The “Zarafshan” restaurant was built in 1974 and immediately became one of the most popular spots among Tashkent residents. Before the 1966 earthquake, the area featured dense development: among the buildings was the famous Central Gastronom, and earlier — the merchant Zakho’s store. The second floor housed the Tashkent Trade Union Council.

The restaurant is located in the very heart of the city and opens onto three streets — Zarafshan (former Kirov / Irjar), Matbuotchilar (Leningrad / Petersburg), and Sayilgoh (Karl Marx / Kaufman). Few remember that between the restaurant and the now-demolished former SGB (SNB / KGB) building once ran the densely built, now vanished Akhunbabayev (Ikon) Street.

Work on the project, initially titled “Asia,” began in 1966, right after the earthquake. Ultimately, however, the restaurant was named after the river flowing near Samarkand. The building was designed by architects V. L. Spivak, A. P. Sineg, and R. Ya. Memetov in collaboration with the “Tashgiprogor” team.

The three-story building’s basements housed storage rooms and refrigerators. After opening, it featured the Large and Small Halls, as well as three banquet halls — “Marble,” “Bukhara,” and “Oak.” The walls of the “Bukhara” hall were adorned with carpets and intricate ganch carvings with mirrors.

The second floor included a dietary canteen, the “Tabaka Chicken” café, and a staircase leading to the third floor’s “Ice Cream” café. The first floor housed the “Night Labyrinth” café, a cocktail hall, several bars, and, on the KGB building side, a culinary shop famous for its “Bird’s Milk” cake.

The building is recognized as an architectural monument and a vivid example of Soviet modernism.

In recent years, the restaurant’s premises have been leased to various owners: restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and trendy boutiques have opened here. Classic plov is available for lunch. The decor has become colorful, with signs in diverse styles. On one hand, it’s not alarming: after all, “Zarik” remains a people’s favorite. On the other, it’s unacceptable to spoil the appearance of a unique architectural heritage monument.

While strolling Tashkent’s “Broadway,” many stop by the familiar “Zarafshan” for a bite or some shopping — after all, Tashkent is unimaginable without it.