<div class="tldr">Alisher Navoi, the only Uzbek restaurant in Sunnyside, closed in June 2024 after the lease was not renewed. The restaurant cited a rent increase as the reason for shutting down.</div>

<ul class="key-facts">

<li>Alisher Navoi opened in Sunnyside, Queens, in 2021.</li>

<li>The restaurant's last day was June 16, 2024.</li>

<li>Ownership cited a significant rent hike as cause for closure.</li>

</ul>

Alisher Navoi was the only Uzbek restaurant operating in the Sunnyside neighborhood. The establishment offered plov, kebabs, and samsa to a primarily local and immigrant clientele.

Co-owner Timur Bektimirov confirmed the closure in a phone interview on June 20. He indicated the lease renewal came with a rent increase of more than 30 percent, which the business could not absorb. The restaurant had already faced challenges with post-pandemic foot traffic and inflation.

Several Sunnyside residents noted Alisher Navoi’s role as the area’s lone Central Asian dining option. Its closure leaves a gap in affordable sit-down restaurants specializing in Uzbek cuisine in Queens west of 61st Street.

No plans have been announced for a new location. As of June 2024, the former site at 43-07 Queens Blvd remains vacant.

<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>

<h2>Why did Alisher Navoi close?</h2>

<p>Alisher Navoi closed primarily because of a rent increase. According to co-owner Timur Bektimirov, the new lease terms included a rent hike of over 30 percent. The business could not manage increased overhead along with ongoing inflation and decreased foot traffic.</p>

<h2>What did Alisher Navoi serve?</h2>

<p>Alisher Navoi offered traditional Uzbek dishes such as plov, samsa, lagman, and a variety of grilled meats. The menu catered to both Uzbek immigrants and local residents interested in Central Asian cuisine. It was considered a neighborhood spot for affordable meals.</p>

<h2>Will any new Uzbek restaurants open in Sunnyside?</h2>

<p>As of June 2024, there are no announced plans for a new Uzbek restaurant to take Alisher Navoi’s place in Sunnyside. The owners have not shared intentions to reopen at another location. The area currently lacks any other Uzbek dining options.</p>