A qutab is folded in seconds: a paper-thin circle of dough, a spoonful of filling on one half, the other half pressed over it into a half-moon. It goes onto a hot, domed griddle, gets a brush of butter and a shake of sumac, and lands on your plate in a stack of five.
Qutab is a thin, half-moon Azerbaijani flatbread stuffed with fresh herbs and greens (göy qutab), minced lamb or beef (ət qutab) or pumpkin (qabaq qutab), cooked on a saj griddle and served with butter, sumac and yoghurt. It is sold at bakeries, cafés and restaurants across Baku, usually in portions of several pieces. In 2026 one qutab costs roughly AZN 1–3. Azerbaijan is a Muslim-majority country and meat is halal as standard.
This guide covers the fillings, how qutab is made and eaten, where to buy it, prices and Azerbaijani phrases.
Fillings
| Qutab | Filling | When |
|---|---|---|
| Göy qutab | Spinach, sorrel, dill, coriander, spring onion and other greens | All year; best in spring |
| Ət qutab | Minced lamb or beef with onion and spices | All year |
| Qabaq qutab | Pumpkin, sometimes with pomegranate | Autumn and winter |
| Cheese qutab | Soft white cheese, often with herbs | All year |
How it is made and served
- Unleavened dough of flour, water and salt is rolled very thin.
- Filling is spread over half of each circle, which is folded into a half-moon and sealed.
- It cooks quickly on a hot saj, the convex iron griddle used across the Caucasus.
- It is brushed with butter and stacked.
- Sumac and a bowl of yoghurt come on the side.
How to eat it
- Eat them hot; they soften as they cool.
- Sprinkle sumac for a tangy, lemony note.
- Dip in yoghurt, or fold two together.
- Order a mix of greens and meat to compare.
Halal note: in Azerbaijan meat qutab is made with halal lamb or beef as standard, and greens, pumpkin and cheese qutabs are vegetarian. Some restaurants serve alcohol; tea or ayran are the usual drinks. See our halal food travel guide.
Where to buy qutab in Baku
- Bakeries and small cafés – many make qutab to order at lunchtime.
- Traditional restaurants in the Old City – as a starter before plov or kebabs.
- Markets – stalls at Baku’s bazaars, such as Taza Bazar, sell qutab and fresh herbs.
What it costs (2026)
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Greens or pumpkin qutab | About AZN 1–2 each |
| Meat qutab | About AZN 1.50–3 each |
| Portion of five with yoghurt | About AZN 6–14 |
Azerbaijani phrases
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Beş göy qutab, zəhmət olmasa | Five greens qutab, please |
| Ət qutab | Meat qutab |
| Qatiq ilə | With yoghurt |
| Halaldır? | Is it halal? |
| Sağ olun | Thank you |
Frequently asked questions
What is qutab?
A thin, half-moon Azerbaijani flatbread stuffed with greens, meat, pumpkin or cheese.
Is qutab halal?
In Azerbaijan, meat qutab uses halal meat as standard, and the other fillings are vegetarian.
How is qutab different from gozleme?
Both are thin stuffed flatbreads cooked on a griddle. Qutab is a small half-moon; Turkish gözleme is larger and usually folded into a rectangle.
How much is qutab in Baku?
About AZN 1–3 each in 2026.
More from the region: khachapuri in Georgia and lavash in Armenia. See all Europe food guides.
Sources
- Azerbaijan Travel – official tourism site.
- Qutab.
