Food that warms the soul and fills the belly

Top five restaurants to visit in Islamabad

Islamabad is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Pakistan, situated in the center of the Margalla hills you have amazing views for days. Islamabad has also been a financial center since its inception thanks to the fact that it is the capital of Pakistan. What Islamabad has always lacked however, (as many Lahori and Karachites will tell you) have been unique eating establishments that offer up the most mouthwatering food imaginable but also offer a nowhere else available experience. Over the past few years this lack of quality eating options has been remedied by some new entrants in Islamabad that are redefining what a good food experience can be for many Islamabadis.

Fuoco

It is often said that if it isn’t broke do not fix it. This saying applies perfectly to Pizza, nowadays it seems like there is a pizza place at every corner serving up thick crust pizza covered with toppings and slathered with shredded cheese. The popularity of such places means that people love such pizza, right? Well, Fuoco did not get the memo. Fuoco strives to provide an as authentic as possible Italian dining experience. What this means is that gone are the days of a conveyer belt cooked crust covered in mystery cheese and bottled pizza sauce. Say hello to a brick oven cooked crust charred to perfection, with meaty buffalo mozzarella broken onto it, and their many in house made sauces as the base. It’s not even just the pizza if you want to have the best Italian food in Islamabad in a post-modern art deco kind of place Fuoco is where you should go.

CGC

CGC is a mainstay of Islamabad and has over the years slowly but surely become the go to burger joint there. It started from humble beginnings selling burgers next to the hotspot location in F7, only to later open up its very own location not far from where it all started. If there is one thing they do right, it’s their patties cooked to perfection with the best possible flavor possible letting the meat do the talking not over shadowing it with any sauces or unnecessary dressings. It’s hard to believe that something so simple could cause such a fan following however, anyone who has had a bad burger will tell you it is not all that it seems. What makes CGC even better is the fact that they are also always innovating trying to add new menu items and improving previous ones.

Gaia

Oriental food is a cuisine that really resonates with Pakistan offering the diversity and the kick that many of us look for when we want to fill up on food. Gaia is the latest restaurant to enter the ring offering Japanese cuisine. They have quickly become a community favorite for their ramen, ramen being the hardest thing to get right as if you get wrong it just seems like overpriced, slightly upscaled Magi. However, Gaia has hit the nail on the head they offer a ramen bowl that is to die for and if you’re a weeb, it is the closest thing you will get to real deal Japanese ramen in Pakistan. That claim alone is enough to get you through the door and order some.

Burning Brownie

Burning brownie is one of those joints that has made a name for itself beyond Islamabad. Whenever you go there you are sure to run into a family from some part of Pakistan that has heard about it and is there to try their famous cheese cake. This fame is rightly deserved as you would be hard pressed to find a better breakfast/sweet tooth satisfying restaurant in Islamabad. They have a diverse menu breakfast bests being things such as waffles with fried chicken. However, the piece de resistance is their cheese cake served with a side of their delicious strawberry syrup. It is the most decadent thing you can ever imagine eating only reserved for days where you like yourself just a little more than you usually do. It also has a very cool 80’s diner vibe going on which honestly, once you have been there will seem like the only vibe a place serving breakfast should have.

Ginyaki

Have you ever been to subway and thought to yourself, this is great but I wish rather than subs I could make my own custom poke bowls in an upscale oriental restaurant? Well you probably have not, but now you are thinking about it and that is where Ginyaki comes in. They serve Poke Bowls with a plethora of bases, meats and extra toppings that you can really make your own. It is a really hearty meal and almost feels soul food-esque in the way you make your own bowl with things that should not go together but they do and suddenly you feel better about yourself. It is a must try place if you find yourself in Islamabad wanting something quick, tasty and also cost effective considering the amount of food you get.

All the above places are unique to Islamabad you will not find them anywhere else,  so next time you make your way to the center of the country make sure to pop into any one of these fine establishments and see what Islamabad has to offer beyond the clean air and pretty mountains.