Registon Cafe - Samarkand

Went here on the Happy Cow recommendation and ordered the vegetable manti from the waiter (who didn 't speak much English). I was using a translation app to che... read more Went here on the Happy Cow recommendation and ordered the vegetable manti from the waiter (who didn 't speak much English). I was using a translation app to check the mantis didn 't have cheese when an amazing woman with all gold teeth emerged from the kitchen, went vegan? and proceeded to assure me I would be catered for while gently mocking me for my choice not to eat meat mostly in sign language. A true joy. The mantis were delicious, as was the Uzbek salad (you will need to specify no sour cream with the mantis, but it 's separate on the plate if you do get it)

I wanted to treat myself to vegan versions of local food on my last evening in Samarkand and thought Registan was the best/safest place due to the previous revi... read more I wanted to treat myself to vegan versions of local food on my last evening in Samarkand and thought Registan was the best/safest place due to the previous reviews here. The experience left me with mixed feelings. When I entered the restaurant, the incredibly friendly owner greeted me and brought me an English menu. I mentioned that I was vegan and she reacted with So you don 't eat meat. I tried to explain that veganism went beyond that in that I did not war any animal products, but she looked quite irritated and I don 't think she understood. She recommended two dishes containing cheese. It seems that the menu (that looked quite new) only contains four items that are vegan by nature: the Uzbek salad (tomato, cucumber, onion), the Spring salad (cabbage, cucumber, carrot, onion, bell pepper), the vegetable Manti and the vegetable Lagman. There was neither the vegetable pancake roll nor the fried vegetables mentioned by another reviewer. I did not inquire, though, whether they could prepare that off the menu . The Spring salad was fine but nothing special and not very filling. The onions were left out at my request, the bell peppers were left our by the kitchen. The vegetable Manti were more a small snack than a main (although listed as a main on the menu). Their filling seemed to consist mostly of cabbage with just some tiny bits of potato. Again not very filling, but well seasoned. And with the Manti came the second disappointment: They were served with yoghurt for dipping. It was on the side so I could avoid it, but it indicates that the owner does in fact not understand the concept of veganism. All in all, I was still hungry afterwards and paid 118.00 som for the salad, the manti, and a can of mint tea. You certainly also pay for the location, but even then other places around town are better options. Extra shoutout for hygiene: The restaurant was quite empty on the Monday evening I visited and I could observe one of the waiters disinfecting every nook and cranny on the tables, from the surface over the containers for salt and pepper up to the flower vases. Updated from previous review on 2023-05-08

I went asking restaurant by restaurant in Registan street if they had veggie options available and none of them but Registon had some. I had a salad with mushro... read more I went asking restaurant by restaurant in Registan street if they had veggie options available and none of them but Registon had some. I had a salad with mushrooms and it seemed to have meat (my mum who's not veggie tried it and told me she was sure it was meat). I asked the waitress and she said she was sure it wasn't...

The manti don't taste much but the salads are goods. You can also have a beer and a shisha. Don't try the coffee, it was terrible. The golden big smile of the o... read more The manti don't taste much but the salads are goods. You can also have a beer and a shisha. Don't try the coffee, it was terrible. The golden big smile of the owner make you forget everything. She is so nice, and she laughs non-stop.

Food was very oily and therefore unappetizing read more Food was very oily and therefore unappetizing