Restaurants in Pakistan
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Carpe Diem
Just off MM Alam Rd, Carpe Diem serves up organic Mediterranean fusion cuisine. It has a strict 'no soft drink' policy - however the fruit and vegetable detox concoction is invigorating. Enjoy the walnut chicken or the seafood platter in the white washed Med-inspired surrounding. There are live music performances over dinner on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
reviewed
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Freddy's Café
Convivial yet with attitude, Freddy's flaunts a 'politically correct menu' that includes Continental dishes 'flavoured to local preferences'. There's everything from Dijon steak to Afghan 'Tora Bora' chicken. The dessert menu is deliciously insane - who could possibly resist the 'Limited Democracy' ice cream and 'Day & Night' chocolate mousse.
reviewed
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A
Tourist Street
Near The Mall, and similar to the Gowal Mandi set-up, is so-called Tourist Street. It's another terrific place to fill your belly without spending a fortune. The aroma of cooking oil and barbecued meat fills the air and, like Gowal Mandi, Tourist St has a focus on Pakistani food and also springs to life after sunset, when traffic is denied entry.
reviewed
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Dhaba
Features subcontinental specialities with especially good Mughlai dishes such as nawabi salan (chicken in cashew-nut gravy with herbs and ginger). There are also some Continental offerings - the goat cheese and shrimp pasta and grilled tiger prawns in lemon butter sauce look promising. You can eat indoors or out in the breezy courtyard.
reviewed
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Purple Haze
Purple Haze is a plush, dimly lit café-style eatery that attracts the young and hip side of Karachi life. There's wi-fi, and frequent live music at the weekends, from traditional to Urdu hip-hop. The food's not bad either, leaning towards Western and fusion styles, from fancy burgers and noodles to scrumptious cheesecake and great coffee.
reviewed
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B
KC Grill
Hobnob with Islamabad's upper crust at this stylish restaurant, which offers pleasant indoor and outdoor seating. Menu items include chicken filled with blue cheese, mushroom lasagne, tempura prawns, salmon-and-cheese quiche, chicken teriyaki, fat steaks and an assortment of chargrilled burgers. There's also a selection of Pakistani dishes.
reviewed
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Pashtun Eateries
For quick eats, there are dozens of Pashtun eateries along GT Rd, particularly near the bus station and around Nishat Chowk. Fill up on chicken, kebabs, curries and dhal for a few rupees, washed down with juice from a nearby drinks stand. Seasonal fruit vendors are everywhere, especially trying to out-shout one another at Green Chowk.
reviewed
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C
Eat & Sip
If you have to eat and run, this nondescript restaurant has a hotchpotch of takeaway or dine-in fast food such as chicken burgers, club sandwiches and a satiating (if somewhat greasy) 'lunchbox' (quarter fried chicken, French fries and coleslaw). The innocent-looking preparations in the salad bar can be deceptively chilli-hot.
reviewed
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D
Ziarat Coffee Shop
More than just a coffee shop, this is a proper restaurant and a good place for a splurge. Come for high tea (16:00 to 18:00) and an array of sandwiches, salads, cakes and pastries. If you visit after that the menu turns Italian, with everything on offer from lasagne to tiramisu. Expect to pay around Rs500 for the whole meal.
reviewed
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E
Arizona Grill
Those seeking a change from Pakistani fare will relish their choices here - all juicy steaks, pasta and salads, pepped up with some great fruit cocktails. Pepper steak with fries and salad hits the spot, but we also found the spinach ravioli well worth investigating for palates needing a break from meat-heavy menus.
reviewed
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Boat Basin Restaurants
Over 40 simple but good-value eateries are strung along this informal open-air promenade on the edge of Clifton. It's pretty quiet during the day, getting going after 21:00. Perennially popular with Karachi society as a place to eat and meet, alfresco dining is particularly pleasant here during the cooler months.
reviewed
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G
Zanzibar
Hip and happening, Zanzibar has attentive staff, a chic interior and a swanky circular bar (all that's missing is the alcohol!). The ambitious menu here sports everything from seafood chowder, to hot dogs, to Mexican chicken fajitas. Zanzibar's dessert list even includes an Australian-inspired 'summer pavlova'.
reviewed
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Afghan Restaurants
In various chaikhanas (teahouses) and Afghan restaurants around PIA Chowk, Ataliq Bridge and Naya Bazaar, you can sit cross-legged and eat qabli pilau (rice with meat and raisins), mutton curry or dhal for under Rs60 a head. Other Afghan restaurants can be found around Ataliq Bridge and Naya Bazaar.
reviewed
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H
Bar.B.Q Tonight
A restaurant with a great atmosphere that delivers exactly what its name promises. Grab a seat outdoors, or allow a waiter to find you a table inside (ask for the rooftop). The chicken tikka and Afghan kebabs never disappoint, but we fell in love with the roast mutton leg, with the meat falling off the bone.
reviewed
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I
Zanzibar 4 Seasons Restaurant
With an attractive interior and good food, this is Bahawalpur's finest restaurant. There are Pakistani, Continental, Chinese and even a few Mexican dishes. Recommendations include the roast beef burgers, jumbo garlic prawn and honey pepper chicken. If your tummy is twisting, try a cup of soothing green tea.
reviewed
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J
Haleem Ghar
This buzzing and unpretentious Pakistani restaurant cooks up food that's pleasing to both the palate and pocket. Possibilities include chicken tikka, biryani or, for the more adventurous, brain masala. Solo women and families can avail themselves of the restaurant's family section.
reviewed
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K
Red Onion
Just the spot to cool your heels, this relaxing retreat has a Continental focus with a splash of Chinese and Pakistani dishes. There's everything from burgers and pizzas to mutton masala and chicken with green olives. Cheese aficionados should not miss the 'Just Say Cheese' pizza.
reviewed
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Gun Smoke
In this Wild West steak house you wont bump into any cowboys, but you can enjoy MTV or the latest cricket match on your own in-booth screen. Brace yourself for some heat if ordering the jalapeño chicken wings and if you are hungry try the Red Hot Sherrif's Cut steak.
reviewed
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L
Shiraz Restaurant
There's something of a canteen atmosphere to this place, but you can fill up on a host of Pakistani dishes and its specialty - barbequed chicken. Always busy, with a quick turnover of tasty food. An offshoot of the fancier restaurant of the same name in University Town.
reviewed
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M
Café Baldia
One of Quetta's oldest eateries, the Baldia attracts an interesting crowd who congregate here to chat, read the newspaper or just chill out. It's an atmospheric spot to sit back with a cup of tea or light bite (sandwiches from Rs20) and simply engage in people-watching.
reviewed
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Suvastu Restaurant
This excellent restaurant is the place for a splurge. Sharply dressed waiters lay out meals on crisp linen, offering a wide selection of Chinese, Continental and Pakistani dishes. The evening poolside barbeque buffet Rs500 makes an excellent al fresco alternative.
reviewed
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Iceberg
If you've been shopping like a mad thing for CDs and DVDs and need a frosty pep-up, this ice-cream parlour is a godsend replete with icicles hanging from the ceiling. Its 20 flavours include wild strawberry, praline and chocolate fudge; toppings are an extra Rs20.
reviewed
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Copper Kettle
The Copper Kettle has been a staple in Karachi for some time. Many locals rate the Pakistani food here as the best in town. There are also Chinese and fast-food offerings such as burgers and sizzlers. The prawn masala and nutty chicken salad go down really well.
reviewed
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O
Dolphin
Quetta has plenty of bakeries but this is our favourite, with its mind-boggling array of crunchy cookies, sticky sweets and gooey cakes. Just browsing is enough to give you toothache, but there are a few savoury sandwiches and pizzas that make good snacking.
reviewed
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P
Shiraz Restaurant University Town
A very upmarket option if you want Afghan and Pakistani fare under icy-cold air-con, with linen napkins starched to an inch of their lives. If you're going to treat yourself, do it here with the whole leg of lamb roasted until the meat falls from the bone.
reviewed