Aksu
Meet Uzbekistan’s Jamie Oliver
Get ready to enjoy some top Uzbek dishes from a Guinness world record
holder (for cooking 7 tons of plov!), author of culinary books like «365
Days of Sun» and «Non,» and cult chef who’s been called the Uzbek Jamie Oliver by British journalist
Eleanor Ford. Legendary chef Bahriddin Chustiy has cooked in the center of
Tashkent, London, New York, Moscow, Astana, Dubai, Istanbul, and many other
cities. He often jokes on his blog that he’s a chef who travels the world with
a kapkir (plov skimmer).
Aksu has several branches in Tashkent, but we recommend the one in the
heart of the city, located in the «Shedevr» shopping mall near
Independence Square and the Monument of Courage. The restaurant occupies an
entire floor, featuring a spacious kids' play area, parking, and several zones,
including booths.
The restaurant is most popular for its beshbarmak—an Uzbek take on a
traditional nomadic dish. Of course, the menu also has other interesting
options, including Uzbek norin (which is only made in the capital), nukhat
shurak (a dish with chickpeas), shurpa, lagman, samsa, and several unique Uzbek
salads. The restaurant also serves classic European dishes like pizza and
pasta, as well as appetizers, hot dishes, and a kids’ menu. If you know
Bahriddin, you’ll see his touch in the way he presents traditional Uzbek
dishes. After all, he’s the one who turned «home-style» Uzbek food
into a fine-dining experience.
Lali
The first Uzbek restaurant by Moscow’s most
famous restaurateur, Arkady Novikov, in partnership with Family Garden and AB
Group
This fancy eastern bazaar delights with the aroma of fresh flatbread, spices,
and fruit. Lali has two large halls, but it’s still a good idea to call ahead
and book a table for lunch. After all, Uzbek national food is rich, hearty, and
filling, so if you want to eat like a local, enjoy the milliy taomlar (national dishes) during the day and you won’t need
dinner.
Tashkent
locals are divided about Lali. One half find the restaurant delicious and
comfortable, while the other half consider it too expensive—after all, Uzbek
food should be cheap. But you’ll have to visit to form your own opinions.
Lali
is a reliable spot for delicious plov, samsa, lagman, and shashlik, but they
also serve more unusual regional dishes like tuhum-barak from Khorezm, balaza
from Samarkand, and barracha and vaguri from Bukhara. We definitely
recommend the vaguri, which tastes
just like the original, located 444 km from the capital, and is made with
tender lamb and thin, crispy potato slices. Our advice: order the vaguri with katlama or obi non
flatbread (they bake them in-house with a tandoor oven) and chupontcha salad with oil or chakka (Bukhara-style cream cheese). At
the end, dip a piece of flatbread in the «juice» of the tomatoes from
the salad and try combining it with a piece of meat. But watch out, you might
be tempted to buy a one-way ticket to Bukhara to enjoy the dish every day.
Look
out for the designs and national patterns on the walls, as well as the tiles
along the open kitchen. These are the work of the renowned Nadia Riksieva, an
artist by profession, who became famous for her impressive city murals. Her
paintings decorate all kinds of unusual surfaces, from restaurant walls to
office spaces, buildings, and even Smeg refrigerators.
Tandiriy
Uzbek cuisine with a show
From
restaurateur Sanjar Maksudov, Tandiriy is known for its impressive theatrical
performances, interspersed throughout the day, with waiters and other staff
members taking part.
Here,
you’ll feel the same creative beat that lies at the heart of all Sanjar’s
projects. From his legendary Manas restaurant to his newer endeavours, there’s
an artistic atmosphere to almost all of his establishments, where you can get a
taste of the local humor, witness a true eastern bazaar, and experience the
history of the city.
The
menu at Tandiriy is full of tried and tested Uzbek favorites. The most popular
dishes include the plov and the tandoor-baked lamb, chicken, or catfish.
Caravan
A city legend with historic significance
This
old Uzbek courtyard has heard many secrets, legends, and tales over the years.
During holidays, you might even spot legendary oshpaz and the restaurant owner,
Timur Musin, by the kazan.
Caravan
is one of the first names you’ll hear when asking about the tastiest spots in
the capital, and it certainly ranks among the top 3 restaurants to take foreign
guests for lunch. The restaurant has been in business for over 20 years and
remains a stalwart of national cuisine, hosting international stars,
presidents, diplomats, billionaires, and every serious foodie in Tashkent.
A
secret tip for those visiting Tashkent: head to Caravan Group’s other project,
Cinara’s mountain complex. Under the shade of ancient trees, you can try both
national dishes from Caravan’s chefs and «mountain» hits like
shashlik, grilled trout, and smoky khorovats. The complex also has cliffs with
petroglyphs, a waterfall, and a beautiful mountain meadow, perfect for a
stroll. Events are organized here often, with performances by stars from
Uzbekistan’s pop scene, like Tohir Sadikov, Sahar, and national sweetheart
Sevara Nazarxon.
The Choyxona
A trendy but traditional teahouse
Experience
an authentic Uzbek choyxona (teahouse) from the mind of Roman Saifullin. The
team here follows the choyxona tradition to a tee, which is still alive and
well among locals throughout Tashkent. The Choyxona is almost like a casual
evening «banquet» that doesn’t need an occasion.
Historically,
choyxonas were a men’s space, but privacy, comfort, and stylish design have
«emancipated» this conservative custom. Now private booths are just as popular
for women’s gatherings and traditional gaps,
a local social pastime where friends, colleagues, or like-minded people get
together for lunch or dinner and «play gap.» Here, each person contributes a
set amount of money, and they take turns winning the pooled sum (that’s what we
call «Uzbek-style financial literacy»).
Pre-ordering
is essential here, which frustrated some guests when the restaurant first
opened, but the team has stood firm. The place is deeply traditional, even
though it looks ultra-modern, with New Year and Navruz decorations so beautiful
that Uzbek influencers all flock to the spot to take pictures.
One of
the biggest points of pride for Uzbeks is when Uzbek food is beloved outside of
Uzbekistan. And for Tashkent locals, there’s a special joy in knowing that The
Choyxona has a branch at the legendary Sea Breeze Resort by Emin Agalarov in
Azerbaijan.