Best Restaurants in Islamabad
Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, is home to some well-established restaurants offering a diverse range of cuisines, from traditional Pakistani dishes to international flavors. The capital’s dining scene has evolved over the last few years and reflects a diversity of food experiences and atmospheres. Regardless of the neighborhood you’re in, you’ll easily find an array of excellent dining options. However, finding the best restaurants in Islamabad that offer both good food and quality service is no easy task. From fine dining restaurants to newer food destinations, here is a list of the top 10 restaurants in Islamabad that stand out for their delicious food and exceptional service. Ready? Let’s get into it!
When it comes to Islamabad restaurants, Monal Restaurant was unquestionably everyone’s favorite, known for its inviting ambiance, good food, and hilltop location. As Monal Restaurant has closed, you might be wondering where to find the best food in Islamabad. Here are some of the best high-end restaurants in the city that everyone should try at least once.”
Craving spicy Thai soup or Wasabi Prawn while in Islamabad? Asian Wok Beverly Center is our top recommendation for the best Pan-Asian restaurant in Islamabad. Located in the heart of the city, Asian Wok offers a variety of Thai, Japanese, and Chinese dishes that deliver the true taste of Pan-Asian cuisines.
The live Chinese kitchen and the live Teppanyaki table let you watch their chefs in action, enhancing your dining experience. Authentic dishes like honey chili sesame prawns and spicy dynamite tempura rolls are highlights, and Japanese green tea is a refreshing accompaniment.
| Beverly Centre, Jinnah Ave, F 6/1 Blue Area, Islamabad | Spicy salmon rolls (for sushi lovers), Thai noodles with prawns, and wok-fried chicken with chili paste. | 12 pm-12 am |
Tuscany Courtyard is a notable Italian restaurant in Islamabad that offers an authentic taste of Italian cuisine in a cozy and friendly environment. Located in Kohsar Market, Tuscany Courtyard boasts an incredible hi-tea buffet menu, complemented by a selection of hot and cold beverages.
Their menu highlights include stagioni pizza, parmesan chicken Panini, spicy prawn fettuccine pasta, and more. Whether grabbing a quick bite, seeking a meal with friends, or looking for delicious Italian food, Tuscany Courtyard promises a satisfying culinary journey.
| No. 4, Kohsar Market, Street 10, Islamabad | Stagioni pizza, mushroom and cheese ravioli, and jalapeno steak. | 12 pm-12 am |
Royal Elephant Thai Restaurant boasts a Thai lunch and dinner menu and is famous for its authentic Thai flavors. Housed within the Marriot Hotel near Faisal Mosque, the restaurant is led by head chef Thaiwichai, who has worked at renowned establishments in Qatar and Lebanon.
In 2022, Royal Elephant Thai Restaurant received the Thai Select Premium certificate from the Thailand Minister of Commerce for its authentic Thai cuisine.
Thai Thali is the obvious star of the show and features Green curry with chicken, Tempura prawn, Thai salad, steamed rice, and fiery stir-fries. yam sam krob, tom yang soup, and Thai chicken satay also offer a genuine taste of Thai cuisine.
| Agha Khan Rd, F-5/1 F-5, Islamabad | Thai Thali, Thai chicken satay | 12:00 pm-11:00 pm |
Another one of our favorite Pakistani restaurants in Islamabad for families is Dawat by Serena Hotel, which is patronized for its mouthwatering fare. It is regularly recommended by desi food lovers for a special, lengthy meal among friends or a special night out. From their Shinwari Karahi to their Tawa Tali Machli and Kashmiri Rajma and Holi Lo Garma, the menu is packed with flavorful options to cater to all tastes, complemented by a selection of desserts.
With featuring delicacies from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, KPK, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan, dinners can also find a variety of Mughal Dishes on the menu, including Mutton Noor Mahal, ShahJahani Goshat Lazizi, and more.
| Khayaban-e-Suhrwardy Rd, opposite Convention Centre, G-5/1, Islamabad | Mughali fish curry, Hyderabadi murgh masalam, and shinwari karahi | 7:00 pm-11:00 pm |
New Kabul Restaurant is the best place to eat in Islamabad to savor the taste of authentic Afghani cuisine. Situated in Jinnah Supermarket, this restaurant is among the most affordable restaurants in Islamabad. The menu offers traditional Afghani dishes like Qabli pulao, mantoo (beef dumplings), afghani tikka, kabab karahi, magahaz, and more. The signature Afghani naan and Afghani tikka join the flavorful mutton karahi in taking your palate on a flavorful journey.
| Plot No. 17, Jinnah Super Market, Markaz F-7, Islamabad | Afghani tikka, Qabli pulao, and qorma ghost | 12 pm-12 am |
Fuòco is one of the best fine dining restaurants in Islamabad that offers an irresistible selection of European dishes and is praised for its Italian food. Here, you’ll find beauty on the plate and in the room, as each dish is prepared as it should be, and the ambiance is welcoming and cozy. Cured salmon with tomato consomme and pickled daikon is utterly satisfying. Panna cotta with berry salad, pizza Napolitana, MB 9 wagyu steak with potato culurgiones, and tortellini bolognese deliver high-level gastronomy.
| 1 Agha Khan Rd, F-6 Markaz, Islamabad | Pizza Napolitana and MB 9 Wagyu steak with potato culurgiones. | 1pm-1am |
Located inside the Marriot Hotel, Kiku offers Japanese flavors and brings a sophisticated sushi experience to Islamabad’s culinary scene. Diners choose among several options for cold and hot starters, such as beef tatki, Mix Kushiyaki, Vegan Dashi Tofu, Red Snapper Tiradito, and more. Served in an industrial-style dining room, Kiku’s menu encompasses dishes like Spicy Seafood miso, gindara tempura, grilled mix kushiyaki, spicy salmon roll, and hamachi, completed by a selection of infused mocktails. These dishes will not only help you explore the breadth of Japanese cuisine but also offer a genuine, fine dining experience.
| Aga Khan Road, Shalimar 5, F-5, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory | Spicy seafood miso soup, mix kushiyaki and sushi combo | 7:00 pm-11:00 pm |
If you are looking for the best romantic restaurant in Islamabad to dine in, look no further than Ramada Rooftop Barbeque. This scenic restaurant is located in Shakar Parian, and its menu is classic and rather sensibly priced. Expect dishes in the dinner buffet like beef seikh Kabab, beef steak, mutton paya, garlic fried rice, and more. These desi dishes are exactly what Islamabad is hungry for, especially paired with a great selection of desserts and charming views of Margalla Hills and Rawal Lake.
| Ramada Islamabad, 1, Club Road, Murree Road, Islamabad | Fish tikka, beef steak, chicken nimkeen boti | 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm |
Zigolini is an Italian restaurant situated inside the Marriot Hotel, renowned for its authentic Italian flavors. Inside the Zigolini, you will find locals enjoying brick oven-baked pizza, pretty filled pasta, super-delicious Zuppa, and refreshing mocktails. It provides a cozy atmosphere, complemented by a hospitable and knowledgeable staff that can guide you through their menu. Penne Arrabbiata, Tandoori Pizza, Misto Di Pesce, and Pollo Alla Duchessa are some highly recommended dishes for a true taste of Italian cuisine.
| Aga Khan Road F-5/1 F-5, Islamabad | Tandoori Pizza, Lasagne Alla Bolognese, and Zuppa Di Pesce | 12:00 pm-11:00 pm |
Zamana Restaurant is a popular fusion restaurant in Islamabad on the city’s constantly expanding culinary scene. Located in one of Islamabad’s best hotels, the menu is stacked with traditional Pakistani cuisines and continental delicacies like chicken korma badami, biryani, calzone, fettuccine pasta, beef nihari, beef piccata milanese style, and more. Boasting an opulent dining area, it offers a wide range of dishes in lunch and dinner buffets that delight your senses for a comparatively reasonable price. You can also order from the à la carte menu. Whether you’re dining via the a la carte or enjoying their buffet menu, don’t skip beef piccata milanese style.
| Khayaban-e-Suhrwardy Rd, G-5/, Islamabad | Beef piccata milanese style, calzone, and chicken korma badami. | 6:00 am – 11:00 pm |
If you found this article on the best restaurants in Islamabad helpful, be sure to check out our guide to the best restaurants in Lahore as well. Drop your favorite Islamabad restaurant in the comments and let us know what you think is the best food in Islamabad.
Disclaimer:
Vacay Adviser claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images and do not wish them to appear on Vacay Adviser, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist, or photographer.
About Author:
Sondus Ubin
Sondus Ubin is a freelance lifestyle writer specializing in travel and food. With nearly 10 years of experience in lifestyle content creation, her toes are dipped in the exciting world of travel and food. In her time working as a travel writer, she has had the opportunity to interact with frequent travelers and travel photographers. All that knowledge she gains and her passion for travel make it possible for her to bring you informative yet fun travel content. Trust her words to help you plan your dream trip. She lives in Lahore, where she explores the city’s most intriguing, interesting, and unusual places and captures the beauty and essence of every place through her lens. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her giving her eyes a much-needed break from screens with a good book, painting landscapes, or trying out new recipes.
Wondering where to see snow in Pakistan? From KPK’s Malam Jabba to Gilgit Baltistan’s Hunza…
Planning a trip to Murree in snowfall? Read our guide to learn about Murree weather…
If a visit to Neelum Valley is on your travel bucket list, enrich your itinerary…
From the 11th-century citadel of Lahore Fort to the remains of the 4,000-year-old city of…
Autumn in Gilgit Baltistan spans from September to November. We've rounded up the best places…
From the river valleys of Swat to the breathtaking mountainous landscape of Gilgit Baltistan, the…