Biryani occupies a special place in South Asian cuisine. A tantalising blend of rice, spices and meat, this is a dish that many swoon over! Indeed the battle over what’s the best biryani in town is something that is common amongst South Asian foodies. And the discussion often gets heated as people swear by their favourite type or restaurant! Every region across the Indian subcontinent has its own biryani specialities, each of them a complex fusion of flavours and aroma. In Pakistan, you will find several of the types of biryanis including the Mughlai biryani, the Sindhi biryani and the Hyderabadi biryani. If you are looking for the best place in Islamabad for your next fix of biryani, you’ll find it on our list. We have put together the best spots for biryani in the city of Islamabad, Pakistan that assures you delicious food, so read on. For your accommodation needs, check out the guesthouses and vacation rentals available in the area.
1. Chacha Jee
Part of a chain, Chacha Jee restaurants are well-known for desi cuisine. Located in several cities of Pakistan, the restaurant has on the menu a variety of dishes. Chacha Jee is most well-known for its barbecue thali and biryanis of which it has several kinds including chicken and prawn. The other item that you must check out is its popular ‘naanwich’, an intriguing take on the sandwich.
Chacha Jee Islamabad
Address: Outlets at Giga Mall, WTC Mall & Centaurus Mall
Website: Chacha Jee Islamabad
Opening hours: 12pm - 12am (daily)
2. Mehboob Cuisine & Grill
Savour authentic Karachi biryani at Mehboob Cuisine & Grill. The restaurant has a whole range of biryani dishes ranging from the original chicken Sindhi biryani to those with new twists like its barbecue chicken tikka biryani. Other types of biryani that you can taste here are the chicken Bombay biryani which is light on spices and fish biryani. In addition to biryanis, guests can enjoy several other meat-based Pakistani dishes – barbecue items like tikka, boti and kebabs, nihari, and karahi.
Mehboob Cuisine & Grill
Address: Ghinza Center Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area, Islamabad
Website: Mehboob Cuisine & Grill
Opening hours: 11am - 12am (daily)
3. Chaman Biryani
This restaurant has a simple and no-frills approach with its sole emphasis on delivering the famed Karachi biryani to the people of Islamabad. Hailed as ‘THE’ place to taste authentic biryani, you’ll find its branches in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi. In addition to basic ones like chicken biryani, this eatery offers other varieties such as the Hyderabadi egg biryani.
Chaman Biryani
Address: Block H G 7/2 Blue Area, Islamabad
Website: Chaman Biryani
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4. KHIVA Restaurant
Offering rooftop seating with amazing views of the city, Khiva Restaurant in Islamabad specialises in Mughlai and Central Asian cuisine. There are a whole lot of superb dishes to choose from but their biryani is known for its tender meat and delicate flavours. You will be able to choose from different types of biryani here including Sindhi biryani, Hyderabadi biryani and Shah Jahani biryani. The restaurant is also famous for its barbecue platter that comprises a range of grilled meats. Khiva offers budget-friendly value deals like lunch boxes and hi-tea platters so be sure to check them out. In addition to its outlet in Jinnah Super Market, Khiva has branches in Safa Gold Mall and Bahria Town.
KHIVA Restaurant
Address: Jinnah Super Market, F-7 Markaz, Near Saeed Book Bank & Askari Bank, Islamabad
Website: KHIVA Restaurant
Opening hours: 11am - 11:45pm (daily)
5. Biryani Hut
Another eatery that offers delectable biryani at affordable rates! Here you’ll find just two varieties, Biryani Simple and Chicken Biryani – but both absolutely wonderful. Visitors will find the ambience very sparse but clean with fast service. In addition to the biryani, do try out their pulao kabab that it is known for.
Biryani Hut
Address: Jinnah Super, Block-13, F/7 Behind Post mall, Islamabad
Website: Biryani Hut
Opening hours: 12pm-12am (daily)
6. BBQ Bazaar
Opened a few years ago, this restaurant with its elegant interiors and cosy outdoor seating is a wonderful place to settle down for a lovely meal especially if you are a meat-lover. Though the signature dishes of BBQ Bazaar are its grilled meat platters, the place is also known for its biryanis that typically get included in combo meals. Be sure to try out their chicken biryani. The restaurant offers buffet and brunch options where you can enjoy its wide range of desi dishes at a great price, as well as special seasonal platters.
BBQ Bazaar
Address: F-7 Markaz, Bhittai Road, Islamabad
Website: BBQ Bazaar
Opening hours: 12pm - 12am (daily)
7. Khoka Khola
Charming relaxed ambience, excellent Pakistani fusion food and great service, this restaurant is a fantastic place for an evening out. The restaurant’s interior décor takes inspiration from cafes of the 60s and 70s giving it a cool vibe. Their menu is an interesting mix with dishes that get rotated frequently, but their chicken biryani and butter chicken are a must-have. Since seating is limited, do call ahead for reservations.
Khoka Khola
Address: Beverly Center, Islamabad
Website: Khoka Khola
Opening hours: 8am - 12am (daily)
8. 8 Biryanis
An eatery dedicated to biryanis alone, at 8 Biryanis you will find a range of biryanis under one roof. The restaurant promises to serve biryanis that you have never tasted before! As its name suggests, you will find eight types of biryani here including Hyderabadi dum biryani, and its signature dish the chicken dum biryani. The restaurant does not offer single servings, instead, it has a deal/offer by which you get servings sufficient for three-four persons for 999 PKR (7.1 USD), so this place is best for group meals.
8 Biryanis
Address: F8-1 Islamabad, Pakistan
Website: 8 Biryanis
Opening hours: 11:30am - 4:30am (daily)
9. Karachi Biryani House
With so many fun things to do in Islamabad, don’t forget to drop by Karachi Biryani House. This place has a single-minded focus on biryanis. Bringing the authentic Karachi biryani experience to Islamabad, this restaurant, with its origins in the city of Karachi, promises to deliver only the best. On offer are the three essential biryanis: chicken biryani, beef biryani and plain biryani, each one lip-smackingly good. With such dedication, you know what you get is close to perfection.
Karachi Biryani House
Address: Near Meezan Bank, Main Bani Gala Road, Islamabad
Website: Karachi Biryani House
Opening hours: 11am - 12am (daily)
10. Sarang Sindhi Cuisine
If you are a fan of the Sindhi style of making biryani, then you have to hit up Sarang Sindhi Cuisine for their biryani platter that comes with chicken biryani and two pieces of meat, a bowl of raita and salad. This women-managed restaurant is also known for its barbecue fish which is a proven delicacy. It provides a range of other dishes including vegetarian thali, daal-chawal and variety of fish dishes, and kebabs, that you can enjoy seated at their homey premises.
Sarang Sindhi Cuisine
Address: Shop No. 1,Basement Fazal Arcade F-11 Markaz, Islamabad
Website: Sarang Sindhi Cuisine
Opening hours: 12pm - 11:45pm (daily)
Choose deals for best value
Almost all restaurants listed here offer combo meals that which are a great deal. Typically such meals have the biryani, as well as one or two side dishes and a beverage. It is a well-rounded meal that is easy on the wallet as well. Such meals make a lot of sense especially if you are with a group of people. So go ahead and feast your senses on a plate of scrumptious biryani!