best restaurants in Lahore
Lahore is known for many great things: Mughal-era monuments, bustling bazaars, and, of course, its delectable food. Regarded as Pakistan’s culinary capital, many of the best restaurants in Lahore offer local delicacies and continental food that cater to all tastes.
So it’s no wonder the people of Lahore are known for their love of food. Whether you are a foodie looking for recommendations or heading to Lahore and want to eat like Lahoris, read on to find the best Lahore restaurants.
Below, you will find the top restaurants in Lahore, everyone is talking about right now, and the old classics that are a must-do on every tourist’s itinerary.
If you are looking for one of the best places to eat in Lahore, head to Andaaz Restaurant. It is located in the Walled City of Lahore, which is among the best places to visit in Lahore.
Andaaz Restaurant is among the best rooftop restaurants in Lahore and arguably serves the best desi food in the city.
This scenically located restaurant overlooking the Badshahi Mosque casts nostalgia on the guests upon entering and takes them back to the Mughal era as they sample scrumptious food.
Tandoori Jheengay, badami kababs, and mutton karahi are must-try items that customers often rave about.
There are plenty of culinary delights to discover in Lahore, but Dumpukht is its own universe of gastronomic experiences. Located in Pearl Continental Hotel, Dumpukht is known for serving Mughal specialties with royal ambiance.
Expect a wonderful selection of traditional dishes, including Lakhnavi murgh qorma, Rajasthani murgh tikka, Chilman biryani, till mill jhinga, and more. However, the menu at Dumpukht is classic but heavy on the pocket.
While here, try Lakhnavi murgh qorma, and thank us later!
Fan of Pan Asian food? Our top recommendation for the best Pan Asian restaurant in Lahore is Veera 5, which is bound to give you a rich culinary experience of Chinese and Thai cuisines in a cozy ambiance with rustic décor.
Bagged the Travelers’ Choice Award 2023 from Trip Advisor, it is famous among travelers and an ideal spot to host an intimate dinner.
Veera 5 boasts an incredible Chinese and Thai menu with highlights such as Sesame Orange Beef, Tom Yum Goong, Crispy Chicken, Pad Thai Noodles, and Thai Green Curry.
Easily one of the hottest poolside restaurants in Lahore is Koyla — the Barbecue, a rooftop restaurant found at the top of the Four-Points Sheraton by Marriott. It is known for its mastery of BBQ and is among the top places to eat near me.
The restaurant serves delectable smoky delights by the side of the swimming pool or its spacious dining room, making it among the best restaurants in Lahore for couples.
Enjoy river sole fish tikka, chicken Bihari, and mutton rib cage roast with live music in the background and a view of water under the starry night.
Praised for its authentic Italian delicacies, Tuscany Courtyard is one of the best restaurants in Lahore Gulberg. It’s particularly popular for dishes like thin-crust pepperoni pizza, Chicken Piccata, chicken delicato panini, and penne arrabbiata.
There are also dozens of sugary items on the menu, including molten lava cake with ice cream, Nutella pizza, and walnut pie with ice cream.
All dishes come with a reasonable price tag, especially considering how upscale this restaurant is.
No list of top Japanese restaurants in Lahore is complete without Wasabi, where you can expect all Japanese classics such as sushi, Ramen, Tofu, and Tempura on the menu.
Located at Gulberg with its sister restaurant in DHA, it specializes in teppanyaki cuisines (a style of Japanese cooking focusing on veggies and grilling seafood on a long, flat griddle).
Prices may be high, but quality food and a wide array of dishes make it worth every penny.
Spice Bazaar is our top recommendation for the best restaurants near me in Lahore, as we love its desi menu, location, and setting.
It boasts a multi-choice menu with dozens of savory and sugary delights and drinks; it’s no wonder it tops the list of best hi-tea buffet restaurants in Lahore.
Their must-have included Mutton Kunna and grilled Jhenga. It is among the best desi restaurants in Lahore, and we’d recommend it to anyone looking to eat like a local in Lahore. Spice Bazaar is pricey.
So, if you don’t want to splash out on an expensive brunch buffet, go for a cheaper à la carte menu.
Another of the high-end restaurants in Lahore is Bistro 201, located in Upper Mall and spreading over four levels from the indoor dining hall to the topmost skyline.
With the city’s panoramic view and buzzing atmosphere, its menu is full of scrumptious food that will make your taste buds sing for a relatively reasonable price.
Some of the best options here are the Beef Chili Dry, which is marinated finely sliced beef stir-fried with red chilies, and the Dhaka fish served with wonton sauce.
The Mughal Court (formerly known as the Lakhnavi) is one of the best fine dining restaurants in Lahore, where locals and tourists alike come to get their fill.
Its breathtakingly beautiful interior, menu inspired by the royal kitchens, and cozy ambiance give you an authentic dining experience.
Regarded as one of the best restaurants in Lahore for families and friends, their best hits are juicy mutton chops, barbecued Tandoori Jheenga, Bukhara Mutton Pulao, and slow-cooked Roghan Josh.
Specializing in Mediterranean dishes, Café Aylanto is a crowd favorite for its fresh and appetizing food.
The menu is structured around vibrant ingredients and features a carousel of successes: beef steaks, Linguine with Prawn served with creamy tomato sauce, Moroccan Chicken, and Samake Harra fish (Lebanese spicy fish) with coconut rice.
An outdoor patio with exotic plants and soft lighting is an ideal setting to delve into the exquisite Mediterranean menu.
It is not one of the affordable restaurants in Lahore, but we think it is worth it to dine in if you want to indulge in authentic Mediterranean dishes.
This ultimate food guide to Lahore features the best restaurants in the city to help you explore its culinary side, so be sure to check these places whenever you are staying at one of the best hotels in Lahore.
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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.
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