Searching for the best restaurants in Karachi? You’re in Pakistan’s biggest food city. Karachi eats around the clock, from sea-facing BBQ at Do Darya to sizzling katakat on Burns Road at midnight. Moreover, its mix of communities gives it a wider variety than almost anywhere else in the country.

Still, the city is enormous, and traffic can turn a short trip into an hour. Therefore, this guide groups more than 50 restaurants by area. For each one, you’ll find the address and the dishes people go there for. In addition, we cover the best desi breakfast spots, late-night food and tips for planning your own Karachi food trail.

Please note: Restaurant details come from public sources such as Zameen, Graana, ProPakistani FoodNama, Nukta and Culture Trip, checked in October 2026. Menus, branches and timings change, so please confirm with the restaurant before visiting. Zarrasha is not affiliated with any restaurant listed and does not deliver in Karachi.

Quick answer: For the best restaurants in Karachi, start with Kolachi and Kababjees at Do Darya, BBQ Tonight at Boat Basin, Waheed Kabab and Café Laziz on Burns Road, Zahid Nihari in Saddar, Sheikh Abdul Ghaffar Kabab House and Noorani Kabab House near Tariq Road, and Café Zouk or Thyme in DHA.

Best Restaurants in Karachi at a Glance

#RestaurantAreaCuisineKnown for
1KolachiDo Darya, DHA Phase 8Desi, continentalMakhni handi, malai boti, seafood
2KababjeesDo Darya (+ Shaheed-e-Millat, North Nazimabad)Desi, seafoodMalai boti, Lahori fish
3Sajjad RestaurantDo Darya (+ Super Highway)BBQCrispy fish, dhaga kabab
4Al Habib RestaurantDo Darya (+ Super Highway)Desi BBQMalai boti, white karahi
5Charcoal BBQ & GrillDo DaryaGrillCharcoal fire steak, mutton chops
6Café ZoukBukhari Commercial, DHAPan-Asian, continentalThai curries, noodles
7ThymeIttehad Commercial, DHA Phase 6Fine diningRack of veal, ravioli
8POMO Neapolitan PizzeriaShahbaz Commercial, DHA Phase 6ItalianWood-fired pizza, cannoli
9Yoshi’sStadium Commercial, DHA Phase 5Japanese, KoreanKorean fried chicken, gyoza
10Jucy LucyBukhari Junction, DHA Phase 6BurgersSlot dog, cheese fries
11Chop Chop WokBadar Commercial, DHA Phase 5Pan-AsianBuild-your-own wok, ramen
12Neco’sBukhari Commercial, DHA Phase 6Healthy caféFrench toast, granola
13ChatkharayKhadda Market, DHA Phase 5Chaat, desiChaat, halwa puri
14Desi GaliBukhari Commercial, DHA Phase 6Desi breakfastHalwa puri, dam qeema
15Daily Dubai RestaurantBadar Commercial, DHA Phase 5Desi breakfastHalwa puri, kachori, nihari
16Master’s JuiceDHA Phase 2 CommercialJuices, breakfastFresh juice, halwa puri
17Xander’sBlock 4, CliftonGourmet caféChipotle tacos, red snapper
18Café FloBlock 4, CliftonFrench caféProfiteroles
19Café AylantoBlock 4, CliftonMediterraneanWasabi tenderloin, lobster
20BBQ TonightBoat Basin, CliftonDesi BBQMutton ribs, Afghani tikka
21ZaoqDolmen Mall, CliftonPakistaniChilman biryani, handi
22TaoKehkashan, Clifton Block 7Pan-AsianNigiri sushi, lobster
23China TownBlock 2, CliftonChineseKung Pao chicken, wontons
24Maxim’sCliftonContinentalSteaks
25Dera (Boat Basin)Boat Basin, CliftonDesi breakfastHalwa puri, cheese paratha
26BaithakBoat Basin, CliftonDesi breakfastHalwa puri
27Waheed Kabab HouseBurns RoadKababsDhaga kabab, seekh kabab
28Café LazizBurns RoadDesiMutton katakat
29Babu Special Fried FishBurns RoadStreet foodMasala fried fish
30Lal Jalebi CornerBurns RoadBreakfastDal kachori
31FrescoBurns Road, Aram BaghSweets, breakfastJalebi, halwa puri
32Dil ShaadBurns RoadDessertsMatka kulfi
33Zahid NihariSaddarDesiBeef nihari
34Student BiryaniSaddarDesiBiryani, haleem
35Bundoo KhanMA Jinnah RoadDesi BBQClassic BBQ
36Kaiser RestaurantLight HouseDesiMutton karahi, paya
37Meerut Famous Kabab ParathaGuru MandirKababsBihari tikka, chargha
38Sheikh Abdul Ghaffar Kabab HousePECHS (+ Port Grand, Tariq Road)KababsGola kabab, dhaga kabab
39Zameer Ansari Kabab CentreBahadur Yar Jang (+ North Nazimabad)KababsNauratan kabab, Bihari tikka
40Noorani Kabab HouseTariq RoadDesiBrain masala, katakat
41Yuan TungTariq RoadChineseClassic Chinese
42ToosoAlamgir Road, BahadurabadCafé, breakfastClub sandwich, halwa puri
43Quetta Alamgir HotelAlamgir Road, Delhi Mercantile SocietyChai dhabaParatha, karak chai
44Abbas NashtaSharafabad, BMCHSBreakfastHalwa puri
45Gosha-e-ShreenJamshed Road, Amil ColonyBreakfastHalwa puri
46Ideal BakeryMemon Society, Hill ParkBreakfastHalwa puri
47DhamthalGulshan-e-Ali, FB AreaSweets, breakfastDesi ghee halwa puri
48MiraalAyesha Residency, near CharminarBreakfastHalwa puri
49Nasir SweetsWater Pump, Fareed SquareBreakfastHalwa puri
50Shaheen ShinwariSuper Highway, Scheme 33Afghani, ArabicLaham mandi, sobat
51Metro Highway RestaurantSuper Highway, Scheme 33BBQ, karahiBalochi tikka karahi
52Highway GrillSuper Highway, NooriabadGrillTawa fish, Peshawari karahi

Several brands have more than one branch. Each counts once in this list, with other branches noted.

How to Choose a Restaurant in Karachi

Karachi’s food scene changes a lot from one area to the next. For example, DHA and Clifton suit cafés, fine dining and sea views. Meanwhile, Burns Road, Saddar, Tariq Road and Bahadurabad are the places for classic Karachi kababs, nihari and biryani.

Quick guide by occasion
  • Family dinner with a view: Kolachi, Kababjees, Zaoq
  • Date night: Thyme, Tao, Café Flo, Xander’s
  • Kabab night: Sheikh Abdul Ghaffar, Zameer Ansari, Waheed Kabab
  • Desi breakfast: Dhamthal, Fresco, Desi Gali, Tooso
  • Late-night food: Burns Road, Noorani Kabab House, Quetta Alamgir Hotel

Best Restaurants in Karachi at Do Darya

Do Darya is a sea-facing food strip in DHA Phase 8, surrounded by water on two sides. As a result, it’s Karachi’s most popular spot for dinner with a sea breeze. To get there, take Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue (Sea View Road) from Khayaban-e-Ittehad or Khayaban-e-Shamsheer.

Kolachi

Kolachi is one of Karachi’s best-known restaurants, famous for its sea views and wide desi menu. It also has an outlet at Ocean Mall.

Address

Beach Avenue, Creek Side, Do Darya, DHA Phase 8, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Makhni handi
  • Chicken malai boti
  • Mutton ribs and mutton sajji
  • BBQ jumbo prawns
  • Peshawari karahi
Kababjees

Kababjees is a big Karachi name for kababs, seafood and family dining. Besides Do Darya, it has branches on Shaheed-e-Millat Road and in North Nazimabad.

Address

Creek Side, Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue, Do Darya, DHA Phase 8, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Malai boti
  • Lahori fish
  • Mutton chops and mutton rango kabab
  • Chicken makhni handi
  • White mutton karahi

For Kababjees’ pizza range, see our Kababjees pizza Karachi guide.

Sajjad Restaurant

Sajjad is a well-known BBQ restaurant at Do Darya, with another branch on the Super Highway.

Address

Do Darya, DHA Phase 8, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Crispy fish
  • Chicken tandoori sajji
  • Dhaga kabab and chullu kabab
  • Chicken malai tikka
  • Mutton ribs
Al Habib Restaurant

Al Habib serves desi BBQ and karahi at Do Darya and on the Super Highway.

Address

Do Darya, DHA Phase 8, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Malai boti
  • Chicken reshmi kabab
  • Mutton chops
  • Black pepper chicken
  • Chicken white karahi
Charcoal BBQ & Grill

Charcoal BBQ & Grill focuses on grilled steaks and BBQ.

Address

Do Darya, DHA Phase 8, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Charcoal fire steak
  • Grilled mutton chops
  • Steak and shrimps
  • Tarragon steak
  • Tandoori chicken skewers

Restaurants in DHA Karachi

DHA’s commercial areas, especially Bukhari, Ittehad, Badar and Shahbaz, are packed with cafés and international restaurants. Parking is usually easier than in the old city, but evenings still get busy.

Café Zouk

Café Zouk is a long-running favourite for Pan-Asian and continental food.

Address

64-C, Bukhari Commercial Area, DHA, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Thai curries
  • Noodles
  • Beef dishes
  • Sandwiches and burgers
Thyme

Thyme is a fine-dining restaurant with Italian options. So, it’s a good pick for special occasions.

Address

5-C, 5th Street, Ittehad Commercial Area, DHA Phase 6, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Rack of veal
  • BBQ miso chicken
  • Roast fillet of beef
  • Pineapple beef salad
  • Ravioli
POMO Neapolitan Pizzeria

POMO serves wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza.

Address

44-C, Lane 4, Shahbaz Commercial Area, DHA Phase 6, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Wood-fired marinara pizza
  • Pepperoni pizza
  • Cannoli
  • Fudge brownie with ice cream
Yoshi’s

Yoshi’s mixes Japanese and Korean street-food flavours.

Address

Stadium Lane 2, Stadium Commercial Area, DHA Phase 5, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Korean fried chicken
  • Umami japa-dawg
  • Gyoza
  • Okonomiyaki
Jucy Lucy

Jucy Lucy is known for burgers, hot dogs and soft serve.

Address

C6C, Street 3, Khayaban-e-Nishat and Bukhari Junction, behind the Thai Consulate, DHA Phase 6, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • JL Slot Dog
  • Cheese fries
  • Mini burgers
  • Yin-Yang soft serve
Chop Chop Wok

Chop Chop Wok lets you build your own wok bowl.

Address

Lane 6, Badar Commercial Area, DHA Phase 5, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • 3-Step Wok
  • Thai and Chinese dishes
  • Ramen
  • Rice bowls
Neco’s Natural Store & Café

Neco’s is a healthy café with vegan options.

Address

8-C, Lane 1, Bukhari Commercial Area, DHA Phase 6, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Mediterranean omelette
  • Granola
  • Neco’s French toast
  • Hot chocolate with marshmallows
Chatkharay

Chatkharay in Khadda Market is famous for chaat, though it also serves halwa puri.

Address

Khadda Market, Stadium Commercial Area, DHA Phase 5, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Chaat
  • Halwa puri
Desi Gali

Desi Gali is a popular DHA breakfast spot.

Address

Bukhari Commercial Area, DHA Phase 6, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri
  • Dam qeema
  • Cholay ka salan
  • Lassi
Daily Dubai Restaurant

Daily Dubai is a go-to for a hearty desi breakfast in Phase 5.

Address

Badar Commercial Street, DHA Phase 5, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri and cholay
  • Kachori
  • Aloo paratha
  • Nihari
Master’s Juice

Master’s Juice is best known for fresh juices, and it also serves halwa puri.

Address

DHA Phase 2 Commercial Area, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Fresh juices
  • Halwa puri

Best Restaurants in Karachi: Clifton and Boat Basin

Clifton mixes cafés, malls and the Boat Basin food street. In particular, Boat Basin is busy late into the night and on weekend mornings.

Xander’s

Xander’s is a gourmet café in Block 4.

Address

C 32 E Street, Block 4, Clifton, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Chicken chipotle tacos
  • Almond-crusted red snapper
Café Flo

Café Flo is a French country-style café.

Address

C 32 E Street, Block 4, Clifton, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Profiteroles
  • Red snapper in crab bisque
Café Aylanto

Café Aylanto serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Address

C 32 E Street, Block 4, Clifton, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Australian wasabi tenderloin
  • Grilled lobster with garlic butter
BBQ Tonight

BBQ Tonight is a Karachi BBQ institution. It also has outlets in the Dolmen Mall Clifton and LuckyOne Mall food courts.

Address

5/1, Block 5, Boat Basin, Clifton, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Mutton ribs
  • Afghani tikka
  • Chapli kabab
  • Royal Kabuli pulao
  • Lamb chops
Zaoq

Zaoq is a Pakistani restaurant inside Dolmen Mall, with sea-facing views.

Address

Dolmen Mall, Clifton Block 4, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Chilman biryani
  • Chicken and mutton handi
  • Kababs
Tao

Tao serves Pan-Asian food in Clifton Block 7.

Address

Kehkashan, Block 7, Clifton, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Assorted nigiri sushi
  • Steamed lobster
China Town

China Town is a classic Clifton spot for Chinese food.

Address

Service Lane, Block 2, Clifton, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Fried wontons
  • King prawn stir-fry
  • Kung Pao chicken
Maxim’s

Maxim’s has served steaks in Clifton for decades. Reports date it to 1970.

Address

Clifton, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Steaks
Dera (Boat Basin)

Dera is a busy breakfast stop on the Boat Basin food street.

Address

Boat Basin food street, Block 5, Clifton, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri
  • Cheese paratha
  • Qeema paratha
Baithak

Baithak is another Boat Basin breakfast favourite.

Address

Boat Basin food street, Block 5, Clifton, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri

Burns Road, Saddar and Old Karachi

For classic Karachi flavour, head downtown. Burns Road is Pakistan’s pioneering food street, while Saddar and Guru Mandir are home to legendary nihari and kabab houses. However, parking is very limited, so take a ride-hailing car.

Burns Road Food Street

Waheed Kabab House

Waheed Kabab House has served Burns Road for over 50 years.

Address

Burns Road, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Dhaga kabab
  • Seekh kabab
  • Fried kababs
  • Nihari
Café Laziz

Café Laziz is famous for butter-cooked katakat. It has been on Burns Road for about five decades.

Address

Burns Road, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Mutton katakat
Babu Special Fried Fish (Babu Bhai’s)

Babu Bhai’s fries spicy masala fish to order at the start of the street.

Address

Burns Road, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Masala fried fish
  • Channay ki daal bun kebab
Lal Jalebi Corner

Lal Jalebi Corner is known for dal kachori with aloo tarkari.

Address

Burns Road, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Dal kachori
  • Aloo tarkari
Fresco

Fresco is famous for hot jalebi on Burns Road and halwa puri in Aram Bagh.

Address

Burns Road and Shahrah-e-Liaquat, Aram Bagh, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Jalebi
  • Halwa puri with bhujia and cholay
Dil Shaad

Dil Shaad serves kulfi in small clay pots.

Address

Burns Road, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Matka kulfi

Saddar, Light House and Guru Mandir

Zahid Nihari

Zahid Nihari is one of Karachi’s most famous nihari spots, serving it straight from the daig.

Address

Saddar, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Beef nihari
  • Naan with lemon and salad

Want to try nihari at home? See our beef nihari recipe.

Student Biryani

Student Biryani started as a small biryani dhaba in the late 1970s and grew into a household name.

Address

Saddar, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Beef and chicken biryani
  • Haleem
  • Nihari
  • Tikka and paratha rolls

For the full menu, read our Student Biryani menu guide.

Bundoo Khan

Bundoo Khan is a historic BBQ name on MA Jinnah Road (formerly Bunder Road).

Address

MA Jinnah Road, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Desi BBQ
  • Karahi
Kaiser Restaurant

Kaiser is a classic desi restaurant near Light House.

Address

Light House, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Mutton karahi
  • Mutton daal
  • Mutton paya
  • Prawn masala
Meerut Famous Kabab Paratha

Meerut Famous Kabab Paratha has served kababs at Guru Mandir since 1958, according to reports.

Address

Guru Mandir, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Bihari tikka
  • Seekh kabab
  • Grilled chargha

Tariq Road, PECHS, Bahadurabad and Delhi Mercantile

This central belt is Karachi’s kabab heartland. In addition, it has some of the city’s best breakfast spots.

Sheikh Abdul Ghaffar Kabab House

Sheikh Abdul Ghaffar is famous for gola and dhaga kababs. Its original branch is on Tariq Road, with another at Port Grand.

Address

Riaz Masjid, Dehli Saudagar Road No. 4, Delhi Mercantile Society, PECHS, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Gola kabab
  • Fried beef dhaga kabab
  • Chicken Turkish kabab
  • Chicken malai boti
Zameer Ansari Kabab Centre

Zameer Ansari is a kabab favourite with branches near Bahadurabad and in North Nazimabad.

Address

Alamgir Road, Bahadur Yar Jang CHS, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Nauratan fry kabab
  • Mutton dhaga kabab
  • Chicken green kabab
  • Chandan kabab
  • Red Bihari tikka
Noorani Kabab House

Noorani is a well-known late-night stop near Tariq Road.

Address

Corner of Tariq Road and Khalid Bin Waleed Road, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Brain masala
  • Katakat
  • Tikka and kababs
  • Karahi
Yuan Tung

Yuan Tung is a long-running Chinese restaurant on Tariq Road.

Address

Tariq Road, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Classic Chinese dishes
Tooso

Tooso has served Bahadurabad since the 1970s and is popular for breakfast.

Address

Commercial Area, Alamgir Road, near AllahWali Chowrangi, Bahadurabad, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri platter with chanay and khattay aloo
  • Club sandwich
  • Burgers and steaks
Quetta Alamgir Hotel

Quetta Alamgir Hotel is a much-loved chai dhaba.

Address

Alamgir Road, Delhi Mercantile Society, near Bahadurabad, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Anda paratha
  • Lachha paratha
  • Karak chai
  • Halwa puri
Abbas Nashta

Abbas Nashta is a local breakfast spot.

Address

Sharafabad, BMCHS, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri
Gosha-e-Shreen Halwa Puri

Gosha-e-Shreen is another halwa puri favourite.

Address

Jamshed Road, Amil Colony, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri
Ideal Bakery

Ideal Bakery serves halwa puri with tarkari and cholay.

Address

Near Jinnah Hall, Memon Society, Hill Park, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri
  • Tarkari and cholay ka salan

North Karachi, FB Area and Water Pump

Dhamthal

Dhamthal is known for halwa puri made with desi ghee.

Address

Gulshan-e-Ali, Block 7, Federal B Area, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri
  • Nimco, pastries and patties
Miraal

Miraal serves popular breakfast platters.

Address

Ayesha Residency, near Charminar, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri
Nasir Sweets

Nasir Sweets is a breakfast stop near Water Pump.

Address

Water Pump, Fareed Square, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Halwa puri with chana and tarkari

North Nazimabad also has branches of Kababjees and Zameer Ansari (see above).

Super Highway Restaurants

The Karachi–Hyderabad Motorway (Super Highway) is lined with large family restaurants. They’re especially popular on weekend drives and for big groups.

Shaheen Shinwari Restaurant

Shaheen Shinwari serves Afghani and Arabic food.

Address

Karachi–Hyderabad Motorway, Gulshan-e-Maymar Mor, Sector 8-B, Gulzar-e-Hijri, Scheme 33, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Sobat (shorma)
  • Mutton Shinwari laham mandi
  • Mutton Shinwari salim bakra with rice
Metro Highway Restaurant

Metro Highway serves BBQ, karahi and Chinese.

Address

Karachi–Hyderabad Motorway, Sector 6-B, Gulzar-e-Hijri, Scheme 33, Karachi

Menu Highlights
  • Chicken Balochi tikka karahi
  • Mutton karahi
  • Chicken bhatti Arabi
  • Grilled fish
Highway Grill Restaurant

Highway Grill is a charcoal-grill stop further out at Nooriabad.

Address

Karachi–Hyderabad Motorway, H-7, Site Area, at Point CNG Station, Nooriabad

Menu Highlights
  • Tawa fish
  • Peshawari mutton karahi
  • Afghani boti
  • Seekh kabab

Sajjad and Al Habib also have Super Highway branches (see Do Darya above).

Famous Karachi Dishes and Where to Try Them

DishWhat it isWhere to try it (from this list)
NihariSlow-cooked beef stewZahid Nihari, Waheed Kabab, Daily Dubai
BiryaniSpicy Karachi-style riceStudent Biryani, Zaoq
Dhaga kababSoft mince kabab tied with threadWaheed Kabab, Sheikh Abdul Ghaffar, Zameer Ansari
Bihari botiMarinated, tender beefKababjees, Zameer Ansari, Meerut
KatakatChopped brain and offal stir-fryCafé Laziz, Noorani
Malai botiCreamy chicken tikkaKolachi, Kababjees, Al Habib
SeafoodFish, prawns and lobsterKolachi, Babu Bhai’s, Tao
Halwa puriDesi breakfastFresco, Dhamthal, Desi Gali, Tooso
KulfiFrozen milk dessertDil Shaad

For a dish-by-dish guide, see our Karachi food page. Not sure between rice dishes? Read qabili pulao vs biryani.

Best Restaurants in Karachi for Desi Breakfast

Karachi takes breakfast seriously, especially on Sundays. Therefore, go early, because the most popular places get crowded fast.

Top breakfast picks
  • Halwa puri: Dhamthal (FB Area), Fresco (Aram Bagh), Desi Gali (DHA), Tooso (Bahadurabad), Ideal Bakery (Hill Park)
  • Boat Basin breakfast: Dera and Baithak
  • Nihari: Zahid Nihari (Saddar)
  • Paratha and chai: Quetta Alamgir Hotel (Alamgir Road)
  • Kachori: Lal Jalebi Corner (Burns Road)

Best Late-Night Food in Karachi

Karachi is famous for staying up late. For example, Burns Road, Boat Basin and the Tariq Road–Bahadurabad belt often stay busy after midnight.

Late-night favourites
  • Burns Road: Waheed Kabab, Café Laziz, Babu Bhai’s
  • Tariq Road: Noorani Kabab House
  • Alamgir Road: Quetta Alamgir Hotel
  • Boat Basin: BBQ Tonight and the food street
  • Do Darya: Kolachi and Kababjees for late dinners

Timings vary, so please check before heading out.

Family-Friendly and Sea-View: Best Restaurants in Karachi with a View

Family-friendly
  • Kolachi and Kababjees (Do Darya)
  • BBQ Tonight (Boat Basin)
  • Zaoq (Dolmen Mall Clifton)
  • Super Highway restaurants for big groups
Sea views
  • Kolachi, Kababjees, Sajjad and Charcoal BBQ & Grill at Do Darya
  • Zaoq inside Dolmen Mall, facing the sea

Tips for Eating Out in Karachi

  • Plan around traffic. Shahrah-e-Faisal and Clifton get very busy in the evening.
  • Use ride-hailing for Burns Road and Saddar, where parking is tight.
  • Book on weekends. Do Darya and DHA restaurants fill up on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Go early for breakfast. Nihari and halwa puri spots get packed by mid-morning.
  • Check the sea breeze. Do Darya can be windy, especially in the monsoon months.
  • Confirm timings during Ramadan and on public holidays.
  • Halal: halal is the norm in Pakistan. Still, ask the restaurant if you need certainty.

How to Plan a Karachi Food Trip

  1. Start with breakfast at Dhamthal, Fresco or Tooso.
  2. Head downtown to Burns Road for kababs, katakat and kulfi.
  3. Visit Saddar for Zahid Nihari or Student Biryani.
  4. Try a kabab house near Tariq Road or Bahadurabad in the afternoon.
  5. End with dinner by the sea at Do Darya.
  6. Check before you go. Confirm timings, branches and menus with each restaurant.

More Karachi Food Guides

Looking for fast food? See our guide to KFC restaurants near me in Karachi. For slow-cooked meat, read about Dum Pukht restaurants in Karachi. You can also browse our Karachi food section. Travelling to Lahore next? Check the best restaurants in Lahore.

Living in Karachi With Family in Peshawar?

Zarrasha delivers food, groceries and gifts across Peshawar. So, if you live in Karachi, you can still surprise loved ones in Peshawar with a cake, flowers or a hot meal. Read how to send a gift to Peshawar from Karachi.

Order on the Zarrasha app: Download from Google Play
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best restaurants in Karachi?
Popular picks include Kolachi and Kababjees at Do Darya, BBQ Tonight in Boat Basin, Waheed Kabab and Café Laziz on Burns Road, Zahid Nihari in Saddar, Sheikh Abdul Ghaffar Kabab House, and Café Zouk and Thyme in DHA.

Where is Do Darya in Karachi?
Do Darya is a sea-facing food strip in DHA Phase 8. Reach it via Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue (Sea View Road) from Khayaban-e-Ittehad or Khayaban-e-Shamsheer.

What is Burns Road famous for?
Burns Road is Karachi’s oldest food street, famous for dhaga kababs, katakat, fried fish, dal kachori, jalebi and matka kulfi.

Where can I eat desi breakfast in Karachi?
Try Dhamthal in FB Area, Fresco in Aram Bagh, Desi Gali in DHA, Tooso in Bahadurabad, or the Boat Basin food street.

Where is the best nihari in Karachi?
Zahid Nihari in Saddar is one of the best-known names. Waheed Kabab House on Burns Road also serves nihari.

Which Karachi restaurants have a sea view?
Kolachi, Kababjees, Sajjad and Charcoal BBQ & Grill at Do Darya face the sea. Zaoq in Dolmen Mall Clifton also has sea views.

Where can I find late-night food in Karachi?
Burns Road, Boat Basin, Noorani Kabab House near Tariq Road and Quetta Alamgir Hotel on Alamgir Road are popular late at night.

Is food in Karachi halal?
Halal is the norm in Pakistan. If you need full certainty, ask the restaurant directly.