For those who want to travel to Azerbaijan, we are talking about food prices in Baku in 2021. How much food and drinks cost in restaurants and cafes, and groceries in stores. What you should definitely try in Baku and how to save money?
Currency exchange rate: 1 Azerbaijani manat (AZN) ≈ 44 RUB.
What to try in Baku
The list of traditional dishes is impressive. What is recommended to try in Baku from food? Appreciate the taste kutabov - fried crescent-shaped pies. They are cooked in hot oil, and cheese, herbs, potatoes, pumpkin and meat are used as the filling. Unlike the cheburek we are used to, there is almost no spice in the kutab.
Summer cabbage soup is offered to tourists in Baku restaurants turshu-syyig, hearty lamb soup sulu-khingal, green okroshka on kefir air and local stuffed cabbage dolmas... Gourmets are delighted with pide - a dish that looks like a pizza, but has the shape of a boat.
Many people like dumplings soup dushbara... The dumplings in it are so small that a spoon can hold 5-7 pieces. Be sure to try the famous saj - roast poultry or lamb with eggplant and potatoes. One serving is enough for two! If you find yourself in any of the Baku bazaars, try delicious and healthy pomegranate juice.
Some Azerbaijani dishes are similar to southern Russian cuisine. They also make sturgeon kebabs here. But Azerbaijanis salt sturgeon and keep it in a marinade of eggs, milk and fresh bread. There is not much black pepper in such a kebab, but onions, tomatoes and bell peppers are strung on skewers.
Prices for food in cafes and restaurants in Baku
Prices in restaurants and cafes in Baku are not the same. Inexpensive establishments for Baku residents offer full lunches and dinners for only 8-15 AZN. The price includes a first or second course and a soft drink. Alcohol is paid separately.
In restaurants and cafes that are designed for tourists, the average bill starts from 20-35 AZN. There is no difference in the quality of food. Only the cooks and service staff speak Russian. Dinner at a prestigious restaurant will cost 50-100 AZN per person, excluding the cost of alcohol.
Prices for food in cafes and restaurants in Baku in 2021:
- salad - 5-16 AZN;
- dushbar - 10 AZN;
- saj - 25-40 AZN;
- sturgeon kebab - 35-45 AZN;
- pide - 4.5 AZN;
- dessert 3-8 AZN;
- mineral water, 0.5 l - 1 AZN.
Drink prices
Tea in Baku is very tasty and cheap - from 0.2 AZN. The price for a kettle in a cafe is 3-4 AZN. Locals like to drink tea from thin glasses - armudov and served with jam of white cherries, walnuts, quince or figs.
A cup of cappuccino costs 2.5-3.5 AZN. According to tourists, the most delicious coffee in Baku is prepared in the Cinnabon cafe-bakery, which is located near the Nizami metro station.
How much do alcoholic beverages cost in Azerbaijan? In restaurants or bars in Baku, a glass of beer will cost 3 AZN, and 100 g of good Babeck cognac will cost 4-5 AZN.
Prices for alcohol in shops in Baku in 2021:
- bottle of wine, 0.75 l - 4.5-12 AZN;
- local beer, 0.5 l - 1.4 AZN;
- imported beer, 0.33 l - 2-4.5 AZN;
- cognac "Old Baku", 0.5 l - 15 AZN.
Food prices in shops in Baku
Some tourists rent accommodation with a kitchen and cook themselves. Food prices in Azerbaijan are almost a quarter lower than in Moscow. Seasonal fruits, vegetables and dairy products are cheap.
Food prices in Baku stores in 2021:
- white bread - 0.15-0.6 AZN;
- Azerbaijani lavash - 0.5 AZN;
- boiled sausage, 1 kg - 5-6 AZN;
- grilled chicken, 1.4 kg - 5 AZN;
- honey, 0.7 l can - 13 AZN;
- soft white cheese, 1 kg - from 5 AZN;
- pickled olives, 1 kg - from 6 AZN;
- yogurt, 0.6 kg - 0.95 AZN;
- cashews, 1 kg - 10.8 AZN;
- peanuts, 1 kg - 3.1 AZN;
- walnuts, 1 kg - 14.4 AZN;
- pistachios, 1 kg - 11.8 AZN;
- dried dates, 1 kg - 5.3 AZN;
- apples, 1 kg - 0.69 AZN;
- watermelons, 1 kg - 0.42 AZN;
- bananas, 1 kg - 2.05 AZN;
- oranges, 1 kg - 1.99 AZN;
- grenades, 1 kg - 1.49 AZN;
- peaches, 1 kg - 1.26 AZN;
- tomatoes, 1 kg - 1.93 AZN;
- cucumbers, 1 kg - 0.97 AZN.
Azerbaijan fast food
There are many fast food establishments in Baku, so the prices for such food are low. According to tourists, the most delicious shawarma is made in Shaurma No. 1... This brand appeared in the city in 1998 and since then has not yielded its positions. The secret to success is well-cooked pita bread, fresh chicken, potatoes, pickles and a delicious garlic sauce. The dish has to wait only 5 minutes and costs 2.6 AZN. A hearty snack that's convenient to eat on the go!
Look for tasty doners in the local network Bir Iki... Prices for food, which is loved by all Baku residents and tourists, start from 2.5 AZN. Quite inexpensive!
If you want to try flavored Azerbaijani lavash stuffed with chicken or meat, take a look at Lavash & Feseli... No flavor enhancers or preservatives are used for this national fast food. Only fresh food, spices and sauces.
Popular Turkish dishes are offered at fast food restaurants Buyuk Firat... As it should be in the East, the portions are large. First courses cost from 2 AZN, and barbecue, salads and doners from 1.8 AZN.
In addition to Azerbaijani and Turkish cuisine, Italian fast food is popular in Baku. Pizza costs from 8 AZN. Very good if you want to have a quick bite! Among the most famous pizzerias are Papa John's Pizza Azerbaijan, New York Pizza Baku, Pit Stop, Sbarro, Domino's Pizza and Pizza Holiday.
Sweet tooths like desserts that are sold in Bubble waffle... Waffles with delicious filling are like sandwiches and cost from 5 AZN.
Lovers of healthy food speak very well of the fast food that is prepared in Fit & Fresh... Here you can have a snack and drink freshly squeezed juice, smoothies and lemonade. Salads will cost AZN 4.8, rolls - AZN 4.5, and sets - AZN 6.4.
What you need to know
Food prices in Baku are lower than in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but slightly higher than in Tbilisi.
Baku is a very democratic city. The locals are tolerant and kind to tourists. Even if you drank a little, no one will look askance and make a problem out of it.
It is customary to welcome visitors to restaurants and cafes with respect. The service staff is sometimes so helpful that tourists feel uncomfortable.
In cheap restaurants and cafes, menus are only in Azerbaijani. In most mid-level establishments, food information is duplicated in English.
Unlike Georgia, the portions of kebabs in Azerbaijan are small. There may be only three slices on a skewer, but such a dish is also inexpensive.
Study your receipt before paying. If the tip is not included in the bill, and you liked the service, leave 10-15% of the order amount.
How to save on food in Baku
- Where is the best place to buy groceries? The best prices for food in Baku are at Yaşıl Bazar and Təzə Bazar markets. Bazar Store supermarkets are famous for the assortment and quality of goods.
- Very inexpensive food is served in cafes that operate on the territory of the Bina Trade Center market complex. Hearty meat dishes cost 3-4 AZN.
- Tourists recommend restaurants and cafes in Baku, where they cook tasty and inexpensive: Old Garden, Dadim, Firuze, Abu Dhabi, Maide, Anadolu, Cafe City, Adana, Shusha and Town. Fans of Pan-Asian cuisine like the Korean restaurant at 22 Alizade Masuda Street.
- International fast food chains are widely represented in Baku - McDonald's, KFC, Grill Konig, Mooyah, Holland Fries and Fryday. They sell inexpensive fast food in restaurants and from trailers. Hot dogs cost 3.5 AZN, burgers - 4.5-6 AZN, fries - from 3 AZN, and sets - from 9 AZN.
- Many fast food restaurants in Baku offer set meals for 5-10 AZN. The menu includes a main course, salad and drink.
