10 vintage restaurants in Karachi that will transport you back in time

It wouldn’t be incorrect to call Karachi the City of Food instead of City of Lights, because of the high-quality and diverse restaurants it is home to. You can find the best nihari place in the city as well as the ultimate Chinese restaurant, whereas the best BBQ experience remains the city’s specialty.

With a new restaurant opening every month, Karachi has become a hub for foodies, however, there are many old-school restaurants that are still giving newer competition a run for their money. These restaurants have stood the test of time, have maintained their high-standards, and have the power to transport you to another time, when life was simpler and food was worth every penny.

Let’s take a look at 10 such vintage restaurants which have been around for a long time, and plan to stay relevant in this fast-changing world.

Bundoo Khan, MA Jinnah Road

There was a time when Bundoo Khan was the premier restaurant in Karachi, people from all over the city wanted to eat there since the food it served was fresh, tasty, and unbelievable. Only after the restaurant expanded into other parts of the city, did that crowd disappear from MA Jinnah Road (formerly Bunder Road). Thanks to singer Ahmed Rushdi's 'Bunder Road se Kemari' song, Bundu Khan came back into the spotlight and despite the hustle and bustle of modern times, it takes you back in time if you go there, either alone, or with family and friends.

Zahid Nihari, Saddar

It may not have the best seating arrangement for a nihari place but without doubt it's the best place to have nihari in Karachi. Foreigners have its name on their to-eat list, locals go there whenever they can, while outsiders don't argue when they get an invitation to Zahid Nihari House in the busiest area of the city. What's more tempting than the delicious nihari served right from the daig is the experience of having it any time of the day, with hot naan and accompanying lemon and salad. Not being able to park is one of the hassles of the place but those who love nihari haven't yet complained about that, because a little walk is not a con in this game but a pro, if you get the drift.

Zahid Nihari Restaurant

Waheed Kabab House, Burns Road

Want to have the best fried kebabs in town? The tastiest nihari? Or barbeque kebabs that will not disappoint you no matter the time? Go to the one-stop solution known as Waheed Kabab House, situated in the heart of Burns Road. It remains one of the few restaurants in the area which weren't effected by the beautification and de-beautification of the area a few years back, because whoever has food at Waheed's, ends up becoming a loyal customer.

Photos by the writer

Although there is a family hall for families at the restaurants, the best way to be Waheed-ed is to eat with friends in the open area of the restaurant and enjoy the dhaaba-style service. The place has been serving its clientele for over 50 years, maintaining its high-quality and authentic taste.

Photos by the writer

Back in the day, it was a part of Burns Road, but today Burns Road is known because of Waheed Kabab House, whose clientele seems to be growing with every passing day.

Photos by the writer

Yuan Tung, Tariq Road

Long before Chinese food became a popular delicacy in Pakistan, and Chinese restaurants started appearing in major parts of the city, Yuan Tung was the lone flagbearer of Chinese food. For authentic Chinese items, the first name that popped into your head was Yuan Tung, and the fact that elderlies in the family still rate it as the best Chinese restaurant shows that it hardly disappoints. In an era when running a restaurant is a difficult task, Yuan Tung manages to keep itself afloat just because the chefs refuse to change, and serve Chinese food as it is meant to be served.

Photos by the writer

Tooso, Bahadurabad

The arrival of Tooso at Bahadurabad in the 1970s clashed with the emergence of the club sandwich phenomenon in the city, and together they have grown a lot in six decades. The restaurant now has multiple branches in the city and serves from breakfast to late night, but nothing beats the experience of having food at the original outlet.

From its original delicacy, the club sandwich, to burgers, from steaks to BBQ items, or even a yummilicious breakfast, Tooso serves it all. The best thing about the place is that it keeps reinventing itself; while it introduced car service in the 1970s, it evolved into a sitting area for families and now caters to all kinds of clients, from the corporate crowd to youngsters meeting to chill out.

Meerut Famous Kabab Paratha, Guru Mandir

There are many branches of Meerut Kabab Paratha in Karachi, each claiming to be authentic and original but the branch at Guru Mandir remains the one that kicked off the revolution.

Meerut Famous Kabab Paratha's Facebook

Established in 1958, Meerut Famous Kabab Paratha has been a cornerstone of culinary excellence in the city, and has managed to stay close to its roots despite the passage of time. What began as a humble eatery in Main Gurumandir has evolved into a renowned dining destination, cherished by generations of patrons. If you are in the vicinity, looking for authentic barbecue, and don't want to be disappointed, try the bihari tikka, seekh kebab, or grilled chargha, and you will become a loyal customer for life. For those who have been there even once, there is no looking back.

Student Biryani, Saddar

What began as a small-scale biryani dhaba in the late 1970s became a phenomenon in coming years, so much so that now when you think of Karachi, biryani is one of the first three things that come to your mind. Student Biryani first established itself as a must-visit place in the Saddar area by being innovative and affordable, then expanded its operations to other parts of the city and now has branches across the world, as well as in major cities of the country.

Student's Biryani's Facebook

From the traditional beef biryani to the chicken biryani, the place maintains its high standard in its many branches across Pakistan. Although the owners have moved into other delicacies such as haleem, nihari, tikkas, burgers, and even paratha rolls, biryani remains their superpower which keeps attracting foodies towards them, be it day, night, or both.

Kaiser Restaurant, Light House

While most restaurants prefer chicken over beef and mutton, the '70s-style Kaiser at Light House is famous for its mutton karahi, mutton daal, mutton leg, and mutton paya. Those potential customers who aren't familiar with the Light House area might not be able to find Kaiser, but those who have been there once, keep returning.

Kaiser's Facebook

After all, no other place in the city serves prawn masala, mutton masala and mixed vegetables the way they are meant to be served. You might be tempted to order in, but the joy of dine-in at Kaiser is something that must be experienced.

Maxim's Restaurant, Clifton

Many restaurants may claim a 'steak' in being the number one steakhouse in the city, but Maxim's has been getting it right since 1970. Situated in the posh area of Clifton, the restaurant has stood the test of time, and even today, can transport its visitors to the swinging '70s, when life was simple, and food was authentic.

Photos by the writer

As a steakhouse, Maxim's has maintained its standards and even though the location has changed - from a bigger place to a smaller one - the quality hasn't. If you are looking to have the best steaks in Karachi, and want to get your money's worth without being disturbed, then Maxim's is the place for you.

Noorani Kabab House, Tariq Road

It wouldn't be incorrect to say that Noorani Kabab House is the 'noor' of food places in Karachi. Situated at the corner of the famous Khalid Bin Waleed Road, the BBQ joint had been on the must-visit place before any such lists existed. Known for its quality food long before BBQ became synonymous with the name of the city, Noorani Kabab House is still a popular place for meat lovers who can order their world-famous brain masala, katakat, tikkay, kababs and karahis, and leave with a smile on their face.

Noorani Kabab House's Facebook

In the past, clients used to sit on the roadside, under the tree and wherever they could find a table and a chair, but now, the restaurant has a better seating arrangement which gives a nice view of the developed Shaheed-e-Millat Road. What's impressive is that the owners have maintained their standards despite changing times which is one reason why one shouldn't give the place a miss, when in the mood for authentic, high-quality food.