Osh Restaurants, Teahouses and Cafes: Best Places to Enjoy the Local Cuisine
I wrote extensively about Osh being the food capital of Kyrgyzstan. But where can you enjoy the city’s culinary masterpieces? Of course, at local favorite places (People’s places, as I call some of them)! Here is my pick of the best spots in different categories. First, you will find the list of true people’s places, where the food is great, and the buildings are packed with people. Then you will find the categories by food and special spots for them, but in between, you will see the people’s places again in these lists. So, without further ado, let’s go and eat some food.
People’s places
Semeyniy (123, Shakirov St.)
Translated as “Familial,” this place lives up to its name and is truly a people’s place. Almost all national dishes here are good. On Thursday, you can order here: samsa, laghman, manty, and kebab. Interestingly, Semeyniy also offers good international dishes, but people usually order from the local staff.
Located across the street from Semeyniy, this is another pick for the people’s place. It offers both domestic and international cuisine. Order anything, local or imported, and you won’t be disappointed. On the third floor of Uluk-Ata, you can go for Turkish cuisine. The same owner owns the cafe to the right. It is called Buka (“bull” in Turkic languages) and specializes in meat-based dishes.
Almaz canteen (272/1, Lenin Ave)
People’s favorite canteen serving dishes of local cuisine, and what became local during the Soviet era. You will find carb-heavy dishes, such as “Beefshteks,” and Russian dishes, such as borsch.
First, this place doesn’t share the same name. So don’t count on a discount. Secondly, it is one of the most popular food spots in Osh. Their signature dish is ribs fried and stewed. They also offer decent kebabs, traditional cuisine, and a variety of European dishes.
Cafe Islambek (143, Lenin Ave)
Located next to Atabek Cafe, Islambek is another favorite among locals for its national and European cuisine.
Overall, a great restaurant with national and international dishes.
Where to Eat Plov?
Plov is a dish made of rice, meat, and several vegetables and spices. These ingredients are fried, boiled, and steamed. Plov is available throughout Central Asia, and while the ingredients and cooking techniques are all similar for the most part, Osh plov is different and superior to other versions (Yes, I said it!!!).
Serves various types of plov and a few other dishes that require advance pre-ordering. It is also located near the Dostuk checkpoint. Thus, it is a good stop before heading to (or coming from) Uzbekistan.
Farkhad Plov Center (83, Mamyrov St.)
One of the oldest plov favorites among locals.
Karavan (84a2, Zakirova St.)
In addition to great plov, Karavan can offer a table with great views of the city if booked in advance.
A place where plov comes with an atmosphere, as it is located among tall trees and not far away from Osh’s main river, Ak-Buura
Semeyniy (123, Shakirov St.)
One of the few places where Osh-style plov is served in portions. While it is not the best way to enjoy it (it is better to order in kilos), it is still quite decent.
Where to Eat Lagman?
Lagman is a dish of handmade noodles in a hearty broth. The dough for noodles is prepared from flour, vegetable oil, and salt. The soup consists of meat, bell peppers, tomato paste, celery, cabbage, and spices. If you sample Lagman in Osh, I recommend the classic Uyghur Lagman. It is a golden middle between all other variants.
The oldest place serving a great lagman
Laghman Padyshasi (165/5, Lenin Ave.)
The name speaks for itself, meaning the King of Lagman. They serve different types of this noodle stew. I recommend going after classic Uyghur Lagman.
Gulnaz and Semeyniy (from people’s places)
Simply a good lagman
Address: 21/1a, Masaliev avenue (Gulnaz); 123, Shakirov street (Semeyniy)
Where to Eat Samsa?
Samsa is made of dough stuffed with meat and vegetables. In Osh, you mostly find samosa filled with meat and onion, potato, or pumpkin. However, the cooking technique for Osh samosa is quite different. Nowadays, while most countries use electric ovens, Osh-style samosas are still baked in a tandoor. Tandoor refers to the traditional clay oven.
Means “Afghan”. Not because the founder is of Afghan nationality. But he is probably a Soviet-Afghan War veteran. It is located on the edge of Osh, but a taxi trip is worth it, as they serve the best MEGA huge samsa. If it is too large for you, they also offer smaller options.
This spot is in the same location as Afghanets and similarly serves good samsa in various sizes.
With a better location in downtown Osh, Aydar-Ata offers good tandyr samsa and some other national and foreign dishes.
Semeyniy (123, Shakirov St.)
With a better location in downtown Osh, Aydar-Ata offers good tandyr samsa and some other national and foreign dishes.
Where to Eat Manty (Dumplings)?
Manty is a Central Asian variation of dumplings. Their consistency is similar to that of a samosa; however, they differ in shape and are steamed in water (rarely fried). In most cases, manty is served with a tomato-pepper sauce or with sour cream. Depending on the time of year, you can find different Central Asian variations of manty.
Oybek Mantykana (362, Kurmanjan-Datka St.)
The most popular place to enjoy manty, mayda-manty (mini-manty), and green dumplings. The place was a true people’s place, but after expanding and switching to self-service, it lost some of its followers.
Mayda-manty (590, Kurmanjan-Datka St.)
Probably the most welcoming, friendly, and atmospheric cafe for dumplings and some rare dishes, like chickpea stewed in sheep fat (believe it is delicious).
5-manty (87, Kurmanjan-Datka St.)
Popular among students for serving good dumplings quickly and at a reasonable price.
Despite its location, it is a popular place to grab dumplings in larger amounts.
Where to Eat Shashlyk (kebab on skewer)
Shashlyk will be adored by meat lovers, as it consists only of meat on a skewer. This dish is truly special due to its grilled flavor and the meat's tenderness. The tenderness comes from overnight marination. The meat is cut into cubes and added to a compound of onions, herbs, and spices. The next day, the marinated meat is threaded onto skewers and grilled over a coal fire.
Kebab-Saray (473, Kurmanjan-Datka St.)
True meat lovers, don’t you dare to miss this place and its kebabs if you are coming to Osh. Lamb, beef, chicken, minced lamb, minced beef, mushroom, liver, and many other kebab varieties are available here. Also, I highly recommend their shakarap (tomato, onion, and basil salad) and suzma (dense, strained yogurt).
This people’s spot has great kebabs. Go for them even if you’ve ordered something else already.
Where is the Best Coffee?
Osh is a tea city. But it is also modern, and there are true coffee fans here. Here are some options for coffee enthusiasts.
Brio cafe (211, Kurmanjan-Datka St.)
The best coffee in Osh. Approved by my Italian and French guests. You won’t find the national dishes here. But if you are tired of eating Central Asian dishes in a row and want to take a break from local food, come to Brio.
One of Bishkek’s popular coffee shops has a branch in Osh. Sierra offers good coffee and dishes (Mexican, for example), which are hard to find elsewhere.
Best Foreign Cuisines
Tsarskiy Dvor (324B/2, Lenin Ave.)
With a great location in the city center, under centuries-old sycamore trees, Tsarskiy Dvor is atmospheric and offers decent cuisine.
Dolce-Vita (108a, Shakirov St.)
It is the best Italian restaurant in Osh. Yes, it is the only one, but it is still the best. Try to get a table on their balcony. Very atmospheric, especially during the summer evenings.
Ethno-cafe (212/1, Lenin Ave.)
Perfectly located in downtown Osh, under majestic trees, with comfortable tables, great service, and great food. And within walking distance of the best hotels in Osh.
Good cuisine and great design.
Where are the best desserts?
Kulikovskiy (209, Kurmanjan-Datka St.)
It is a nationwide confectionery that usually has tables inside where you can enjoy cakes, pies, and decent coffee.
One of the best cakes in Osh. They usually don’t have tables, so grab a cake and go back to your place.
Macaron by Sabina T. (302, Lenin Ave.)
Just give them $17 and receive a box of delicious macarons in various flavors and fillings. Works well as a truce offer when your significant other is angry at you.