Liam AndersonMy last attempt at making chicken karahi was a disaster. The chicken was drier than a week-old naan, the spices tasted suspiciously like gym socks, and the whole apartment smelled vaguely of burnt cumin.
Since that day, my kitchen and I have agreed that cooking Pakistani food is best left to those who can cook it, well at least until I take some Pakistani cooking classes.
Thankfully, there are some authentic Pakistani restaurants in Vancouver that I’ve become a frequent visitor to.
So, if you’re craving that perfect balancing flavor of cardamom and cloves, the fiery kick of chili, and a perfectly cooked biryani, here are my absolute favorite Pakistani restaurants in Vancouver.
1. Karakoram Restaurant
– Media credit: karakoramrestaurant
Website: http://karakoramrestaurant.com
Address: 6990 Victoria Dr
Hours: Monday: 9 AM to Midnight
Phone: +1 604-737-1000
Price: $$
Karakoram Restaurant is at the top of my list because there’s a comforting aroma of spices that promises an authentic meal from the moment you walk in. What sets Karakoram apart is their emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients—you can taste it in every bite.
In fact, I haven’t stopped thinking about the Lahori chicken karahi I had on my last visit. The ginger, garlic, and chili melded into a rich and savory gravy that perfectly coated the tender chicken.
Their K2 platter is another must-try; it’s a carnivore’s dream with tender beef and lamb kebabs alongside perfectly spiced chicken tikka boti.
And I love their pillowy, soft naan. It’s always freshly baked—I haven’t had a stale one yet.
| Pro Tip: Ask for your karahi “Peshawari style”—it’s cooked with just tomatoes, green chilies, and black pepper, letting the pure flavor of the meat and spices truly shine through. |
2. Dewan-E-Khass
– Media credit: dewanekhass_vancouver
Website: http://dewanekhass.ca
Address: 5750 Fraser St
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11 AM to 10:30 PM
Phone: +1 604-327-4800
Price: $$
Dewan-E-Khass draws me in because of their dishes that are full of spice and taste like they’ve been simmering for hours. I love how their palak (a creamy spinach dish) avoids the bitter taste I often find elsewhere, achieving a smooth, almost sweet earthiness.
Their lamb palak gosht takes that spinach base and enriches it with tender, slow-cooked lamb—the meat falls apart easily too.
Their kheer, a traditional rice pudding, is a rich but not cloying dessert with a delicate cardamom scent that lingers.
| Pro Tip: If you’re like me and like trying uncommon dishes, get their goat karahi. It’s a hearty goat stew with goat cooked right–the meat isn’t tough and it carries the flavors. And carrot lovers, try their gajar ka halwa. It’s an intensely delicious sweet carrot-based dessert. |
3. Tandoori Oven
– Media credit: tandooriovenrestaurant
Website: http://tandooriovenrestaurant.com
Address: 6452 Main St
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to Midnight
Phone: +1 604-565-3355
Price: $
Tandoori Oven has mastered the art of balancing robust flavors with authentic techniques. The lamb kebabs are a favorite of mine—each bite delivers a tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture. I like how it’s imbued with a smoky char and just the right level of spice.
The karahi paneer is another dish that consistently impresses; the paneer itself is wonderfully soft, swimming in a rich, tomato-based gravy that’s both creamy and deeply flavorful.
The qeema naam is also pretty darn good—it’s a deeply savory minced beef dish cooked with aromatic spices—perfect pairing with naan bread.
| Pro Tip: If you’re dining with a group, their family pack biryani is a fantastic and economical option that easily feeds five hungry people. |
4. Mirchi Restaurant
– Media credit: mirchi_restaurant_
Website: https://mirchirestaurants.ca
Address: 7964 Granville St
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +1 604-266-7000
Price: $
I like Mirchi Restaurant because every time I go, their dishes deliver flavor and quality. The House Combo is a must-try; the variety of grilled meats—sheik kebab, chicken boti, lamb boti, and tikka—are all expertly seasoned and cooked to tender perfection.
What sets it apart is the nuanced spicing in each meat, allowing you to appreciate the individual flavors rather than a generic “barbecue” taste.
The accompanying naan is soft and pillowy, ideal for scooping up the flavorful rice and vibrant homemade chutney.
And for dessert, the gulab jamun—deep-fried milk balls—are served warm, soaked in a fragrant syrup that isn’t cloyingly sweet but rather subtly spiced with cardamom, making each bite utterly delicious.
| Pro Tip: On Fridays and Saturdays, Mirchi offers a chicken biryani lunch special that’s a steal. For $11.50, you get massive portions that’ll leave you stuffed for hours. |
