Part of Hotel Kazakhstan, The Noodles combines chic décor with tasty food and a great atmosphere, so it’s no surprise that it’s humming all day long. Besides the usual soft drinks, juices and cocktails, The Noodles serves up Gloria Jean’s coffees, with the international cuisine prepared by chefs from the countries represented on the menu. Besides the promised noodles there are pizzas and pastas, salads and sandwiches, teppanyaki and sushi and an in-demand business lunch buffet for 1,500 KZT – plus the option to take-away. The Turkish pide is our favourite snack, or a couple of scoops of Mövenpick ice-cream enjoyed outside by the enormous fountain. Inside there are comfy sofas aplenty, often occupied by ex-pats and groups of remarkably well-behaved local teenagers; and there are plans for a second location elsewhere in Almaty, demonstrating just how successful a concept this is.