Peshawar is a city that is rich in history, culture, and cuisine. It is the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan, and the gateway to the historic Khyber Pass. Peshawar is home to many ethnic groups, but the dominant one is the Pashtuns, who are known for their hospitality, bravery, and love of food.

One of the best places to experience authentic Pashtun cuisine in Peshawar is Piyali Restaurant. Piyali is a popular restaurant that was founded in 1992 by Mohammad Ishaq Khan. It is located in Hayatabad Phase 2, near Shalman Park. Piyali offers a variety of dishes from all over the world, but its specialty is traditional Pashtun food, such as kebabs, biryani, and naan.

What is Pashtun Cuisine?

Pashtun cuisine is the cuisine of the Pashtuns, who are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pashtun cuisine is influenced by the cuisines of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. It is characterized by the use of meat, dairy, rice, wheat, and spices.

Some of the common ingredients in Pashtun cuisine are lamb, beef, chicken, goat, fish, eggs, yogurt, cheese, butter, ghee, milk, cream, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, raisins, apricots, dates, saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili, garlic, ginger, onion, tomato, and cilantro.

Some of the common dishes in Pashtun cuisine are:

• Kebabs: grilled or roasted meat on skewers, usually marinated with spices and herbs. There are many types of kebabs, such as chapli kebab, seekh kebab, shami kebab, tikka kebab, and boti kebab.
• Biryani: a rice dish cooked with meat, vegetables, and spices. There are many variations of biryani, such as mutton biryani, chicken biryani, beef biryani, and fish biryani.
• Karahi: a meat or vegetable dish cooked in a wok-like pan with tomatoes, onions, and spices. There are many kinds of karahi, such as chicken karahi, mutton karahi, beef karahi, and vegetable karahi.
• Pulao: a rice dish cooked with meat, stock, and spices. There are many types of pulao, such as kabuli pulao, yakhni pulao, zarda pulao, and matar pulao.
• Naan: a leavened flatbread baked in a clay oven called tandoor. There are many varieties of naan, such as plain naan, roghani naan, garlic naan, cheese naan, and peshawari naan.
• Halwa: a sweet dish made with semolina, sugar, ghee, and nuts. There are many flavors of halwa, such as sooji halwa, gajar halwa, badam halwa, and akhrot halwa.

What Makes Piyali Restaurant Special?

Piyali Restaurant is a place that offers a taste of Pashtun cuisine in a cozy and comfortable environment. The restaurant has a spacious and elegant interior, with a capacity of 200 people. The restaurant also has a separate family hall, a VIP lounge, and a rooftop terrace. The restaurant is decorated with traditional Pashtun artifacts, paintings, and carpets, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The restaurant has a friendly and professional staff, who are always ready to serve the customers with a smile. The restaurant also has a fast and efficient delivery service, which covers the entire city of Peshawar. The restaurant also offers catering services for weddings, parties, and corporate events.

The restaurant has a diverse and delicious menu, which caters to the tastes and preferences of all kinds of customers. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks, desserts, and beverages. The restaurant also has a special menu for kids, which includes burgers, pizzas, nuggets, and fries.

The restaurant is famous for its Pashtun dishes, especially its kebabs, biryani, and naan. The restaurant uses fresh and high-quality ingredients, and prepares its food with traditional methods and recipes. The restaurant also uses a variety of spices and herbs, which enhance the flavor and aroma of the food. The restaurant also serves dishes from other cuisines, such as Chinese, Continental, and Pakistani.

Some of the most popular dishes at Piyali Restaurant are:

• Piyali Chaska Platter: a platter that consists of three different types of seekh, more seek at the bottom, rice, and much more. It is a filling and satisfying dish that is perfect for sharing with friends and family.
• Piyali Breakfast: a breakfast that consists of halwa, chana, aloo, and pickled onions served with two pooris. It is a tasty and nutritious breakfast that is available from 8 am to 11:30 am every day.
• Piyali Biryani: a biryani that is made with basmati rice, tender meat, and aromatic spices. It is a flavorful and fragrant dish that is served with raita and salad.
• Piyali Karahi: a karahi that is made with juicy meat, fresh tomatoes, onions, and spices. It is a spicy and tangy dish that is served with naan and salad.
• Piyali Naan: a naan that is baked in a tandoor and topped with butter, cheese, or garlic. It is a soft and fluffy bread that goes well with any dish.

How to Visit Piyali Restaurant?

Piyali Restaurant is located at D Chowk, near Shalman Park, Phase-2 Hayatabad, Peshawar. The restaurant is open from 8 am to 12 am every day. The restaurant accepts cash, credit cards, and online payments. The restaurant also offers online ordering and delivery through its website and Facebook page.

The restaurant can be contacted at (091) 5822237 for reservations, inquiries, and feedback. The restaurant also has a presence on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, where it posts updates, offers, and reviews.

Piyali Restaurant is a place that is worth visiting for anyone who wants to enjoy the authentic Pashtun cuisine in Peshawar. The restaurant offers a taste of Pashtun culture, hospitality, and food, in a modern and comfortable setting. The restaurant is a place where one can have a memorable and satisfying dining experience with their loved ones. Piyali Restaurant is a place that is not to be missed by any food lover.