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Exploring
Lahore's menu
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.’
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Food Street
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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, 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, 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, Ziafat 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.
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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.
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.
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, 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 y
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