"Fatboys" Cafe
Address: Chui prospect (intersection with Tynystanova str.)
Description: Fatboys is the closest thing Bishkek has to the feel of a real American style coffee shop (although we're not sure if that's what the British management is going for). Fatboys has a softly lit and painted ambiance; shelves of books available to check out for free; outdoor, indoor, and hidden away basement seating; electric outlets; but best of all, dark coffee. It is available by the cup or French press. The largest sized French press (called the "cafeteria" fills 4 or 5 cups for 80 soms - and it might be the best coffee in Bishkek. Also available is tea with milk. You can also order the real English/American Breakfast ("compleksi" breakfast) or delicious sourdough pancakes with fruit topping. Fatboys opens at 9 am.
"Coffee Cafe"
Address: Turusbekova (half a block south of Kievskaya)
Description: This little known cafe carries the widest selection of coffee. Over a hundred coffees are available at around a dollar a cup.
"Cyclone"
Address: Chui & Molodai Gvardia
Description: This mid-priced Italian restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating and copies of free English and American papers has a full espresso machine.
"Hyatt"
Address: Sovietskaya & Frunze
Description: Hyatt is the highest end hotel in the country, and it is not cheap. It is, however, air conditioned, comfortable and contains a trained staff with a rare high degree of customer service including impeccably spoken English. As far as coffee is concerned, Hyatt's most well known culinary endeavor is the fifteen dollar Sunday brunch, a lavish 5-star buffet with live jazz music every Sunday morning that includes all the dark filter coffee one can drink. Otherwise coffee is around a dollar a cup, or more for a wide menu of espresso drinks, and you can spread yourself out anywhere in the restaurant or other seating areas and are welcome to take your time. The Hyatt's gift shop also sells English language publications such as the Economist (come early in the week), Herald Tribune ($4.50)and others.
"The Metro Pub" (formerly "The American Pub")
Address: Chui prospect (intersection with Turusbekova)
Description: The newly renovated Pub offers Filter coffee for around a dollar a cup.
Review by www.alpinefund.org |
