Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul

~ Dorothy Day

Original Source: Famous Restaurants in Islamabad

Islamabad is a fun-filled and lively city as well as the capital of Pakistan. It's known beyond the globe for its extensive cuisines. The reason behind this is a pre-eminent hobby of Pakistani people is cooking and eating. They love to share recipes and plan to get-togethers with family and friends at a table full of yummy meals. Pakistanis define their culture, traditions, identity, and way of living by offering desi cuisines like Paaye, BBQ, Karahis, and Biryani. All these desi cuisines will take you on a delicious journey, with aromas and unique flavors you will never forget. The people of Islamabad colored everyone in their color by sprinkling love and taste in food. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, there are so many things to do. You can go to the  shopping malls, historical places, local markets, and the best restaurants in Islamabad. In addition, there are many  universities in Islamabad  that are playing a massive role in supporting the education sector.

While we are talking about food and restaurants in Islamabad, how can we forget Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar? These cities are a huge part of the longstanding friendly food rivalry in Pakistan. Food spots or  restaurants in Peshawar , Karachi, and Lahore are ideal for hangouts with friends and family.

In this blog, we are going to write down the best Chinese and Desi restaurants in Islamabad. We have listed down the top 10 restaurants in Islamabad. Please have a look!

List of Famous Restaurants in Islamabad:

1. Khoka Khola

Khoka Khola is a small eatery like a shop or a cafe with a touch of antique and old memories. Located in the basement of the Beverly Centre, it opens the doors for food enthusiasts with the representation of desi food. Your pleasure will start right after your entrance into the restaurant with famous Bollywood traditional and classical music from the 1960s to 1970s, along with dimmed lights and a homey ambiance. They are famous for being one of the best desi restaurants in Islamabad. They offer a delicious desi menu including, Makhni karahi, biryani, papri chaat, or chicken cheese naan with oozing blended cheese. These are just the most picked dishes of this restaurant. Besides, they have many meal options. Khoka Khola always tries to assure that the customers get the pure desi experience in a homely atmosphere with antique and modern furniture. This unique and traditional look of the restaurant pushes back old memories. If you are a true lover of desi cuisine with a piece of soft music, you must visit this restaurant at least once in your life.

2. The Monal

At the feet of the verdant natural Margalla Hills, top of the Potohar, The Monal is the best restaurant for the family get-together. As it gives a stunning scenic view of lush green mountains with mesmerizing blue sky, it will take you far from this world. With the lip-smacking food and splendid ambiance, the Monal is one of the most famous restaurants in Islamabad. It offers an exceptional view of a breath-taking panorama. The restaurant offers various types of cuisines including, Italian, French, Lebanese, Thai, Pakistani, Afghani, Chinese, and traditional BBQ and Tikka. The cold and lavish weather of the Pir Sohawa is a plus point of this one of the best restaurants in Islamabad. It is also the top tourist attraction point in Islamabad. The best part is you can see the whole of Islamabad city from the terrace dining area. With lunch, breakfast, and dinner, the Monal also serves the two lip-smacking hi-tea platters. It’s also famous as a Chinese restaurant in Islamabad for having several Chinese dishes.

3. Savour Foods

If you are a student or an office-going person, you must be familiar with Savour Foods. It is located at 72 Fortune Plaza E Jinnah Ave, G 7/2 Blue Area, Islamabad. The majority of people order ‘pulao’ of Savour foods as it’s a pocket-friendly meal with a delicious taste. It is the most popular restaurant in the twin cities – Rawalpindi and Islamabad. As some time people call it the national cuisine of Pakistan. The murgh pulao is the most ordered dish of this one of the famous restaurants in Islamabad. They don’t just offer one recipe, but it is not wrong to say it is famous because of one dish called Pulao. Their menu also includes yummy burgers, ice-creams, drinks, and sweets.

The pulao kabab is a favorite all the time because of its unique and delicious taste. The serving area is pretty large and clean, with free refills of rice. All these are the reasons that make it one of the best restaurants in Islamabad.

4. Charsi Tikka

Charsi Tikka is a famous restaurant in Peshawar. Now they have opened a branch in Islamabad as well. Its name hints at its signature cuisine, which is Tikka. The most popular dish of the restaurant is the namkeen Tikka. In Islamabad, it is located in a tourist place called Saidpur Village. Covered in the scenic view of mountains and forest, it gives desi and eastern vibes. To please the customers and visitors, they cook BBQ Tikka with coarse salt and grill it on barbeque skewers in the open air, which creates a homely atmosphere. It is one of the most popular desi restaurants in Islamabad. The food is not heavily spiced but shines out the main ingredient by the flavor. The families and young people visit the restaurant frequently. The management has also arranged a veranda in front and a family hall in the backside, with dewans and takhts decorated with classical velvet covers.

5. Howdy

When we talk about the fast-food restaurants in Islamabad, Howdy is on the top of the list. If you are a burger lover or chicken steaks lover, this is the dream place for you. It’s famous among people for its cheesy beef and chicken burgers. They have individual deals with unique burgers. A burger lover will never want to miss their “son of a bun” beef steak burger filled with cheese, different sauces, and turkey layers. The steaks and curly fries are the famous and most ordered food of this one of the best restaurants in Islamabad f7. If you have a big tummy and a desire to have a meal that blows your mind, then head towards Howdy. It’s an American burger chain that impressed the majority of people with its cowboy hats. The signature sauces and fresh green salad in the freshly toasted buns are something that not everyone offers at such affordable and pocket-friendly prices. The menu offers charcoal-grilled burgers with a lot of options, stakes, and rotisserie chicken. When you enter the restaurant, you will experience a different setup inspired by farm life in dim lights. The staff of the restaurant is wearing cowboy clothes and things. Even the menu items are listed in a manner to match the theme of the restaurant.

6. Khiva F-7 

It may be difficult to choose from the many selections on the menu at restaurants like Khiva, but any of the dishes on offer, which are inspired by Pakistani and other Asian cuisines, will satisfy the diner’s appetite. Choose from Pashtun specialties like grilled thin minced Peshawari beef or lamb egg chops; a variety of succulent meats barbecued the Afghan way; lamb or chicken stewed in a karahi or a handi, and a variety of other equally delicious dishes like a variety of enticing soups and salads. In Khiva’s quiet, intimate environment, savour the rich feast.

Khiva has a variety of pocket friendly buffets, for lunch and dinner. You also have many options like handi, rice and soups.

7. 1969

Café with a 1969 theme ‘The year 1969’ transports tourists back to the magnificent 1960s, a rich era in which Islamabad and Pakistan as a whole experienced unprecedented progress. Bright colours, an intricately adorned roof from which a glass chandelier,1960s-style furnishings, and old newspaper clippings presented as prints on the walls and table mats characterise the expansive area. 1969 also has a wide outdoor area where customers may enjoy their delicious dinner while taking in the fresh air. 1969 is a cuisine hangout unlike any other in Islamabad, serving authentic Pakistani and continental food. Overall it is a great family restaurant in Islamabad. However, it is a bit on the expensive side.

8. Burger Fest

A burger spot launched a few years ago in the heart of Islamabad F-7, with the best, most juiciest and fresh burgers in town. It has a wide range of burgers to savour from chicken to beef. The burgers are served with fresh fries. Some of their burgers have white mushroom sauce and jalapenos. You can get burgers in the range of Rs. 400-600. 

Their open kitchen comes with  burgers freshly grilled on a charcoal grill right in front of you. 

9. Kabul Restaurant

When Afghans began to relocate to Pakistan in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion of their nation, they brought with them wonderful food, which is still renowned in Islamabad’s F-7 neighbourhood. Even though the capital today has a broad range of cuisines to offer, Kabul Restaurant, which debuted in 1989, continues to attract foodies.

It is one of the most reasonable restaurants in Islamabad.

It’s a meat-lover’s dream; the menu is dominated by beef and lamb dishes, with little white meat on offer. 

One of our favourite aspects of Afghan cuisine is how flavorful it is without being overly spicy. The salty Afghani tikkas, pieces of beef fat skewered and cooked to perfection, are impossible to stop devouring.

The Kabuli pulao is a whole dinner in itself, consisting of a rice dish garnished with carrots and raisins and accompanied with a ration of beef.

10. Ginyaki

Ginyaki is a restaurant that has quickly gained momentum and popularity in Islamabad. With its unique and first in Pakistan bowl style, it is winning over hearts. Ginyaki has a wide range of menu where you can choose appetizers from spring rolls, BBQ wings, dynamite prawns to stuffed chillies. Now let’s talk about the main menu, they are an economy bowl where you can choose any chicken, beef or fish side with rice or chow mein. You can also choose half rice and half chow mein. The dishes are served piping hot. There is another option of a deluxe bowl, where along with the economy bowl, another add-on bowl is served. It is not only located in F-7 but also Bahria Town Islamabad and now has opened its doors in Peshawar. You can also read our blog on Housing societies in Islamabad.

Summing Up:

So these were the top 10 famous restaurants in Islamabad that are visited by thousands of people with their families daily. Apart from these restaurants, you can also explore the city as there are many  places to visit in Islamabad .

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• Dams in Pakistan
• Northern Areas of Pakistan
• Mountain Ranges in Pakistan