Surprisingly, there's a large cafe culture in Bishkek and it reflects the growing appreciation for quality coffee, drinks, delicious food, and a relaxed ambiance and atmosphere. I'm used to cafes in North America, where you order from a takeout counter and take your drink to go. There may even be a selection of different pastries, cookies, and sandwiches. But, cafes in Kyrgyzstan are quite different because, to me, they are a combination of a cafe and restaurant.
These cafes have a menu with classic cafe drinks such as coffees, teas, and lemonades but also dining options like pasta, salads, pizzas, and more. They even serve pastries, sandwiches, or light snacks. So, don't be alarmed if someone asks you to eat dinner at a cafe. Each cafe has its unique charm, but this is my list of the 5 best cafes in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Note that since I work remotely, I do favor cafes that are work, laptop-friendly, and have free Wi-Fi.
BEST CAFES IN BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN
1. Capito
Capito is my go-to cafe and they have four locations across Bishkek. My personal favorite is their location, address is Байтик Баатыра 1/4, because not only is it huge, but it has a beautiful interior design, comfortable seating, and a relaxed environment for me to take my laptop to do work. I've only had positive experiences here and the staff was quite attentive. They have a large menu with different breakfast or brunch options like classic breakfasts, eggs benedict, and shakshuka but also lunch, and dinner options like pizza, pasta, salads, and more. They have a menu in English, so that's a huge plus. They even bake their pastries in-house and my personal favorite are their croissants.
Capito Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capito.bishkek/
2. Flask Coffee
I actually don't drink coffee, but I've only heard positive things about Flask Coffee, which is located in the city center. They have a reputation for their great coffee, non-coffee drinks, and pastries. The cafe has a stylish interior and is a great spot to work, relax, or socialize with friends.
The founder of Flask Coffee is Korean, so have fusion dishes on their menu such as kimchi plov. They even have a location in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Flask Coffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flaskcoffee/
3. Bublik Cafe
A local favorite, Bublik Cafe is in the city center of Bishkek. You can savor delicious coffees, teas and enjoy a warm ambiance. It's easy to find tables and plugs for you to take your laptop and spend a couple of hours to work. They have delicious pastries like croissants, cakes, macarons and more! They even offer drinks with alcohol like cocktails and wine, so you can enjoy a chill evening at the cafe.
Bublik Cafe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ya_booblik/
4. Adriano Coffee
Adriano Coffee is a popular coffee shop chain and a popular spot for both locals and tourists looking for a nice cup of coffee. They have various locations across Bishkek, all differing in size, but the larger locations are cozy and some have large outdoor sittings. I've only experienced great service and they have delicious ice teas and pastries. They even have an English menu available!
Adriano Coffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriano_coffee/?hl=en
5. Biscuit Coffeeshop
Biscuit is located in the southern part of Bishkek, and the coffee shop has high-speed Wi-Fi, ample charging outlets, and a cozy atmosphere. Their menu boasts a variety of delicious drinks such as fresh pressed juice which is one of my favorites, coffees, and teas. I come here often for brunch since they have food options like salads, pastas, and sandwiches but I do find their portion size to be quite small. They also have baked pastries, breads, and desserts such as bento cakes, macarons, and cheesecakes.
Biscuit Coffeeshop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biscuit_coffeeshop/?hl=en
