Eating your way in Lahore

A trip to Lahore is incomplete without a visit to the Food Street, says Harbans Singh Virdi

A view of the Food Street in Lahore by night.  — Photo by Rajiv Sharma

Lahore’s liaison with taste, in food or fabric, is legendary. Since time immemorial, Lahorians have been attracted to food and food craft.

Modern Lahore is full of famous eating joints — Gurberg Kabana, Cafe Zouk, Copper Kettle, Kababeesh, Yummy-36, besides McDonalds, yet the pride of place which the Food Street occupies has its own class and convention. This is Lahore by night, the place frequented by the mighty and the meek, travellers as well as the locals.

At least, it can be safely said the Food Street holds great attraction for any Indian visitor. Otherwise, how come the legendary athlete Milkha Singh of India could not help appending his signature at the Waris Tikka Shop in Food Street December last. The wonder athlete could not help recalling the time he spent at the famous night eating spot, literally floored over by the quality and range of food.

As the sun sets on Lahore, the Food Street in the old Anarkali Bazaar, which has about 70 eating shops in two rows, comes alive with all its pomp and show. As the evening shadows lengthen and the night approaches, people from all walks of life throng the street to savour the choicest dishes.

That the Indian songs are a great hit in Pakistan is to say the obvious. But a food joint owner went a step further to entertain the customers. Mohammed Omer, an instrumentalist, belted out tunes from Indian films on his clarinet at the Habib Tikka House. It was a soothing experience.

Chicken tikka, Hyderabadi biryanai, chicken biryani, rogan josh, countless dishes of mutton in desi ghee and fish pakoras, pranthas were enough to water the mouth of any customer.

One end of the street joins it with the new Anarkali, a shopper’s paradise.

The well-lit Food Street presents an enchanting sight. Since the stalls continue serving the customers till as late as 2 a.m., one can be assured of food even till late at night. A visit to Lahore will remain incomplete without a bite at the Food Street.

HOME