Chinar

Suave Asian-fusion fantasy
A dining-scene mainstay for the Baku cognoscenti, Chinar is as famous for its Asian-fusion cooking as for its suavely stylized décor with its subtle elements of contemporary oriental design. Though splendidly central at the foot of the Baku funicular, a small tree-shaded garden area creates a sense of escape from the city, a feel that’s further enhanced by bamboo screens and a tranquil water feature. Upstairs the exclusive ‘Dragon Lounge’, which sometimes doubles as late-night lounge and DJ bar, is an ideal venue catering for special private functions. It takes its name from the nearby fountain-statue of Bahram Gur, a mythical Azeri St-George style dragon-slaying hero.