City: Dushanbe
Top Restaurants in Dushanbe
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Dushanbe Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Dushanbe
Translating to "Monday" in Tajik, Dushanbe was once a tiny mountain village known for its Monday market. Today that village has become a metropolis, but the Barakat covered market remains one of the most vibrant attractions in the city. Dushanbe's wide, tree-lined avenues are home to a number of monuments and museums, including the Unified Museum and the Museum of Antiquities, as well as a beautiful opera theater and myriad cafes and teahouses where visitors can sample Tajik sweets.
Things to do in Dushanbe
1. Delhi Darbar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By youattec - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
I've been getting Delivery from this restaurant pretty regularly since I discovered they provide Delivery and I have to say that it's now one of my go tos.
My first experience was mediocre, but since then my opinion of Delhi Darbar has totally improved. I recommend any of the thalis, the palak paneer, garlic naan, and curries. For Dushanbe this is definitely a good spot.
2. Traktir
Overall Ratings
4 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By chasemarta - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
We discovered this lovely restaurant when looking at Google Maps as we were walking back to our nearby hotel. It is on a small side alley and we were lucky to have sighted it.
The clientele seemed to me mostly non-Tajik and most were speaking Russian.
We arrived a bit early and had our choice of places to sit outside. When we left the outside and inside Seating were full. There is also an inside area which is air conditioned but we opted for the outside seats.
The menu had english titles and that was great. Our waiter spoke some english and it was easy to order. We had the Black seafood salad (smoked fish and salad greens), salad bomb (lots of very fresh vegetables), grilled salmon (cooked perfectly) and a bread basket (variety was very nice).
My husband had a chocolate shake to drink and I went for a COLD beer.
Definitely a great meal and would love to return.
There was a 10% charge added to the bill. We asked if this was a tip for the waiter. They said it was for the kitchen staff so we left the waiter an additional tip.
Lovely spot and great food.
3. Segafredo Zanetti Espresso Dushanbe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 183 reviews
Our constant drive to excellence in product quality, efficient service and a friendly atmosphere makes a real difference in the experience of our customers. The Segafredo Zanetti Espresso brand was born thanks to the great and passionate work of an Italian coffee merchant, Mr. Massimo Zanetti. Descendant from a family with more than two generations in the coffee trade business, Mr. Zanetti launched the first Segafredo Café back in 1988 in Paris. Today the Segafredo Zanetti Espresso brand is a global network of Italian Cafe.
Reviewed By Anyadwetravels
Went for a pasta yesterday, saw good ratings, thought I'd give it a shot. Cannot leave my bed or bathroom today, am so so sick and in pain from the food. Beware!!
4. Al Sham Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 107 reviews
Al Sham - Arabic hospitality in its purest essence.Al Sham features an authentic selection of Arabic and middle eastern cuisine. Enjoy a wide offering of mezzeh, main courses and desserts in surroundings which echo traditional Arabic character. The rich wood crafted walls and ceilings create a cosy ambience which is further enhanced by Arabic music while the exquisite movement of belly dancer during the evening shows highlights the culinary experience.The outdoor Terrace creates a beautiful al fresco setting for any occasion, while our private booths provide majlis-like environment. Al Sham staff are also delighted to prepare and serve delectable creations for your meeting or event. They will aim to exceed your expectations with unparalleled service, creative cuisine and the flexibility and variety you deserve. The charm that Al Sham brings is not only in its extravagant food and lavish Arabic hospitality, but its warm and impeccable service makes the experience a truly memorable one.
Reviewed By suliman a - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
I asks my tdjiki host for arabian restaurant at the last night at Dushanbe , it was nice atmosphere and fresh arabian dishes (syrian & lebanese cuisines) , good services but small & few private room , you need long time to wait !
5. Arirang
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By youattec - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
My favorite restaurant in Dushanbe after arriving this year. Better than some of the Korean that's found in Bishkek for sure.
Good flavors, except the kimchi had some weird chemical taste last time. Everything else is great, minus the rice which is either cooked wrong or just low quality. But doesn't ruin the experience.
Staff are average. Will definitely be coming back.
6. Salaam Namaste
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Zoltan M - Budapest, Hungary
They have good food. If you wanna really spice food, you should highlight it to the waiter and to repeat it couple of times in order to ensure that you will get wha you want. Recommendation is to order food immediately as you will wait long. I read some posts regarding wine good, bad, cheap, expensive. I got my gas of wine which was @#^*#, so recommendation is if you go for wine take full bottle, better avoid wine on glass. Desert, hmmm, only one was available, so if you like sweets better to ask in the beginning to avoid disappointment at the end of the dinner. As I said, service was very very slow, and bearing in mind that there are many expats and tourists visiting the place, they should hire better english speaking waiters.
7. Marco Polo Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By MasAndy - Watford, United Kingdom
They did not get the awful Marco Polo joke when I walked in, but it was otherwise an excellent dining experience, if a tad quiet. The cave decor sort of works in winter, and thankfully they had some kW bar heaters on projected on to me to keep out the chill.
I had the Afghan menu and throughly enjoyed both dishes; starters was Banjaan Burani (aubergine/yoghourt) which disappeared in a flash, followed by the Tekka Kabob (beef kebab), for which the meat was beautifully tender and very very tasty, with a tomato/onion salad and two types of long grain rice. I thought it would be too much but I wolfed it all down, having walked 3k to get there through the Rudaki Parklands. The meal was accompanied by some flat-ish bread and a rather spicy green chutney, that I would like to take home with me if I can.
Service was super quick but then the place was empty (I arrived at 5pm).
No local beer but Baltika is a good substitute. Wi-fi was down and they don't take credit cards, but directed me to the cash machine in the supermarket opposite.
I paid 125 Somoni for two courses and two beers, which I don't think is OK for a capital city.
Well worth the visit.
8. Public Pub
Overall Ratings
4 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By tjwb71 - Chicago, Illinois
Interesting Pub in the Heart of Dushanbe. Stays Busy with Locals and offers many typical pints of English and other Export Beers along with local favorites.. Very nice service. Can get a bit nosey but that is from people having a good time.
9. Foccacia Grill - Hyatt Regency Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Alexander P - Cambridge, United Kingdom
The grill restaurant inside the Hyatt is a pleasant surprise. Worth checking out, in particular if you are not in a mood to walk to downtown (where options are not necessarily better).
10. Rokhat Teahouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
The building alone is so impressive that it warrants a visit. Located on central Rudaki Avenue it is a good place to stop if one has been to the National Museum. Since I was staying at a hotel with the same name: 'Rohat' I got curious about its meaning. I then connected it to the Turkish word 'Rahat' or the Greek 'Rakhati' (also a restaurant name) and later Tajik people confirmed me that as in the other countries it means: Comfort, Ease, Relaxation.
The 'Chayhona' (Teahouse) is not just for tea, but is basically a restaurant. They have a big menu card (in Tajik, Russian, English), but not everything mentioned there is available. On the other hand it is probably the first restaurant I have ever been to, where they have all kind of chewing gums on offer in the menucard.
I asked for 'Zander', which they didn't have, so instead I went for Fried Carp, which was a rather dry dish served with some ketchup on the side. The salad I had with it consisted of unpeeled cucumbers, tomatoes, spring onions and plenty of fresh coriander, parsley, dill, chives, mint and a very hot green pepper. It had no dressing, so separately was brought malt vinegar, salt, pepper and a red hot chili sauce. No oil. All in all a rather strange garden herb salad.
The waitress was friendly, but hardly spoke any English. Since there were no napkins I had to ask for it. The bill came in a bast slipper. More than the food I enjoyed the grandiose atmosphere here and I spent quite some time looking at the richly painted ceiling. Maybe it is really just better to come for tea and relax in this airy place.
