Gala Bazaar

Azerbaijan


Packed with imaginative decor that incorporates elements from Moorish stone arches to southern French shutters, this place really does base itself on the model of an antique market-place cum caravanserai. The enclosed yard is vast with trees, hamman and fire-pit, as well as well-spaced tables, a kids play area and a stage for live violin music.

Foodwise it's mostly quality kebabs or sac (meat-and-veg hotplate), all well prepared and served with panache.

The hotel section was being refurbished at the time of research.

Eastbound Baku–Mərdəkən bus 136 and northbound Qala–Mərdəkən bus 181 should both stop on request at Rahat Market, on the Mərdəkən Hwy around 400m northwest of the restaurant entrance. After dining, return to the same stop and continue into Mərdəkən, changing there if you want to return to Baku – crossing the highway is virtually impossible elsewhere.