Baku, an iconic city in Azerbaijan is captivating travelers with its soul-satisfying offerings. For those who don’t know, every street in this city is a feast for the senses. This post is exclusively for food lovers, as it discusses food in Baku— taking you on a journey of impeccable taste and culture.
PS: Readers, get ready for a virtual mouthwatering escape as you are about to explore Azerbaijan food with pictures that will make your taste buds tingle and inspire your next foodie adventure!List of the 13 Must-Try Foods in Baku
When it comes to Azerbaijan food, every bite reveals the country’s rich traditions, bold flavors, and the perfect blend of the East and West! So, why wait? Let’s start with our list of the must-try Azerbaijani delicacies.
Dushbara
A traditional Azerbaijan food that is wholeheartedly enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. This staple dish is an aromatic soup containing tiny, delicate dumplings filled with minced lamb or beef, mixed with onions and spices. The soup is served hot with a gentle splash of vinegar mixed with crushed garlic to complement the savory broth!
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Pakhlava or Baklava
This is the very first item on our list– Azerbaijani Pakhlava or Baklava. It’s a purely indulgent, diamond-shaped Azerbaijani dessert, also the Best street food in Baku, known for its iconic sweet taste. The dessert is prepared using layers of pastry that are deeply infused with chopped walnuts or almonds and sweetened with fragrant syrup or honey. This pastry is generously buttered between the layers to achieve a perfectly flaky, moderately crisp, and golden texture, and savoring this will truly bless your senses!
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Shawarma
Shawarma is a popular street food in Baku where the local flavors meet modern influences. This is originally a Middle Eastern dish, which is prepared using stacking thin slices of marinated meat on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is slow-cooked as the rotisserie rotates, becoming tender and crispy on the edges. These slices are expertly shaved off, precisely minced, layered over a flatbread, wrapped using different sauces, and served with a side of fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
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Kelfi Becha
Kelfi Becha is a hearty soup or stew, a lesser-known traditional dish in Azerbaijan which is known for its rich and rustic flavors. The dish is made by searing meat, sautéing onions and garlic, adding tomatoes, vegetables, and spices, and simmering until tender, then finished with herbs and a splash of lemon or vinegar. Kelfi Becha is generally enjoyed with bread or rice on the side.
Piti
This is a protein-rich, Azerbaijani stew, that comes from the region of Sheiki. This comforting and flavorful dish is slow-cooked with chickpeas, lamb, chestnuts, and dried fruits like prunes or dried cherries, all peppered with aromatic spices such as saffron and turmeric. It’s cooked and served in an earthenware pot.
There exists a veg version too! Visitors looking for delicious vegetarian food in Baku can try veg Piti which uses a rich combination of fresh vegetables and legumes along with the same combination of spices.
Please note: The preparation style remains the same for both veg and nonveg versions!
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Buglama
This is a fantastic dish that reveals the true flavors of meat and vegetables that are expertly simmered until perfection. “Buglama” comes from an Azerbaijani word for “steamed” or “steaming”, reflecting the slow-cooking technique used to prepare the dish. The dish is made from lamb or beef including thick layers of onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, potatoes, and herbs including dill and cilantro. Everything is cooked inside a pot slowly and gently and served hot with flatbread or rice.
Azerbaijani Kebab
This is one of the most beloved dishes of Azerbaijan– rich in texture, even richer in taste. The kebabs are made using marinated chunks of meat, often lamb, beef, or chicken, that are gently skewered and grilled on an open flame till they release the perfectly burnt, smoky flavor. The tender texture of these Azerbaijani kebabs is hard for meat lovers to resist. The dish is utterly enjoyed with pita-style flatbreads, fresh herbs, and grilled veggies! Some people also enjoy them with a side of plov (rice pilaf) or salads made with tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions.
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Badimjan Dolmasi
This is a beloved Azerbaijani dish which is also known as the Eggplant Dolma. This dish is prepared using a hollowed eggplant filled with an aromatic and delicious mic=xture and slowly cooked in a freshly prepared tomato-based sauce. It comes in two versions:
- The non-veg version contains a mixture of minced meat, onion, rice, herbs, and spices.
- The veg version contains a mixture of rice, sautéed onions, tomatoes, fresh herbs like dill and parsley, and spices such as turmeric, black pepper, and salt. Some versions also include grated carrots, bell peppers, or crushed walnuts for added texture and flavor.
Badimjan Dolmasi (the veg version) is a highly enjoyed vegetarian food in Baku which is served with a side of garlic-infused yogurt or fresh herbs for a wholesome and comforting experience!
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Saj Ichi
This is a traditional Azerbaijani dish, which is also a famous and most cherished street food in Baku. The name: “Saj” means a round, shallow cast-iron pan used to cook the dish over an open flame, and “Ichi” means inside, referring to the ingredients that are cooked inside the pot. It is prepared using a variety of meats including — lamb, beef, or chicken along with vegetables like bell peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes, cooked using butter or oil. The dish is then seasoned with quality spices and local herbs until they become tender and perfectly caramelized. The entire dish is served directly on the saj which is placed on a portable stand that keeps it hot throughout the meal.
Plov
Plov is a famous food in Azerbaijan that contains seasoned rice cooked with saffron until golden and revealing an irresistible aroma. Different from other types of Pilafs in Central Asia, Plov in Azerbaijan is renowned for its unique preparation style, using rice, meat, and rich garnishes. The main ingredients include tender lamb or chicken, fried onions, dried fruits (such as apricots, prunes, or raisins), and nuts. All these are perfectly seasoned with spices like cinnamon, cumin, and saffron. This sweet and savory dish is a must-try for food enthusiasts!
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Shah Plov
Shah Plov, aka the “King of Pilafs” is a regal, iconic, and utterly enjoyed food in Baku– a masterpiece of Azerbaijani culinary art. This is a royal dish boasting commendable presentation, rich flavors, and profound traditions. Shah Plov is a rich version of Plov, prepared using high-quality saffron-infused rice that is cooked and served with a generous layer of deliciously sweet filling containing tender pieces of chicken or lamb, dried fruits, fried onions, and spices. The iconic aspect of the dish is the perfectly golden and crispy outer shell called gazmaq, made from a thin lavash or dough. Every bite will leave you craving more.
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Lavangi
This is another famous food in Baku, which is known for its unique aroma and taste. This dish holds a special place in the country’s culinary heritage, especially in the Southern regions, and is often served during special occasions and festive gatherings. Lavangi is a flavorful dish prepared using fresh whole chicken or fish which is sauteed on a flame til perfectly gold. It is then stuffed with a rich mixture of finely chopped walnuts, onions, and various spices such as sumac, cinnamon, and black pepper. Lavangi is all about being soft and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside revealing bold and tangy flavors.
Dolma
Dolma is a famous food in Azerbaijan, loved by locals and tourists alike for its intense flavors and cultural significance. It is also wholeheartedly enjoyed at family gatherings and various events in Azerbaijan. This Mediterranean dish is prepared using grape leaves or hollowed vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants that are generously stuffed with a mixture of rice and minced meat (lamb or beef), along with herbs and spices such as dill, parsley, and cumin. The preparation is simmered in a pot with olive olive until it releases the perfect aroma. The dish is topped with lemon juice at the end for enhanced flavor and served as a starter or main course, usually accompanied by a side of yogurt or a tangy tomato-based sauce.
Conclusion
Trying Azerbaijani delicacies will be an experience that will linger in your memory long after the last bite. So, are you ready to get on a culinary journey, exploring the delicious food in Baku?
Let our travel experts plan a perfectly flavor-packed Baku Tour Package for you! From taking you to the most cherished traditional restaurants to famous local stalls, we promise that every experience will be filled with authentic flavors, warm hospitality, and unforgettable culinary moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best Baku traditional food restaurant?
Firuze Restaurant is the best Baku traditional food restaurant offering a wide variety of authentic Azerbaijani dishes in a wonderful, culturally rich ambience.
Which are the top 2 dishes to try in Baku?
Plov and Kebabs are the top 2 dishes to try in Baku. Their rich, aromatic flavors will feast on your senses.
Which is the main meat used in Azerbaijan?
The main meat used in Azerbaijan is the Whole Lamb. It’s used in traditional dishes like pilafs, kebabs, and stews.
Which is the famous fruit of Azerbaijan?
The pomegranate is a famous fruit of Azerbaijan. It is known for its rich and juicy seeds. This fruit also carries a symbol of fertility and abundance in Azerbaijani culture.
