Sheikhupura Famous Food: What to Eat and Where

Sheikhupura's famous food starts in its rice fields. The district is part of the Kalar tract between the Ravi and the Chenab, the belt that grows Pakistan's basmati, so rice dishes, biryani, pulao and plain daal chawal are what the city eats best. Beyond that, the things people come for are simple: dahi bhallay from the shops near Hiran Minar, khoya kulfi and fried fish from the dhabas on the canal towards Lahore, and thick rabri and lassi in the bazaar.

This guide covers what to eat in and around Sheikhupura, where to find it, and how to fit food into a day trip from Lahore.

Why is Sheikhupura linked to basmati rice?

Pakistan's basmati belt is the Kalar tract, the land between the Ravi and the Chenab, and it is made up of five Punjab districts: Narowal, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hafizabad and Sheikhupura. This is the area named in Pakistan's geographical indication for basmati, which protects the name for rice grown here.

For a visitor, that means rice is the thing to order. Look for:

• Biryani and pulao, which local food listings call the city's special dishes, cooked in large degs and sold by the plate from late morning.
• Daal chawal, plain rice with yellow or black lentils, one of the city's favourite everyday meals.
• Bags of basmati from a rice shop in the bazaar if you want to take some home. Ask for the current season's crop, which is harvested in autumn.

Where can you get dahi bhallay near Hiran Minar?

Sheikhupura's best-known snack is dahi bhallay: soft lentil dumplings soaked in water, then covered in whipped yoghurt, tamarind chutney and chaat masala. Shops selling them stand near Hiran Minar, Jahangir's deer tower and water tank just outside the city, and in the main bazaar.

Hiran Minar is the reason most people visit Sheikhupura, and families spend a few hours there on weekends, so a plate of dahi bhallay is part of the outing. Gol gappay carts line up outside the parks as well. Our Hiran Minar guide has the visiting details.

What is the canal food stop on the Lahore road?

On the old road between Lahore and Sheikhupura, about 30 km from Lahore, the road crosses the Upper Chenab Canal, which local people call the Khanpur canal. The News described a row of dhabas and fish vendors here, with charpoys set out facing the water, serving:

• Khoya kulfi, the most popular order, set in metal moulds and eaten on a stick or sliced on a plate.
• Fried fish with pakoras, battered and fried to order.
• Chicken karahi, tawa chicken and chicken tikka.
• Kebabs grilled on iron grills over an open fire.
• Chicken and mutton qorma with naan.

The canal breeze makes it cooler than the city in summer, and the dhabas were reported to run special iftar and sehri menus in Ramadan. That report dates from 2014, so stalls will have changed. Treat it as an area to look out for rather than a list of fixed names, and choose the busiest stall with the freshest fish.

What do people drink in Sheikhupura?

Drinks change with the season:

• Rabri, the slow-cooked, thickened sweet milk, which local listings call the people's favourite.
• Lassi, sweet or salted, in a large steel glass.
• Sugarcane juice, pressed from carts in the bazaar.
• Limo pani, fresh lime with water and sugar or salt.
• Tea and kehwa in winter.

What else is good to eat in Sheikhupura?

The city eats the everyday food of central Punjab. Bakeries sell cakes, sandwiches, patties and ice cream, and sweet shops carry the usual Punjabi mithai. In winter, look for sarson ka saag with makki ki roti and halwa puri breakfasts. For the bigger picture of what the region cooks, our guide to the famous food of Punjab covers it.

Sheikhupura is also an easy stop on the way to the Sikh and Sufi sites of the district. Gurdwara Sacha Sauda at Farooqabad is linked to the story of the young Guru Nanak feeding holy men, and Waris Shah's tomb at Jandiala Sher Khan draws large crowds at his annual urs.

How do you plan a food day trip to Sheikhupura?

1. Leave Lahore early on the Sheikhupura road or the M2 motorway. Allow about an hour.
2. Visit Hiran Minar first, while it is cool, then eat dahi bhallay nearby.
3. Lunch on biryani or pulao in the city.
4. See the fort walls from outside; our Sheikhupura Fort guide explains why it is closed to the public.
5. Head back on the old road and stop at the canal for kulfi or fried fish in the late afternoon.

We could not confirm current prices from a 2025 or 2026 source. Check the board before you order and carry cash, since most dhabas and bazaar shops do not take cards.

Is Sheikhupura worth a trip for food?

As part of a day trip, yes. The food is cheap and good, and dahi bhallay by Hiran Minar or kulfi by the canal turns a sightseeing outing into a proper day out.

As a trip for food alone, no. Lahore is an hour away and has far more famous shops, so most people eat their big meal there. Use Sheikhupura's food to fill the gaps in a day spent at Hiran Minar and the shrines. Our guide to places to visit in Sheikhupura has the full list of sights, and our experiences page has more ideas for planning food into a trip.

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