Abu Dhabi is one of the best places for international cuisines. Name any cuisine, and we can find it in Abu Dhabi.
However, few cuisines stand out from the rest. Pakistani cuisine is undoubtedly one such cuisine.
Pakistani cuisine has made its place as one of the best cuisines in the world. Pakistani cuisine is full of passion, flavor, and color.
However, the subject of this article is the best Pakistani restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
Although Pakistani cuisine is world-class and well-known, the best Pakistani restaurant in Abu Dhabi can be difficult to find.
In places outside Abu Dhabi, Pakistani cuisine might be difficult to find. However, there is a sizeable Pakistani population in Abu Dhabi, and hence there are many Pakistani restaurants.
The abundance of Pakistani restaurants creates a unique problem altogether. Finding the best Pakistani restaurant in Abu Dhabi among a plethora of restaurants can be a daunting task.
Furthermore, many restaurants that call themselves Pakistani restaurants are not really authentic. The chefs may be from another nation, and the owner might be from a different country and thus the authenticity of the restaurant is compromised.
So let us first see what exactly Pakistani cuisine is about, what are the best dishes in it, and where you can find the best Pakistani restaurant in Abu Dhabi
What Is Pakistani Cuisine?
For many food lovers and enthusiasts, there seems to be no difference between Pakistani and Indian cuisine. To know the difference between these two cuisines, it is necessary to invest some time in finding the difference between these two cultures and their history.
The region indeed had a shared history before the independence of both countries. But Pakistani cuisine has maintained its unique status despite a mild influence from its neighboring countries.
Pakistani cuisine is shaped partly by its history and partly by its religious identity. It is a historical mixture of flavors from the southern and central parts of Asia with those from the Middle East.
The cuisine has aromatically rich dishes that include a plethora of meats, vegetables, and spices.
Best Pakistani Restaurants In Abu Dhabi
Tikka Tonight
Tikka Tonight is undoubtedly one of the best Pakistani restaurants in and around Abu Dhabi.
To make a trip to Tikka Tonight easier, they have two eateries in Mussafah and Madinat Zayed. Some of their famous dishes are Lahori Chana, Lamb Chops, Malai Boti, Chicken Tikka, and Biryani.
They also have an amazing line of tea and desserts to make your night complete. Tikka Tonight is also a favorite destination to host parties and events with a Pakistani touch to them.
Al Ibrahimi
Al Ibrahimi is one of the oldest restaurants in Abu Dhabi that serves Pakistani food. This restaurant has two outlets, in Electra Street, in Al Jazeera Royal Hotel and Al Wahad Mall.
Al Ibrahimi serves traditional dishes as well as barbeque specialties. It opens at 11:30 in the afternoon till midnight. The spicy lamb chopstick is the best dish in this Pakistani restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
Boti Street
Boti Street is one of the best Pakistani restaurants to visit on the weekend with family and friends. Located near WTC Mall in Abu Dhabi, this restaurant has earned a reputation for its aesthetic setting of a Pakistani truck.
You can find karahis, handis, and barbeque in this Pakistani restaurant which remains open from 8 AM to midnight.
Lal Qila
Lal Qila is a Pakistani restaurant in Abu Dhabi that has one of the most extensive dishes on its menu.
It is located in Marina Village in Abu Dhabi and stays open from 10 in the morning through midnight. It offers buffet and combo dishes so that people can enjoy Pakistani cuisine in different quantities. Lal Qila is the best Pakistani restaurant with a royal aura to it.
Student Biryani
Student Biryani is one of the famous Pakistani restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
It has its origins in Karachi and once was situated in front of a college on a cart, hence the name Student Biryani. It is now owned by a family that has taken the name all across the globe.
Student Biryani offers authentic Pakistani dishes at a great price and Biryani is the specialty here.
Pak Naan
Pak Naan Cafe is another budget-friendly cafe in Abu Dhabi with Pakistani cuisine on its roster.
It has a wonderful ambiance that is family-friendly and can host up to 25 people for events or parties. It is open from 6 in the morning through the night.
Naan, biryani, paya, jalebi, and kheer are the highlight dishes in Pak Naan Cage, one of the best Pakistani restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Lahore Garden Grills
Lahore Garden Grill offers authentic Pakistani dishes and is one of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
It is one of the few restaurants that serve till 3 in the morning. It is located in Madena Market and is best suited for light lunches or delightful dinners.
Some of the items on its menu are aloo paratha, mutton tikka, and fish tikka.
Karachi City
Karachi City is a Pakistani restaurant located on Electra Street in Abu Dhabi and remains open till 1:00 AM.
It has a very guest-friendly staff that serves its patrons very well. The menu of this restaurant is extensive and you can find the best dishes in Pakistani cuisine in this restaurant.
Mann O Salwa
Maan O Salwa is another restaurant that is very reasonably priced and serves fresh meat, as per visitors. The food is classic, the taste is incredible and their hospitality makes it a grand experience for the guests.
Tandoori roti with kheema tawa and grilled mutton leg are some of the best dishes on the menu. It opens at 6 in the morning and serves till midnight.
Pakwaan Foods
Pakwaan Foods is a budget-friendly restaurant in Abu Dhabi. It offers authentic Pakistani cuisine to its patrons. Known to offer good quantities, this place is well-suited for families and friends alike.
Their grills, paratha, chicken 65, and phalli gosht with chapatis are pretty authentic and well-loved by frequent guests. Hyderabadi food is also a specialty in this Pakistani restaurant.
How Is Pakistani Cuisine Different From Indian Cuisine?
There is a lot of similarity between Pakistani and Indian cuisine due to cultural commonality and shared history. Hence, this section details the uniqueness of Pakistani cuisine from the Indian one for those interested in the subject.
Both cuisines involve much use of spices. But, Pakistani cuisine tends to be mildly spicy while Indian cuisine is heavily and hotly spiced.
Both cuisines have impressive meat dishes. Yet, Pakistani cuisine has more dishes involving lamb and beef meat. On the other hand, in Indian cuisine, meat and vegetarian dishes seem to have a fair share.
Another similarity between both cuisines is that bread is an essential element in both cuisines. Pakistani bread, cooked in a tandoor oven, stands out from the many types of bread in Indian cuisines such as roti, and paratha among others.
When it comes to desserts, Pakistani desserts have very subtle flavors and are mildly sweet, while Indian desserts are very sweet and have remarkable flavors.
So, Pakistani cuisine has a world of its own and deserves to be regarded and respected as a unique one in a diverse subcontinent.
Best Dishes In Pakistani Cuisine
Before delving into the main subject, let’s take a quick look at the best dishes that you can find in the best Pakistani restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
We have divided the best dishes into various courses of a traditional Pakistani meal. So fasten your seat belts for the list of best dishes in Pakistani cuisine.
Starter
For starters, Kebabs can be amazing to begin your date in a Pakistani restaurant. The dish is an appetizer, which is similar to patties or ground meat that is grilled.
There are various types of Kebabs, such as Chapli Kebab and the famous Seekh Kebab.
Meat Dish
In meat dishes, nothing beats the Biryani when it comes to Pakistani cuisine or Indian cuisine, for that matter. Invented in the kitchens of the Mughal Empire, it is a rice dish that is spicily layered together with cooked lamb, beef, or chicken meat.
Veggie Dish
Tarka Dal, or simply Dal, is the best vegetarian-oriented dish in Pakistani cuisine. It is also part of the famous Dal Chawal (lentil and rice). Different variants of lentils are used to cook different types of Dal.
Dessert
Kheer is the king of desserts in Pakistani cuisine. It is also cooked on special occasions and at weddings. Cooked with milk, sugar, rice, and cardamom, it is a creamy dish that tastes heavenly, whether eaten hot or cold.
The Best Pakistani Restaurant In Abu Dhabi
Here is the answer to the million-dollar question.
Tikka Tonight is a household name in Pakistani circles. It is undoubtedly one of the best Pakistani restaurants in and around Abu Dhabi.
They have an elaborate and extensive menu when it comes to Pakistani cuisine. Although they have Indian and Afghani dishes as well, Pakistani dishes are a highlight here.
It is the ideal restaurant as it has an unmatched taste and incomparable hospitality as well. Tikka Tonight has gained a reputation for its extraordinary hospitality and prompt service.
Tikka Tonight treats every guest as important and hence, Pakistani food lovers are very fond of this restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
To make a trip to Tikka Tonight easier, they have not only one, but two eateries in Mussafah and Madinat Zayed.
A visit to Tikka Tonight will not be heavy on your pockets as it is a budget-friendly restaurant and has a wide range of options to choose from.
Tikka Tonight offers meat-oriented and vegetarian-oriented dishes. Those who want to taste Pakistani dishes but have vegetarian preferences can find this place to be an amazing food destination.
Some of their famous dishes are Lahori Chana, Lamb Chops, Malai Boti, Chicken Tikka, and Biryani. They also have an amazing line of tea and desserts to make your night complete.
Tikka Tonight is also a favorite destination to host parties and events with a Pakistani touch to them.
