Budget
Haji Nihari
For nihari, go to Haji Nihari on Jail Road or inside Lohari Gate ; for chicken paratha rolls go to Karachi Silver Spoon in Liberty Market, and so on.
Chaman Ice Cream
Beaden road adjacent to hall road, aside mall road, lahore - serves a vast variety of various flavours of cie creams, ice cream shakes, juices ans stuff. don't miss it ! its worth it.
Every Lahori food item has an expert attached to it.
Gowal Mandi
The 'Food Street' of Gowal Mandi is a must-visit for dinner - you'll find a street full of shops selling fine Lahori fare, and the setting, amidst traditional jharoka architecture, is lovely. If you make it to Food Street, go by auto rickshaw 30rupees or walk to Mochi Gate and try Rasheeds kebabs or Saiyns kebabs. Mochi Gate is also home to Fazal Sweets and Rafique Sweet House.Bhaiya kabab in Model Town is foremost name in Kabab Street, where you will enjoy bar-b-que with fresh soda. A 200/300 meter long street with historically preserved 2/3 storey old houses on both side which are ligthen up in a very special way giving a very historical and magnificent look. The envoirnment is a real creatio nof culutre of Lahore, the mughla era. You will find around a hundred restaurants in this street which mouth watering menus. Do try Chappal Kababas, Saag with Makai ki roti, Golas of Ice, Sardar ki Machli and anything you like because a lot of variety is present.
Phajjay Ke Paye
At red light area - heera mandi lahore, is very famous and highly energetic. for those having physical weakness must try this dish.
Basheer-dar-ul-Mahi
At mazang chok lahore - fried fish is served in 2/3 forms. you will see people queued up in lines to get their order here. don't go if you don't have much time. but this fish is worth waiting this much. parathas and lassi at mazang lahore - near the baheer-dal-ul-mahi is this very cheap and small scale restaurant. serves paraths of potatoes, minced chicken, egg and others with tea or delicious lassi. don't miss this at breakfast or anytime you want to have something energetic.
Midrange
Mini Golf
Don't miss this place for great open air atmosphere where you can also get sheesha.
Mirchi
Perhaps the best Lahori food in the city, and is of good hygienic quality. Try the tamatar paneer and the sheesh taouk charcoal-grileld chicken skewers.
Chatkhara
Serves snack food like samosas, chaat and dahi bhallay
Balouchi Sajji
One of the best restaurant in Lahore. Best traditionally grilled lamb and chicken in town and after the meal one must have the traditional kawa green tea
Pepperica
This restaurant run by famous Artist Rana Shujaat serves various dishes to suit the tastes of various types of customers. The chicken Jalferazi is the most popular and highly demanded by the customers.
Liberty Market
Offers good standard Pakistani food. The mutton karahi at Rs510 is a popular dish and easily serves two people, while most dishes are half that price. They also offer salads, but see the Stay Healthy section below.
Top end
Cafe Aylanto
Has the best non-Pakistani food in town. Try the shrimp and avocado salad. You can also take your own wine to the restaurant and they'll be happy to serve you; just make sure to inform them on the door, if you have an alcoholic drink with you.
Freddy's
Family-oriented restaurant which has a safe, vaguely continental menu. Freddy's offers an afternoon high tea buffet, which offers a full variety foods and some drinks.
Village
A vast mud structure which has an all-you-can-eat Pakistani buffet. It's a popular joint to take visiting tourists, as it combines a variety of local foods with good hygiene.
Salt n Pepper Grill
Owned by the same company as Village, with a fine a la carte menu. Try their sweet lassi.
Ziafat
Authentic Pakistani food in a buffet style. Their menu is not as grand as Village, but the ambiance is a little more laid-back.
Dera
Right by the Gaddafi Stadium, sitting on your maniji and gulping lassi, you'll experience a unique truck driver atmosphere here. The food is excellent, but the prices are on the higher end. Favourite among the locals are the assorted naans, chicken mugalahi and mutton chops.
Fujiyama
It's the only real Japanese restaurant in town, and is considered to be the most expensive.
Nandos
A globally famous restaurant chain.
Costa Nostra
Authentic Italian food, overseen by Pak-Italian owners. Started as a reservation-only, high-end gourmet experience with a rather well put together table d'hote, it now has a basement pizzeria where you can't go wrong if want a pizza pie that resembles something from Rome and not Chicago.
Lahoris are famed for their food and for their consumption thereof. This is reflected in the array of restaurants in town.