"The prettiest dining room inside Khiva's walls, plating proper plov and manty — come to Cafe Zarafshon for Uzbek classics and tea."
About Cafe Zarafshon
Cafe Zarafshon sits inside the Itchan Kala, the walled old town of Khiva, near the tiled Islam Khodja Minaret — about as central as a restaurant can be in this UNESCO-listed Silk Road city. It is widely called the prettiest dining room in Khiva, and it leans into that, pairing traditional Uzbek cooking with a setting designed to keep visitors lingering.
It is an easy choice between sights. For other Khiva tables, compare Mirzaboshi and Malika Kheivak, or browse the wider dining picks.
The Kitchen
The menu runs through the Uzbek canon: plov (the rice-and-lamb staple), manty (steamed dumplings), shourpa (lamb soup), mampar, dimlama and grilled kebabs, all made with locally sourced ingredients. It is also known for its flavourful teas and freshly baked bread — the kind of meal that resets you after hours walking the medersas and minarets.
Prices are gentle — a plate of plov and tea keeps a meal well under the equivalent of a few dollars in most cases — which makes it easy to stop in more than once during a stay.
The Room
The room is the draw alongside the food: carved wooden beams, yellow-brick archways, wall-mounted porcelain and a wooden wheel as a chandelier. There is indoor seating and an outdoor area that looks onto the old-town streets. It is calm, characterful and unmistakably Khiva — a place to sit with tea as much as to eat.
Best for a relaxed dinner after a day in the old town
Cafe Zarafshon suits a relaxed dinner after a day in the old town — the decorated room and gentle prices make it a natural first-date or solo-dining stop. For more of the city's tables, see Mirzaboshi or browse the full Khiva dining guide.
Not for
Not for diners chasing a chef-led tasting menu or modern cooking — this is honest, traditional Uzbek food in a tourist-facing old-town room, best for classics and atmosphere.
Frequently Asked
What is Cafe Zarafshon known for?
Traditional Uzbek cooking — plov, manty, shourpa and grills — in what is widely called the prettiest dining room in Khiva, inside the walled old town.
What should I order at Cafe Zarafshon?
Plov is the staple to try, alongside manty (steamed dumplings) and shourpa (lamb soup). It is also known for its teas and freshly baked bread.
How much does Cafe Zarafshon cost?
Prices are gentle — mains run roughly 50,000–90,000 UZS, and a plate of plov with tea keeps a meal very affordable by Western standards.
Where is Cafe Zarafshon located?
Inside the Itchan Kala, the walled old town of Khiva, near the Islam Khodja Minaret — central to the city's main sights.
What are Cafe Zarafshon's hours?
It opens daily, roughly 8am to 10pm, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Cafe Zarafshon
No formal booking — walk in. Open daily from morning to late evening.
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Practical Information
AddressItchan Kala, near the Islam Khodja Minaret, Khiva
NeighbourhoodInside the walled Itchan Kala old town
CuisineUzbek
PricePlov, manty and grills; mains roughly 50,000–90,000 UZS
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingCarved-wood dining room and outdoor terrace; walk-in
ReservationWalk-in; open daily, roughly 8am to 10pm
