Karachi, Pakistan’s most resilient city is also known for its rich food and culture. From food streets to late night eats, in Karachi you can find food at any hour of the day or night! The culinary scene of this city has had a great impact on us, on how our eating habits and culinary styles have evolved over the years. Which places did it take to make Karachi the city of food?
Let’s talk about ten eateries, which played a major role in associating the city’s name with food completely changing the way we eat.
Café Khairabad for instance, owned by Haji Abbas Ali, is still up and running. The establishment was set up by his grandfather in 1932. Located at I.I Chundrigar Road, one of the busiest places in Karachi, serves the best Persian food in town. Besides Persian cuisine, it serves upto 90 dishes including Indo-Chinese and Pakistani Cuisine. The most popular of them being the Chullo Mahi, Chullo Makhsoosi, Doodh Patti, and Daal Fry. A visit to this café is must, every then and now to enjoy the old school ambiance, interior and flavorful food.
Nursery kay Bun Kebab (Nursery Super Burgers),arethe ever famous, and most popular bun kebab vendor of Karachi. Being more than 40 years old, this place is still visited by many and is still the preferred bun kebab in the city. We all know about the Burns Road Bun Kebabs as well, and how both of these being the oldest in the city have changed the Bun Kebab game and are unbeatable. Even if a Bun Kebab shop opens up in a relatively newer vicinity, it promises the taste of the Nursery Bun Kebabs or Burnes Road Bun Kebabs.
How can we forget about Student Biryani? Formerly known as Café Students, it started off as a small eatery with homemade biryani, in 1969, and has now flourished into a global brand, featuring an extensive menu. The hard work and patience brought a gradual increase in their fame and business. Its known as Karachi’s most famous biryani – it’s like the standard of the biryani we’d all like to eat.
Shaikh Abdul Ghaffar House – one of the oldest and most popular BBQ restaurant of Karachi. It offers all kinds of Kebabs including dhaagay walay kebab, fry kebab, Turkish Kebab in beef and chicken both and is also known for its unique hara masala machli. It has the legacy for original and authentic Kebabs and BBQ. The place is jam-packed most of the times, and you have to wait to be seated.
Silver Spoon Snacks, the eatery which brings back fond memories of the paratha roll, the OG. Kebab Roll or paratha roll is a street food staple and Silver Spoon Snacks were the pioneer. It all started in 1971, when the owner Hafiz Habib ur Rehman, got inspired by a street vendor serving smashed shami kebab in a paratha, who then introduced a new item on their menu – a skewer of barbequed beef rolled up with chutney in a paratha and packed in butter paper – and the famous Kebab Roll of Karachi took birth. At that time, Silver Spoon was only a snack serving eatery (hence the name, Silver Spoon Snacks) but soon became known as the kebab roll creators. It then became a popular spot for people, especially women and children who stopped by after shopping spree from the nearby bazaar.
In the 1980s almost a decade later the kebab rolls were introduced, began the fast-food era of Karachi. It was when Raza Brothers were impressed by the variety and the quick service of fast food chains like McDonalds and Burger King, introduced the first ever fast food chain of Pakistan, Mr. Burger, to Karachi. They worked in international fast food chains to equip themselves with the knowledge of how it works. Mr. Burger soon became popular amongst teens and adults alike, with lines queuing up outside the outlet revolutionizing the eating habits of Pakistan. Hence Karachi birthed a new culinary masterpiece and initiated the journey of fast food in the country. Mr. Burger not only survived the onslaught of international fast food chains, but also became Pakistan’s best loved legacy brands.
Started in the year 1994, located in East Wharf, Rashid Seafood is the most popular spot for barbequed and grilled fish. It was a bar be que setup started by Muhammad Fazal, later on taken by one of his sons, name Muhammad Rashid. He initiated the idea of having a sole seafood bar be que restaurant, promising nothing but the best, freshest of produce. The waiting at his restaurant can be up to for three hours. The restaurant serves the best prawn karhai and grilled fish.
Another famous street snack is chana chaat and the first name that comes to mind is Shams Chaat House located in Golimaar – also famous as no mix chaat, the owner insists that one must not mix the chaat to fully enjoy the flavors of the chutneys, the chickepeas, spices and yogurt. Shams Chaat House has been around since the past 50 years, making it the oldest chaat house and one of the most famous ones of Karachi.
Bar B Que Tonite may sound and feel like a relatively newer eatery, but it has been around 1988. Known for serving authentic Pakistani Cuisine and signature Bar B Que items, this restaurant has come a long way since its inception becoming a global symbol of Pakistani Cuisine with branches in other countries as well. This restaurant promises quality and freshness, maintaining its standards and still attracting people. The place is four floors high, including a rooftop, and still stays packed!
These places including many other in the older areas of city, are our real heroes, keeping the city alive, making Karachi what it is. Who choose to continue to work, and provide simple, inexpensive meals to the people of their city, especially when the times are toughest right now. For us Karachi walas, food is our hope, and something that keeps us alive at heart.