Cream Café’s location – set back slightly from busy Abai and fronted by mature trees – means that it is home to one of Almaty’s loveliest café terraces, with smart wicker furniture set amongst the knotted tree trunks and a cover to protect against sudden downpours and the fluffy tree pollen that engulfs the city come spring. Logo-ed Italian scooters flank the entrance and there’s more Italian memorabilia in glass cases inside for chic, continental flair. Place your order at the long glass counter then retire to one of the comfortable booths; there’s a huge, reasonably-priced food menu as well as a long list of Illy coffees and alcoholic beverages to choose from. Like many Almaty cafés, Cream caters to the party set as well as the coffee crowd, so Friday and Saturday nights see the opening hours extended and DJs move in with slick, party-worthy sets.