Dining in Karachi

Karachi has several fantastic upscale restaurants, which serve a huge variety of cuisines. Most of the upper-end restaurants are either located within one of the major hotels in the city (the Sheraton, the Pearl Continental and Avari Towers), or in the trendy shopping district of Zamzama in Defence. For example, the Pearl Continental is known for its Thai (Royal Elephant), Japanese (Sakura), and Chinese (Tai Pan) restaurants; the Avari is known for its Japanese (Fujiyama) and Chinese (Dynasty), and the Sheraton for its Pakistani (the Pakistani).

Zamzama, however, is where much of Karachi's trendier restaurants, such as Okra , Cafe Aylanto, Gunsmoke, Pompeii, Baan Thai, Chatterbox and Aqua Lounge are located. Aqua Lounge is most popular for sea food and steaks and is highly recommended. More commercial (and less trendy) eateries include the Copper Kettle restaurant. Coffee-shops are aplenty, with the most trendy being Espresso (it has another/larger branch in Defence) at Espresso they also serve a good breakfast and yummy desserts. Latitute, Ciao and Costa are also popular for coffee, and new coffee places include "The Second Floor (T2F)," The Avenue and Cafe Coffee Day. There are also several dozen different locations for international fast-food chains such as KFC, Pizza Hut and McDonalds in almost every Karachi locality. For people looking for a more central location would be well advised to try The Korean (near Schoen Circle, in Clifton), Cafe Flo (located in the Alliance Francaise, near the Three Swords), Thai Sea food (located at Old Sunset Boulevard), Kay Bees (located near Lal Qila Restaurant).

Four popular restaurants that give diners a chance to sample a variety of mostly Pakistani foods, buffet-style, are Lal Qila , Floating Kitchen, Revolving Restaurant and The Village. Built in the style of a 17th-century Moghul fort, Lal Qila offers barbecue, biryani, and a local beef-based delicacy, haleem, in its open brick courtyard. Beware long lines during the peak evening dining hours. The Village & Floating Kitchen is by the beach at Sea View (Clifton) and is very popular.

People with concerns about the spiciness and hygiene factor of the foods available, particularly those visiting from abroad, tend to find themselves at BBQ Tonight, which may well be one of Karachi's most popular restaurants. Spread over four stories of seating, including partly covered rooftop seating, the restaurant is almost always completely packed, but the turnover is high, so reservations aren't required. It now serves lunch also. The rooftop at BBQ Tonite is recommended.

If anyone is looking for "chaat" (a local-fare of chickpeas mixed with other things) Chatkharay in Khadda Market (Defence) is good. There are lots of ice-cream and dessert parlours, these include Hot Spot, Gelato Affair, Movenpick etc.