Shah plov arrives at the table looking like a golden crown: a dome of crisp, buttery lavash bread. The waiter cuts it open and steam rises from saffron rice, lamb, chestnuts, apricots and raisins inside. In Baku, plov is a celebration dish, and this one is the most theatrical.
Azerbaijani plov is saffron-scented rice served with separately cooked toppings of lamb or chicken, dried fruit, chestnuts and caramelised onions, often with a crisp golden crust (qazmaq) from the bottom of the pot. The showpiece is shah plov, baked inside a dome of lavash. In Baku you find it at traditional restaurants in and around the Old City, especially for weddings and Novruz, the spring new year. In 2026 a plov dish costs roughly AZN 10–30. Azerbaijan is a Muslim-majority country and meat is halal as standard, though alcohol is widely served.
This guide covers how Azerbaijani plov differs from Central Asian plov, the main types, where to eat it in Baku, halal points, prices and Azerbaijani phrases.
How it differs from Uzbek plov
| Details | Azerbaijani plov | Uzbek plov |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | Boiled or steamed separately, often with saffron and butter | Cooked in the same pot as meat and carrots |
| Toppings | Served separately on top or beside: meat, dried fruit, chestnuts, onions | Mixed or layered in one pot |
| Crust | Prized qazmaq crust of rice, potato, dough or lavash | Less emphasis on crust |
| Taste | Aromatic, sweet-savoury | Savoury, with carrots and cumin |
For the Central Asian style, see our guide to plov in Samarkand.
Types of plov
- Şah plov – “shah’s plov”: rice, lamb, dried fruit and chestnuts baked inside a lavash shell; cut open at the table.
- Sabzi plov – with lamb and fresh herbs.
- Toyuq plov – with chicken.
- Şirin plov – sweet plov with dried fruit, served at celebrations.
- Fish plov – with Caspian fish, near the coast.
How to eat it
- Take rice and toppings together on your plate.
- Break off some of the crisp crust; it is the best part.
- Eat with a spoon, or with bread in more traditional settings.
- Finish with black tea, served with jams and sweets.
Halal note: Azerbaijan is a Muslim-majority country and meat is halal as standard. It is also a secular country where alcohol is widely available in restaurants; simply order tea or ayran. Pork is rare but found at some international restaurants and supermarkets. See our halal food travel guide.
Where to eat plov in Baku
- The Old City (İçərişəhər) – traditional restaurants in historic caravanserais and stone houses.
- Traditional family restaurants across the city, where shah plov is often ordered in advance for groups.
- Novruz (around 20–21 March) – the spring new year, when plov is on every table.
Shah plov takes time; some restaurants need notice. Ask when you book.
More Azerbaijani food
- Qutab – thin stuffed flatbreads with greens, meat or pumpkin.
- Dolma – vine leaves or vegetables stuffed with meat and rice.
- Kebabs – lamb and chicken grilled over charcoal.
- Dushbara – tiny dumplings in broth.
- Pakhlava and shekerbura – layered nut pastries and filled sweet pastries, especially at Novruz.
What it costs (2026)
| Order | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Plov at a traditional restaurant | About AZN 10–25 |
| Shah plov (for sharing) | About AZN 25–60 |
| Qutab (each) | About AZN 1–3 |
| Tea set with jams | About AZN 5–15 |
Plan your budget with the food budget calculator.
Azerbaijani phrases
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bir şah plov, zəhmət olmasa | One shah plov, please |
| Halaldır? | Is it halal? |
| Donuz əti var? | Is there pork? |
| Spirtli içki yox | No alcohol |
| Sağ olun | Thank you |
Frequently asked questions
What is shah plov?
An Azerbaijani plov of saffron rice, lamb, dried fruit and chestnuts baked inside a crisp lavash dome.
Is Azerbaijani food halal?
Meat is halal as standard in this Muslim-majority country. Alcohol is widely served, so choose drinks accordingly.
How is Azerbaijani plov different from Uzbek plov?
In Azerbaijan the rice and toppings are cooked separately; in Uzbekistan everything cooks in one pot.
How much is plov in Baku?
About AZN 10–25 for a plate in 2026, more for shah plov.
More from the region: Central Asian bazaars and khachapuri in Georgia. See all Europe food guides.
Sources
- Azerbaijan Travel – official tourism site.
- Azerbaijani cuisine and Pilaf.
