⚽ Uzbekistan in the World Cup?, Eid explained & Your Fave Family Restaurants

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How is Eid Celebrated in Uzbekistan?

Last week’s explanation of Navruz was one of Tashkent Insider’s most popular articles so far. This week Umida is back with a short explanation of how Eid is celebrated in Uzbekistan.

Ramazan Hait (Eid al-Fitr)

Ramazon Hayit (Eid al-Fitr) is a cherished Muslim holiday that marks the end of the 30-day fast known as Roza. The day before Hayit is called Arafa (the eve), and on this day, it is traditional for Uzbek families to share a festive evening meal of plov along with crunchy pastries like bog‘irsoq, kush-tili, and chak-chak.

Early the next morning, crowds of men gather at the mosque for a special holiday prayer. Afterward, they often buy celebratory sweets for their families, who are waiting at home by the festive table.

I remember how my father used to return from the mosque with horoz qand — colorful lollipops, other candies, and fresh bread. As he stepped inside, he would hand out the treats with a warm hug and the greeting: “Ramazon Hayit muborak!”

The rest of the day is usually spent visiting the elderly and those who are unwell, as a gesture of respect and care — a tradition deeply rooted in Uzbek hospitality and kindness.

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Wisdom of the Crowds: Family-Friendly Restaurants in Tashkent

Each week we use the wisdom of the crowds to create a community-driven guide to the best of Tashkent.

Here’s your list of the best family-friendly restaurants in Tashkent.

Resto – A new restaurant with a modern design and a big soft play area in the basement. Great for families who want good Turkish and seafood dishes while kids have fun. - Nilyufar

LolaLand Kids Garden – A budget-friendly place with a large playground, ball pool, and even a mini zoo. The food is simple but decent, and entry to the play area is one of the cheapest in the city. Ryan

Jungle Family Club – Perfect for younger kids (2-7) with a play area and free kids' cooking classes. The menu has pizza, pasta, and seafood, plus regular discount days. Umida

Benedict Cafe – A cosy spot with a small play area and lots of kid-friendly meals. They do birthday discounts, and the menu has pasta, salads, and homemade desserts.

Ribambelle – A fancy restaurant with a huge play area, including a dollhouse and princess characters. It’s pricey, but the menu has sushi and European dishes, and kids love the setup.

Retro Milliy Restaurant – A good choice for big family gatherings with a free, supervised playground. The menu is mostly Turkish, and there’s a separate hall for birthdays and events.

Next up: Best Cafes in Tashkent

Tell us about your favourite cafe in Tashkent. Maybe it serves brew-tiful Americanos, eggstra special brunch, or just has a nice vibe to relax.

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In the News this Week…

• Imported vehicle sales plummet over 50% in one month.

  The lack of white Chevrolets out on the street was starting to worry me.

• Temu is back. Or is it? More tax demands for the Chinese marketplace.

• Plans for Tashkent metro to be extended with 10 new stations.

Restaurant of the Week: Eco Cafe

A plant-based restaurant in the land of red meat…

Eco Cafe is located in the basement of Art Eco Hotel, close to Pushkin metro. I know it well as it’s the first hotel I ever stayed at during the start of my unplanned Uzbek adventure.

In a country where red meat and carbs dominate, it’s one of the few options for plant-based eaters (or for when you simply can’t face another cumin-flavoured lamb dish).

Their menu includes tofu, salads, vegetable soups, desserts, and speciality teas. They even serve vegan plov every Monday and Thursday.

However, the cafe is more than just a place to eat. They host regular events like live music, networking talks, and yoga in English. It’s also a pet-friendly space.

Their art director, Rafa, speaks English very well and is incredibly passionate about his work. Don’t be shy and get to one of their events!

• Vegan/Vegetarian Options ✅✅✅

• Alcohol ❌

• English menu ✅

• English speaking staff ✅

Eco Cafe Insta

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Plan your Silk Road getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city

Step back in time and explore the legendary city of Samarkand on this guided day trip from Tashkent.

Tour Highlights

✅ High-speed train journey from Tashkent to Samarkand
✅ Explore Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, and Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
✅ Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque and shop at Siab Bazaar
✅ Expert English-speaking guide throughout the trip
✅ Pick-up & drop-off from your place in Tashkent

Uzbekistan in the World Cup? ⚽⚽⚽

Those excellent people who read every single line of Tashkent Insider would know that Uzbekistan played Kyrgyzstan in Tashkent last Thursday.

The game was a World Cup qualifying game and a win was crucial in order to keep their hopes of qualifying for their first-ever World Cup alive.

So when Kyrgyzstan received a red card and handed a penalty to Uzbekistan in the 24th minute, the atmosphere at the game was intense.

Meanwhile standing outside Roni Pizza, peering through a second floor window at half a screen, a child in each arm, I held my breath as Eldor Shomurodov stepped up…

A bottom left corner shot was stopped by a fantastic save but with Kyrgyzstan down to 10 men it was bound to be a win for Uzbekistan anyway.

The game ended 1-0 to Uzbekistan despite numerous chances for a bigger win (3.34 xG for the nerds).

Can Uzbekistan Qualify to the World Cup?

As of Wednesday the 26th, Uzbekistan remain second in Group A after a 2-2 draw with Iran last night—a result that confirms Iran’s qualification. With two games left to play, Uzbekistan hold a four-point lead over the UAE, who they face next in June.

A win or a draw in that match would secure Uzbekistan’s first-ever World Cup spot. Even with a loss, they would still be one point ahead of the UAE going into their final game against Qatar.

Hold off the celebrations for now but it’s looking very likely that Uzbekistan will qualify for their first ever world cup.