Zarafshon Restaurant & Lounge
Zarafshon Restaurant and Lounge sits on Sayilgoh Street with a dual identity that serves both the dinner crowd and the late-evening lounge seekers. The ground floor operates as a full-service restaurant with white tablecloths and a menu that blends Uzbek plov and kebabs with European dishes like risotto and grilled salmon. Upstairs, the lounge area opens after 8 PM with lower lighting, hookah service, and a cocktail menu. The space accommodates around 100 guests across both levels. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights typically features a small band playing Uzbek pop, Russian classics, and occasional jazz standards. The interior mixes traditional Uzbek carved wood panels with modern furniture, creating an atmosphere that reads as upscale by Tashkent standards without feeling pretentious. The terrace overlooking Broadway is the most sought-after seating during warm months.
What to Expect
A two-level venue combining proper restaurant dining with an upstairs lounge. The ground floor is polished and family-friendly. The upper level shifts to a moodier, hookah-scented lounge atmosphere after dark. Live music on weekends fills the space with sound.
Elegant for Broadway, with a warmth that comes from carved wood, soft lighting, and live music drifting through the space. The terrace adds an outdoor cafe dimension on warm evenings.
Live bands on weekends playing Uzbek pop, Russian standards, and jazz. Recorded lounge and chill-out music on weeknights.
Smart casual. The restaurant and lounge attract a well-dressed Tashkent crowd. Collared shirts and clean shoes for men. No shorts or sandals in the evening.
Couples looking for dinner and drinks in one stop, groups wanting hookah and music, visitors seeking an upscale Broadway experience
Cards accepted (Visa, Mastercard). Cash in Uzbek som also welcome.
Price Range
Cocktails 40,000-65,000 UZS, beer 20,000-30,000 UZS, hookah 50,000-80,000 UZS, main courses 35,000-80,000 UZS, plov 25,000-35,000 UZS
Cocktails ~$3.30-5.40/~3-4.90 EUR, beer ~$1.65-2.50/~1.50-2.30 EUR, hookah ~$4-6.60/~3.65-6 EUR, mains ~$2.90-6.60/~2.65-6 EUR
Hours
12:00-01:00 daily, lounge opens at 20:00, live music Fri-Sat from 21:00
Insider Tip
Book a terrace table for Friday dinner if you want the full experience of eating while Broadway comes alive below. The lounge upstairs is worth visiting after 10 PM when the live music starts. Order the plov for an authentic Uzbek dish done well.
Full Review
Zarafshon represents Broadway's upscale end, offering an experience that bridges the gap between the street's casual cafe culture and the clubbier venues in Yunusabad. The restaurant side operates as a legitimate dining destination, not just a bar that happens to serve food. The Uzbek dishes, particularly the plov and lamb kebabs, are prepared with care and use quality ingredients. The European menu items are competent without being exceptional.
The lounge upstairs is where the evening takes shape. After 8 PM, the lighting drops, the hookah coals glow, and the cocktail menu comes into play. The drinks are mixed with more skill than you'd expect on Broadway, with fresh juices and proper technique evident in the mojitos and sours. The hookah service is thorough, with attentive coal management and a selection of premium tobaccos.
Friday and Saturday nights bring live music that transforms the atmosphere. The bands that play Zarafshon tend to be among Tashkent's better working musicians, and their sets balance crowd-pleasing Uzbek pop with more interesting jazz and fusion material. The acoustics of the upper level work well for live performance, containing the sound without making it overwhelming.
The terrace overlooking Broadway is the venue's most compelling feature during warm months. Sitting above the pedestrian flow with a cocktail and hookah while music plays behind you and the evening parade passes below is a distinctly Tashkent experience. The view isn't dramatic, but the combination of elements creates something memorable.
Pricing sits at the upper end of Broadway's range but remains absurdly cheap by international standards. A full dinner with drinks, hookah, and live music for two people rarely exceeds 300,000 UZS ($25), a figure that wouldn't cover cocktails for one at most European or American venues.
The Neighborhood
On Sayilgoh Street (Broadway), in the heart of Tashkent's pedestrian nightlife strip. Steam Bar and Cafe Milliy are nearby for a more casual drink. The Garden Bar is a short walk for open-air drinks.
Getting There
5-minute walk from Amir Timur Hiyoboni metro station. Yandex Go from anywhere in central Tashkent costs 10,000-20,000 UZS. Located on the main stretch of Sayilgoh Street.
Other Venues in Broadway (Sayilgoh Street)
Steam Bar
Popular craft beer bar on Broadway with an industrial-themed interior and a solid selection of local and imported beers.
Rock Pub Tashkent
Small rock and live music venue off Broadway that books local bands and occasional touring acts. Grungy atmosphere and cheap beer.
Cafe Milliy
Traditional-style cafe and bar near the south end of Broadway, popular with locals for evening drinks, tea, and people-watching.
The Garden Bar
Open-air bar with a tree-shaded courtyard just off Broadway. Draws a mixed crowd of students, expats, and young professionals on warm evenings.