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The city of Lahore is a busy, beautiful metropolis that was once at the center of the Mughal Empire. Today it’s informally known as the food and culture capital Pakistan, and there is a variety of delicious, desi food in Lahore. And while they say “jinnay Lahore nai wekhaya o jamya nai” (you haven’t been born yet if you haven’t seen Lahore), I also believe in jinnay Lahore da khana nai khaada o vi jamya nai (you haven’t been born yet if you haven’t had Lahori food)!
Let’s have a look at some of the most iconic desi food in Lahore that makes it the city it is today so that you know what to try out and where to go for it if you’re visiting. 😀
1. Paaye from Manoo Siri Paaye, Sultanpura
A to-die-for plate of paaye paired with piping hot roghni naans and chilled meethi lassi fulfilling all desi breakfast needs!
2. Falooda from Baba Ji Kulfi Walay, Muslim Town
Crushed ice atop rabri, kulfa, and lacchay – it’s the perfect cure for Lahori summer
3. Beef Khoya Tikka from Shafi Tikka Shop, Saddar Bazaar
Succulent bites of beef barbecued to perfection. You could even eat these without naan and go home happy. Shafi Tikka FTW!
4. Besan-Fried Rahu from Bashir Dar ul Mahi, Mozang
Desi fried fish that pulls in thousands and thousands of people especially in the winters. You will love it paired with the liquidy, aalu bukhara chutney it is served with.
5. Hareesa by Amritsari Hareesa, Nisbat Road
This delicious, Kashmiri concoction of meat with wheat flour and loads of ghee at Amritsari will blow your mind!
6. Taka Tak from Cafe Riaz, Samanabad
Lahori style stir-fry containing brain, kidney prepared with loads of vegetables and taka tak’d on a large pan… I always get one packed for home. ALWAYS.
7. Nihari from Waris Nihari House, Anarkali
A shahi breakfast and what better place to have stewed beef in loads of masala and ghee than at Waris Nihari? No better place. Simply go to Waris Nihari House in Anarkali
8. Karahi from Butt Karahi, Lakshmi Chowk
The king of all karahis in Lahore: Butt Karahi, Lakshmi Chowk. Naam he kafi hai. 😉
9. Chanay from Jeela Chanay Wala, Amir Rd Shadbagh
Be it plain chanay, murgh (chicken) chanay or mutton chanay, this place in Shadbagh called Jeela Chanay Wala takes the crown, quite honestly. The flavors and the texture of the chanay and masala are beyond even excellent food standards.
10. Mango Pista Badaam Ice Cream from Chaman, Beadon Road, Mall
Chaman will forever continue to churn up some of the best desi ice cream in the city. A customer and team favorite is their Mango Pista Badam (Mango Pistachio Almonds) that leads you to shamelessly asking for another scoop.
11. Anda Shami from Rangeela Burger, Main Mall Road Near Naqi Market
Fried egg atop a delicious shami kebab put between a bun and toasted ever so slightly (so that it stays soft on the inside). This heavenly burger is why I’ve given up on the Golden Arches and its bland, plastic burgers.
12. Samosa Cholay from Best Samosa Shop, Ghalib Market
Ever look at your otherwise plain samosa and been like, “man, I wished this was served to me in a plate with the red, sweet chutney and the channa chutney poured all over it”? Well, here you go, eat it with a spoon and become a believer in samosa cholay!
13. Dumba Karahi from Ilyas Dumba Karrahi, Truck Adda, Sabzi Mandi
If you’re ever searching for a karahi with dumba meat in it, do yourself a favor and set your GPS to Truck Adda, Sabzi Mandi. When you get off your car, ask anyone where to get the best dumba karrahi and they will direct you to Ilyas Dumba Karrahi.
14. Paitha and Gajar Ka Halwa from Butt Sweets, Lakshmi
Butt Sweets serves up exquisite delicious pumpkin and carrot halwas loaded with ghee, khoya, and sugar. No one in Lahore can beat these bad boys – they’re the undisputed champions of halwas in the city.
15. Cone from Alamgir Waffle Cone, Main Market
Move over, plain cones. Alamgir in Main Market serves up nutty, toffee-laden vanilla soft serves topped with chocolate sauce. These make our world go round and round – for reasons other than nut allergies.
16. Jalebi from Grato Jalebi
Iftaaris and teas are incomplete without Grato Jalebi. Simply because the special jalebi is loaded with sugar syrup, is twice the size of the typical jalebi and just so, so crisp.
17. Dahi Bhallay from Nafees Dahi Bhallay, Model Town
Nafees Dahi Bhallay are cold, fresh and topped with crispy paapri, sweet chutney and chaat masala. In your mouth, these bhallay do the waltz and sometimes get you to do one too. Also health advice 101, if acidity is ever bothering you, grab yourself a plate from here. Magic will happen.
18. Qeemay Walay Naan from Khan Baba Restaurant, Chauburji
If you like your naan stuffed with qeema and topped with sesame seeds, just take a trip to Khan Baba Restaurant in Chauburji and experience the best qeemay wala naan in Lahore.
19. Doodh Patti from Goonga Yaqoo Chai Wala, Temple Road, Mozang
This modest tea stall has the yummiest, milky doodh patti that’ll make you want to take your friends for late night hangouts.
20. Daal Mash from Latif Hotel, Copper Road, Lakshmi Chowk
We all love a nicely cooked daal maash, with its flavorful spices and buttery texture. When you see it served with coriander, tarka garnishings, you come to life as soon as the aroma hits your nose. To feel that, head to Latif Hotel and thank us later!
21. Doodh Jalebi from Gawalmandi
Sizzling jalebis dunked in a pyaala (cup) of milk for you to question why on earth you were eating jalebis without milk in the first place!
22. Rabri from Yousaf Falooda, Purani Anarkali
Rabri is a sweetened condensed milk type dessert that Lahoris love. And while we would die to have some from Hyderabad, Yousaf Falooda serves up a mouth-watering serving of the milk-based dish.
23. Meethi Lassi from Jeda Lassi, Gumti Bazaar
Thandi, meethi malai waali lassi! It doesn’t get any better than Jeda Lassi – there, I said it!
24. Taftan from Haji Nihari, Jail Road
This is like sheermal and available at tandoors, nihari houses. But the best one exists at Haji Nihari! Note: it’s sweet.
25. Kunafa from Nisa Sultan, M.M Alam Road, Gulberg III
Kunafa is cheese and pastry soaked in sugar, rose water and butter. Topped with pistachios and roses, it’s a foreign sweet treat you will soon find yourself falling in love with.
26. French Toasts from Cafe Hameed Sanda Road
Paired with garma garam doodh patti haye take me money. Also for a fraction of the amount available at upscale eateries that do only a mediocre job. Baar baar khao! Pack bhi kerao!
27. Beef Burger from Liberty Burger
Liberty Burger’s traditional, desi beef burger puts all bland beef patties to shame. Paired with their very dead fries, very sweet and watery ketchup and a good coleslaw, it’s the true definition of nostalgia.
28. Halwa Puri from Taj Mahal, Taxali Gate
A true, Lahori breakfast staple – the halwa puri isn’t so bad in other areas of the city, but the chanay, halwa, and puri served at Taj Mahal will be your go-to once you try them out!
29. Samosa Chaat from Sheikh G Samosay Township
If you’ve ever found your samosa dry, just head down to Sheikh G in Township and have his samosa chaat blow your mind away! Extremely fresh and mazedar.
30. Biryani from Jaidi
Relatively new but my, my is this biryani a treat. It comes as a deal along with zarda (sweet rice), raita, two shami kebabs, salad, and chutney!
31. Seekh Kebab from Saeen Kebab, Mochi Gate
Saeen Kebab has been around for decades, serving up the yummiest kebabs with consistency and pride! Quite honestly these seekh kebabs are one of the best desi food in Lahore.
32. Daas Kulcha behind Khalifa Bakery, Mochi Gate
Soft and most inside out, this Kashmiri breakfast is difficult to find but totally worth the search.
33. Haleem from Kozi Haleem, Regal Chowk
Super economical and just so, so yum, Kozi Haleem is one of the finest haleems in Lahore. They serve a generous portion and for good reason – it’s addictive. Get in there with a spoon, worth it!
34. Daal Chaawal from Kashmiri Daal Chaawal, Lakshmi Chowk
If you’re ever missing ammi’s daal chaawal but ammi muu nai lagati, go to Kashmiri Daal Chaawal and enjoy a seriously sasta plate of this beauty below.
35. Khatai by Khalifa Bakers, Mochi Gate
A khatai famous all over Pakistan – one that has people placing orders all the time and rightly so. The sweet, nutty biscuit is a Lahori treat that you should not and cannot miss if ever in Lahore. And if you’re from Lahore, then I know you’re already hooked on these mouth-watering desi biscuits! P.S. try out their cake rusks too!
Here are my recommendations for some iconic desi food in Lahore. Let us know in the comments if you want to suggest desi food in Lahore and we’ll definitely update this list! Till then, happy eating and stay tuned for more.
