Finding the best cafés in Bishkek
Most people who travel to Kyrgyzstan do so for the nature. There’s no doubt that nature here is spectacular and is a haven for hikers and people who just enjoy being out in nature. In fact, 94% of the country consists of mountains. So if you’re going to Kyrgyzstan, you’re bound to be doing some hikes on your trip. What better way to relax after some days of hiking than in Bishkek, the capital city? Although it might not have a lot of sights to see, that’s part of the charm with Bishkek. It’s the perfect city to just immerse yourself in the local life, walk around, sit in a park and find the best cafés. The coffee scene has boomed in the last years and there’s plenty of cafés where you can escape to when the heat gets overwhelming. Here are the best cafés in Bishkek.
Sierra Coffee
Probably the most popular café in Bishkek, especially amongst foreigners. There are two branches in Bishkek. What’s so nice about this café is that there’s plenty of space for you to sit and work or study, they have really good coffee, a good food menu and they even have parking for your bike. The only downside is that sometimes it gets really crowded, so if you want a quiet place for work, this might not be the best option. But do come here for the food, especially when you’ve gotten sick of the local cuisine.
Bellagio Coffee
Just next to Sierra Coffee you can find this charming café that also offers an extensive menu. They have pizza, pasta, breakfast, coffee, tea, desserts, etc. Whatever you like, they probably have it! The café is also spacious and have plenty of seatings, and unlike Sierra, it’s a bit more calm which makes it the perfect place for you to sit and hang around, read a book or work on your computer.
Q Coffee
Although it’s not a large café, the atmosphere is great here and the staff are friendly. People love this café because they have really good coffee here (it does help that the owner is a big coffee fan)! If you’re looking for a small, cozy and instagrammable café, this is the place to go to in Bishkek.
Vanilla Sky
If you’re looking for a good breakfast or lunch spot, come to one of the coziest glass terrace cafés where you can enjoy a good cup of coffee and a nice pastry. It’s quite the popular place though and on weekends, locals flock to this café so the best time to head here is the weekdays.