Rayhon Restaurant

Rayhon Restaurant is a well-known national-cuisine restaurant on Shahrisabz Street in the Mirzo Ulugbek District of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a few minutes' walk from Amir Timur Square. The name refers to basil (rayhon), an herb widely used in Uzbek cooking and tea, and the menu centres on the country's traditional dishes. Plov is the anchor of the menu, prepared with rice, lamb, yellow carrots and chickpeas. Tandir kebab, in which meat is roasted in a clay oven so that it emerges tender with a crisp exterior, is another staple, and dimlama, a slow-cooked stew of meat and layered vegetables, is a hearty option that reflects home-style Uzbek cooking. As is customary, meals begin with bread and salads and are accompanied by pots of tea. The dining room is traditional in spirit, with an atmosphere that is welcoming and family-oriented rather than formal. Noise levels are moderate, rising when groups gather in the evening. No special dress code applies and visitors in everyday clothing are comfortable. The beverage programme is simple, built around tea, soft drinks and a standard drinks list, without a notable wine focus. Prices are mid-range at roughly 100,000 to 200,000 UZS (about $8.3 to $17) per person. Walk-ins are usually fine, and booking is rarely a problem except for larger parties or busy weekend evenings, when a call ahead is sensible. Opening hours are roughly 10:00 to 23:00 daily, though these should be verified. Its location near Amir Timur Square, one of the central landmarks of Tashkent, makes it convenient for visitors sightseeing in the city centre who want a reliable meal of national dishes without travelling far.