Caravan Restaurant

Caravan Restaurant is a modern Uzbek restaurant at 22 Mahmud Tarobiy Street in the Yakkasaroy District of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The kitchen presents familiar national dishes in a more polished form than the city's canteens and plov centres, and its air-conditioned dining room and live performances have made it a regular stop for visitors. The menu is anchored in the classics: lamb shurpa, the clear, fragrant soup of meat and vegetables; manti, the large steamed dumplings filled with spiced lamb and onion; and Uzbek lamb shashlik grilled over coals and served with raw onion and flatbread. Dishes are plated with more attention to presentation than a traditional chaikhana would offer, which suits travellers who want to sample the cuisine in comfortable surroundings. The dining room character leans towards a themed, hospitality-oriented space, with decor that references the Silk Road caravan heritage suggested by the name, and the evening programme of music and performance adds to the sense of occasion. Noise levels can rise when performances are under way, so quieter conversation is easier earlier in the evening or at lunch. There is no strict dress code, and smart-casual clothing is typical. Tea is served as standard, and a drinks list is available, though the focus is the food rather than a notable wine programme. Prices sit in the mid-range for Tashkent at about 120,000 to 250,000 UZS (roughly $10 to $21) per person, which is higher than a plov centre but modest by international standards. Reservations are recommended on weekends, when tour groups and families fill the tables, while weekday lunches are usually easier. Opening hours are roughly 11:00 to 23:00 daily, but these should be verified before visiting. The Yakkasaroy location places it in a central residential and diplomatic part of the city, reachable by taxi from most hotels in a short ride.