"Khiva's rooftop favourite — Terrassa plates Khorezm shivit oshi and shashlik over the walls of Ichan Qala, the old town's top-rated table for a sunset dinner."
About Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant
Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant is a rooftop kitchen inside the Ichan Qala walled old town of Khiva, Uzbekistan, consistently rated the city's top table by travellers. The draw is the marriage of place and plate: a terrace looking out over the minarets and mud-brick walls of the old town, and a menu of Khorezm and Uzbek cooking that changes with the season. It is a touch pricier than the spots outside the walls, and most diners find the view and the cooking worth it.
For Khiva's other old-town tables, compare the madrassah-set Khorezm Art Restaurant, the heritage Mirzaboshi and the local Cafe Zarafshon. It sits within the city's fine-dining and vegetarian-friendly scene.
The Kitchen
The kitchen cooks local and seasonal, with a menu that rotates every few months and English descriptions throughout. The signature is shivit oshi — the bright-green dill noodles unique to the Khorezm region — served with the region's gourmet kebabs and a proper plov; the beet salad and the dumplings are the dishes reviewers single out, and there is a clearly marked run of vegetarian options. Prices sit in the mid range for Khiva, a little above the simpler spots outside the walls but still modest by Western standards.
The Room
The setting is the headline: a rooftop terrace with panoramic views over Ichan Qala, best at sunset when the light catches the old-town walls and the call from the minarets carries across the rooftops. Live music and dance performances lift the evening atmosphere, and the room is popular enough that a reservation — especially for terrace seating — is essentially required. It is built for a long, view-led dinner rather than a quick refuel.
Best for a First Date
A rooftop terrace and a sunset over Ichan Qala make Terrassa an easy first date or romantic anniversary dinner in Khiva. The lively, view-led room also carries a sociable team dinner for a group exploring the old town.
Not for
Not for travellers after the cheapest plov in town or a quick bite — Terrassa runs a little above old-town prices and is built for a slow, reservation-led rooftop dinner.
Frequently Asked
What is Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant known for?
It is the top-rated rooftop restaurant in Khiva's Ichan Qala old town, known for Khorezm and Uzbek cooking — especially shivit oshi green dill noodles — served with panoramic terrace views over the walls.
What should I order?
Shivit oshi, the bright-green dill noodles unique to Khorezm, is the signature; the gourmet kebabs, a proper plov, the beet salad and the dumplings are the other highlights, with clearly marked vegetarian options.
How much does it cost?
Prices sit in the mid range for Khiva — a little above the simpler spots outside the old-town walls, but still modest by Western standards.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes — the restaurant is very popular and a reservation is essentially required, particularly for the rooftop terrace seating at sunset.
Where is Terrassa located?
Inside the Ichan Qala walled old town of Khiva, Uzbekistan, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the minarets and old-town walls.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant
Rooftop terrace; reservations essential, especially for sunset seating.
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Practical Information
AddressIchan Qala old town, Khiva
NeighbourhoodIchan Qala, Khiva old town
CuisineUzbek / Khorezm
PriceMid-range for Khiva
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingRooftop terrace over Ichan Qala
ReservationEssential
