reviews praise the quiet atmosphere, Italian food, desserts, and attentive service. Caveats mention delivery, higher prices, and a less clear new menu.

Reviews praise fresh pasta, breakfasts, pizza, the atmosphere, and polite service; many visitors say they return. One caveat asks for more attentive work from servers.

Visitors describe it as a museum of Kazakh culture, praising the tour, storytelling around dishes, food, and hospitality.

Reviews praise coffee, cocktails, desserts, breakfasts, and service, with several mentions of the servers. A practical caveat is that terrace seating can be hard to find on weekends.

Reviews praise the warm atmosphere, burgers, cocktails, fresh dishes, and attentive service.

Visitors praise the lagman, large portions, and spacious dining room, with families returning for dinner. Some reviews report indifferent service; one guest was unhappy with how a dessert was served.

Reviews mention a calm, cosy setting, Italian food, pizza, and attentive service.

Visitors praise the coffee, matcha, food, clean cosy room, and attentive staff; one review highlights help with the wine list.

Georgian food. Very tasty: I liked the soup; the lula kebab, less so.

A nice, tidy teahouse with good staff. The plov gets 8/10; the tea is excellent.

I saved this in my notes: “Afanasyevich — a cool café, tasty.”

I saved this in my notes: “Vakhtanguri — tasty Georgian food.”