Lahore's best barbecue is found in a handful of areas rather than one street: Lakshmi Chowk and Gawalmandi in the old city, Bundu Khan's branches on Mall Road and at Liberty Market, and the rooftop restaurants of Fort Road. Which one you choose depends on whether you want a cheap plate at a busy old-city counter or a sit-down meal with a menu. This page sorts the areas by style and gives one solid price benchmark, since prices vary widely.
We have named only places that appear in several recent restaurant guides and listings. Restaurants change and close, so check the current address and hours on Google Maps before you go.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Main styles | Chicken tikka, boti, seekh kebab, malai boti |
| Old-city areas | Lakshmi Chowk, Gawalmandi, Fort Road |
| Restaurant-style areas | Mall Road (Anarkali) and Liberty Market, Gulberg |
| Benchmark price | Chicken tikka from PKR 690 at Bundu Khan (restaurant's online menu, 2025-26) |
| Best time | Evening, from about 7 pm |
Tikka, boti and seekh: what is the difference?
Tikka is marinated chicken on the bone, such as a leg or chest piece, grilled over charcoal or in a tandoor. Boti is boneless meat cut into cubes, and in Lahore you will often see it as malai boti (creamy) or Irani boti. Seekh kebab is spiced minced meat moulded onto a skewer. Most places serve these with naan or rice, chutney and salad.
Order by weight or portion where the counter sells that way, and ask the price of each item before ordering, as old-city stalls often list none.
Lakshmi Chowk
Lakshmi Chowk is one of Lahore's best-known food junctions. Area guides name Butt Karahi and Bundu Khan among the eateries there, alongside street snacks such as chana chaat and nihari. It is a traditional-street-food area rather than a polished restaurant zone.
Our guide to Lakshmi Chowk food covers what else is on offer.
Gawalmandi
Gawalmandi Food Street grew from families who came from Amritsar after 1947 and opened small shops in front of their houses. It is best known for karahi, biryani and nihari rather than for grills alone. Evenings are the busiest time. See our Gawalmandi food street guide for more.
Fort Road
Fort Road Food Street was redeveloped in 2012 next to the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort. Its rooftop restaurants, such as Haveli and Cooco's Den, trade on the view rather than on being pure barbecue specialists, so choose it for a scenic dinner and order a grill among the mains. Book ahead for rooftop tables at weekends. Our Fort Road food street guide has the detail.
Bundu Khan: Mall Road and Liberty
Bundu Khan is the best-known Lahore name for BBQ, with a branch at 23 The Mall near Anarkali, reported to have moved from open-air to fine dining, and another at Liberty Market in Gulberg. It is a good choice for first-timers who want a menu with fixed prices.
The restaurant's own online menu lists these items (undated; prices have risen over time):
- Chicken tikka, leg or chest: PKR 690
- Chicken Irani boti or Zafrani malai boti: PKR 2,390
- Mutton seekh kabab, 4 pieces: PKR 2,330
- Chicken Dham seekh: PKR 2,280
- BBQ platter, small (half masala rice, one roghni naan): PKR 5,610
Expect a family meal to run into several thousand rupees, so this is the upper end of the range. Old-city counters are cheaper, but we could not find reliable per-plate figures for them.
When to go
Evenings, from around 7 pm, are the busy and best time for barbecue, since grills are fully going and food is fresh. Weekends and public holidays are crowded, and old-city lanes are hard to drive into. A ride-hailing car to the landmark is easier than parking. For the wider picture of the food scene, see our famous food of Lahore and food streets guide, plus the wider experiences page.
Is it safe to eat at street barbecue stalls?
Choose stalls with a steady crowd and food that is cooked fresh in front of you. Avoid meat that has been sitting out. Our page on whether street food in Pakistan is safe explains the basics for visitors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best BBQ in Lahore?
There is no single best. Lakshmi Chowk, Gawalmandi and Fort Road suit old-city eating, while Bundu Khan on Mall Road or at Liberty suits a sit-down meal.
How much does chicken tikka cost in Lahore?
At Bundu Khan, the restaurant's menu lists chicken tikka from PKR 690. Old-city and smaller places will differ.
What is the difference between tikka and boti?
Tikka is on-the-bone chicken pieces, and boti is boneless cubes of meat.
What time do BBQ places open in Lahore?
Hours vary by venue, and evening is the main time for grills. Check the venue on Google Maps.
Which BBQ area is best for families?
Bundu Khan's restaurant branches and the rooftop restaurants on Fort Road are the easier options for families.
