Espresso tour: 8 great coffee shops

This specialty coffee shop is known for its love of black coffee and variety of milk-based options. Here you can find a range of beans from different countries, all roasted using the cafe’s own gentle process to preserve the coffee’s unique terroir. 

Coffee Nation has two batch brew options every day, offering everything from floral to chocolatey notes, and varying degrees of acidity. They’re so dedicated to your coffee experience that they’ve even set up a special «Brew Zone» where you can bring your own beans or choose from their selection, and use their brewing tools to craft your perfect cup.

As you sip your filter coffee or cappuccino, you can browse the books in Coffee Nation’s small library, and grab a bag of beans on your way out—expertly ground for your home coffee needs. The cafe regularly holds master classes for amateur coffee enthusiasts and pros alike, along with lectures, latte art workshops, and even «Aeropress Battles».

A brew bar, a fan club for V60 drippers, a coworking space for freelancers, and a veritable coffee laboratory all in one. Coffeelab uses only top-quality beans from foreign coffee roasters—everywhere from Thailand to the United States. Their classic espresso is always a safe option, but we recommend trying some of their alternative drinks, like their summer cold brew (a rare find in the city!), which is steeped for 16 hours in their special cold brew towers for a strong aroma and full-bodied flavor.

Coffeelab has two branches—one is just two steps from the gastronomic Taras Shevchenko Street, while the other is located in the Chilonzor district. Luckily, you can’t go wrong with either.

A small, friendly coffee shop hidden in the courtyards of the Blue Domes, offering specialty coffee, delicious pastries, and breakfasts made from seasonal and local ingredients. If you love chatting about coffee over coffee, this is the place for you. And with their selection of beans from different countries, there’s always something new to taste.

The Rassvet team has coffee in their DNA. They love discussing Uzbekistan’s coffee industry, the latest latte art trends, and flavor profiles. If you really want to win their favor, enjoy your cappuccino on-site or bring your own cup for takeout—it’s eco-friendly and brings us one step closer to mindful consumption.

The breakfast menu is short and full of flavor. Don’t miss their porridge with caramelized cashews and fruit, green buckwheat with pesto, egg, and sun-dried tomatoes, and their must-try sweet treat—freshly baked cardamom or cinnamon rolls made every morning. But be warned: you may have to defend your snack from the resident magpie! This quick and curious bird has already become Rassvet’s unofficial mascot.

This cozy coffee house and sandwich shop is a popular spot for book clubs and solo readers alike. Book Cafe sources the majority of its beans from local roasters, crafting a well-balanced cup with just the right acidity and sweetness for a bright and complex flavor.

Breakfast is served all day, offering hearty sandwiches with crispy chicken, beef bacon, or fish, and breakfast staples like shakshuka and syrniki—the perfect start to a great day.

The cafe regularly hosts coffee tastings with roasters from around the world, Chinese tea ceremonies, and weekend markets showcasing local brands. There’s even a permanent mini book market for those who love to pair their coffee with a good read.

Aroma at Tashkent City Mall is a bright and stylish space for a picture-perfect coffee break—before, after, or even instead of shopping.

Their coffee is ideal for anyone who prefers low acidity and a rich, velvety cream in their cappuccino.

Aroma’s display case is a sight to behold, lined with fluffy croissants, flaky pastries generously filled with pistachio cream, berry-topped danishes, and unique mousse desserts. If you’re in the mood for something more filling, they also offer breakfast sets, salads, and hot meals, making it a great spot to linger for lunch.

This trendy coffee shop is located in the Moona boutique and features an impressive Eastern-inspired interior. It’s the perfect excuse to browse stylish clothing racks while baristas craft you a tasty cappuccino or strong espresso in an adorable ceramic bowl. 

Moona offers alternative milk options and will even swap your sugar for Jerusalem artichoke syrup. It’s also a haven for matcha lovers, with everything from hot matcha drinks and lemonades to matcha cookies, cheesecakes, and tiramisu.

Tim’s is a chain of three coffee shops, offering options from Ethiopia, Honduras, Peru, and Colombia. The beans are roasted in-house with a medium roast, ideal for both hot and cold brews.

We recommend trying some of Tim’s more alternative styles, including pour-over, Chemex, French press, siphon, and batch brews (unusual for a chain cafe!).

Every cup of coffee comes with one complimentary cookie, but you’ll likely find yourself craving more. Their signature flavors include caramelized condensed milk, blackcurrant with cream, shortbread with M& M’s, Oreo-style, Snickers-inspired, coffee-infused, and more.

This chain of takeaway coffee spots will keep you energized on the go. The menu features all the classics, but the real stars are their signature drinks: the bestselling lavender raf, a winter coffee mulled wine, and a summer Khorazm-style coffee with grapefruit juice and salted caramel.

You’ll likely run across the Varim Kofe team at local markets, but their permanent locations include the first floor of the designer Teplo Store, and, our personal favorite, in the glass kiosk near Pavilion 5 of UzExpo.