Maria Imran 
Top 12 Biryani Spots in Lahore
Lahore never stops eating. Walk through Liberty Market at noon and the air is thick with cardamom, fried onions, and the sharp kick of green chilies drifting out of tiny kitchens. Ask around for the best biryani in Lahore and you’ll get arguments, laughter, maybe even a story or two. Food is serious here.
By 2025, biryani had become Pakistan’s most loved dish on delivery apps, driving a massive part of the food market. Across the country, rice-based meals remain the backbone of daily dining. And in Lahore, biryani isn’t just steady, it’s daily.
Why Does Lahore Love Biryani?
Biryani in Lahore is more than spice and rice. It’s a student filling up on a plate for Rs 350, or a family splitting a big portion on a Sunday. It’s about stretching flavor without stretching the wallet. Demand for rice-based meals keeps growing each year, and Lahore is a textbook example.
Every major road, every chowk, has a biryani joint with a loyal crowd. People swear by their spot, and they defend it fiercely. That passion explains why so many restaurants survive here, even with heavy competition.
Top 12 Biryani Spots in Lahore
Lahore’s best biryani isn’t locked to one corner. Each area has its own favorite, each with its own reasons.
1. Waqas Biryani (Hall Road)
Mention biryani in Lahore and Waqas comes up almost instantly. Hall Road fills with the smell of steaming rice by noon. The plates are large, spiced to the bone, and cost less than Rs 350. Students and workers crowd the small shop every single day.
2. Biryani Master
Scattered across Johar Town, DHA, and Liberty, Biryani Master specializes in Karachi-style biryani. Heavy on masala, chicken that falls apart, and a price range between Rs 500–700. Delivery orders keep their kitchens running non-stop.
3. Master Biryani (Barkat Market)
In Barkat Market, Master Biryani pulls a mixed crowd of office staff and college kids. Locals say it’s the closest to Karachi flavor you’ll find in Lahore. A full plate is usually around Rs 450, and regulars keep coming back for consistency.
4. Desi Oven (DHA)
Inside DHA, Desi Oven has gained steady praise. Their biryani leans aromatic—cardamom and cinnamon carry through every bite. Portion sizes are generous, though at Rs 600–800, it’s pricier than most. Still, many say it’s worth it for flavor that doesn’t fall flat.
5. Daleem e Khas Matka Biryani
Patience is required here. Orders take 20–25 minutes because each pot is made fresh in clay. That earthen pot adds a smoky scent to the rice. At Rs 700 a portion (enough for two), it’s not the cheapest but stands out for its cooking style.
6. Karachi Naseeb Biryani
Spread across a few neighborhoods, Karachi Naseeb Biryani doesn’t experiment much. It sticks to bold spice and chili heat. Plates cost around Rs 400, which keeps the place busy at lunch. It’s popular with those who want the Karachi flavor without leaving Lahore.
7. Haji Ali Kitchen (Samanabad)
In Samanabad, Haji Ali Kitchen has served Karachi-style biryani for decades. Families order here for gatherings, and the pricing—Rs 350–500—keeps it within reach for most. It’s one of those names that has outlasted trends by simply sticking to the basics.
8. Bay Biryani (Johar Town)
Bay Biryani is a newer entry, but it caught attention quickly, especially among university students near PIA Road. Social media reels boosted its profile. Plates are around Rs 500, and many say it balances spice and meat better than older competitors.
9. Nalli Pur Biryani (PIA Road)
Closer to PIA Road, Nalli Pur is loved for one thing: big chunks of meat. Their biryani is heavier, more filling, and priced around Rs 400. Locals call it the place to go when you want quantity with flavor.
10. K & K Biryani (Township Market)
Township Market holds this smaller spot that thrives on loyalty. K & K isn’t fancy, but plates between Rs 350–450 taste like home cooking. It’s the kind of restaurant where the staff knows regulars by face.
11. Biryani Express
As the name suggests, Biryani Express is about speed. Workers on tight breaks flock here for fast service and steady taste. Their biryani, priced between Rs 500–600, is also one of the more delivery-friendly options in town.
12. Student Biryani (Lakshmi Chowk)
Student Biryani has been around long enough to become a household name. At Lakshmi Chowk, crowds gather late into the night for plates that average Rs 500–600. The flavor leans toward Karachi-style, and its long history keeps loyal customers coming back.
What Makes These Spots Stand Out?
Put all twelve names side by side and a pattern shows. Prices hover in the same range, rarely above Rs 1000 per plate, making biryani a dish most people can afford.
Portions are generous, spice levels unapologetic. Across the city, biryani continues to be the single most ordered meal, and the momentum hasn’t slowed. People in Lahore stick to food that is filling, quick, and affordable. Waqas draws its strength from tradition, Bay Biryani rides on student demand, and Matka Biryani sells patience with smoke-filled clay pots.
Each one is different, but all reflect how biryani runs through Lahore’s food culture. It’s not a passing fad. It’s the dish that feeds late-night workers, brings families together on Fridays, and fills streets with aromas of rice, cardamom, and chili.
