Shah Restaurant & Gallery

Shah Restaurant & Gallery combines Azerbaijani dining with an art gallery at 25A Najafgulu Rafiyev Street in central Baku, Azerbaijan, near Fountain Square. It is open daily from 10:30AM to 12AM, which suits lunch, dinner and later meals. The cuisine is traditional Azerbaijani; there is no Michelin or chef-lineage context, and the distinguishing feature is the gallery setting. The signature dishes are plov, kebab and dolma. Plov is the national rice dish, here likely served as saffron rice with meat or dried-fruit toppings; kebab is grilled over charcoal and served with flatbread and herbs; and dolma is the stuffed vine-leaf dish served with yoghurt. These staples give first-time visitors a straightforward introduction to the national table. The dining room is calm, with artwork on the walls, and the mood is quieter than the busy tourist restaurants around the Old City. Noise is low to moderate, and dress is smart casual. Beverages include black tea, juices, soft drinks, beer and wine; no special beverage programme is confirmed. Prices are in the upper tier at about AZN 55-90 (approx $32-53) per person. Reservations are not usually difficult, but a phone call to +994 55 772 38 33 is sensible for groups and for weekend evenings. Delivery is also available through the Wolt app for those who prefer to eat at their hotel. The central location makes the restaurant a convenient stop between Fountain Square, the pedestrian shopping streets and the walk down to the Old City. It suits couples and small groups who want a quieter setting with Azerbaijani food, and viewing the art on display can be part of the meal.