Islamabad offers a vibrant street food scene with a variety of delicious options that reflect both traditional Pakistani flavors and international influences. Here are some of the best street foods you must try in Islamabad:
- Biryani: A staple in Pakistani cuisine, available in many variations including chicken and mutton, often garnished with dry fruits like almonds and cashews.
- Haleem: A hearty stew made with meat, lentils, and spices, cooked until the meat blends into the gravy, topped with ghee, saffron, green chilies, and coriander.
- Chola Bhatura: A popular Punjabi dish consisting of spicy chickpea curry served with deep-fried bhatura bread.
- Chicken Tawa: Grilled chicken marinated in a spicy gravy, often served with naan or roti.
- Cream Fruit Chaat: A refreshing mix of various fruits with fresh cream, sugar, and sometimes black pepper and salt.
- Keema Naan and Roghni Naan: Stuffed naan breads, with keema naan filled with spicy minced meat and roghni naan known for its honeycomb texture and rich flavor.
- Gajar ka Halwa: A sweet dish made from carrots, milk, ghee, and sugar, garnished with nuts.
- Mutton Bhaja Nihari: A slow-cooked mutton stew with rich spices, considered a national dish of Pakistan.
- Mali Boti: Creamy, marinated chicken pieces BBQ’d to perfection, served with green chutney.
- Jalebi: Crispy, spiral-shaped sweets soaked in sugar syrup, often enjoyed hot.
Some of the best places to enjoy these street foods include Melody Food Park, Eat Street, and Hyderabadi Chatkhara, among others.