15 Best Desi Restaurants in Islamabad

Looking for a place to taste the best desi food in Islamabad? Here’s a guide to the restaurants that are delivering the best desi Pakistani foods. Islamabad, the capital, is a great place to enjoy the wealth of flavors, especially when it comes to eating desi cuisine. From BBQs to chicken karahi and from desi street food to five-star hotels, the desi Pakistani cuisine dominates over all the menus in Islamabad. The city serves every possible desi food and has innovated several to make it more magnificent. Below are listed some best desi restaurants in Islamabad that deliver the best desi Pakistani experience on a plate for all budgets in the capital city.

15 Best Desi Restaurants in Islamabad

BBQ Tonight

One of the highest-rated restaurants in Islamabad, BBQ Tonight is recognized for its broad array of BBQs. The spacious seating, bright lighting, a pleasant and welcoming setting make the visit even more pleasing and delightful. The mob that crowds the place night-after-night is a testimonial that the restaurant has never let its standard dip. BBQ Tonight delivers the most delicious tikkas and karachi dishes. The hospitality here is at the top, and you cannot miss this place if you are a hardcore fan of desi Pakistan food.

The restaurant is great to visit with family. You should try BBQ Chops, Seekh Kebab, Chicken qeema, and beef behari kabab. To end the dinner on a sweet note, make sure you taste their kulfi falooda.

Location: Embassy Rd, Block A G 6/3 Blue Area, Islamabad

Chattha’s

If you want a touch of spiciness in your dinner, then you’ll adore this restaurant. They have a set meal which is good. The music and the food perfectly complement each other, and you’ll leave the restaurant with a fulfilled heart and a full tummy.

Whether you are an outsider seeking food that’ll remind you of home, or just someone who wants to experience the best Lahori thaali and Chicken white handi in the city, this place won’t fail you.

Location: Plaza 1 N, Street 14, Tariq Market، F-10/2 F 10/2 F-10, Islamabad

Tandoori Restaurant

Tandoori Restaurant should undoubtedly be your go-to fine-dining restaurant for some authentic desi food in Islamabad. The extensive hanging bright lighting offer a regal air to this place while also lulling you into the proper mood to gormandize a great number of excellent food.

You wouldn’t have to grumble because choices here are ample. From BBQ Platter, Palak Paneer and various flavours of Naans to the delectable kheer and Cappuccino Coffee, Tandoori Restaurant has it all!

Location: 20-A, Jasmine Plaza, G-8 Markaz Islamabad

Habibi Restaurant

Habibi Restaurant has been known for its excellent dining experience for years now. The place is famed for its desi Pakistani cuisine. It has a modest ambience, yet the food tops the chart every day. The most suggested foods to try here are Chicken, Mutton Karahi, Chapli Kebab, Kabli Pulao, and Special Namken karahi. If you haven’t visited this hotel, we are confident you are missing out on a lot.

Location: Johar Road, Ayub Market، near Silk Bank، F-8, Islamabad

Dilli Darwaza

Dilli Darwaza is probably the best desi restaurant in Islamabad for Nihari. It meets the demands of all Nihari enthusiasts with delicious and mouth-watering Nihari selections.

It has a range of desi foods, including all varieties of Nihari and Naan. Moreover, they use fresh and pure components for their Nihari.

If you’re lost in town and searching for feasting on a magnificent platter of this Mughlai treat, head over to Dilli Darwaza to fulfil your demands.

Location: Plot no. 8 Street 33, F-8/1, Allahwali Market، Islamabad,

Khoka Khola

A serious competitor for the best desi food in Islamabad, this quaint tiny cafe keeps its position in the prominent desi food restaurants in Islamabad. Situated in the basement of the Beverly Centre, Khoka Khola opened its doors for food enthusiasts with the representation of khokha. As soon as you enter this modest diner, immortal Bollywood classical music of the 1960s and 1970s is what sets your mood coupled with subdued lights and a pleasant environment.

A modern version of a khokha, this casual place bring the old-school charm of khokhas back by offering authentic street food of Pakistan. Want to experience food that sticks out from the entire menu? Order the Dum Biryani, Malai boti or their butter chicken with naan and lassi.

Location: Beverly Centre, Jinnah Ave, F 6/1 Blue Area, Islamabad

Andaaz

If you are seeking an acceptable dining alternative with a touch of sophistication, then Andaaz is your place to go. It is considered to be one of the top fine desi dining restaurants in Islamabad. Andaaz restaurant is located in Saidpur village, Islamabad.

The ambience of the place is to die for. The whole place offers you elegance and old vibes. If you are someone who appreciates aesthetic goods together with lip-smacking food, then Andaaz is your destination.

Location: Saidpur Village Rd, Saidpur, Islamabad.

Des Pardes Restaurant

This is one of the most loved restaurants for serving lunch and welcome anyone with an appetite for leisurely dining with a magnificent view around.

A spectacular place with breathtaking views and comfortable sitting paired with neighbouring ancient attractions like a temple mosque and a church, and the food is average.

The place is quite picturesque and feasible for family and every type of event. No much crowdy here as it’s away from the noisy city traffic. You can have your prayers here in the adjoining mosque, which is an old one. Rest for the tea after your lunch or dinner there they have the hotspot for tea upstairs the restaurant offering you a lovely sight of the Saidpur beautiful town there with your tea from the top adding to tea they serve you with other stuff with tea.

They eagerly wait to treat your hungry bellies with the spicy and sour delicacies of their cooking. Sign yourselves up here for the memorable lunch of all times.

Location: Saidpur Rd, Saidpur, Islamabad

KHIVA Restaurant

Khiva is on the list of every foodie in Islamabad when it comes to desi restaurants in Islamabad. It is a magnificent fine dining restaurant immensely famous for its desi food and an awesome rooftop area with some stunning mountain views.

Want to sample some of the best dishes at Khiva? Shinwari Lamb Karhai, seekh kabab, and their Buffet are the ones you should absolutely try to fulfil your desi Pakistani appetite. Khiva is a safe, cosy restaurant and a perfect place to go for a festive family supper.

Location: Mezzanine Floor, Khan Markaz, Block 13-J, Jinnah Super Market F-7, Islamabad

Haleem Ghar

Haleem ghar is a gourmet dining restaurant that gives an exceptional dining experience. Piping hot haleem with fried onions, plenty of chillies, chopped coriander, lemon and a touch of masala! Haleem Ghar has always been my go-to place to satiate your haleem needs. They are offering a vast array of desi cuisines along with haleem. Also, their special falooda is fantastic. Haleem ghar boasts of a great menu where one can always find something to tickle their taste buds. It delivers soulful food with a seductive aroma at pricing that would not burn a hole in your budget.

Location: Ginza Center, Ground Floor، Jinnah Ave, G 7/2 Blue Area, Islamabad.

Charsi Tikka

The famed BBQ place of Peshawar has launched its branch in the capital. This place serves the juiciest and most succulent BBQ dishes in town. The place is situated in Saidpur hamlet and gives you really desi and eastern vibes. If you want to sit and relax and enjoy some comfort meals, then pay a visit to this place.

Location: Saidpur Village Rd, Saidpur, Islamabad.

Khyber Dodai

No round-up of Islamabad’s best desi restaurants would be complete without mentioning Khyber Dodai. It is one place where you should eat your heart out. It’s the best place to eat if you are in the mood for a taste of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dishes.

A truly desi experience restaurant Offering simple food from a thriving province, this café guarantees nostalgia for all those living far from their homes in the north.

Designed to seem like a traditional Pakhtun family’s dining room, this restaurant provides a domestic ambience due to the panoramic windows adorned with ethnic embroidered blinds, with rubab music playing in the background.

Offering numerous sorts of tikkas, karahis, along with a few specialities, including the legendary Kublai pulao and chapli kebab, Khyber Dodai has succeeded in replicating the taste of homemade Peshawari cuisine.

Location: Super Market, School Rd, F-6 Markaz

Sufi Restaurant

If you are in Islamabad and haven’t visited the Sufi Restaurant to visit their choice of desi delicacies, you are certainly missing out. You would know Sufi Restaurant has earned some major fan following for their great Pakistani treats if you have been there. The most recommended dishes here are Chapli kebab, Beef Tikka, Mutton tikka and the obligatory tea.

Location: Street 54, G-9/4, G-9, Islamabad

Savour Foods

Savour foods has a lengthy history in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, extending all the way back to 1988, when it started in Gordon college road. Savour foods is one of the famous eating spots in Islamabad. Savour foods provides an extensive choice of Pakistani dishes. This place is regularly crowded with people during lunchtime. This place is well known for its affordable pulaos if you’re on a strict budget. You should try their Pulao with Shami kebab,and Chicken.

Location: Fortune Plaza, 2 Jinnah Ave, Block HG 7/2 Blue Area, Islamabad

New Kabul Restaurant

The desi meal from the neighbours. Afghani skewers, Kabuli Pulao, green tea and a large selection of mutton things are so good that will make you doubt whether you are in Afghanistan or not.

Location: Plot No. 17, F-7 Markaz, Jinnah Super Market, F-7 Markaz, Islamabad