Since Azerbaijan’s independence from the Soviet Union and market liberalization, Baku became for different food lifestyle. One of the influences was Turkish fast food known as döner. Döner is not just a fast food but also a street easily and quickly prepared. If you are looking for a quick bite in downtown Baku, here we list the 5 most visited and acclaimed döner joints in walking distance from Fountains Square.
1. Avtosh Döner
The story goes that youngster drivers waited to have streets fully empty until early morning to go drive crazy. They would treat themselves at this centrally located small doner joint, which is now the so-called ‘Avtosh Döner’ after the name given to those crazy drivers, open until very late. For some people that is the one and only döner joint in the town. Their service is really quick and only take-aways as there are no sit-ins. Bear in mind that their döners are a little greasy.
Döners from 3 azn, Drinks from 0.60 azn. Bül-Bül pr. +994553040202. Open all day.
2. Berlin Döner
They say that “Döners of Berlin, Germany are different kinds of döners.” Berlin Döner promises you that difference of taste. Just off Fountains Square, it locates on the corner of Nizami street next to Fisinjan restaurant. You can also treat yourself to a ‘business launch’ (döner, lentil soup and ayran) for just 5 azn from 12:00 pm to 15:00 pm. If you happen to pay a visit during the afternoon, then you get to deal with the local custom of standing in line and waiting for about 5-7 minutes.
Döners from 3.8 azn, Drinks from 1.4 azn. 1 Mizra Ibrahimov str. www.facebook.com/berlindonerbaku. Open Fri-Sat: 1130am-10pm, Sun: 10am-10pm.
3. Bir Iki Döner
Bir Iki Döner made almost all social media talk about them when they came up with the cool idea of serving free döners during some of the important public holidays. Their services are one of the most expensive döner joints in Baku. But still, that is one of the popular rebranded döner joints local people like to go to. The way their serve döner is of course fancy and they have quality döner, too.
Döners from 4.6 azn, Drinks from 1 azn. Yusif Mammadeliyev str. +994124989149. www.facebook.com/birikibaku. Open Fri-Sat: 1130am-10pm, Sun: 1230pm-10pm.
4. BORANI Tantuni Köfte Döner
It is a Turkish cuisine-oriented restaurant with fast food options, on the street at the edge of Fountains Square. It has tall transparent glass windows opening to one of the central streets with people rushing. The staff is friendly and quick to serve your order. Döner is served with soft bread. You can try tantuni, an alternative spicy Turkish fast food. You can even watch the cook preparing tantuni to be part of the experience.
Tantuni from 4.2 azn, Drinks from 1 azn. Yusif Mammadaliyev str.
5. Ajdaha Döner
Ajdaha doner has a couple of joints around the city so easy to reach wherever you are in the city center. The staff is friendly and helpful. It has a couple of sit-ins in a small environment but is still tidy, clean, and nice. What is so specific is the use of local flavors such as herbs and vegetables in the döners they serve but in crusty bread. However, the taste of those flavors is a reflection of our everyday diet. They have döners for all kinds of customer budgets and rich, locals of foreigners.
Doners from 3.5 azn, Drinks from 1 azn. (a) Bül-Bül pr. 36B, (b)
Uzeyir Hajibayov 10. *7770 . www.facebook.com/ajdahadoner. Open 11am-11pm.
Baku Food and Wine Tours 