Location: Samarkand
Top Restaurants in Samarkand
Top 10 restaurants in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Samarkand (Uzbek Latin: Samarqand; Uzbek Cyrillic and Tajik: Самарқанд; Persian: سمرقند; Russian: Самарканд; Greek: Σαμαρκάνδη), alternatively Samarqand, is a city in modern-day Uzbekistan and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia. There is evidence of human activity in the area of the city from the late Paleolithic era, though there is no direct evidence of when exactly Samarkand was founded; some theories propose that it was founded between the 8th and 7th centuries BC. Prospering from its location on the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean, at times Samarkand was one of the greatest cities of Central Asia.
Things to do in Samarkand
1. Karimbek
Overall Ratings
4 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By AHZambia - London, United Kingdom
Seemingly popular with tourist parties, but also as a venue for Uzbek parties. We sat outside on shaded Terrace but it is on a main road so still nosy. Food is ok, wouldn't describe it as anything special - usual selection of aubergine, Greek, beetroot salads etc which are good, kebabs too. Chicken Kiev quite dry. Reasonable prices.
2. Platan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 368 reviews
Reviewed By MMMH - Dungarvan, Ireland
We stayed in the Platan Hotel and dined in the restaurant both nights, not out of convenience but simply because the food was so good.
Breakfasts both mornings were top class with different cereals and other choices each day. Coffees are made to order and the selection of fruit, pastries, cheeses etc was wonderful. You are also given an a la carte menu from which to choose your hot option, omelettes, pancakes (both American and French crepe style) and lots more. A fantastic way to start the day.
Dinner at night needs to be booked. We were there on mid-week nights in November and the place was buzzing. The first night they accommodated us as we were hotel guests but we made sure to book a table in time for the second night.
All staff speak English although some better than others. The menu is in English and offers a vast array of Uzbek, and international, cuisine. We had tasty salads for starters both nights, I had chicken dishes and my husband enjoyed the foil wrapped lamb so much the first night that he had it again the second night! The chocolate fondant dessert was out of this world and we enjoyed it both nights also:-) Sparkling water, a bottle of excellent wine and two cappuccinos washed everything down. Each night the bill came to about €20 for both of us!! Unbelievable value for westerners.
This restaurant does cater for tour groups but, as it is a big space, they don't impact on the experience for other diners.
Live music both nights, a talented guy who played a variety of instruments. This really added to the atmosphere.
I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a top-class meal while in Samarkand. Go, you will not regret it.
3. Venezia
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By MarcelTraveller - Voorschoten, The Netherlands
Some pros and cons about this restaurant.
1. Venezia is a very fine restaurant with a lot of choice, an English menu and not-to-expensive prices. Although the name could indicate only Italian food is served, we also had a lot of choice in international dishes.
2. The restaurant is located in the new part of the city, it is a 10 minute walk from the Amir Timur statue. The shortest way is through the Navoi park. On that part of the street near Venezia are more restaurants. The restaurant is nicely decorated with a kind of fresco’s from Italian scenes.
3. Very good meals. The soups are delicious, you have to try the pumpkin soup!
4. Friendly service, English is spoken. We only had the idea that the lady who served us, was a little afraid to speak and make mistakes. We had to start speaking, instead of the waitress spoke to us.
5. When we had our meal, we were the only guests. We have no idea if the service and quality is different when more people/a group is eating.
4. Besh Chinor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By Centasia
Samarkand has a big choice for restaurants and the price in most of them is more or less the same. But there are still a few places like Besh Chinor which offer good food at cheap prices. Note: be careful when you command Plov as it may be too much.
5. Oriental Sweets Caravan Sarai
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
One of the Best restourant in Uzbekistan.Run by Sheff Beka owners orient voyaj company food is the best Uzbekian food ever very well rekomendedFor orders you can call Beka +998667744003or email [email protected]
Reviewed By SaffraanReizen - holland
What a nice place to be....... a lovely garden as the central square where tables and traditional oezbek "beds"are around a big tree.quiet and peacefull atmosphere. Before i decided to eat there i asked what was on the menu. They mentioned a few dishes i could choose from. That was oke. Beiing vegetarian its better to ask first what meat-less dishes are availabe. We had a delicious PLOV without meat and vegetarian dimlama. Everything tasted very well. Also the salads were of great taste. The service was very good. The staff was friendly and very helpfull. The dessert where almost finished but we managed to get a tea and va very delicious "baklava" Sweet but not so full of shugar and honey but with nuts. A very nice finish of a great meal.
6. Restaurant Samarkand
Overall Ratings
4 based on 339 reviews
Reviewed By GeraldineUK - Malmesbury, United Kingdom
We went with 2 local ladies so that definitely helped with menu ordering. We sat upstairs in what was a Russian summer house and there were many locals eating here. We had several salads but our hosts ordered a plate of vegetables for starters and some nuts and smoked cheese. We actually thought the cheese was chicken it was so stringy. Also salty. But the other food was tasty and plentiful.
The restaurant is a little way out of the town centre in more of a residential area. It took us 30 minutes to walk there and we caught a taxi back
The local cognac was delicious
7. Old City
Overall Ratings
4 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Joost G - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Enjoyed a lunch here. Kind personnel, helping you in good English. Menu is incredibly large with way too many options (English though). Caters mainly to large groups of tourists, but prices are acceptable. Food was decent.
8. Siob Chaikhana
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Mintaka1976 - Hong Kong
This cafe is a wonderful secluded riverside shaded cool friendly place! I just couldn't believe it hasn't been reviewed before. A small river runs through the property. There are casual tables around a pond formed by the river. The best seats are two lye-down tables (lapchan) directly over the river. A cool most from Fountains in the pond along with the breeze keep this place very pleasant in the heat of June.
There was no menu, but food was good. Sashlik (skewers of meat) are available, along with salads, fruit, bread, yoghurt, nuts and beer (just point and ask.) Very little English is spoken, but communicating is not a problem. At one point the owner came to sit with us and make sure everything was fine - it was. Prices were reasonable. Not cheap - but reasonable.
To find the place I'd recommend a taxi from Ulugbek roundabout (near Ulugbek Observatory.) It would be about a 20 min walk from there but it's down some neighborhood lanes and might be tough to find. The taxi driver should know it, or will find it for you by asking.
Only down side... Pretty aweful (though no worse than average) toilet. It's a pit toilet. Smelly, dirty, and well you can guess the rest :)
This was by far the nicest place we found in Samarkand.
9. Suzangaron Chaikhana
Overall Ratings
4 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Glloq - Reading, United Kingdom
Finally a real chaikhana which is not a tourist trap, with no tourist, full-fat food and real taste.
Try the shashlik, with real pieces of fat between the meat, and feel it explode in your mouth. The laghman had an intense taste as well. Prices are reasonable, but not dirt cheap: expect to pay around 12000 sum per person.
Our best table in Uzbekistan!
10. Osh Markazi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Mamed A - Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Based on my personal experience, best meals are mainly offered where locals eat. This Osh markazi (Plov Center) is one of them, where you can hardly find a seat during lunchtime. We were lucky to a) get a table for a large group (8 people); b) get plov since we're almost the last ones. Plov is great, salads are good appetizers. All of it for a dirt cheap price (in a good way) - we had 8 half portions of plov, 6-7 salads, several lepeshkas (breads) and 4 teapots for UZS 81,000 ($13,5 per market rate, $28 per official exchange rate).
Make sure you come not later than 12:30 pm to get some plov, and tables!
