A-One Snacks

A-One is located in main Defence Market, Phase 1, and also near Khayaban-e-Ittehad. Their deals are very affordable. For example, the one pictured above was for less than Rs 200 (drink was ordered seperately). Their shakes are rumored to be great too. I had their cold coffee, which was amazing.

Verdict: Great eating for families at affordable rates.

Cafe Fresh

Cafe Fresh Juice Zone - an international food franchise - is located on main Zamzama Boulevard; smack in the middle. We went there for coffee.

The dining area offers a combination of tables, chairs, and couches.

They have regular cafe stuff plus a variety of juices and smoothies. We ordered a Peach smoothie too, but didn't like it very much. :-/

Their coffee menu

Cafe Mocha for Rs 190 - it was good! It was in a very large cup and it tasted great. 

The environment was not too kid friendly, but the staff was still polite when my 2 year old son decided to throw salt from its shaker on to a table.

Verdict: I'll pass it next time.

New Chullu Subhani Restaurant, Saddar

Tucked away in main Saddar, downtown Karachi, is vintage Chullu Subhani Cafe (also known as Chilo or Chelo Kababs)

The eatery is located right opposite the Caltex petrol station, next to Hotel Sarawana.

Amazing Iranian Chilo/Chelo/Chullu Kababs have been served here for years, in beef, chicken and fish.

The prices are very reasonable, with the serving size leaving nothing to be desired. We have also tried their Prawn Masala (Rs 230), which was delicious!

The Chullu Dishes are all herded under a seperate "Dishes for Foreigners" category on the menu, because of their lighter, less spicy taste.

The hygiene level of the restaurant is not exactly 5-star, so its not a 'posh' food outlet. There is a smaller, more private family room upstairs, where 5-6 familes can dine.

Moong Daal Fry - Rs 55 - the best daal I have had a in a very long time!

Fluffy naan's - hot from the oven!

Chullu Kabab Makhsoos - Rs 220: butter rice, one seekh of beef Chullu kabab, 7 pieces boneless chicken boti (hidden under the rice in the picture), two grilled tomatoes and French fries. One such dish easily suffices two adults.

Chullu Fish - Rs 200: two crumb-fried fish fillets with butter rice and grilled tomatoes

Fish and Chips (there were two crumb-fried fillets) - only Rs 100!

Further down the road from Chullu Subhani Cafe is the famous Ice Berg ice cream parlor. For Rs 30, you get a cup full of creamy ice cream in several flavors. If you want to know how good Ice Berg really is, then recall the layered, frozen hard-as-brick, chocolate/vanilla/crunch ice cream that you sometimes eat at local weddings? Well, Ice Berg produces that ice cream (they cater for functions too).

Verdict: Excellent food! If you do not mind eating great food at not-so-posh places, this is a must-visit. Excellent value for money; a refreshing change from Clifton and Defence. :)

Cafe Ciao, 6th Lane, Zamzama

Cafe Ciao is located on the far end of 6th Commercial Lane, Zamzama Boulevard, Phase 5 D.H.A, Karachi.

It is owned by an Italian company called Manuel.

The cafe has 2 floors, and a cosy ambience hued in amber, rust, and beige. 

Some wraps, pastas and sandwiches are on offer in the menu as well, in addition to the usual coffee and desserts.

Er, they need to print new menu cards. Notice the fat stains on them?

Anyway, if you peer closely enough, you'll see that desserts are priced between Rs 100 and Rs 400 a piece.

The coffee menu - and the stains reflecting the camera flash!

The television blaring out the usual stuff that clogs our minds so much that we crave coffee and rich desserts. :)

The cafe is kid-friendly and family oriented. This was someone else's kid sleeping peacefully on the couch at the table where we decided to sit. We didn't wake him up. :)

Cappuccino Grande (Large) for Rs 250.

Chocolate Chip Cookie for Rs 70

Another shot of the "Cappuccino Grande".

This Mochaccino was amazing for Rs 225. 

You can see that the specially-trained staff is quite good at "Latte Art". They have been trained by Manuel, or so I've heard.

Hot Chocolate (Dark Choc) for Rs 260. 

This was extremely sweet and insipid; hardly "dark" or rich. A huge disappointment!

Choco-Chunk Brownies for Rs 260

My verdict: Would definitely like to visit again, especially to try the pasta or wraps, insha'Allah. 

The cafe has a very laid-back atmosphere, where you can just hang out without even ordering a lot on the menu. This means that the waiters will not come repeatedly to clear away your table or to ask you if you want to order anything more (hinting at you to leave, as is mostly the case in other eateries). It is more like a "lounge". Also, as I mentioned, the cafe is very kid-riendly. So if your kids decide to jump on the couch, the waiters will not notice (hopefully). :)

Note: It is a smoking zone, so if you have little children, you might want to go when the smokers are elsewhere.