Karakol is known throughout Kyrgyzstan for its Dungan specialty Ashliam-fu. This is a dish of cold noodles in a spicy vinegar sauce. The best place to eat is near the bazaar in the shed-like building across the street from KICB bank.
Asman is the place for shashlik and has a DIY water-cooling feature opposite the central park . Fakir restaurant for decent Central Asian Cuisine. Kalinka, a Russian restaurant, also offers affordable, decent eats with horrible service. Kench, on the outskirts of town, offers probably the best dinner option for the biggest price. It should still be very cheap by western standards.
If you are vegetarian or looking for cheap western-style food, check out 'Lovely Pizza, in the corner of Prvomajsa 1-May and Moskovska near the university, behing the park. They serve delicious pizza and cold beer in their outside terrace or in the cosy interior.
If you're looking for a good home cooked Russian meal, try Yak Tours in high season only!. The owner's wife is an excellent cook.
The Salam Aleykum cafe just opened near Amir Hotel. It's open only in the evenings, and you can see some show of dance, music, and Kyrgyz handicraft.
Karakol is probably the only place in country, where you can have goulash.
