🍨 Sugar-Free Ice Cream, Olympic Ice Skaters & Japanese-Uzbek Art...

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Olympic Ice Skaters in Town

If watching former Olympic and World Champion Russian ice dancers is your thing, book your seat at Humo Arena on 5th April.

This is not the first visit to Tashkent of Team Tuberitze stars, including Alina Zagitova and Evgenia Medvedeva amongst others.

If you don’t know these stars, look up their impressive resumes on Google. They will dazzle you with their mesmerising quadruple jumps and triple Axels. This is not an advertisement but the view of the tens of thousands who have seen their shows live.

Get your skates on! It usually sells out. Tickets from 75,000 UZS.

Submitted by Simon.

The Rasmus Weirdo Tour 2025

Oh, oh, oh, oh… In the shadows…

Remember this song?

It’s not often we get mildly famous Western bands here in Tashkent. Last year we had UK boy band Blue and this year’s random band are Finnish rock band The Rasmus.

The (one-hit wonder) group will play at Alisher Navoi Cinema Palace on 29th October as part of their Weirdo Tour of 2025. Tickets from 500,000 UZS.

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Wisdom of the Crowds: Best Cafes 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 cafes in Tashkent.

Chaykoff

A blend of café and restaurant, Chaykoff serves everything from traditional breakfasts to goulash and chicken curry. The stylish interior and lively atmosphere make it a popular choice, especially at the C1 branch near Eco Park. Nilufar

Breadly

Founded by a chef trained in France, Breadly is known for its fancy brunches and excellent croissants. While pricier than other options, it’s a great spot for deluxe breakfasts including avocado, salmon, caviar, asparagus etc. Ryan

Beanberry

Beanberry offers the best coffee in Tashkent, with the option to choose your flavour of beans. While breakfast choices are limited, their main dishes like Thai curry and sushi are solid. Ryan

Bon!

A budget-friendly boulangerie chain, Bon! serves sandwiches, baguettes, and baked goods at lower prices than most cafés. There are tons of them across the city but the Chekhov Street branch in Mirabad is a great outdoor spot in warm weather. Malika

Socials Café

With stylish décor and a relaxed atmosphere, Socials Café is perfect for breakfast or brunch. The outdoor seating and floral displays make it an Instagram-friendly choice. Simon

B&B Coffee House

One of the cheapest modern cafés in Tashkent, B&B Coffee House offers budget breakfasts in a lively setting. Prices have stayed low for years, attracting a young crowd and remote workers. Dilyafruz

Rodena Coffee

A bit far from the city centre, and unheard of to most, Rodena Coffee surprises with high-quality coffee, an extensive menu, and good service. Despite its modern, dark-toned interior, it has a small play area for children. Dildora

Next up: Your Favourite Parks in Tashkent – where’s the best place to leaf your worries behind? 🌳🍃

Do you have a tree-mendous spot for a stroll, a fern-tastic place to relax, or a park that’s simply unbe-leaf-able?

Reply to this email or msg on telegram @ryanett88. Max 50 words. A photo is a bonus!

In the News this Week…

• Water shutdowns between April 7th and May 16th

  Water will be switched off for repair work for one to two days across different districts of Tashkent. It’s a good idea to stock up on bottled water at home during this period. List of district dates here (RU).

• 308 raised pedestrian crossings installed near schools.

  Plus another 248 traffic lights with call button to be installed across the country.

• Gas and electric price increases postponed until May 1st.

  Hefty increases: Electricity rates will rise by 33.3%, gas by 53.8%.

Restaurant of the Week: Organic Food

All the taste, none of the gluten, sugar, or lactose.

Trendy diets come and go, but cutting out refined sugar is rarely a bad idea. Organic Food in Tashkent’s C1 area focuses on healthier alternatives for those craving cake, ice cream, and bread—without the usual drawbacks.

It’s one of the only places in the city where you can find sugar-free desserts, gluten-free bread and pasta, and even gluten-free samosas. Their shop also stocks alternative products like stevia and gluten-free flour, making it a go-to spot for those with dietary restrictions.

Prices are on par with other cafes, which is impressive considering many ingredients are imported. The staff are incredibly helpful, even if their English isn’t perfect—make sure you ask before ordering if you have allergies/intolerances.

• Vegan/Vegetarian Options ✅

• Alcohol ❌

• English menu ❌

• English speaking staff ✅

Organic Food Insta

Partnered with VisitTashkent.uz

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

In the Spotlight: Ikuo Hirayama International Caravanserai of Culture

Where now??

I’ll be honest, despite living here for more than 2 years, I’d never heard of this place until I started this newsletter. As it regularly updates its exhibitions I decided to visit to found out a bit more about it.

Hirayama Ikuo in Tashkent

Hirayama Ikuo (1930–2009) was a prominent Japanese artist known for his work on Buddhist themes and the Silk Road.

A survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, he later became a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and dedicated much of his work to Buddhist themes and the Silk Road. His fascination with the region led him to visit Uzbekistan six times between 1968 and 2002, capturing its landscapes in his paintings and supporting cultural preservation efforts.

In 2002, Hirayama founded the Caravanserai of Culture in Tashkent, later renamed the International Caravanserai of Culture. More than just a gallery, it was established as a hub for research, restoration, and collaboration between Uzbek and Japanese artists and scholars. The center continues his mission, hosting exhibitions and cultural exchanges.

The gallery is free to enter and regularly features exhibitions on diverse themes. Recent displays have included Japanese dolls and traditional Uzbek gold craftsmanship.

As well as the large room for temporary exhibitions, there are a few areas with a mix of classic and modern style paintings and sculptures. The guard doesn't speak English but is very welcoming. He even switched on extra lights as I passed the paintings for sale..