Top relaxing cafes in Bishkek to relax in

There are a lot of things that may surprise you in Bishkek and cafes with amazing interior design, ambience, food and coffee will be one of them.

Across the city, you’ll find cafes big and small, visible and hidden. Cafes are a great way to relax after an hour or two of walking around the city – and for using the free WiFi to do more travel research!

Here are some top recommended cafes in Bishkek to chill and relax in.

Note: Cafes in Kyrgyzstan can apply a service charge of 10-15% to the final bill so budget accordingly.

While a little farther from the main centre, the walk is worth it. This quiet and unassuming café has a great range of delicious breads, pastries, and cakes in a lovely contemporary setting with an attractive pastel colour palette and interior design. Service is friendly and quick (order and pay at the counter and find a place to sit), and its palatable coffee and food is comforting and affordable.

There is an English menu available.

The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into Vanilla Sky Coffee are the amazing dessert and pastry cabinets full of fresh, colourful, and delectable delights – that’s a great first impression! You’ll then notice the nice lively green décor making the café seem like it is part of a rejuvenating garden.

Its breakfast menu is extensive and of an international affair so if you’re hungry in the morning, you’ll find something delicious to eat for breakfast here, along with lunch or dinner. Do try a delicious pastry paired with an aromatic coffee – it’s a great combo.

First started in 2010 as a coffee roasting business co-founded by a New Zealander, Sierra has seen tremendous growth and success in Kyrgyzstan with multiple café branches and key clients like Hyatt Regency hotel.

It’s a great place to relax in, meet up with people, or do some travel planning – That is if you can find a place to seat as it is often full of locals and travellers alike!

The café staff are friendly and often speak multiple languages such as English (as indicated by the flags on their name badge). Its menu is of a diverse yet standard affair but no less delicious.

While the storefront facade may look a little underwhelming, the interior is so much inviting and oozes charm, especially in the conservatory room (which is unfortunately also used as an indoor smoking area).

While I didn’t have any coffee there, I had a nice pot of tea there (the tea range is diverse). Their extensive food and drinks menus are on tablets and are nicely organised with tantalising photos. You’ll also find friendly staff here with good service and welcoming smiles.

Bulblik is a cool and modern café. Its hip décor, ambience and friendly, youthful staff combine to create a chilled and vibrant atmosphere suitable for everyone to enjoy.

Its food menu is varied, and the drinks range is diverse with some not-so-ordinary items such as a pistachio latte and matcha latte (which I enjoyed with a spoonful of sugar).

Bellagio Coffee is another great café worth your time and to meet other travellers or locals in an ambient setting.

The Manas Ave branch has fantastic décor (something that cafés in Bishkek do really well!) that sets the tone for some great dining without the hefty price tag.

Its menu is of a standard but diverse affair where you’ll find an assortment of sandwiches, pizzas, salads, coffee, and drinks. If you love tea with plenty of fruit, their range of amazing fruit teas (iced or hot) served in large jar glasses are great!

There are plenty of great cafes in Bishkek and the six listed above are just a few of many places to relax in and enjoy a good coffee or two.

Have you been to Bishkek and to a good café or two? If so, let us know some of your café recommendations!

If you know of a friend or family member heading to Bishkek and would enjoy a good coffee and food in a cool café, share this post now.