ӨZEN — Restaurant in Astana

I wish I could give more than 5 stars because my experience at Ozen has been truly exceptional. It's undeniably the favorite place in the city, and I consider myself fortunate to have been served by Rabiya and Dariya. These two remarkable ladies are the most amazing individuals I've encountered throughout Kazakhstan. Despite having visited various other Ritz establishments in the United States and different countries, the experience here is on a whole different level. The incredible staff deserves 99% of the credit for this. Rabiya, in particular, is a consummate professional who greets you with a warm smile and makes you feel incredibly welcome. In my opinion, she must be the most highly valued employee at the Ritz. As for Dariya, she ensures that the food and drinks served at the table are of the utmost quality. Her recommendations for the best items to try are always spot-on. However, what truly amazed me today was when they went above and beyond. Upon learning that I will be moving to Switzerland for some time, they printed a list of the best places to try cheesecake in Switzerland (which I usually order there) and provided the history and ingredients of my favorite drink that I always enjoy in Ozen. I couldn't believe my eyes. Their thoughtful gesture touched me so deeply that I was nearly brought to tears by the overwhelming cuteness of it all. In addition, they wrote me a handwritten card, expressing their gratitude for my visits to their lounge and summarizing everything mentioned above. It was a personal touch that made me feel truly valued. I must also mention Nurdaulet, our exceptional waiter tonight. I cannot thank enough the marvelous staff of Ozen—the bartenders, waiters, managers, hostesses, doormen, and chefs. Their care, love, and the way they treat me always manage to brighten my day a little more than...

A lovely café on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton in Astana. It’s cozy, elegant, and absolutely spotless - the kind of place where even the floor sparkles. The atmosphere is calm and welcoming, perfect for slow conversations over coffee.

Their desserts are not only tasty but also beautifully presented and a bit unexpected. Coffee and tea were both excellent.

What truly made this place stand out were the young waitresses - warm, attentive, and incredibly kind. One of them, Akhbota, shared the meaning of her name – "foal" in Kazakh – and said we could call her simply Bota. It was such a sweet and personal moment that stayed with me.

I first visited with my mom - we spent two lovely hours there, talking and relaxing. A few days later, I returned with a friend, and it felt just as special.

Highly recommended for a quiet break in a beautiful space with truly...

If you are travelling through the city and you don’t visit this bar, you are missing out! Their mixologists and staff are incredible - Dmitriy, Zhazira, and Yersain are wonderful and kind, as are all of their staff whose names I didn’t catch but who went out of the way to make me feel like a VIP guest. If you have time to stop and have a drink and chat, this was a highlight of my trip to the city. They taught me a mixologist “master class” while I was visiting the bar, and they make delicious and creative cocktails. I would suggest, rather than ordering from the menu, telling them which liquors you like and asking them to create something for you - they are truly exceptional. Their take on a whiskey sour is one of my favourite I have had! and their cocktail of the week is always a huge hit. I look forward to having a drink...