La Quzu Restaurant

La Quzu Restaurant is an Old City (Icheri Sheher) restaurant at 41 Boyuk Qala Street in Baku, Azerbaijan, named for quzu, the Azerbaijani word for lamb. It serves Caucasian and Azerbaijani dishes with a focus on lamb. The cuisine is traditional; there is no Michelin or chef-lineage context, and the specialty is lamb prepared in the old way. The signature dish is quzu tandir, slow-roasted lamb cooked until the meat falls from the bone, an emblematic festive dish in the region, usually served with flatbread, herbs and pickled vegetables. Plov, the saffron rice dish central to Azerbaijani feasts, and dolma, the stuffed vine-leaf dish served with garlic yoghurt, round out the main menu. Because slow-roasted lamb takes time, ordering it early in the meal is sensible. The dining room has a stone interior with an atmospheric, historic character; noise is low to moderate, the mood is relaxed and a little romantic in the evening, and dress is casual to smart casual. Beverages include black tea, juices, soft drinks, beer and Azerbaijani wine, and no specialist beverage programme is confirmed. Prices are moderate at about AZN 30-55 (approx $18-32) per person. Opening hours are not confirmed, so visitors should check locally. Booking ahead is advised for dinner, particularly on weekends and in the busy summer months, when the Old City fills with visitors. A day's notice is generally enough, and a phone call can also confirm whether the quzu tandir is available that day. The location on Boyuk Qala Street places the restaurant close to the Maiden Tower and the central Old City sights, so it fits easily into a walking itinerary through the historic quarter.