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Famous Food at the Heart of Pakistan
Lahore is Pakistan's true food centre. The induction of quality Thai food has made it more cosmopolitan. Lahorites have access not only to a large number of Pakistani dishes and Punjabi specialities, it has fast food restaurants, Western dishes, steak houses, pizzas, Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese, Afghani, Thai cooking and even Indian 'Thali' and 'Dossas.'
Food Street
The success of Food Street in Gawalmandi, established in 2000, has been beyond its organisers' imaginations, and has led to other Food Streets being set up. The concentration of Western-styled restaurants on posh M.M. Alam Road can be called Lahore's 'Elite Food Street.'
Now I shall try to rate Lahore's leading restaurants to make the choice easier for the readers, based on atmosphere, quality of food in relation to prices and service etc.
Atmosphere
The foremost factor for assessing any restaurant is the atmosphere it provides to its customers who leave their houses to visit it. The restaurants classified on the basis of atmosphere are as follows:-
Category 'AAA'
Freddie's, Mezzo, Ziafat,Village, KFC, Pizza Hut (M.M. Alam Road), McDonalds (Defence, Fortress Stadium), Dynasty, Fujiyama, Kims, Fort Grill (Avari), Dum Pukht, Steak House, Elephant and Taipan (PC).
Category 'AA'
McDonald's (All), Pizza Hut (Defence), KFC (Garden Town), Chicago Grill, Shezan (Fortress Stadium), Golden Wok (Defence), Hsing Kuang, Taiwah, Xin Wah etc.
Category 'A'
Go-Go, Shezan Oriental, Pasta (Jail Road), Paradise (Liberty), Bellpepper (Fortress Stadium), Sichuan. (List is not exhaustive. Dozens of other restaurants fall in 'A' category, but I have mentioned only those I have visited recently.)
Pakistani food
Pakistani Food can be sub-divided in two distinct styles:
Mughal-style Pakistani curries and Punjabi Barbecue and Karahis. In the curry category, the best choice is available at Village, Shezan Oriental, Bellpepper, Kabana, Paradise etc., where you can get reasonably good quality Curries, Biryanis, Nans etc.
Dum Pukht (PC) serves some 'Westernised' curries. Most dishes are very expensive and lack the true Mughal curry taste. It seems the dishes are made for foreign customers. For the real Delhi-style taste, turn to wayside shops like Paradise Canteen (near GPO) which serves the tastiest curries, Payas, Batairs and Biryani in town. I also visit Nanbai shops like Abdul Rehman's in Old Anarkali, Mian Restaurant (off Canal Bank, Gulberg), Baghdadi (Shadman Market), Labha (Davis Road) and one or two outlets in Sadar, Main Market Gulberg, Liberty etc. Khan Baba (Chauburji) is popular for its Pakistani dishes well-cooked in 'Desi Ghee.'
Barbecue
The Lahorites, love to eat BBQ food, available at hundreds of outlets all over town. The real secret of BBQ food is to consume it straight from the BBQ pit. A Seekh Kabab is tastier eaten immediately from the pit. At that moment, its minced meat is warm and the fat is melted, and thus most tasty. So every Seekh Kabab is good if you do not let it go cold. Chicken Tikka needs a little care. It should be ordered as golden brown or burnt black. I prefer golden brown, before most of its surface turns black, while it still has juices in it. Once the Tikka is over cooked, you not only consume some carbon, but also the meat's juices are lost.
Chicken Karahi
Chicken Karahi is best if made fresh according to your taste. So select a shop where you find it is made to your taste. I prefer Zakir in Cantonment and Mian Hotel on Canal Bank, because both use lots of green masala and tomatoes, giving a very fresh taste. I prefer a Karahi with some gravy, though some prefer it dry. Bhatti and Butt both of Lakhshami Chowk, Grill at Liberty, Punjab Tikka House in Main Gulberg serve delicious Chicken Karahis at reasonable rates.
Taka Tak
I go to Nishat Taka Tak at Lakhshami Chowk for Taka Tak, a Gurda-Chop concoction, because they make it fresh in your presence and use the right amount of green masala and garlic-ginger paste. For an unforgettable experience, ask the shopkeeper to warm your Nan over the dish while cooking.
Bundoo Khan
Bundoo Khan of Karachi fame, has opened outlets for his Paratha-Kabab dish, which have maintained hygiene and good service, and are worth a visit.
Bhayia ke Kebab
Bhayia's Kebab is one of the most famous kababs in Lahore and is located at D Block, Model Town. His speciality is that its made with the camel meat.
Chinese Food
Chinese cuisine continues to be Lahorite's "second most popular food." There are two types of Chinese food connoisseurs. One likes a lot of variety in the same meal, the other orders fewer specialised dishes. Those who prefer variety should patronise the buffet at Taiwah, Yeefah and some other Chinese restaurants as well as at the Golden Wok (Sundays only).
For the second category, fewer in number, true lovers of Chinese food, I recommend Steve's Hsing Kuang which serves dishes of the highest standard. Other popular outlets worth a visit include Sichuan, Taipan (PC) and Dynasty (Avari), Guang Dong and Golden Wok in Defence.
Chinese takeaway food is also becoming quite popular. Prices are less than half those you pay at a good restaurant, service is quicker, the quality is reasonable, and you can enjoy the food with your family at home. A growing number of takeaway outlets in Gulberg, Iqbal Town, Garden Town etc. are providing Chinese food.
Fast Food
McDonalds, with nine outlets, continues to attract the largest number of Lahorites, mostly youth and children, because of its play areas. The initial curiosity of eating at McDonalds now seems to be disappearing and except at weekends, McDonalds outlets are looking out for customers.
Pizza Hut, particularly on M.M. Alam Road, has maintained a good standard. The Defence Pizza Hut outlet has come up with an 'incentive' scheme which had made it quite popular and you cannot get a place easily there, any day of the week.
KFC has started a number of gimmicks through "Combination Meals" at its various outlets. One should visit KFC, as an interesting change from Tikkas and Curries.
Pakistani Burger (or Sheeda Burger) as it popularly called, continues to be popular with masses due to its low price. Its quality has also improved.
Western Food
The real growth in recent years on the Lahore Food Scene, is the opening of western food outlets of good standard. Credit for this goes to Mahmood Akbar for his 'Salt & Pepper' outlets. The real reason for their success is the maintenance of standards and reasonable prices. You do not have to pay GST, because Mahmood Akbar pays the Excise department its entire demand, according to the government's rules, at the beginning of the year so that customers do not pay the odd duties. I hope other restaurants follow.
Freddie's
Freddie's continues to be one of Lahore's elite's most popular haunts. Despite the large area, one often has to wait to get a place. The standard of food is maintained, servings are generous, while the service is attentive, prompt and courteous. Freddie's, besides Western dishes, also serves Afghani food.
Mezzo
An import from Islamabad, Mezzo serves good quality western dishes with an Italian influence. It has beautiful decor and excellent atmosphere and deserves a visit. Its fish dishes are of good quality.
Chicago Grill is yet another popular western food outlet. After the death of its founder Amir Riaz, one expected it would be unable to maintain its standard. But to the surprise of all, its owners are doing a good job.
Shezan in Fortress has also maintained its standard over the years. It has efficient service and serves a very satisfying meal, not only Western but some Pakistani dishes also. Its Nans and Chicken Seekh Kabab are among the best in Lahore.
Chatkhara
Chatkhara's two outlets provide Indian-style 'thali.' Its Rolled Behari Kabab in Paratha is popular.
Punjabi Specialities
The best place in Lahore for a variety of Punjabi Specialities, is Food Street in Gawalmandi. Within 150 yards, you have a choice of nearly 100 items from 85 outlets. The management has now arranged that you sit anywhere and order from any outlet. The waiters are now uniformed, courtesy a multinational. Food Street presents a colonial look. The low prices make your visit very satisfying.
Specialities
For Nihari, go for Haji inside Lohari and Waris in Paisa Akhbar and on Mozang Chungi. For Haleem, shops on Lakshami Chowk, Abbot Road, near Mubarak Cinema, and outside old Nigar Cinema and Baghdadi in Shadman Market. Go-Go near Sherpao Bridge and Ashraf Tikka Shop in Main Market Gulberg for Mutton Chops. For Punjabi Style Fish, Sardar of Gawalmandi continues to be 'King.' Other leading Lahore fish outlets, include those at Ichra and Mozang Chungi. For Murgh Chholey, go for Sultan and Shahi of Lakhshami Chowk. I also enjoy Anda Kofte Chholey from Nila Gumbad and Chikar Chholey outside Masjide Shohada and near the Cantonment School.
Dahi Bhalay and Fruit Chat of Regal Chowk is something to not to miss out.
Kashmiri Pink Tea.... no one can forget to have at Lakshami chowk and gawal Mandi.
Chamman Ice Cream at Bidan Road is one of the famous one in Lahore due to the speacial flavours they have got, especialy Pista Badam etc.
If you have passed Jinnah Garden at Shahrah-e-Quid-e-Aazam and never have tried the Gol Gapa's, you really have missed something worth alot.
IN liberty Market and Y Block Defence, there are alot of verieties of Salads.
Japanese Food
Fujiama gives you the only choice of Japanese Food in Lahore. Lahorites find it fascinating to eat Tippanyaki style of Japanese cooking and they are getting used to assorted Sushi and Raw fish, Tampura style of Japanese cooking etc. and enjoy eating these Japanese specialities with freshly made garlic rice with it.
Thai Food
You can get Thai food at two restaurants, Golden Wok and Elephant (PC). Elephant has an elegant Thai decor. They have imported the needed condiments and spices, which make their dishes authentic. It Tom Yam Soup, green and coconut-based curries, sticky rice and other dishes made in tamarind sauce, spicy herbs etc. provide a welcome change.
Bakery
Besides some of the restaurants as mentioned above, Lahorites also enjoy cooked items from dozens of bakeries of Lahore. Rahat Bakery offers the biggest choice of ready-to-eat items, as do Shezan, Gourmet, Kitchen Cuisine,Cakes and Bakes, International Bakery, etc.
Mithai
Lahorites eat a lot of Mithai. Nirala seems to be more popular than Shirin Mahal these days. But Fazal, Rahat, Shezan and Gourmet outlets also serve good quality Mithai. Prices have come down in the past couple of years.