Lahore’s Old Anarkali Food Street
Culture and Food
It is nearly impossible to separate a people’s traditional culture from their cuisine. If someone were to visit Pakistan for just a few days, Lahore should be one of the “must do’s” on their itinerary. Lahore is a city that showcases all aspects of Pakistan’s culture. Through its rich history, religious roots, and of course its food, you can literally sample all things Pakistan. From Anarkali Food Street to the dark alleyways of the Walled City, you will find that in order to truly immerse yourself in Pakistani culture, you will first have to tease your tastebuds.
Lahore offers a little bit of everything when it comes to trying Punjabi and Pakistani classics. From sweet shops to savory meals, you will find both hole-in-the-wall shops and sprawling night markets filled to the brim with tables and street food. Although you will find several food streets throughout Lahore, not one quite compares with the famous Old Anarkali Food Street.
Traveling to Islamabad and wondering what to do? You can find my Islamabad travel guide here!
Old Anarkali
Anarkali Food Street and the massive Anarkali Bazaar are named after the nearby Tomb of Anarkali. The story goes that Anarkali was a concubine of Emperor Akbar in 1599. While the Emperor was away visiting the city of Deccan, Akbar’s son, Prince Jehangir, began to make advances towards Anarkali. In order to avoid public humiliation, the Emperor entombed Anarkali alive in the mausoleum. While this legend is horrifying, it is just a story. The most accepted account for the Tomb’s origin is that it is the resting place of Akbar’s wife, Sahib-i-Jamal Begum.
Today the tomb is home of the Punjab Archives, meaning your average tourist can’t just walk in to take a few pictures. The surrounding bazaar and Anarkali Food Street, however, is a hub for both locals and travelers alike. With a history stretching back over 200 years, Anarkali Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in all of South Asia. Although you will not see a lot of action during the day, as soon as night falls the entire street is packed with people and peddlers screaming out discounts on their wares.
After haggling and window shopping your heart out, you are sure to want a breather. South of the Anarkali Bazaar, across Mall Road, you will find one of Lahore’s favorite hot spots, Old Anarkali Food Street.
Thinking of traveling to Bahawalpur? You can find what to do in the City of Palaces here!
Anarkali Food Street
If Pakistan continues on the path it is now, the country will rival India in terms of being a travel hub for tourists and backpackers around the world. If one area of Lahore was to turn into a backpacker’s haven, much like Bangkok’s Khao San Road, it would be Old Anarkali Food Street. In the early morning, you can wipe off the dust from your eyes and jumpstart your day with a piping cup of chai and a hot meal
In the early hours of the day, the only sound you will hear on the food street is the motor of a passing rickshaw, Anarkali truly comes alive after the sunsets. With its lively bazaar, street cafes, and aroma of mouthwatering dishes being served on the corner of the block, this open are cafeteria showcases the true soul of Pakistan. With nothing but the night sky overhead, traditional music blaring in the background, and a parade of characters strutting past your table, there is no better place to grab a meal and people-watch in Lahore than in Anarkali.
If you are wanting an experience unlike any other, be sure to check out the border parade in Kasur!
Where To Pull Up A Chair
From Takka Tuk to Chicken Tikka, you will find a bit of everything off of Anarkali Street. The sizzling of the spices and the metallic rhythmic clangs of the knives chopping up dinner will have your eyes bolting back and forth to both sides of the street. No matter who you ask about where to eat on Anarkali Food Street, you will always get a different answer. For some, they consider Waris Restaurant as the mecca on the food street, others will tell you to head straight to Yasir Broast. With such division amongst the locals, you can only assume that you can’t go wrong, no matter what restaurant you choose.
When walking down Old Anarkali Food Street, you will have waiters whose sole job is to grab you by the arm and throw you into one of the seats. While they may seem a bit aggressive, try not to let their pushy attitude keep you from complying as they shove a menu in front of your face. Many of the dishes found throughout Anarkali are meant to be shared, which is difficult for you solo backpackers. But due to the hospitality of the Pakistanis, even if you are eating a humble plate of rice, the other guests will probably be more than willing to share their feasts with you.
Wanting to travel to one of the most sacrad Sufi shrines in Lahore? Read more on Shah Jamal Darbar here!
The Backstreets of Anarkali
Much like the rest of Lahore, you can easily escape the noise of the city by ducking down one of the backstreets of Anarkali to take in a more quiet look at the surrounding neighborhoods. Although your average traveler will not find anything particularly interesting in the alleys the wind in turn deep inside the city blocks, a photographer could easily spend hours capturing some candid scenes and gawking at the Urdu typography.
During the day these streets offer a quick shortcut to avoid all the crowds and noise of the Anarkali Food Street. Simply by turning onto the dark alleyways, you can cut from Church Road to Mall Road in a matter of minutes. When night falls, you may want to think twice before deciding to make your way down the dark recesses of Anarkali. When all the lights turn off you will find that some of the lowest forms of society frequent the dim-lit streets of the back alleys.
Crossing the border from India into Pakistan? Read my Wagah Border guide here!
Staying In Anarkali
Lahore’s Old Anarkali Food Street will soon become the hub for my tourists who flock to Pakistan as the country continues to open its doors. Already, you will find the Tourist Hotel and Lahore Backpackers, posted up not too far away from the mouthwatering aroma of Anarkali. It is not too crazy to speculate that eventually, you will find more and more backpacking toting tourists wandering through the crowds of Old Anarkali Food Street.
For now, Lahore still remains an off the beaten path travel destination on the world stage. But as Pakistan keeps making the country a safer place for both its own people and foreign travelers, more tourists will take notice of the nation’s stunning beauty and rich culture. And after a long day of exploring the mosques and charm of the Walled City, there is no better way to bring your day to a close than by pulling up a chair on the curb of Old Anarkali Food Street.
