20 Best Places to Eat in Uzbekistan: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Uzbekistan boasts one of the richest culinary traditions in Central Asia. Formed along ancient Silk Road trade routes, Uzbek cuisine revolves around slow-cooked meats, fragrant rice pilafs (Plov), hand-pulled noodles, charcoal-grilled kebabs, and freshly baked tandoor breads.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

Plov (Osh): The beloved national dish consisting of tender beef or mutton, rice, caramelized carrots, and aromatic spices cooked in a massive iron cauldron.
Shashlik: Succulent skewers of marinated beef, mutton, or chicken grilled over charcoal embers and served with sliced onions.
Lagman: Savory hand-pulled noodles served in a rich meat and vegetable broth or stir-fried with spices.
Samsa (Somsa): Flaky baked pastry pockets stuffed with minced spiced lamb, beef, or pumpkin and baked in clay tandoor ovens.
Manti: Large steamed dumplings filled with spiced ground meat and onions, topped with sour cream or fresh herbs.

20 Best Places to Eat in Uzbekistan

1. Besh Qozon (Central Asian Plov Centre)

Cuisine: Authentic Uzbek Plov
Location: Tashkent
Must-Try Dish: Tashkent Wedding Plov (Tashkentskiy Plov) with Quail Eggs
About the Place: The world's most famous plov destination, preparing tons of fragrant rice and meat daily inside enormous cauldrons.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Besh Qozon

2. Caravan Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Uzbek & Central Asian
Location: Yakkasaray District, Tashkent
Must-Try Dish: Traditional Manti & Beef Shashlik
About the Place: A pioneer in Tashkent fine dining, decorated like a traditional Uzbek art home with courtyards and live traditional music.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Caravan Restaurant

3. Besh Chinor / Osh Markazi

Cuisine: Samarkand Style Plov
Location: Samarkand
Must-Try Dish: Samarkand Layered Plov
About the Place: Famous across Samarkand for layered plov made with sweet yellow carrots and fall-apart tender beef drizzled in fragrant oil.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Besh Chinor

4. Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant

Cuisine: Silk Road & Regional Khiva
Location: Itchan Kala, Khiva
Must-Try Dish: Shivit Oshi (Green Dill Noodles) & Manti
About the Place: Features an unbeatable rooftop terrace directly overlooking the turquoise domes and minarets of Old Khiva.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant

5. Bolo Hauz Chaikhana

Cuisine: Traditional Teahouse / Uzbek
Location: Opposite the Ark, Bukhara
Must-Try Dish: Bukhara Beef Plov & Fresh Samsa
About the Place: A traditional outdoor tea house situated beside the historic pond, serving affordable local staples under shaded trees.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Bolo Hauz Chaikhana

6. Lali by Novikov

Cuisine: Modern Pan-Asian & Uzbek Fusion
Location: Central Tashkent
Must-Try Dish: Elevated Lamb Shashlik & Modern Lagman
About the Place: An upscale Tashkent dining concept bringing a stylish modern flair to authentic Silk Road flavors.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Lali by Novikov

7. Restaurant Suzani

Cuisine: Regional Uzbek & Soups
Location: Old City, Samarkand
Must-Try Dish: Vegetable Broth Soup with Yogurt & Local Meatballs
About the Place: Beautifully adorned in colorful handmade suzani wall embroideries, serving fresh, homestyle Samarkand specialties.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Restaurant Suzani

8. Khorezm Art Restaurant

Cuisine: Khiva & Khorezm Regional
Location: Itchan Kala, Khiva
Must-Try Dish: Tuxum Barak (Egg-Stuffed Dumplings)
About the Place: Located inside an atmospheric historic madrasa, specializing in unique Khorezm regional dishes like egg-filled dumplings.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Khorezm Art Restaurant

9. Chayxana Chinar

Cuisine: Traditional Bukhara Grill & Plov
Location: Old Town, Bukhara
Must-Try Dish: Charcoal Lamb Rib Shashlik & Achichuk Salad
About the Place: Highly regarded for traditional teahouse dining surrounded by historic architecture and lively local atmosphere.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Chayxana Chinar

10. Oasis Garden Restaurant

Cuisine: Uzbek & European
Location: Samarkand
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Mutton Chops & Fresh Cheesy Bread
About the Place: A popular dining venue with a lush outdoor courtyard garden serving generous portions of regional meats and fresh salads.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Oasis Garden Restaurant

11. Minzifa Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Uzbek & Bukhara
Location: Near Lyabi-Hauz, Bukhara
Must-Try Dish: Beef Lagman & Stuffed Grape Leaves
About the Place: Offers rooftop terrace dining with sweeping views across Old Bukhara's domes and historic trading roofs.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Minzifa Restaurant

12. Anhor Lokomotiv Somsa Centre

Cuisine: Tandoor Baked Samsa
Location: Tashkent
Must-Try Dish: Tandoor Beef & Mutton Fat Samsa
About the Place: Famous among local residents for fresh, piping-hot tandoor-baked Samsa pastries dripping with savory juices.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Anhor Lokomotiv Somsa Centre

13. Zargaron Restaurant

Cuisine: Silk Road Fine Dining
Location: Samarkand
Must-Try Dish: Slow-Cooked Beef Dimlama Stew
About the Place: Perched high with large panoramic windows offering spectacular evening views over illuminated Samarkand monuments.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Zargaron Restaurant

14. Dilyafruz National House

Cuisine: Homestyle Uzbek & Masterclasses
Location: Samarkand
Must-Try Dish: Hand-Rolled Manti & Fresh Apple Cake
About the Place: An authentic home-dining experience where guests learn family cooking secrets and enjoy traditional courtyard feasts.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Dilyafruz National House

15. Old City Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Uzbek & Vegetarian Friendly
Location: Bukhara
Must-Try Dish: Pumpkin Samsa & Eggplant Salads
About the Place: Tucked near the trading domes, serving authentic Uzbek specialties alongside a wide array of fresh vegetable side dishes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Old City Restaurant

16. Afsona Restaurant

Cuisine: Contemporary Healthy Uzbek
Location: Tashkent
Must-Try Dish: Non-Greasy Vegetable Plov & Grilled Kebab Platter
About the Place: Modern, stylish restaurant offering lighter, contemporary re-imaginings of traditional heavy Uzbek recipes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Afsona Restaurant

17. Samarkand Restaurant (Platan)

Cuisine: Uzbek & European
Location: Samarkand
Must-Try Dish: Veal Shashlik & Fresh Flatbreads
About the Place: A classical restaurant surrounded by sycamore trees, famous for grand dining halls and lively evening dance performances.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Samarkand Restaurant

18. Moon Light Restaurant

Cuisine: Khorezm Regional
Location: Khiva
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Fish from the Amu Darya River
About the Place: Known for serving fresh fried river fish and traditional Khiva dishes within a quiet open-air courtyard setting.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Moon Light Restaurant

19. Chayxana Sal-Sal

Cuisine: Modern Teahouse Cuisine
Location: Tashkent
Must-Try Dish: Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank & Mint Karak Tea
About the Place: Combines traditional Uzbek teahouse culture with modern design, offering private dining booths and gourmet tea blends.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Chayxana Sal-Sal

20. Adras National Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Bukharian
Location: Bukhara
Must-Try Dish: Bukhara Fried Fish & Mutton Stew
About the Place: Decorated in traditional woven adras textiles, serving hearty regional Bukhara specialties to travelers and locals alike.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Adras National Restaurant

Featured Image

Traditional Uzbek Plov with Meat and Carrots