Top 10 cafés in Tashkent

Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan, and it is where I lived for three years between 2014 - 2017. It is a young city that has made many developments over the years. For instance, the restaurant industry is one of the spheres where there have been major improvements. Over the past decade, new restaurants have emerged making the dining experience more enjoyable and worthwhile. Now, I would like to share some of the top restaurants which have made my memorable time in Tashkent all the more special!

A list of the ten best cafés in the city:

1. Bon! : this French chain is the perfect spot for breakfasts and brunches. They have a great selection of a variety of loaves of bread. Their selection of pastries is quite abundant and tasty as well. The menu consists of breakfast foods such as omelets and quiches, and other meals such as sandwiches, salads, and soups. I found it very similar to the (American) Panera Bread. You can order hot beverages or cold drinks with your meal. Bon! cafes are usually situated in the central areas of Tashkent so you can expect the staff to be familiar with the English language. The cafe has both an inside and outdoor seating, which is perfect for the cooler and warmer months, respectively. Love the atmosphere of this French-style cafe and highly recommend it for a quick stop!

2. If you love taking pictures of your food and enjoy living inside delicious Pinterest boards, then Loft cafe is definitely up your alley. This is one of the cutest and aesthetic eateries in Tashkent! I have devoured some of the most appetizing burgers and salads at this very cafe. I also really love the presentation of their meals because it makes the whole dining experience worthwhile and enjoyable. The staff provides a blank piece of white paper as a placemat and hands out colored pencils so you can doodle away while you wait for your meal. Great way to kill time!

There is also an amazing deal where you can pair two half items on the menu for the price of one regular meal. For example, if you are craving both a salad and a burger but do not know which to get, then you can pick a 1/2 a salad and pair it with a 1/2 burger, and still pay the price of one regular burger! This option is perfect for those who have trouble choosing between two items!

3. If you are in the mood for some good Medditrenean food like Turkish cuisine, then make sure to drop by Barlos cafe. I used to frequent this restaurant on a weekly basis especially when I was craving some savory kebabs. If you ever do go, ask for their trademark Adana Kebabs, it will not disappoint! This cafe is usually pretty crowded but they also have outdoor seating, and I found this option to be more peaceful. Also, Barlos has some of the best refreshing ayran drinks in Tashkent for only $0. 40, which is such a good deal! For those who are not familiar with this Turkish beverage, it is a cold savory-yogurt based refreshment mixed with salt. Highly recommend it during the hot months!

4. Speaking of kebabs, Uzbekistan is known for its Shashlik Kebabs and they are absolutely mouthwatering. If you are crazy about meat, then the next place I am about to share with you is somewhere you should definitely not miss! There are two outdoor shashlik spots situated right across the street from the entrance of the popular Chorsu Bazaar. These cafes do not have names; people just usually refer to them by their location (Chorsu). They have interesting business hours as they usually work from 6 P. M. - 12 A. M. What I respect about this place is that the meat comes from a trustworthy butcher and everything is cooked in front of you. It is certainly a meat heaven for meat lovers!

5. Speaking of meat, I have just been reminded of a great steakhouse! Sam's is a cool, hot spot for expatriates in Tashkent. The atmosphere is incredible and a lot of fun! One of the things I enjoy about this restaurant is it usually features upcoming artists, so there is always live music. It is a fun environment for having a drink andgoing dancing. The prices are a little high by Uzbek standards but totally affordable by foreigners. Sam's is also located by a pretty cool train museum, which you should also check out.

6. Another place popular for its dance floor is Brasil. My husband and I absolutely adore this place and it became our little tradition to visit this restaurant every New Year's Eve. This is a high-end restaurant and not somewhere you can just walk in. Reservations need to be made at least one day in advance because the restaurant sets up and organizes a buffet. The buffet consists of all kinds of food. You can expect different types of meat, salads, appetizers, finger foods, cheese, veggies, fruits, and they are all unbelievably delicious! The only thing that is not included in the one-time charge (approximately $10-$15) is the drinks!

Brasil is the ideal place for celebrating and getting together with friends. You can also order a hookah! It is not named after the South American country without a reason, the restaurant puts on highly entertaining shows, which feature actual Brasilian singers and dancers.

7. If you do not want to spend a wild night in Brasilia, and instead, are looking for a more peaceful evening to eat your heart out, then you have got to try Na Nebo. The name of this restaurant is Russian and it translates "in the clouds. " It is a classy yet costly restaurant that has soft lighting and a very soothing ambiance. The set-up is very chic and posh. The food is excellent and the service is superb. And, for my foodies and avid Instagrammers, the food presentation at Na Nebo has definitely got an aesthetic appeal.

8. Another trendy restaurant that does well in the food plating and presentation game is Yapona Mama. This Japanese restaurant is fairly new in Tashkent and has become extremely popular among the locals and foreigners. It is a favorite of many so make sure to book a table before going. Now, many people are a little wary of trying sushi and other seafood products in this landlocked country. However, I am here to confidently tell you that this is one of the best sushi joints, I have dined at, in my lifetime. There are all sorts of rolls and sushi available to pick from, and also do not forget to try a bowl of hot and sour soup! It was my go-to soup whenever I felt like I was coming down with something.

9. Since we are on the topic of Japanese food, I would like to share another sushi turf that is very popular among the people of Tashkent: Assorti. This place is an excellent spot for those who enjoy fine dining. It is also accessible for foreigners who do not speak the local languages, Uzbek and Russian as the waiters have some knowledge of English. An advantage of dining at this restaurant is that it offers a wide array of cuisines in addition to Japanese. Assorti also has a European and an Uzbek kitchen. Moreover, free WIFI access is another perk of this restaurant.

10. Last but not least, Palette: I love this place for everyday foods such as pepperoni pizza, chicken Caesar salads, and bolognese pasta! Prices are reasonable for foreigners but may be pricey by local standards. The outdoor seating is quite charming with modish rattan sofas and chairs. The staff is always extremely friendly so you will be pleased with their first-rate service. The only downside is the waiters do not speak much English so communicating with them may be a struggle, but definitely not impossible! Also, those with children will be happy to learn the restaurant has nice kid-friendly facilities. In the basement of the restaurant, there is a spacious area with a secure playground when children can play.

The restaurant industry is definitely booming in this Central Asian city and I am excited to have been able to experience it! A decade ago, eating out and dining at cafes were only limited to Uzbek restaurants, however, nowadays, all sorts of cuisines are available. Not only is this benefiting the economy of this budding nation but also expanding the taste buds of the Uzbek people!

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