Mahtal is a more casual sister to the high-end Yakut places: a friendly room serving classic Sakha cooking and Russian comfort food at gentler prices. The menu has the standard line-up of stroganina, horse dishes, and reindeer broth, but also Russian pelmeni, blini, and salads for those who need a break.
It is a good first meal in the city, particularly in summer when the outdoor terrace opens. Service is in Russian; an English menu is usually available on request.