Given how huge Tashkent is, it does not feel right to jam all the restaurants I visited or got delivery from there into one mega-article. It is best to go over them in two parts, with this first one being dedicated to venues specializing on Mediterranean or Caucasian cuisines. Read on to find out where to get some of the finest falafels and khinkalis in town!
Gamarjoba – https://maps.app.goo.gl/m8qC14C8BwDZyBWK6
Despite not having stellar reviews anywhere online, Gamarjoba surprised me for the better by dishing out an outstandingly good tasting khachapuri topped with a lot of juicy vegetables and mushrooms. I craved such a variety of khachapuri for a long time yet could not find any in Georgia. Apparently, it is a thing here. It was most certainly worth the wait as this version practically works as a lighter and healthier variety of your usual cheesy khachapuri. Do not expect the highest level of service here though, as they have some issues with that.
Pro.Khinkali – https://maps.app.goo.gl/Yo9dyKQarHFWJCrUA
Let us continue with another Georgian restaurant, this time one specializing on khinkalis. I do not know if it is just the norm in Tashkent to experiment with food, but I love it. You can actually find a khinkali filled with cheese and tomatoes here, which tastes much like pizza pockets, but better. I also wanted to try something like that in Georgia, but could not find it on any menus. I mean, it is such a no brainer in my book, but I guess it is not a combination Georgian cooks approved so far. In any case, definitely visit this fine establishment, despite its posh appearance and high quality of service, they do not even charge a service fee, which in itself is a rarity in this part of the world.
Syrovarnya – https://maps.app.goo.gl/nq1i25xbKCUJkpo69
This fantastic establishment is half restaurant and half a cheese manufacturer. This means that anything cheese related is found on the menu, and they always taste amazing. Though their margherita pizza certainly was up to the standards, it was their focaccia topped with a fresh burrata and some of the tastiest chopped tomatoes and onions ever that conquered my heart, or stomach, I guess. It is a must eat if you are in Tashkent, no buts of ifs. Once again, despite being a rather upper-scale establishment, there is no service fee here as well.
Café Forn Lebnen – https://maps.app.goo.gl/UVQnimiaYtnZW5i6A
I do not even know how or why, but if you want some proper falafel and tasty man’ousheh, look no further than Tashkent. Café Forn Lebnen excels in both and more, all the while serving an ayran that tasted better than the ones in Turkey. It is an amazing establishment with extremely friendly staff and a hospitable owner, that also serves a surprisingly high number of vegetarian dishes, which is very rare in this part of the globe. This is a must visit for all lovers of Lebanese cuisine and/or vegetarians, you will not be disappointed.
Çiğköftem
Speaking of vegetarian dishes, one cannot help but think about Turkish çiğköfte, which ironically translates to raw meatballs. It is true that the authentic stuff includes some actual meat in it, but the ones you will run into on the streets of Istanbul or anywhere else will not have any, for the most part. Franchises like Çiğköftem who are spreading outside of Turkey already certainly do not make use of any meat in the products. I ended up ordering from this establishment twice during my short stay in Tashkent. It is certainly well worth a try, or you can order an entire kilogram of the thing like I did if you already know and love the taste of çiğköfte!
