Caravan

Caravan is a courtyard-house restaurant at 22 Makhmud Tarabi (Abdulla Qahhor) Street in Tashkent's Yakkasaroy District, serving classic Uzbek dishes in a setting that echoes the traditional house built around an open yard. It is regularly suggested as a first sit-down Uzbek dinner in the capital, because the menu covers the standard repertoire in one place and the surroundings give a sense of local domestic architecture.

Plov cooked in a large kazan is the signature, and the wedding-style version is a highlight for visitors who want the celebratory form of the dish. Pumpkin-filled manty, the steamed dumplings, are a distinctive order, as are liver kebabs and lamb shashlik. Hand-pulled lagman, the noodle dish served with meat and vegetables, rounds out the usual selection. Main plates cost roughly 60,000-150,000 UZS, about $5-12.50.

The dining areas are organised around the courtyard, which gives the venue a more atmospheric, relaxed character than a standard hall. Evenings are the livelier time, with groups and families sharing dishes. There is no formal dress code. The OSM listing gives hours of daily 12:00-23:00, though some listings show later closing, so visitors planning a late meal should confirm in advance.

Booking ahead is advised for dinner at weekends, when the courtyard seating fills first. Weekday lunches are generally easier to arrange without notice. Tea is the traditional accompaniment, and the venue is more notable for its food than for a specific beverage programme.

For travellers in Tashkent, the restaurant offers an accessible entry point to Uzbek cuisine at moderate prices. Its Yakkasaroy location places it in a district of embassies, hotels and residential streets south-west of the historic centre, convenient for visitors staying in that part of the city.