Best Restaurants in Turkmenistan 2026

Palow (Plov)

Turkmenistan's sacred national dish — fragrant rice cooked in lamb fat with carrots, onions, and chunks of slow-cooked lamb. Each family and region has its own variation, but the essentials remain: lamb, rice, carrots, and decades of practice.

Where to try: Joshgun Palow House (Azadi Street), Chatma Restaurant, family homes

Price: $10-15

Shurpa

Rich lamb soup with vegetables — tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and peppers — slow-simmered with a whole lamb joint creating an intensely flavorful broth. Often served as a starter before plov at traditional gatherings.

Where to try: Any traditional Turkmen restaurant, Kopetdag Restaurant

Price: $6-12

Manty

Large steamed dumplings stuffed with spiced lamb mince and onions, served with sour cream (gaýmak) and garlic sauce. The Turkmen version is larger than Russian pelmeni and traditionally cooked in a tiered steamer.

Where to try: Turkmen tea houses, Chatma Restaurant, Russian Bazaar food stalls

Price: $6-10

Somsa

Flaky pastry triangles filled with spiced lamb, onion, and occasionally pumpkin, baked in a clay tandoor oven. The iconic Turkmen street food — eaten for breakfast, lunch, and any time hunger strikes.

Where to try: Russian Bazaar, street vendors throughout Ashgabat, Tolkuchka Bazaar

Price: $0.50-2/piece

Shashlik (Kebab)

Skewered chunks of marinated lamb or beef grilled over charcoal and served with sliced raw onion, fresh herbs, and lepyoshka flatbread. The roadside shashlik stand is a Turkmenistan institution.

Where to try: Roadside stands on Magtymguly Avenue, restaurant gardens, Tolkuchka Bazaar

Price: $5-10

Central Park Restaurant

Elegant two-story restaurant offering exquisite dishes with stunning panoramic city views. Famous for its business lunches, premium steaks, and diverse menu featuring both international and traditional Turkmen cuisine in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Central Park, Ashgabat

Joshgun Palow House

Beloved local favorite serving authentic home-style Turkmen dishes in a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Specializes in various plov preparations and traditional meat dishes with generous portions.

Azadi Street, Ashgabat

Ak Öý Café

Cozy neighborhood cafe serving simple, delicious Turkmen meals at budget-friendly prices. Popular with locals for quick lunches and takeaway orders.

Chandybil Street, Ashgabat

Tolkuchka Bazaar Food Stalls

Collection of food vendors at Ashgabat's famous Sunday market serving authentic street food. Try fresh non bread, samsa, and traditional breakfast dishes in bustling market atmosphere.

Tolkuchka Bazaar, Archabil Highway

Coffeemania Ashgabat

Modern coffee shop serving quality espresso drinks and European pastries. Free WiFi and comfortable seating make it popular workspace for remote workers and students.

Magtymguly Avenue, Ashgabat

AlpEt Steakhouse

Ashgabat's premier steakhouse where meat preparation is performed in view of guests. Features premium cuts of beef, lamb, and game meats with live music on weekends creating an upscale dining atmosphere.

Magtymguly Avenue, Ashgabat

AYŞA Restoran

Popular Turkish restaurant famous for juicy kebabs and gutaps. Generous portions of perfectly grilled meats and fresh breads make this a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Magtymguly Avenue, Ashgabat

Fast Food Café Turkmen

Quick-service restaurant offering Turkmen fast food favorites. Clean, efficient service perfect for travelers wanting authentic local food without the wait.

Görogly Street, Ashgabat

Somsa

The quintessential Turkmen street snack — lamb-filled pastry triangles freshly baked in a clay tandoor. Bought hot from the oven at bazaar stalls and roadside vendors throughout the day.

Find it at: Russian Bazaar, street vendors near government district

Çörek (Flatbread)

Traditional Turkmen round flatbread baked in a clay tandoor, similar to Uzbek non. Sold fresh at bazaars for $0.20-0.50 each, still warm from the oven. Eaten plain or with butter, jam, or alongside soup.

Find it at: Russian Bazaar bread section, Tolkuchka Bazaar, neighborhood bakeries

Kövun (Melon)

Turkmenistan grows over 400 varieties of melon — eaten fresh throughout summer and early autumn. Street vendors pile extraordinary quantities of different varieties for sale from roadside stalls and market carts.

Find it at: Road stalls on main highways, Russian Bazaar, Tolkuchka Bazaar (seasonal, July-October)

Gawurdak (Fried Liver)

Pieces of lamb liver fried with onions and fat in a cast-iron pan over open flame — a popular quick lunch at bazaars. Rich, savory, and deeply satisfying street food.

Find it at: Tolkuchka Bazaar food area, Russian Bazaar prepared food section

Russian Bazaar (Russki Bazar)

Ashgabat's main daily food market with fresh produce, meat, spices, bread, and dried goods. The fruit and vegetable section overflows with seasonal bounty. Open daily and most accessible for tourists.

Hours: Daily 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Tolkuchka Bazaar Food Section

Sunday bazaar's food section offers exceptional dried fruits, nuts, honey, traditional sweets, and fresh seasonal produce at lower prices than city markets. The livestock section is a spectacle in itself.

Hours: Sunday only, 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Mary Central Bazaar

The main market of Mary city is excellent for local Merv-region produce, spices, and traditional foods from eastern Turkmenistan. Less tourist-oriented with more authentic regional character.

Hours: Daily 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM