Samarkand Restaurant

Samarkand Restaurant sits on Mahmud Koshgari Street in the city centre, a few steps from the Khovrenko winery. It is one of the largest and best-known places to eat in town: the interior is styled like an Eastern palace, with several high-ceilinged halls dressed in national ornament, and in summer there are tables out in the garden.

The kitchen covers Uzbek and European cooking. Diners most often praise the shashlik and mixed meat platters, lagman, plov and jiz-biz, and there is a broad choice of salads and soups. On hot summer days, misting fans keep the garden tables cool.

Evenings bring music and dancing: local families come to celebrate weddings and anniversaries, and tour groups often book it for lunch or a farewell dinner. Expect a loud, festive atmosphere, and the occasional wait for food at peak times; for a quieter meal, ask for one of the private rooms along the walls or a terrace table.