Where to Eat in Samarkand: 8 Places for Plov, Views and Good Dinners

Samarkand has its own plov, made with yellow carrots and cooked in layers, and Samarkand people will tell you it is the best in the country. Our home city also has restaurants for every mood: a plov centre where locals queue at lunch, rooftops facing the Registan and evening dining rooms with live music. These are eight places we are happy to send our guests to.

Prices are a rough guide: $ is a simple local meal, $$ a sit-down dinner at tourist-friendly prices, $$$ one of the more expensive places in town. Most places take cards, but carry some cash, especially in teahouses and plov centres.

1. Samarqand Osh Markazi N1 (Plov Centre No. 1)

A plov centre that has been cooking since 2009 and serves hundreds of guests a day from big kazans on Ibn Sino Street, away from the tourist centre. Many travel writers and locals call it the best plov in the city. Order plov with beef or lamb, which comes with salad, bread and tea. Cash is safest, and go before 1 pm: when the plov is gone, it is gone. Price: $. Open in Google Maps

2. Oshqand

A newer plov centre on Zarafshon Street, opened in 2024 and already well reviewed by travellers. It serves Samarkand plov at lunch and, unusually, again in the early evening. Price: $. Open in Google Maps

3. Platan

One of the city's best-known restaurants, with a stone-and-wood interior and a winter garden in the centre of town. The menu mixes Uzbek and European dishes: kazan kebab, manti, plov, grilled fish and lamb kebabs. There is often live music in the evening. Price: $$$. Open in Google Maps

4. Emirhan

A three-floor restaurant a short walk from the Registan whose rooftop terrace looks out over the madrasas. Order the classics (plov, shashlik, manti, samsa) and book a roof table, as it gets busy. The view is at its best in daylight and at sunset. Price: $$. Open in Google Maps

5. Karimbek

A large, two-level restaurant on Gagarin Street decorated in oriental style and popular with families and groups, with live music and dance in the evening. Reviewers praise the shashlik and plov; try the lamb shank or a meat platter to share. It can be lively and loud, which is part of the fun. Price: $$. Open in Google Maps

6. Manresa

An upscale address on Nodirabegim Street with a polished interior, attentive service and live music, often chosen for celebrations. The kitchen cooks modern Uzbek and European dishes; ask the staff for the house specialities and book ahead. Price: $$$. Open in Google Maps

7. Restaurant Samarkand

A local favourite on Mahmud Koshgari Street with a summer terrace and a long menu of Uzbek and European dishes. Regulars recommend starting with the cold and hot starters before the plov, manti or kebabs. Price: $$. Open in Google Maps

8. Bibikhanum Teahouse

A courtyard teahouse right opposite the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and next to Siab Bazaar, with traditional tapchan seating. Come for the setting, a pot of tea and simple dishes such as samsa and plov after a morning at the bazaar. There are vegetarian options too. Price: $. Open in Google Maps

Opening hours and prices change, so check before you set off. Our Samarkand city tour includes a lunch break at a traditional restaurant or teahouse, and your guide will help you choose.