Did you know that there are over 100 different nationalities living in Baku? This makes for a wonderfully diverse culinary scene with something to appeal to everyone. There are some amazing restaurants here, and we’ve narrowed down our favorites to the ones below. Whether you’re craving some local Azerbaijani specialties, Turkish food, Georgian cuisine, or something else entirely, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Baku. So without further ado, let’s get started!
LaQuzu – Icheri Sheher (Inner/Old City)
Location: click here to see the location on Google Maps.
As you stroll around Icheri Sheher, you will find a lot of restaurants offering fantastic local dishes and most of them are designed in the traditional Azerbaijani fashion. Some of the most popular ones are Manqal, Sehrli Tandir and Tandir. We’ll talk more about these on another post but today, we would like to draw your attention to a (relative) newcomer: LaQuzu.
The name is a “Frenchified” version of the word “quzu” which means “lamb” in Azerbaijani so you can expect the menu is largely focused on meats. Fear not, our fellow vegetarians, there are still some vegetarian options!
You will be blown away by the selection of dishes at this restaurant. The appetizers and salads are enough to make your mouth water, but there is so much more than that! You can order them on a plate or grill – both choices provide delicious results with an amazing taste in every bite you take. And don’t forget about their oriental desserts – they’re sure not going anywhere anytime soon thanks to these sweet delights!.
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It’s not just about food, it has so much more to offer than that! From their elegant décor and warm atmosphere you can tell how much care goes into everything they do. As you sit on the terrace, surrounded by trees and with a lovely fountain in the center, you will feel that you are in one of Baku’s pleasant parks. The aroma of hot bread baking in front of your eyes will bring back memories of golden-crunchy bread from your happy youth.
LaQuzu is a fantastic place to stop by to refuel yourselves after our Baku City Tour.
Mari Vanna
Location: click here to see the location on Google Maps.
Mari Vanna is a chain of restaurants, offering traditional and modern dishes from the ex-Soviet countries. They have restaurants in Russia, USA, UK and Azerbaijan. I have personally visited all and I must say, the one in Azerbaijan stands as probably the best in terms of location, décor, cuisine and service. It’s more affordable, more spacious, better designed than all the rest. Of course, the service offered by our Azerbaijani hosting and waiting staff is outstanding – after all, the Azerbaijani culture highly values guest relations.
For many locals, it is an opportunity to travel back in time to our childhood and past. The décor brings back memories of our parents’/grandparents’ furniture and memorabilia. The menu has all the staples of traditional Soviet cuisine with some modern touches.
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The restaurant has a main area and also an inner courtyard called “dacha” which is styled in the form of a “summer house”. In many ex-Soviet countries, most people who live in the city also have a “summer house” which is located in the village, often passed down generation from generation. These are humble village homes that are used to cool down and get away from the city on holidays and weekends. This is the exact vibe you can feel as you rest in the care-free, laid back atmosphere, sipping on some Kvas (fermented cereal-based beverage) or traditional tea.
Our favorite dishes in this restaurant are the Khachapuri po Adjarski (a Georgian pastry with cheese and semi-cooked egg in the middle), borscht (beetroot soup) and Kotleti po Kievski (seasoned butter rolled up in breaded chicken breasts).
We recommend booking in advance as the restaurant is quite busy sometimes. If you need assistance with booking or getting there, contact us.
Passage 145
Location: click here to see the location on Google Maps.
I must say, I walked past Passage 145 many times before I actually stepped in. Each time I passed by, I wanted to check it out but I was usually busy running errands. Finally, I had the opportunity to dine in this restaurant and I must say – it was fantastic.
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The décor, like most restaurants in Azerbaijan, is on point. As the name suggests, it is designed to give the feel of early 20th century Baku. The cuisine is varied – mix of local and international favorites – and the service is quick and easy. Honestly, the experience you have in Passage 145 is what you make of it – it can be an eventful feast or quick, no-frills, meal.
The restaurant offers a wide variety of food that will satisfy any appetite, from juicy kebabs and dolma to pilaf. The ambiance here is one you can enjoy without having ever left the country- it’s just so immersive!
Closing Remarks
We hope you enjoyed our roundup of the some of the best restaurants in Baku! If you’re looking for a delicious meal, any of these spots will not disappoint. And if you’re curious about what else this city has to offer in terms of food, stay tuned – we’ll be releasing more posts soon. In the meantime, would you like us to recommend some places for you to eat? Let us know in the comments below or contact us directly if you want a custom recommendation!