Street Food In Lahore, Pakistan

Roohi
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
Street Food In Lahore

Lahore is proudly known as the food and culture capital of Pakistan, because of the sheer variety of food dishes it serves. The best food in the city is, however, its street food. No restaurant can match up to the taste that these authentic delicacies offer. These interesting and lip-smacking dishes will keep you craving for more. You could even have an entire day’s meal comprising street food: from excellent breakfast options such as Laddu Peethi, to the tantalising Nihari for lunch, the sumptuous Butt Karahi for dinner, and the delicious Rabri for dessert. With so many options to chose from we are sure you are already feeling hungry. Take a look at some of our top-rated street foods offered in Lahore.

Tip from tour guide

Lahore Street food

Experience a culinary journey through the heart of Pakistan - Lahore Food Street is a vibrant and bustling culinary hub located in the heart of Lahore, Pakistan. Situated near the historic Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort, this lively street is a haven for food enthusiasts and tourists alike. The Food Street offers a diverse array of traditional Pakistani dishes, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to savor the rich flavors of Lahore's culinary heritage.

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1. Laddu Peethi

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Laddu Peethi is one of the most beloved street foods of Lahore, Pakistan. They are basically crunchy, fried batter gram lentil balls usually served with apricot sauce, sweet and sour tamarind sauce, plum sauce and white radish salad. This is undoubtedly one of the locals’ favourite street food because of its unique flavours. It looks similar to a falafel and is super crunchy — a great snack indeed! The Laddy prepared at Neela Gumbad and Abid Market are a must try.

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2. Halwa Puri

Halwa Puri
Source: Photo by user Umair Abbasi used under CC BY-SA 2.0

This is a breakfast delicacy that people from Lahore swear by. It is truly a perfect Sunday breakfast treat indeed. The halwa is made with pure ghee and is served with freshly made puris along with chana masala as an ideal side accompaniment. It is oozing with calories, but you cannot say no to this delicacy when visiting Lahore. Taj Puri Wala is renowned all across Lahore for the halwa puri it serves. What makes it even more special is the historic view that you will get to enjoy whilst enjoying a full-fledged Lahori breakfast.

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3. Nihari

Nihari
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Miansari66 used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Nihari is a stew consisting of slow-cooked meat mainly beef or lamb, goat meat and chicken, along with bone marrow. This thick gravy is perfected with a blend of marinated spices such as chillies, lime and garlic. It is served with piping hot naans and makes for an ideal heavy breakfast. This is the ultimate treat for non-vegetarians and will surely spoil their taste buds. Indulge in the best of Nihari at places such as Waris Nihari House, Muhammadi Nihari and Sheermal.

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4. Dahi Bhalla

Dahi Vadas (Dhai Bhalla)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mdsmds0 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

A quintessential street food from Lahore which will leave you hooked and longing for more, dahi bhalla is a delicacy that is prepared from black lentils, potatoes, chickpeas and is dunked in curd. It is then garnished with some green chutneys, red chilli powder, chaat masala for a tantalising flavour. One plate will never be enough, we guarantee you on this!

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Lahore Tour Guide

Ghulam Murtaza

Ghulam Murtaza

Khush Aamdeed (welcome in Urdu) to the country of smiley faces and most curtseious Nation of world, where people are polite and very warm welcoming. We don't call tourists as clients we always call tourists " honored Guests". In Pakistani society Guest are considered as Blessing of God. and how we welcomes our blessing for this you have to visit Pakistan atlest once with Ghulam Murtaza.I am att... Read more

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Lahore Tour Guide

Lahore Tour Guide

Lahore Tour Guide

I'm Ahsan, a dedicated tour guide with a passion for unveiling the treasures of this magnificent city. Born and raised in Lahore, this city's stories are ingrained in my soul. Welcome to Lahore, where every corner resonates with history and culture! With over two years of guiding experience and a licensed accreditation, I've honed my skills to provide an enriching and tailored experience for tr... Read more

Tours by Lahore tour guide

Lahore Tour Guide

Waqas Khan

Waqas Khan

I am a freelancer in the tourism industry, offering tour and travel services with 6 years of experience in creating unforgettable journeys. I possess extensive knowledge of the history, arts, culture, languages, and locations of all the beautiful areas of Pakistan. As a focused guide, I excel at multitasking and providing friendly service while meeting the needs of all guests. I am dedicated to... Read more

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5. Butt Karahi

Chicken Karahi
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Miansari66 used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Lahori Butt Chicken Karahi is the yummiest traditional street food dish of Lahore. It is savoured by millions and directly paves its way into the hearts of non-vegetarians. This thick gravy is made with a blend of spices, pieces of tender boneless chicken and garnished with some juicy and tangy lime. It is served with butter tandoori roti making it the perfect meal for lunch or even dinner. Lakshmi Chowk is famous all across Lahore for this lip-smacking and sumptuous treat.

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6. Shawarma

Shawarma
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Schellack used under CC BY 3.0

Shawarma is another sumptuous treat available on the streets of Lahore. It is made of either lamb, mutton, chicken, turkey, or beef, cut in thin slices and stacked in a cone-like shape on a vertical rotisserie. It is served with a side of freshly chopped onions, lime and a wonderfully blended spicy green chutney. It is similar to a roll but is thicker in consistency and better in taste. The shawarmas served at Gawal Mandi food street are to die for!

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7. Paaye

WP_20150111_14_25_24_Pro
Source: Photo by user Shahid Ahmed Siddiqi used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

This nutrient-rich dish is a widely enjoyed local delicacy of Lahore. The main ingredients of the dish are the trotters (or hoof) of a cow, goat, buffalo or sheep cooked to perfection with a variety of spices and herbs. This tangy gravy is paired with piping hot roghni naans and chilled meethi lassi for a delightful three-course meal. Although this will keep you filled for a long time, you will be craving for more very soon. Paaye from Manoo Siri in Sulanputra is renowned for this savoury.

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8. Rabri

Rabri
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ravi Talwar used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Rabri is a sweet, condensed-milk-based dish made by boiling the milk on low heat for a long time until it becomes dense. It is then generously garnished with sugar and nuts for an added flavour. Rabri is best served with chilled kulfi and falooda, making it the most loved dessert in Lahore. Yousaf Falooda located at Old Anarkali has made its place among the yummiest dessert places of Lahore.

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9. Beef Khoya Tikka

Tikka Boti
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Miansari66 used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Tikka” refers to a piece of meat, such as a cutlet. This popular dish is made from succulent pieces of beef which are fried and marinated with the best of spices, as well as lime. It can be eaten with tandoori naan for added flavour. However, it tastes just as amazing even when eaten alone. These tikkas can be dunked in a bowl of spicy green chutney to make the most of this dish. Shafi Tikka Shop located at Sardaar Bazaar serves the best of Beef Khoya Tikkas.

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10. Samosa Chole

Samosa & chole
Source: Photo by user uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Samosa Chole is yet another famous street food in Lahore. This is a type of chaat prepared with only the freshest ingredients. Made with chole, samosa, curd, chutneys (green, red) and spices, this snack is relished by many. The combination of samosa and chole together makes this dish absolutely yummy. While walking through the streets of Lahore, you must try this delicacy from Best Samosa Shop, Ghalib Market.

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Lahore, the foodie's paradise

Lahore is amongst the most popular places across the globe for its street food and we totally understand why — excellent food options available at throwaway prices is no longer a dream. Do visit these amazing places to try out some of the best street food options in Lahore.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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