Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 22 May, the official presentation of Ultima Guide, Tashkent’s first-ever restaurant ranking guide, took place. The project was developed by the Ultima Yandex Go team.

This new initiative aims to annually identify the best gastronomic venues in Uzbekistan’s capital through a comprehensive evaluation process that combines artificial intelligence algorithms, expert opinions, and user reviews.

The top 20 restaurants in Tashkent included in the final list were selected through several stages. In the initial phase, Yandex’s neural network analyzed more than 3,000 establishments across the city based on over 100 criteria.

Subsequently, 140 restaurants were shortlisted for voting. The final ranking was determined by 39 recognized experts—restaurateurs, chefs, and food critics—as well as 4,500 Yandex Go users.

The results were calculated using Yandex’s proprietary analytical model, while independent verification was carried out by the international consulting firm Yakov & Partners.

The methodology was developed with the involvement of Ekaterina Pugachova, chair of the jury for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.

Each venue featured in the Ultima Guide received an exclusive award: a designer statuette in the form of a brass sphere symbolizing a "pearl of gastronomy." Among the honorees were national cuisine restaurants OBI Hayot and The Choyxona; European and Mediterranean venues such as Basilic, La Mer, Punto, and Quadro; panoramic restaurants Gravity and Restaurant 12; the cozy Zira Cafe; and other unique culinary concepts.

Special awards were also presented:

The Steak House Myasnoy was named winner in the categories “User’s Choice” and “Outstanding Service.”

The restaurant Syrovarnya was recognized as the “Expert’s Choice.”

The restaurant Lali received the award for “Best Interior.”

All restaurants featured in the guide were marked with a special label on the map.

The Ultima Guide project represents a natural continuation of the premium Ultima Yandex Go offering, launched in Tashkent in autumn 2024. The service provides rides in luxury-class vehicles and delivery from signature restaurants. Importantly, the final restaurant list includes both service partners and non-affiliated venues, underlining the independence and objectivity of the selection process.

Today, the Ultima Guide is being developed simultaneously in three countries and serves as a unique tool for discovering the region’s top gastronomic destinations, shaped by the intersection of advanced technology, professional expertise, and user preferences.