Pakistani Food

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Peshawar

 

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Quetta Hotel Style Lacha Paratha​

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Images’ picks: From pulao to paye — the quintessential food guide for our US, Irani guests​

Pakistanis pride themselves on hospitality, so we need to feed our guests the best we've got.

Images Staff
10 Apr, 2026

Islamabad is due to become the centre point of high-stakes international diplomacy this weekend as it hosts delegations from the United States and Iran for talks to resolve the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

US Vice President JD Vance will be leading the American delegation, which includes Steve Witkoff, who is a special envoy of US President Donald Trump and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law.

On the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will be in the lead, with Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, joining him on the negotiating team.

Obviously, Pakistan has to put its best foot forward when entertaining these dignitaries. So in the spirit of Pakistani hospitality, we’ve come up with a list of some of the country’s most iconic foods to give the negotiators a true taste of Pakistan.

Starting close to home, our first dish is from a place everyone who’s ever been to Islamabad knows about ─ well, one of two places (RIP Monal) ─ Savour Foods.

Simple and easy for spice-averse people to handle, their specialty is a chicken yakhni pulao with a side of shami kababs.

If you’re doing it right, it should come in styrofoam boxes. We’d recommend serving it in the box for the true Islamabadi experience.

 

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Nihari ─ Zahid Nihari, Karachi​

For our second dish, we’re going all the way down south to Karachi, where we’re looking for Pakistan’s de facto national dish, nihari ─ A rich, aromatic meat stew that will leave your stomach full and your heart wanting more.

Originating in the royal kitchens of India, the dish was brought to Karachi by Indian Muslims fleeing persecution during Partition. Today, the dish is a staple of the city’s culinary scene and a reminder of the turbulent history that shaped it.

Zahid’s nihari in particular has been part of the city’s food scene for years, with successive generations enjoying it as part of a day out in the city centre.

A perfect serving of our rich culinary heritage.



Photo: Zahid Nihari/Foodpanda

 

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Siri Paye ─ Fazal Din Phajja, Lahore​

Moving to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s hometown now, Lahore has a tonne of food options, but nothing is as quintessentially Lahori as Phajjay ke paye, goat trotter stew from a small shop in the walled city.

The store has reportedly been in operation since 1952 and is especially popular around breakfast time on weekends ─ although, that could just mean 4pm for some people.

It’s the best introduction to the quintessential Lahori Sunday nashta.

 

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Karahi ─ Butt Karahi, Lahore​

The people of Lahore are always quick to remind everyone, “Jinne Lahore ni vekheya, ‘o jameya ni (If you haven’t seen Lahore, you’re just not cool),” so we thought we’d give the city a second dish.

Karahi, a tasty infusion of tomatoes, spices and meat all fried together in a heavy-based wok ─ the karahi from which the dish gets its name ─ is actually a staple of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), but Butt Karahi in Lahore has perfected it to the point where it has branched out from its original location and now has outlets in Karachi and Islamabad.

Definitely a staple of Pakistani cuisine!

 

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Tikka ─ Nisar Charsi Tikka, Peshawar​

Speaking of KP, so many of Pakistan’s favourite dishes are found in Peshawar’s Namak Mandi that we believe diplomatic summits should just be held there instead of in Islamabad.

One of those dishes, which has spurred the creation of a massive number of knock-offsm, is Nisar’s Charsi Tikka. While it may not have any illegal substances in it, the barbecue chicken is incredibly addictive.

We highly recommend grabbing a thigh piece for the best balance between masala and chicken.



Photo: Nisar Charsi Tikka /Facebook

 

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Namkeen Gosht ─ Nisar Charsi Tikka, Peshawar​

Okay, we’re going to stop at Nisar’s for just a bit longer for the namkeen gosht (salted meat). This dish is as Peshawari as it gets, cuts of meat ─ often lamb ─ cooked in the animal’s own fat with salt and pepper added for taste.

Namkeen gosht isn’t something you have because it’ll overwhelm you with spices or because its aromas will take you on a trip to a spice bazar somewhere, it’s what you eat before entering a food coma.

 

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Rosh ─ Al-Dubai Restaurant, Quetta​

Okay, we’re not saying it’s a good idea to take a foreign dignitary to a roadside restaurant in the outskirts of Quetta, all we’re saying is that the rosh here has the power to bridge cultures.

The dish — which Al-Dubai prides itself on serving the best version of — is a slow-cooked piece of lamb leg served in a lentil soup. The meat falls right off the bone and melts in your mouth, the flavour comes from the meat itself, with only salt added for taste.

They might even have to stop negotiating to enjoy this one.

 

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Lassi ─ Pretty much anywhere actually​

The best way to wash down a meaty Pakistani meal is with a chilled, creamy glass of lassi (buttermilk). While the debate rages on whether it’s supposed to be had sweet or salty, we’ll leave that to the choice of whoever’s drinking it. (We’re firmly on the sweet team though.)

Most milk shops have it on-tap and many Pakistani kitchens, especially in Punjab, prefer to make it in-house. We’re sure the venue hosting the talks can prepare nice, refreshing glasses to serve with dinner and keep the talks going.

Drink too much, though, and it will put you to sleep.

 

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Sohan Halwa ─ Hafiz Sohan Halwa, Multan​

Okay, full disclosure, this one’s a bit tough to locate once you’re actually in Multan. There’s a lot of knock-off Hafizs and you’ll have to ask someone from the city to take you to the real one.

Once you get there, though, its rich, sticky goodness will leave you finishing the tin and asking for another. If you’d like our advice, go for the badami (almond) halwa to add a satisfying crunch to South Punjab’s signature dish.

This one’s lip-smacking good, and you can get plenty of knock-offs at most mithayi shops around the country.



Photo: Hafiz Sohan Halwa

 

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کراچی کی مشہور کھتری بریانی

 

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Tandoori roti