Food and beverage service

Right away upon arrival in Nakhchivan, the smell of tandoori lavash, mountain herbs, lamb, and strong tea embraces you. You will find soups, kebabs, pastries, and tea culture as the backbone of the cuisine. These flavors are found at every restaurant on every corner during a tour.

Among the dishes one must try are dovğa, küçük çorbası, hamur aşı, xaş, Düşbere, and gürze; main courses include lülə kebabı, Tavuk kebabı, bozbaş, Azeri yahnisi, and Arzuman köftesi. Almost every table can boast dolma and cardamom pilaf. Tandoori lavash is the striking player of bread; qutab and kata are included both in snacks and in street food. First of all, piti, cooked and served in a clay pot, is drunk with bread and then crushed to be eaten.

As for dessert, you get pakhalava, şekerbura, molasses baklava, and umak halva. Most of them serve a fruit dessert called mürebbe with tea. You will have Ordubad apricots, plums, cherries, sour cherries, pomegranate, and apples in jam, pestil, and dried fruit; you might purchase them as souvenirs toward the end of your tour. Breakfast: several kinds of kütüb (a type of fruit), herb-cheese plate, perperen, lavash, kaymak (types of pastry), salty and herb-based cheeses, and strong tea.

Beverages: tea in armudu glasses, Badamlı and Sirab mineral waters, apricot, quince, apple, cherry and sour cherry compotes. You can also try the local araq and fruit wines in some restaurants. The tap water is not recommended; stick to bottled water. If ice is used, it should be asked for specifically.

You can also order meatless spinach/herb qutab, kükü, perperen (a kind of pastry), and vegetable dolma if you are vegetarian or have food intolerance.

More Coffee

More Coffee is a contemporary cafe that serves espresso-based beverages and filtered brews, embracing the third-wave coffee attitude. With desserts and snacks, it serves espresso, Americano, cappuccino, cortado, and long-lasting coffees. Centrally located and easily accessible on foot or by public transportation.

You could start here with a filter coffee or single-bean espresso, accompanied by a small local dessert, and finish with tea to give yourself a full experience of the region’s tea and dessert culture. The portions are standard, and desserts are shareable. Plant-based milk is available on request, and indoor dining is also an option if you seek a quieter atmosphere.

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İbesta Cafe & Restaurant

İbesta has a family-style atmosphere, offering both Azerbaijani and international cuisine. Grilled dishes, stews, pilaf accompaniments, and classic desserts make up the bulk of the menu. Its central city location allows for easy transportation by private car or taxi.

When you are seated, you can opt for a cold mezze platter, then the grilled dishes or stews, and finally pakhalava or shekerbura and tea. The main courses are substantial portions and can be easily shared between two. Reservations for evenings and weekends minimize waiting times. Vegetarians will find soups and vegetable dishes sans broth adequate options, while wide table spacing and comfortable seating make it an ideal choice for families.

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Local Cafe & Restaurant

Local Cafe and Restaurant is a cozy place in the heart of the city, offering a mix of Azerbaijani and Turkish cuisine. Sac kavurma (fried meat), chicken shish kebab, homemade soups, and fresh salads are among the highlights. Its proximity to the market and main streets makes it ideal for short meal breaks, especially during tours.

Here you can start with soup, select sac kavurma (fried meat) or grilled meat, and end your meal with compote or tea. Prices are moderate; one plate per person is usually enough. There’s brisk circulation at lunchtime, but evenings are quiet. Herb qutab (herbal soup), yogurt salads and stuffed vegetables are vegetarian options. Daily pot dishes are frequently shown on a blackboard.

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Noah’s Land Restaurant

Nuh Yurdu is a family-friendly restaurant near landmarks. Tandoori bread, lülə, and chicken kebab are served with classic pilaf. Because it’s within walking distance of the main attractions, it’s a popular spot for tour groups.

Your order: A cold starter, kebab plate and sherbet dessert with tea. All portions are shareable; two people can easily share one grill plate and a rice pilaf. Given its touristic location, it’s a good idea to call ahead for a table during peak hours. The vegetarian options include starters and salads that aren’t made with meat broth, while the spacious seating area is adequate for families. If you’d like a table with a view, it’s worth mentioning this upon arrival.

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Nakhchivan Black Sea Cuisine

This restaurant offers Turkish cuisine, with a focus on fish and the Black Sea: grilled and pan-fried fish with cornbread and green salad. Seasonal fish and hot starters are the stars of the menu. Its location near the central axis makes it easily accessible to those arriving by car.

The ideal order is fish soup to start, then grilled seasonal fish, followed by tea and dessert. Portions are clearly measured out per the weight of the fish; a middle-sized fish is perfect to share. Evening reservations will quicken your order. For non-fish days, opt for vegetable plates and rice dishes; the boneless fish presentations are comfortable for children. Trying your fish with sumac instead of lemon is a nice touch complementary to the local palate.

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Şərq Süfrəsi Restaurant

Şərq Süfrəsi is a restaurant that was designed for groups and larger gatherings, complete with a large hall and areas for private seating. It offers a wide selection of classic local hot dishes, kebabs, rice pilaf, and desserts. Its easy access from within the city makes it a convenient spot for tour groups. Here, you can select one of the group menus, which range from an appetizer and salad, followed by mixed grill to rice pilaf and dessert. Set menus with a certain content per person make this easy to do. The larger events would greatly benefit from advance reservations.

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Naxış Nergiz

Naxış Nergiz welcomes its guests with a restaurant-cafe concept in which home-style hot dishes, soup of the day, desserts, and tea are served. Its proximity to city walking routes makes it an excellent stop, especially when you need a break.

Here, you can start with soup and choose a main course, then finish your meal with mürebbe or pakhalava with tea. Portions are balanced, medium-sized for one person. Service is quick at lunchtime, whereas the evening hours are quieter. Herb and vegetable dishes and yogurt-based cold dishes are suitable for vegetarians and those looking for a lighter meal; simple presentation and mild flavors are also good for families with children. Rounding off dessert and tea with “nabat” or jam will give you a first-hand experience of Nakhchivan’s tea culture.

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Manqal Family Restaurant

When you visit Manqal Family Restaurant, you’ll be greeted by a warm, family-friendly atmosphere and the sweet aromas of barbecue. Here, you can enjoy Turkish favorites like grilled meat, kebabs, and chicken, accompanied by rice and fresh salad. Easy access, especially if you’re driving, allows you to park easily and quickly find your table. Portions are perfect for sharing; order a mixed grill and a few sides to create a satisfying meal for the whole family. For the kids, you can also request boneless, easy-to-eat options. At the end of your meal, enjoy tea and, if you like, dessert, and enjoy some extended conversation, rounding out the day with a delightful experience.

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Kəklikotu Restaurant

When you visit Kəklikotu Restaurant, you’ll find a menu focusing on Turkish cuisine, fish, and Black Sea-inspired flavors. Here, you can order fresh fish, grilled or pan-fried, with cornbread and a green salad. Its central location eliminates the hassle of driving and parking. For an ideal evening, you can start with fish soup, then choose a grilled seasonal fish, and finish your meal with tea and dessert. Since fish portions are determined by weight, a medium-sized fish can easily be shared between two people. On days when you don’t want to eat fish, you can try vegetable dishes and rice, or request a boneless fish dish for your children. Try your fish with sumac instead of lemon, for a unique and delightful taste, close to the local palate.

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Şıxmahmud Restaurant

When you visit Şıxmahmud Restaurant, you’ll find yourself in a calm and welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of home cooking. Here, you can choose from traditional dishes like soup, stews, meat or vegetable stews, and rice pilaf. The unpretentious, homely atmosphere makes it comfortable for long family dinners with conversation. You can order different dishes and place them in the center, allowing everyone to sample each dish. If you don’t feel like eating fish, you can create a light but satisfying meal with lentil soup, vegetable stews, and rice pilaf. Tea and small desserts served at the end of the meal will make you feel at home and help you end the day peacefully.

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Araz Şadlıq Palace Restaurant

When you attend a reception at Araz Şadlıq Palace, you’ll be part of a large and spacious table. Whether you choose this venue for your wedding, engagement, circumcision ceremony, or special occasion, you can host your guests with a rich, pre-determined menu. Hot and cold appetizers are served for you and your guests, followed by main courses, primarily meat or chicken, and pilaf. Thanks to portions designed to accommodate large crowds, everyone receives a balanced and equitable meal. While some events offer fish, meat dishes generally dominate. At the end of the evening, you can conclude your reception with a classic and elegant finale of cake, desserts, fruit platters, and tea. This ensures you celebrate your special day with your loved ones and experience a fulfilling dining experience.

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