Dolma is an affordable, traditional Azeri restaurant near Fountain Square in the heart of Baku. Based in a large cellar, it’s designed to look like…um, a cellar. Covered in colourful Azeri fabrics it’s certainly cosy if a little touristy.
Start with their Dolma, it’s what the restaurant is named after. There are several types on the menu. I tried their small, almost roundish vine leaf dolma which is served with a small clay pot of yoghurt. If you don’t like lamb/mutton, don’t order this dish because, if it they were any more lamby, these little suckers would bleat. I found the dolma/yoghurt combination amazing (you mix in the yoghurt with the dolma) and wolfed down every last one.
I then had a Coban Qovurmasi, which is basically strips of lamb fried with diced bell peppers, mushrooms and herbs served on a sizzling hotplate. It’s nice (especially if you add in a little yoghurt) but definitely not something I will order again.
Dolma has a full bar with a great selection of Azeri wines and draft Xirdalan beer (also Azeri). Service is super friendly and accommodating. My waiter, Murad spoke decent English and helped me order my meal – great guy. All in all, Dolma is a good option if you’re looking for a decent, affordable Azeri meal. It’s not as good as some of the reviews suggest but it’s worth a try.
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