Welcome to Arzan Cafe
At Arzan Cafe, located in the heart of Chicago, a passionate journey through Central Asian cuisine unfolds. This halal establishment is not just about food; it’s a celebration of rich cultural heritage. Each dish, from the savory Plov to the delightful Manty dumplings, bursts with authenticity and flavor. The warm and inviting atmosphere is perfect for families and groups, complemented by attentive service that makes you feel at home. With options for delivery and takeout, Arzan Cafe embraces modern dining needs without sacrificing tradition. Discover tasty dishes that truly captivate your soul and leave you eager for more.
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4702 N Kimball Ave Chicago, IL 60625 United States Hotline: (312) 898-2432
Welcome to Arzan Cafe, a gem nestled in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood at 4702 N Kimball Ave. This vibrant spot is a haven for lovers of Halal cuisine, offering an authentic taste of Central Asia, particularly drawing from the rich culinary traditions of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Accessible for all, including those requiring wheelchair access, Arzan Cafe is designed with comfort in mind, featuring classy decor, heated outdoor seating, and a cozy atmosphere perfect for families and groups alike.
At Arzan Cafe, you will discover an array of culinary delights that celebrate the flavors of the Silk Road. The main dishes here are nothing short of extraordinary. The famed Plov, a fragrant rice dish served with beef and carrots, is a must-try, boasting layers of flavor and perfect seasoning. For a unique twist, indulge in the Plov with Kazy, which adds traditional sausage into the mix, or savor the Lamb Kuurdak, a sumptuous stew of lamb, potatoes, and onions. Vegetarian options, like the delicately spiced Pumpkin Manty, showcase the cafe's commitment to a diverse menu that caters to all palates.
Moreover, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, fostering a sense of community among diners. Customers have praised the authentically friendly service, with many noting how the staff is attentive and eager to enhance your dining experience. Whether you're here for a casual meal with friends or a special family gathering, Arzan Cafe provides a welcoming environment that makes every visit memorable.
Don't skip the traditional appetizers like Boorsok—delightful pillows of dough served with a creamy cheese sauce—as well as the delectable Chicken Samsa, a flaky pastry showcasing perfectly seasoned filling. If you’re looking to quench your thirst, the selection of teas, including a unique fruit tea, pairs beautifully with any dish, ensuring an enjoyable meal rounded off with a delightful beverage.
As you explore the menu, be sure to try the Honey Cake, a sweet sensation that many guests deem “life-changing.” With generous portions and a variety of dishes, you'll want to bring friends along, allowing everyone to share and sample the extensive offerings. The cafe also prides itself on sustainability, using compostable containers and reusable tableware, which aligns with modern, eco-conscious dining trends.
So, whether you're a local or a traveler seeking an authentic culinary experience, Arzan Cafe is a destination that promises to satisfy your cravings for rich, flavor-packed Central Asian cuisine. With its warm ambiance, exceptional service, and a menu brimming with traditional favorites, you'll leave with your heart—and stomach—full. Don’t miss out on this delightful culinary journey!
For more information or to make a reservation, call Arzan Cafe at (312) 898-2432. Experience the vibrant tastes of Central Asia right in Chicago!
The food is so amazing! The kind of food that makes your soul happy. Service was great. Everyone was kind! There was a slight wait since the dinner rush was super busy, but the food was absolutely delicious. Will be back insha'Allah!
Can't wait to go back to try the fish, the dumplings and the samsa. This is a very warm, family friendly place where you can experience an amazing range of Central Asian cuisine. In a strip mall on Kimball in Albany Park. I went with a friend on a Monday evening and it was cozy with families and groups of friends enjoying a meal out. We ordered black tea which came with honey, lemon slices and mint leaves, then started with the wee pillows of dough, they come in a basket with a mild cheese sauce to dip them in. They are called Boorsok. My friend got shawarma with beef, lamb and chicken, which was familiar and brand new at the same time. Really tender meat, intense flavors. We could not get enough of that. I would have included a picture, but we dove in too fast for that. The beef with hand pulled noodles had such a surprising, wonderful texture and flavor. It is served with strips of fresh, crisp cucumber, which adds crunch and brightness to the depth and warmth of the noodles, beef and veggies. I recommend coming here with a big group, everyone orders something different. The portions are really generous so that way you can try a bit of everything. Or just come back five times over the next month or two, which is my current plan. No matter what: get a piece of the honey cake. Life changing. I don't say that lightly. No picture of that because again, we couldn't be bothered to wait before we started eating it. Service is friendly and quite fast for the amount of food they bring you and the depth of flavors on each plate. I can't wait to come back here!
You think of Central Asian food, what do you have in mind? Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan right. Perhaps portions of Mongolia? Was super excited to try out their food since I've made my itinerary to explore the Silk Road next year and only read about the food, culture, country, etc. Found this place by accident. Lollapalooza had begun and I was returning from the airport after dropping off a friend so my trusty GPS took me from the back roads when I noticed this. Looked it up and said yeah, gotta try. I wanted to order a plov (the traditional Central Asian dish), beef samsa and the lentil soup. Sadly, they were still making a fresh batch of the plov which would have taken 45 min and were out of the beef samsa so instead they recommended I try gan-fan. I also got the chicken samsa instead along with the lentil soup. The lentil soup we weren't able to try as we ended up giving it to someone more needy. I did however try with some friends the Gan-fan and Chicken Samsa. The samsa was really really good. The bread it was in was so soft and the chicken seasoned so well. We all know chicken is one meat hard to put flavor into. These folks did a great job. It was juicy, warm and hmmmm hmmmm hmmmm. The gan-fan was really good too. Flavored with light spices and/or herbs. Not too heavy. Would be an excellent dish to have fresh on a cold night. My only complaint would be the actual beef pieces. I think they could easily double that from the price point. There were perhaps 6 'tiny' pieces of beef in the entire dish. The proportion of the rice provided to the quantity of the gan-fan provided seemed off but I will not duch anything on this because I have never tried gan-fan before. There are many cultures where the rice being a carb is mixed with the main dish and meant to be eaten almost like a soup. Perhaps that is the case here? Not sure. I did get into a brief conversation with one of the servers and learned that the food here depicts Krygyzstani cuisine. I asked this because from my research months ago, while plov is a popular dish in Central Asia, each country (and each region of the countries) prepare it differently. One suggestion I would have for the folks; they need someone to audit their listings online, pricing online and the pricing on the app they use. It was actually cheaper to order with them directly (nearly 20% cheaper) I can't wait to try the plov now. Never tried it.
Great middle asian food, atmosphere and service. Definitely recommend this place! Manty are perfect here :)
If you are in the mood for homemade genuine Kyrgyz cuisine, Arzan Cafe is an excellent choice. The staff are exceptionally friendly and caring. The atmosphere is amicable and comfortable. In fact, I absentmindedly left my phone at the table when I went to bathroom. The restaurant was full with people. Yet ten minutes later my phone was still on the table and the food was waiting for me. This was amazing!
Ordered the beef soup with vegetables.Beef was very tender and great service. Will come back again soon !
We've had a little experience with Uyghur cuisine closer to home, so we came in knowing a little bit about our favorites and what we hadn't tried yet elsewhere. We went with a plov (a standard that we had previously passed over) and oromo. To round things out we added an avocado salad and tandoor samsa. Pot of green tea is just $2 (stays hot) and is served in wonderful bowls. With their bakery next door, having dessert here is a bonus with a selection in a case that you can peruse up close. We went with a slice of poppyseed milk cake that was great with our tea (still hot) at the end of our meal. Nicer chairs and tables (still in good shape) than expected for strip mall dining and service was great on getting everything we needed at the table without us asking first. Clientele seemed mostly central Asian with families mixed in with others without children.
I have never eaten at a halal restaurant. Have to say I highly enjoyed it. The food was hands done one of the best places I have been to. You could Taste how fresh the food was and the flavors in every bite. The server was also the best I have seen at any place. I will suggest the central Asian bread, honey cake, fruit tea, and stir fried vegetables with hand pulled noodles!
Amazing food, service and good ambiance. 100% halal food in Chicago is always a great find. We tried lagman and boso lagman which were both really good!
Arzan has became one of my favorites places to eat shawarma. It is very authentic and full of flavor. I prefer the chicken one. Don't hesitate about ordering fries, one of the best I have tried, they are crunchy and soft inside. I highly recommend to try the pancakes. They are very different and unique, better if you order a pot of tea to accompany it. We always have received a really good service. The staff is friendly and helpful. I enjoy to see the paintings of Kyrgyzstan, makes the place look nice and authentic.