Navvat

Navvat is a teahouse-style restaurant at 9 Matbuotchilar Street in central Tashkent, serving Uzbek dishes in a setting that draws on the chaikhana tradition. Navvat is the Uzbek word for rock sugar crystals, traditionally served with tea, and the name signals the venue's focus on hospitality and the tea table. By evening the room takes on a lounge atmosphere, which sets it apart from daytime canteens elsewhere in Uzbekistan's capital.

The menu centres on staple dishes: shurpa, the lamb and vegetable soup that is the specialty, lagman, the noodle dish with meat and vegetables, and manta, the steamed dumplings. These are served alongside the pots of tea that define the teahouse format. Main plates cost roughly 60,000-140,000 UZS, about $5-11.50, which positions it in the moderate bracket for central Tashkent.

The character of the room shifts through the day. Lunch is calmer and more traditional, while evenings bring the lounge mood, with softer lighting and a more social crowd. There is no strict dress code, and the noise level is moderate. The restaurant is open daily from lunch to late evening; exact closing times vary, so confirming by phone is wise.

Reservations by phone are advisable on weekend evenings, when the lounge side of the venue is most in demand, and the contact number is +998 71 113 22 23. On weekdays and at lunch, walk-in visits are generally straightforward.

Beyond tea, the beverage offer is not a headline feature, and the emphasis stays on the food and the relaxed setting. The location on Matbuotchilar Street keeps the venue within easy reach of central Tashkent hotels, making it a convenient option for visitors who want a teahouse experience without leaving the city centre.