Ultima Guide: The gastronomic gems of Tashkent

On May 22, Hilton Tashkent City hosted a festive ceremony presenting the first tech-powered restaurant guide to Tashkent – Ultima Guide, created by the Ultima Yandex Go team. The evening brought together key figures from the restaurant industry, show business, the city’s elite, and the media.

Among the guests were Sanjar Maksudov, Alisher Akramov, Khusnora Shadieva, Hilola Isokova, Madina Shadieva, Irina Salikhova, and Alina Zimmermann.

Guests immersed themselves in a celebration of gastronomy, with the spotlight on the top 20 restaurants, selected through a combination of neural network technology, an expert jury, and public voting.

Ultima Guide marks a new and significant milestone in the evolution of Tashkent’s culinary scene. The project blends technology and taste, data and intuition. Artificial intelligence analyzed more than 3,000 establishments based on over 100 parameters – from order volume to reviews on Yandex Maps. Then, 39 gastronomic experts and more than 4,500 users weighed in to shape the final selection. 

Each establishment on the list received a signature brass pearl sphere – a symbol of quality and a recognizable mark for visitors seeking “gastronomic gems” across the city.

The guide features restaurants beloved for their unique concepts, culinary excellence, and inviting atmospheres, ranging from national cuisine stars like OBI Hayot and The Choyxona, to European and Mediterranean spots like Basilic, La Mer, Punto, and Quadro. Highlights also include scenic rooftop venues like Gravity and Restaurant 12, and cozy cafes such as Zira Cafe.

As part of the ceremony, special awards were presented in additional categories. Steak House “Myasnoy” was the winner in two categories at once – “People’s Choice” and “Outstanding Service.” The “Experts’ Choice” award went to the restaurant “Syrovarnya”, while the title of “Best Interior Design” was awarded to “Lali” restaurant.

Guests enjoyed a refined fusion menu by event chef David Hemmerle, based on juicy Uzbek tomatoes and lemons, brought together with creative notes of Uzbek, French, and Mediterranean cuisines.

Ultima Guide is available in Russian and Uzbek on the official website and in the Yandex Go app (under the Food section). Featured venues can also be found in Yandex Maps by searching “Ultima Guide,” where they are marked with a special badge.

Ultima Guide expands on the premium services of Ultima Yandex Go, launched in Tashkent in September 2024. The service offers luxury rides and exclusive restaurant delivery, but the guide includes not only Yandex Go partners, it also celebrates other standout stars of the city's gastronomy.

Photos: arthurkennet, Anton Donikov