“ Was my first time trying Uzbek food in a spot tucked away in FiDi -literally just one staircase entrance you might miss. Inside though- a whole different story. Space opens up into this dim spacious dining room with Central Asian art filling the walls and interior. For food, started with umka puffs - crispy little pillows filled with meat, cheese, spinach or pumpkin. Plot twist: the vegetarian ones (pumpkin and spinach) actually outshine the meat versions. They've got this subtle spice kick that I didn't feel in the meat puffs -they were quite chewy. The star of the show is their Uzbek plov - picture perfectly cooked rice loaded with tender lamb, sweet carrots and chickpeas, all hit with these Central Asian spices that I couldn't name but definitely would come back to have. Long rice peices soak up all that flavor from the meat and vegetables so it feels quite moist + rich for a typical rice dish. Portion sizes are solid (meat is on the lower side) and prices won't make you wince (in Manhattan standards). Everything's halal, and our server (half Uzbek, half Persian) actually knew what he was talking about - none of the "everything's amazing" generic waiter talk, gave me a full rundown of the menu and of his usual go to dishes. Skippable dish: the soup was forgettable. But that Farida Platter with various kebabs I saw floating around to other tables-- definitely ordering that next time when I have a few more people with me. The dim lighting can get frustrating but it goes well with the theme of making you feel like you're sitting in a traditional Uzbek living room. I would definitely 100% recommend this spot for group dinners - kind of place where you want to order a bunch of their appetizers snd mains to share especially on one of their nights with live music. I assume based on some rebranding online that they're trying to expand their cuisine to cater to more central Asian dishes rather than just Uzbek food, I would be curious to visit then too! Bottom line: come hungry, and bring friends who eat.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ”

“ This was my first time having Uzbek cuisine and visiting this restaurant. Just wow... I came here for lunch on a Wednesday and had the best experience. Their menu is diverse and have various dishes from different countries. We tried a few different dishes, from Uzbek appetizers to a Spanish entree. Everything was seasoned so well, with the perfect balance of flavors from herbs and spices in the food. To top it off, the staff was so friendly and the environment was so pretty. Highly recommend if you're interested in trying various types of cuisines, all in one place. ”

“ I had never had Uzbek food before, so Farida was my first exposure. It was truly delicious! Lots of great vegetarian dishes and dumplings, so I left feeling full and happy. The atmosphere was nice too. The only thing that was a little different was a man came to take a picture of our table and tried to sell us a framed picture. It was a dinner with work colleagues, so it was a little awkward. But an interesting experience! ”

“ The moment we stepped through the carved wooden doors, we were transported straight into Central Asia, the warmth and familiarity of home surrounding us. I had decided to bring my parents to Farida, a cozy restaurant just a few blocks away, after hearing rave reviews. Of course, in typical fashion, they were skeptical--years of former Soviet living had made them wary of the unfamiliar. But the moment we entered, we were embraced by the rich cultural décor. The entire space was steeped in the traditions we knew and loved, instantly putting us at ease. Our waitress, Madina, was not only kind and welcoming but incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, guiding us with a smile through each dish. We started with the Umkas--known to us as Samsa--flaky and warm, filled with savory goodness. The Cheburek was next, followed by a refreshing avocado salad, and Shurpa soup, rich and fragrant. For the mains, we chose Plov, and two skewers of Shashlyk, one with chicken and the other with liver. I couldn't resist ordering a side of buckwheat with butter, my childhood favorite. Each bite was a return to our roots, the flavors and textures a perfect balance of nostalgia and freshness. Even my parents, initially cautious, admitted the food was delicious and well-prepared. We ended the night with a slice of Napoleon cake and a kettle of Tashkent tea, savoring the sweetness and warmth. The Napoleon, I may compliment, was made with the correct cream and texture as per tradition. A musician in the corner played traditional tunes, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. It was a perfect touch, setting the mood for a memorable evening. As we left, we all agreed--we'd be back, and next time, we'd bring friends. It was a rare and beautiful thing to find a taste of home so close by. ”

“ It was pretty easy to get a table for two on a Thursday evening. The menu was quite overwhelming since they have so many items on it. Decided to get the mini umka perfect puff pies (you can mix and match) and eggplant caviar with lavash for appetizer, and my favorite were the cheese and prime steak puff pies. For entree, we shared the kovurma lagman and kyrgyz ganfan but we didn't realize the base was exactly the same which was a bummer. Definitely enjoyed the noodle dish more than the rice. The portion was a bit on the smaller side for the price. But overall, we enjoyed the atmosphere and the live music. ”

“ My husband and I went here for dinner. We both really enjoyed our time at Farida! The decor is super cute and unique. The menu has pictures, which I really appreciated! Service was great and there was live music at the time. We both enjoyed our appetizers and main dishes. The food was hot, flavorful, and super yummy! The entire restaurant is a whole experience! ”

“ A random evening brought me to downtown NYC after work. Hungry and searching for Asian food, I stumbled upon Farida, a Central Asian restaurant that caught my eye. Initially, I hesitated because I was craving East Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese food. However, the extensive menu quickly drew me in, and I was ready to explore something new. Upon entering, I found the place authentically decorated. I was promptly seated, and the friendly waiter patiently explained the menu. I decided to try a few dishes. I started with Uzbek milk tea, which I asked to be lightly sweetened--it was delicious and comforting, especially since it was raining that day. The food arrived shortly after. First, I tried the Umka puff pies with various fillings: steak, chicken, baby pumpkin, and baby spinach. Each filling was distinct and tasty, with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. Next, I had the veal liver with mushrooms. The liver, cooked in a creamy sauce, was tender and paired perfectly with the mushrooms. I also ordered the assorted meat platter, which included boiled and sliced beef tongue, Kari Kazakh sausage, and chicken roll. This cold platter was simple yet made me crave a cold beer. Then, the handmade manti steak arrived--a large steamed dumpling with hand-cut steak, served in a steamer. The four big dumplings, paired with sour cream, had a tender, soupy filling and a slightly chewy wrap. The waiter convinced me to finish the meal with Mom's honey cake, a layered dessert that was absolutely delicious. I ended up with enough food to take back to the hotel for another meal. ”

“ Another place where I was the only white person or the only person speaking English, telling me I was in the right place! Farida is down the steps of a below the street level spot in the financial district (they are closing their midtown location). It's steps away from Alamo Drafthouse, so that's what brought me there . . . but it was a delight! Farida focuses on central asian cuisine (and it's halal). Think Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakstan. My server was Uzbek and spoke Russian (he speaks perfect English as well, but thought it was super cool that he spoke to most other patrons in Russian).--This tells you this is a place where people who know go! I told him to order me what he would order himself. For the most part I went with what he said. Just for the record, he says he loves the dumplings, so if you're into dumplings, go for it. I just know I don't like dumpling texture, and that's a ME thing, not a them thing. I ordered the Umka puffs with with steak. Great flavors with the sauce, though a little chewy. Next time I would probably try to spinach and herbs. They also have baby pumpkin and chicken. The outside was crispy and hot and the inside was savory. My server explained it's best to eat with the hands, as the enzymes on our hands enhance the flavor of the dough. For hot appetizers, next time I wouldn't mind having the juicy meatballs (which the server also recommended, I was just by myself and could order only so much food). Also the fried Chuchvara (ground beef dumplings) looked tasty. I aso had the Kovurma Lagman (also styled Laghman). When Lagman House Duncan Cuisine in Sheepshead closed, I thought I had missed my chance to try this special kind of noodle. But Farida has a couple of Lagman noodle dishes. The noodles are chewy and hearty (in a good way) and the beef is tender and succulent. Lots of tasty veggies too. I sampled their shashlyk selection (salmon, veggie, chicken, crispy chicken, veal liver, beef filet, ground chicken, lamb, and more). I had the beef short rib at the server rec. Pretty good, but next time I would probably try another type. I had a couple cocktails, which were fine, but this is not a craft cocktail place. I think I would much rather try their interesting supply of mixed lemonades and teas. The menu here is huge. I can't touch on it all. But there is something for everyone, including vegetarians and vegans. Soups, stews, noodles, The decor is cool--retro in a way, exotic, colorful. They have a stage for live entertainment on some nights, and I would love to see the belly dancers! I loved everything--the vibe, the service. I am so happy to have tried this lesser known food region. My server was Jahangir. Please, everyone, give him all the tips and all the kudos! Thank you again! Will definitely be back for more of this gem! ”