Platan - Samarkand

Great tasting food, attentive and welcoming staff, and a refreshing cold beer - what more could you ask for? This review was last updated on April 2, 2022.

The restaurant offers a variety of vegan salads and side dishes. In addition to traditional menu items, they also offer healthier options for those looking to avoid fried and fatty foods typically found at Uzbek restaurants. This is a great vegan/vegetarian choice in Samarkand, where options can be limited. This review was updated on August 10, 2022.

There are very limited options available at this restaurant, with a heavy focus on tomato and cucumber salad. In addition to various salads, many of which contain cheese or beef, there are also grilled vegetables and rice available as sides. The portion of grilled vegetables consisted of five slices of eggplant, mushroom, and pepper. The white rice was decent. The bean appetizer was tasty, but overall, the menu lacks variety. Meat lovers may enjoy the offerings here, and there is a selection of wine, beer, and liquor available.

The restaurant has a lovely ambiance and the waiter was very accommodating, explaining the menu and suggesting dishes that could be made vegan by omitting the beef. He also informed me that the bread contains milk and the potatoes have butter. We enjoyed two delicious meals with excellent service in a beautiful setting. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. We had a two-course meal for two with wine, which came to about £29 with the service included.

While Uzbek cuisine is typically not very veggie/vegan-friendly, Platan in Samarkand offers more options than other places in the area. In addition to salads, they also serve lentil soup, side rice, and Georgian lobio beans. The staff is friendly and the service is efficient. A late lunch for two with beer cost around $30.