Finding the Best Uzbek Plov in Berlin (2026)

Even if Uzbek restaurants in Berlin aren't exactly springing up like mushrooms right now, it's noticeable that there are more and more of them. No matter which neighborhood I walk through, I come across some new places with dishes like Plov, Samsa, and Manti. Some of them I spot in Friedrichshain, some in Mitte, Kreuzberg, Schöneberg, and Neukölln.

I must have tried the first Plov of my life back in 2005, when my Uzbek neighbour in the student dorm served it to me; again and again. Later, I tried variations in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, which is reason enough to check out how well the best Central Asian restaurants in Berlin are cooking this legendary rice dish with lamb, beef, or horse meat, carrots, chickpeas, garlic, and raisins. Even a vegan version is available!

Small glossary of Uzbek kitchen

• Plov: Uzbek rice dish that is usually made with lamb, beef, or horse meat. Other ingredients are carrots, chickpeas, garlic, and raisins.
• Samsa: A pastry filled with minced meat or other ingredients, baked in a tandyr oven, and sprinkled with sesame and black cumin.
• Lagman: Hand-pulled noodles with potatoes, paprika, and beef.
• Manti: Boiled dumplings, usually filled with minced meat or vegetarian options.
• Lyagan: Colorful ceramic plates used to serve Plov and other dishes in Uzbekistan.
• Kasan: A large iron pot for preparing Plov.
• Kompot: A refreshing drink made of dried fruits.

1. Uzbek Eats: Trendsetter With the Best Plov in Berlin Schöneberg

Thanks to its intensive social media campaigns, Uzbek Eats has been one of the best-known Uzbek restaurants in Berlin since late 2023. Even the name, reminiscent of Uber Eats, is memorable and adds a touch of humor. On Instagram, you can see the chefs working over their huge kazan cauldrons, passionately turning over the rice and bringing the pieces of meat hidden underneath back to the surface after hours of cooking.

Uzbek Eats is run by a group led by Kyrgyz national Ernazar Imankadyr. The head chef, Sardor Sobitow, was reportedly recruited by the Uzbek Embassy, where he spent several years showcasing his authentic cooking skills. So for me there was every reason to head to Bayerischer Platz in Schöneberg with high expectations.

What started out in a small kiosk has since grown considerably. I first tried the plov at Uzbek Eats two years ago, and I have to say that the move to a larger restaurant just a few doors down has taken the quality up another notch. These days, you simply order and pay at the counter, receive a buzzer, and then collect your food along with free tea from the samovar. The concept even bears some resemblance to Nomdor Somsa Osh Markazi in Tashkent, a popular fast-food chain in the Uzbek capital.

The price of the wedding plov, generously filled with raisins, yellow and red carrots, and chickpeas, has remained stable. Just as before, the dish costs a reasonable 12.50 euros, particularly because it essentially combines beef and lamb. Additional toppings can then be added if desired. A quail egg costs 0.50 euros, while for the homemade kazy sausage you will pay 1.50 euros. At Uzbek Eats, the kazy is made from beef rather than the horse meat traditionally used in Central Asia. Nevertheless, it is an interesting addition and sets this plov apart from other versions in Berlin.

Overall, the rice was pleasantly oily, with a few pickled chili peppers on top as an extra treat. The meat had a tender texture and was traditionally chopped up and distributed over the plov. I was also surprisingly impressed by the vegetarian version, which can be ordered with either halloumi or tofu nuggets, depending on your preference. This makes Uzbek Eats the best Uzbek restaurant in Berlin for anyone who wants to try plov as a vegetarian. Taken as a whole, it easily takes first place in my test.

There has also been an upgrade in terms of design. The plov, manti, and samsa are now served on fine ceramic tableware rather than in cardboard boxes. The latter are now reserved for takeaway orders. The ceiling is decorated with elegant Uzbek textiles, while the walls feature various plates with Central Asian motifs. From outside, a large viewing window offers a glimpse into the kitchen area, with the words “All you need is Plov” written underneath.

At times, Uzbek Eats gets pretty crowded. Around 6 p.m., long queues were forming at the counter. The generously filled kazan, which you can look into directly from the counter, provides plenty of food, though. Right next to it is the oven, from which the staff seem to pull out fresh samsa pastries with meat or vegetarian fillings almost every minute.

Besides plov, samsa, and manti, there are several other dishes on the menu as well. The hand-pulled lagman noodles are definitely worth trying, and the ganfan rice also has potential. Salads have to be ordered separately, and the classic tomato, cucumber, and onion combination known as achichuk is a perfect match for the mains.

Location: Grunewaldstraße 49
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 12:00-20:00
Website: https://www.instagram.com/uzbekeats.berlin

2. Lazzat Café: Best Plov Surprise in a Laptop-Friendly Kreuzberg Café

Lazzat Café in Kreuzberg only opened in March 2026 and is already one of the trendy place in the neighbourhood. At first, you wouldn't expect anything Uzbek here. The spot rather looks like one of those laptop-friendly caffs with the hip design the district is famous for. Fitting in with that, you can order internationally inspired breakfast sets and various coffee specialities.

Further down on the menu, you will find lunch options and Central Asian food like Uzbek Plov and the Kazakh national dish Beshbarmak with flat pasta sheets, called Jaima. The name means “five fingers” and consists of boiled meat, noodles, and sauce. Both dishes are usually served around midday in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and apparently also at Lazzat Café. Noon seems to be the best time to try them.

The modern setting doesn't lead to a less traditional Plov at Lazzat Café in Kreuzberg somehow. The Uzbek cooks prepare the food in a backroom and sometimes right on the street in a kazan. Then it will be served under the fine stucco and between walls that are painted in dark green.

Instead of a lyagan, this Plov is served on wide, glazed earthenware and is surprisingly authentic. At first, I expected some kind of hipster version served in a cardboard box. Far from it. The fact that sliced quail eggs are included is a detail that definitely deserves extra points.

Apart from that, Lazzat Café Plov consists of a mix of lamb and beef, yellow carrots, chickpeas, raisins, one pepperoni, and pomegranate seeds. The latter aren't really the standard but add a nice flavour to this version. It's also accompanied by a classic salad. The whole portion costs 12.90 euros, which seems to be a fair price for this size.

A bit of a minus: A few bits of gristle in the meat, but I’d chalk that up to the late hour of my visit. It shouldn’t really happen even then, but it seems to be better to come around lunchtime.

When it comes to value for money, I’d definitely give Lazzat Café a high score for its Plov in Berlin. It’s also worth noting that both the Plov and the Beshbarmak are available in vegetarian versions. This option costs 11.90 euros.

As for the rest of the menu, the mix of Central Asian, Turkic, Russian-Soviet, and Turkish cuisine, served in a pleasantly modern setting, is a real hit. Early in the day, you can order Turkish menemen, while later on the menu also features Uyghur lagman, Russian pelmeni, sweet or savory vareniki, and, of course, Uzbek samsa - perfect as a snack in between meals.

Overall, Lazzat Café is surprisingly different, striking a balance between modern and traditional. Given the authenticity of the food, it definitely ranks among the best and is currently my number 2 for the best Plov in Berlin. That said, if you’re looking for Central Asian flair and design, Ethno Yurt, Chaikhana, and Taste of Samarkand are currently slightly better choices.

Location: Alexandrinenstraße 1a
Opening Hours: daily 09:00-18:00
Website: http://www.lazzat-cafe.de/

3. Plov-Haus in Spandau: Tajik Plov and Berlin's Only Khurutob (Tajikistan's National Dish)

Finally, a good Tajik plov in Berlin! It is almost like the kind you can buy in the border region around Khujand at the Panjshanbe Market. It is not 100% authentic, but for Berlin, it is pretty high quality. Plov-Haus in Spandau opened its doors in September 2026. It is not exactly centrally located, but it might be worth making the short trip. If you already live nearby or happen to be in Spandau, it is definitely worth stopping by.

The interior is rather simple overall. Wood, mirrors, and IKEA lamps - that's about it. Alternatively, you can sit outside under the sun umbrellas. Of course, a plov restaurant does not always have to have the romanticized flair of the Uzbek trendsetters. In a way, it feels even more authentic here, since you can have some more personal contact with the owners, and it's noticeable that many guests from Russian-speaking countries come to visit. The broader former Eastern Bloc being present is already an indicator for quality.

Now for the plov itself: the standard version with beef costs 12 euros, while for the lamb-and-beef version you pay 15 euros. You can get it cheaper at other restaurants, but overall, I find the price reasonable. One thing that stood out during my visit was that even the beef plov was surprisingly oily. At other places, it often comes across as considerably drier. My guess: are they using a generous amount of fat from the sheep's tail here? I cannot prove it, but the layer of oil on the plate certainly speaks for itself.

The dish also comes with classic ingredients such as yellow and red carrots, relatively few raisins, and plenty of chickpeas. Personally, I found the latter a little too al dente. They do not have to be completely mushy, of course, but cooking them a little longer would not have hurt. Unfortunately, the salad costs an additional 3 euros and is not included (although at Uzbek Eats, it costs even more). The yogurt was also missing, even though it was listed on the menu. A little mix-up, I guess, that can happen.

When it comes to portion sizes, you certainly cannot complain at Plov-Haus Spandau. I struggled to finish everything and already had the feeling that I had received more food here than at some of the other plov restaurants in Berlin. I found the way the meat was cut somewhat unusual, as it was served in long strips across the rice. Usually, it is chopped into much smaller pieces. This is not really a flaw, more of an interesting detail.

Perhaps the biggest special feature of Plov-Haus Spandau is what it offers alongside its plov. I cannot think of another place in the city that serves khurutob, the Tajik national dish. It consists of a mixture of flatbread, yogurt sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, meat, and herbs. If you have never tried it before, this is a pretty unique opportunity.

I also took notice of the samsas, mainly because a food vlogger sitting next to me was raving about them in Russian while filming his video. What makes them unique here is that ribs are baked directly into the pastry. At 7 euros per samsa, they are not exactly cheap, but you get an interesting combination of crispiness and tender meat. In the end, though, I opted for the classic beef samsas. They were excellent -from the pastry to the filling - and went very well with the adjika sauce that came with them.

Location: Moritzstraße 3, Berlin-Spandau
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 12:00-21:00
Website: https://www.instagram.com/plovhaus_berlin/

4. Spießkönig: Large Portions of Russian-Style Plov at Ostbahnhof (Best Price/Value)

From a very conservative perspective, the Spießkönig version of Plov might not be very authentic. At the very least, the presentation in Uzbekistan would look quite different. I had the impression that, despite the Uzbek hats worn by the chefs, it turns out to be more of a Russian adaptation of the Central Asian dish, probably made by Russians with roots in Uzbekistan.

Overall, it does taste really good. I tried the Plov here and found it enjoyable, not least because the portions here seem larger for just 10 euros, and they use tender, fall-apart lamb. There are also chickpeas, carrots, and a few raisins (of which I would have liked more) inside the food. The dish appears bright yellow here, and you can clearly taste the turmeric. The fact that a noticeable layer of oil remains at the bottom of the cardboard box is actually a good sign.

The optional side dishes—like fried egg, rosemary potatoes, and potato salad—felt a bit unusual to me, but you can simply leave them out.

The whole thing is prepared in a cast-iron kazan right in the food truck. In addition, the two operators sell other Eastern European and Russian classics from their stand at Ostbahnhof, such as pork shashlik, vareniki and pelmeni dumplings, blini, and chebureki (so no samsa here, which further supports my suspicion that this is a Russian-style Plov).

I really struggled with the ranking here. Compared to Uzbekistan, this is not an extremely authentic Plov. Honestly, the proper arrangement with eggs and horse sausage, as you’d find in Tashkent or Samarkand, doesn’t exist anywhere in Berlin. Beyond that, several aspects aren’t Uzbek either - especially the fact that the meat is already mixed into the rice rather than being chopped and placed on top.

The taste is great, whatsoever. The right kind of rice is used; it has a pleasant oiliness, and the use of pure lamb pushes Spießkönig far ahead. Overall, it's the price-value relation that makes this Plov really worth visiting. Even if other restaurants look more traditional, food-wise, you will get a better deal here.

I also really like the location itself. Spießkönig is part of the street food market on the north side of Ostbahnhof. At first, you have to make your way through some slightly grimy corners of the station area, but then you arrive at this open space with a wide variety of food - from Chinese and Korean to Jamaican and, of course, Uzbek Plov.

If you’re looking for a generous portion of lamb Plov at a good price - not fancy in presentation, but tasty - Spießkönig is definitely the right place.

Location: Hermann-Stöhr-Platz (Ostbahnhof)
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-17:00 (may vary)
Website: n/a

5. Ethno Yurt Friedenau: Hyped Kazakh-Uzbek Plov of High Quality and Even Higher Price

Ethno Yurt in Friedenau is currently being heavily hyped on TikTok as one of the few places in Berlin serving Kazakh cuisine. One reason for all the buzz may well be the long journey from the eastern and central parts of the city. I made the trip because the ratings have been very good so far, and as a result, the restaurant simply had to be included among the best places for Plov in Berlin.

What struck me first was that the restaurant and its interior are smaller and simpler than I expected. The design is certainly decorative overall, but after seeing so many reels beforehand, I had pictured something quite different. A few photographs of Astana and other Central Asian places, wall hangings, ornaments, and traditional clothing, nevertheless, create a nice atmosphere.

Now, on to the Plov: it’s quite expensive. Although not the most expensive Uzbek dish in Berlin, at 16.99 euros it’s anything but cheap. Considering that it contains only beef, the price is remarkable. On the other hand, the menu also features many other Central Asian dishes, such as Kazakh beshbarmak with horse meat, manti, lagman, and steppe noodles. For an exquisite or romantic dinner where money isn’t a concern, it’s a good starting point for a shared culinary journey of discovery.

The Plov itself consists of pleasantly fluffy rice, beef, carrots, garlic, a few raisins, chickpeas, cumin, and lamb fat. The use of beef at this price is a real disappointment, especially considering that many competitors use at least a mixture of lamb and beef while charging significantly less.

On the other hand, I have to say that the lamb fat really adds a lot. It makes the texture considerably more oily and the flavor more intense. Judged objectively and without taking the price into account, there’s really nothing to complain about. The topping of quail eggs and a single chili pepper earns extra points for authenticity. It’s also a nice touch that it comes with a small, classic side salad.

I really struggled with the final rating here. Honestly, I find the reasonably priced street-food Plov at Uzbek Eats or Spießkönig, with lamb meat and a fair price, more satisfying. On the other hand, Ethno Yurt offers a high-quality version that doesn’t quite live up to its price tag, though. Once you add drinks, such as a liter of kompot for 9 euros, you end up spending quite a bit of money here. Overall, I can therefore only rank Ethno Yurt in fourth place, even if its presentation and toppings may be more authentic than those of the restaurants in second and third place.

Location: Rheinstraße 62
Opening Hours: Tue-Thu 15:00-21:00; Fri-Sun 12:00-23:00
Website: https://www.ethnoyurt.de/

6. Chaikhana Wichertstraße: Big Portions and Traditional Style

Chaikhana Wichertstraße originated from the food truck scene and started out as a bistro with a small location in Neukölln. I had already tried that place before and ranked it a bit lower for various reasons. However, the project has been successful so far, not least because of its traditional flair and its weekly presence at Mauerpark. On this basis, the owners were able to open a full restaurant in Prenzlauer Berg.

Drawn in by the extremely good Google reviews, I decided to stop by. From the inside and outside, the place already looks very authentic. You can sit at low tables on the floor and admire the various Central Asian garments hanging on the walls. The staff come from both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, although there is also a Kazakh twist.

At 14 euros, I honestly find the Plov at Chaikhana Wichertstraße a bit expensive, especially since they use beef rather than lamb. In that respect, the recipe is similar to the one at the Neukölln branch. On the plus side, the portions are larger - in my opinion, the biggest in the test. You definitely leave feeling full, especially because the meal is served with a salad.

In my ranking of the best Plovs in Berlin, I definitely consider the version at Chaikhana Wichertstraße to be very good, although in my opinion it cannot quite compete with the restaurants that use lamb. Of course, that also comes down to personal taste. The issue for me is simply that beef tends to be a bit drier and lacks the richness of fat.

That said, the chefs crown the Plov here with two cloves of garlic to squeeze out and eat - just like in Uzbekistan, and unmatched in Berlin. Since this is a Tashkent-style version of Plov, raisins are naturally included as well, although honestly there could be a few more of them. At the Neukölln branch, they were also somewhat sparse.

Besides Plov, the restaurant offers a range of other Central Asian dishes such as Manty and Samsa. The Kazakh dish Beshbarmak is likely another highlight. So if you visit with several people, you can try a variety of dishes, along with Turkish ayran or the Kyrgyz fermented malt drink Maksym.

Overall, Chaikhana Wichertstraße definitely serves one of the best Plovs in Berlin. There is still some room for improvement, and the prices mean you have to be willing to spend a bit more - nevertheless, both the flavor and presentation are excellent.

Location: Wichertstraße 63
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 12:00-22:00, Fri 14:30-22:00
Website: https://www.chaikhana-berlin.de/

7. Taste of Samarkand: Oriental Flair in SO36 Kreuzberg

Taste of Samarkand opened in 2023 and is one of the newest additions to the Central Asian food scene in Berlin. The restaurant is located right on Oranienstraße, just a few steps away from the legendary club SO36. You will notice the large SAMARKAND letters already from a distance, referring to the former capital of the Turk-Mongolian strongman Timur in today's Uzbekistan. It was also opened by Ernazar Imankadyr, sort of as a restaurant alternative to his snack spot, Uzbek Eats in Schöneberg. Later he left this project. Since 2025, there's a second branch on Reichstraße in Neu-Westend, Charlottenburg.

Compared to other places, the interior is a bit more modern but also carries a lot of traditional elements. On the walls, you will notice the long decorative tapes with Central Asian ornaments as well as a big mural showing Registan, the main square in Samarkand with its impressive turquoise-coloured mosques and madrassas from the Timur period.

But now let's talk about the food: The Plov is comparably affordable, with a price of 12 Euros, most likely because the restaurant uses beef instead of lamb. The food seems to be quite popular, as it was sold out when we arrived here. The waiter said it would take about another hour for the next batch to be ready. So in the meantime, we enjoyed some vegetarian Manti dumplings filled with pumpkin and spinach and a big Samsa.

The Samsa was simply perfect. Crunchy on the outside, yet nicely juicy and flavorful on the inside, sprinkled with black cumin for the authentic Uzbek taste. The snacks are large and filling, all for a price of 4 Euros only. To pass the time, we also ordered a big 900 ml pot of green tea with large, beautiful bowls to drink from.

After an hour, the Plov finally arrived. It was a rather large portion that, in my opinion, would have been enough for two people. It was topped with chopped beef and presented on a pretty Lyagan plate.

The beef does make a difference here, especially for price and taste. All in all, the Taste of Samarkand version is delicious, but compared to the lamb Plov a bit drier. This is at least evened out by a good portion of raisins or barberries.

The use of beef is generally fine and, together with lamb and horse meat, absolutely normal in Uzbekistan. The region of Samarkand itself is even known for a cooking style that uses less oil and is considered a bit lighter compared to other places in the country (as far as one can call the Central Asian kitchen light).

Everyone who wants to try the full variety of Uzbek food can order the Samarkand plate for 18 Euros. For this price, you will get a big plate, covered by a third with Plov, accompanied by two Manti, a Samsa, and some fresh salad.

Location: Oranienstraße 187
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat 12:00-22:00
Website: https://tasteofsamarkand.online-karte.com/

Location 2: Reichstraße 87
Opening Hours: Tue-Fri 17:00-22:00; Sat-Sun 12:00-22:00
Website: https://tasteofsamarkand.online-karte.com/

8. Chaikhana Karl-Marx-Straße: Uzbek Street Food in Neukölln

Chaikhana is a rather small snack place that started from the food truck scene. The approach here is a bit more international and includes influences from Uzbekistan's neighbours as well. In the week, you can come here from noon on and enjoy your Plov until the evening. Saturdays and Sundays, you can find the cooks in their mobile kitchen in Mauerpark as well.

My first impression was positive because I was offered a free black tea from the samovar. No surprise of sorts, since the name Chaikhana doesn't mean anything other than tea house. Also, since it was Ramadan, the little shop cut prices and offered me the Plov for 7 Euros instead of 9 Euros.

The portion wasn't served on such beautiful Lyagan plates as in other places but in classic disposable paper bowls used for take-away. You can place them at the long table next to the kitchen or find a spot to eat in front of the restaurant.

What surprised me a bit about the Chaikhana Plov was the huge amount of vegetables on top. Together with the chopped beef, it covered the rice completely. Another difference from other Uzbek restaurants was the rice itself, which reminded me a bit more of the type of grain used in Arab dishes like Saudi Kabsa or Yemeni Mandi. Maybe the reason for this is the proximity to Neukölln's Arab shops selling this type of rice.

Overall, the Plov was tasty but not overwhelming. The fresh note of the vegetables was generally nice, and once in a while I could find a raisin inside – a tiny little bit of wedding style.

After the Plov, I also ordered a beef Samsa to take away, but on the journey back home, it got squished too much to be able to judge the quality. One should try it fresh to see if it's good or not. It did look nice, though, when the cook handed it over to me.

What also seemed unusual about Chaikhana in Neukölln: Apart from the beef Plov, they also offered a chicken version. Other recommendable options to order when trying Uzbek and Central Asian food here are the Lagman noodles, the Manti, and the Russian Pelmeni soup.

Just like other Plov restaurants, Chaikhana is expanding recently and opened another branch at Wichertstraße in Prenzlauer Berg near Schönhauser Allee. From the pictures, it looks more traditional, but I haven't tried their creations yet. The ratings look amazing though.

Location: Karl-Marx-Straße 125
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-21:00, Fri 14:00-21:00
Website: https://www.chaikhana-berlin.de/

9. Tadschikische Teestube in KunstHof Mitte: The Risotto version of Plov

The Plov in Tadschikischen Teestube (Tajik Tea House) in Berlin Mitte isn't too authentic but is interesting enough to mention. The restaurant takes precautions by adding that it's "Teestube"-style on the menu. The legendary tea house was already founded in 1974 as a part of the Soviet pavilion at the fair in Leipzig. Today, it's a unique part of socialist history in Berlin.

You can find the restaurant inside the KunstHof at Oranienburger Straße and enjoy a very wide selection of international teas, from Moroccan mint to Chinese smoked Lapsang Souchong. I particularly liked the Russian tea ceremony with black tea concentrate, a samovar, jam, sweet snacks, and a shot of vodka. This fits perfectly to the hand-carved columns and ceiling made of wood. The historic paintings on the walls were made to celebrate the nomadic culture of Central Asia.

Flipping the menu to the food pages, you will eventually come across the "Teestube"-style Plov. It is made of lamb, carrots, and chickpeas, but no raisins.

The result: well, it's more a risotto than a Plov, to be honest. Don't get me wrong, it's really tasty, just not what I expected. I wasn't sure if it was done intentionally like this or if the cooks just left the rice too long to simmer in the pot. What ended up on the plate was quite creamy and had a strong lamb flavor. All the other restaurants decided to choose a mix of lamb and beef at best.

The garnish seemed a bit odd. Salad still made sense, but the huge heap of smetana cream was a bit random. On the other hand, it doesn't disturb the experience; it's nice with the salad, and in the worst case, you can just ignore it.

All in all, there is no reason to complain. The rice dish isn't really comparable with the original made in a Kasan pot, but since it was still quite good, it can't be missing among the best places for Plov in Berlin. The big advantage of Teestube is certainly the combination of Plov, a wide selection of teas, and a unique interior with historic value – it's one of the top restaurants for Central Asian cuisine in Berlin.

Important to know: Teestube is relatively small, so it is very much recommended to reserve a seat by phone. Furthermore, they don't accept any cards. So make sure that you have enough cash to spend 15,90 € on Plov, plus a bit more for some delicious tea.

Location: Oranienburger Straße 27
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat 16:00-22:00, Sun 12:00-21:00, Mon 16:00-21:00
Website: http://www.tadshikische-teestube.de/

10. Besh: Vegan, Sattvic Kitchen from Uzbekistan in Kreuzberg

Besh near Jannowitzbrücke is quite a young restaurant with some peculiarities in comparison to other Uzbek food places in Berlin: It serves its visitors healthy, vegan – better to say "Sattvic" – kitchen. The Sattva philosophy originally comes from India and not only abstains from using meat and eggs but also from onions and garlic.

Vegan and Uzbek? Do the two even go together? The approach is indeed unusual but is implemented by the crew with a lot of passion and virtuosity. To make the traditionally fatty and meaty food healthier, Besh uses a few inspirations from other regions like the Arab world and India as well.

At Besh, you can order bowls or sandwiches. These consist of falafel, halloumi, lentil köfte, and, of course, Plov. The latter is part of most of the plate dishes. They will also be topped with salad and other ingredients. Individually, you can add different sauces, from sesame hummus to spicy. The strong Central Asian black tea is often complimentary.

So, how does it taste? Of course, it's not an authentic Plov you'll be eating here. For this, many important flavors like garlic and the meat are missing. However, the result is very tasty and a real alternative to the usually heavy Uzbek kitchen. In that way, the Besh Plov is a bit outside of the ranking. It's simply something different that is worth trying as well.

For anyone who wants to try Uzbek cuisine in a healthy way, Besh is the place to be, especially since the owners seem to be very creative and experiment with exciting fusion ideas. The same is the case for the second restaurant of this group, Dervish, where you can try a few other sattvic Uzbek dishes like Manti, aubergines filled with soy protein, and gluten-free Lagman noodles.

What makes Besh (and Dervish) also so interesting is the design. Inside Besh, you will spot beautiful traditional carpets hanging on the walls and ceiling. The copper pipes, through which the electric cables reach the stylish Edison light bulbs, add some industrial charm to the whole interior. Also, you will find a lot of other gems between those decorations, from antique tea sets to Central Asian Dutar lutes.

Location: Brückenstraße 15
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30-00:00, Fri-Sat 11:30-01:00
Website: https://be5h.com/de/hauptseite/

Conclusion: Where to Find the Best Plov in Berlin?

Uzbek Eats may have been the first restaurant in Berlin to serve Uzbek plov, and it has improved even further since moving to a larger location at Bayerischer Platz in Schöneberg. The food here is genuinely authentic and resembles what you would find at fast (served) food restaurants in Tashkent. There is even a very good vegetarian version available. Unfortunately, one thing is no longer around: my former number one, Plove Berlin. Owner Sara Kasym Saikal had to close the Kyrgyz restaurant at Ostkreuz, but she now offers a catering service through Nomad with Plove.

The second-best plov in Berlin in my 2026 test was actually a surprise. Lazzat Café in Kreuzberg is relatively new and initially looks more like a hip laptop café. When you look a bit closer at the menu, you will find plov at a reasonable price, made with both lamb and beef. The fact that it is also available in a vegetarian version is another plus.

Another newcomer is Plov-Haus in Spandau, which serves the best Tajik plov in Berlin. What really stands out here are the generous portions, packed with plenty of meat. You can also try khurutob, the Tajik national dish.

Taking fourth place is Spießkönig, a small snack bar near Ostbahnhof, thanks largely to its excellent value for money. Lamb plov for just 10 euros is hard to beat. Even though their version has a somewhat more Russian interpretation, it tastes absolutely delicious.

The fact that the currently hyped Ethno Yurt in Friedenau only comes in at fifth place has a lot to do with expectations and disappointment. This predominantly Kazakh restaurant charges a hefty price of 16.99 euros for its Uzbek plov, and the dish is ultimately made with beef only. The result is authentic and tasty, but the value for money is simply not great.

After that come the other beef-based versions, which I find somewhat drier. Chaikhana Wichertstraße, the restaurant version of the similarly named bistro in Neukölln, served a particularly tasty and very generous portion. Small details, such as the whole garlic cloves cooked together with the rice, make the food here feel distinctly Uzbek. At Taste of Samarkand I got another generous portion that was very tasty overall, along with some genuinely crispy samsas. The atmosphere and the good tea alone make it worth a visit.

Next comes Chaikhana Neukölln, slightly lower down the list because the rice somehow wasn't quite what I would expect to get in Uzbekistan. Still, it is an excellent plov that leaves little to complain about and a really good address in Neukölln. The Tajik interpretation at the Teestube in Mitte, on the other hand, stands out from the rest, and it's perhaps more worth visiting this place for the atmosphere. Tip: They also serve plenty of other dishes here.

Besh (and Dervish) is outside my ranking - or you could call it the best vegan plov in Berlin, simply because it is also the only one. The sattvic owners have created something completely different, and it tastes excellent as well. Without meat and garlic, it is difficult to compare it directly with the original. But especially when it comes to vegetarian and vegan food, it offers an interesting alternative to the usual falafel, tofu, and the like.

➜ Do you want to discover more about Uzbekistan on the ground? Here's my article about the most beautiful metro stations in Tashkent.