Chatkharay Breakfast, Clifton Block 3

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Chatkharay needs no introduction for Karachi dwellers. 

A new branch of the eatery has opened it's doors in Clifton block 3, a stone's throw away from South City Hospital and located right next to Anjarwala's bakery and sweet shop.

Recently, the branch has undergone a much-advertised interior renovation. 

It serves breakfast all days of the week, starting 8 a.m.

You can see that it does look much better inside now. 

They advertise a daily brunch too, which is not a very elaborate affair, but when we arrived a few minutes after 8:00 a.m, there was no sign of the same. 

Better to call them ahead at 021-35874815-7 and ask.

Their menu at a glance. Take a look at the full menu here. 

When the weather gets really hot in Karachi, early morning breakfasts start gaining value over lunch outings (at least for our family), because we try to avoid the scorching midday heat.

Halwa puri standard fare. 

If you want to have halwa puri in an air-conditioned setting early on a weekday morning (and if you don't mind paying a bit extra for this), Chatkharay is a good option.

 The aaloo bhujia and cholay were very mildly spiced, with the puri's made and served fresh. None of us had any major complains.

Unlike that served every morning at Dera (Boat Basin), this aaloo bhujia had no scraps of potato peels in it.

Cheese paratha with cream cheese and chopped veggies inside. 

The red chilli chutney that came along with this paratha was awesome!

 As probably apparent, this was more than adequately filling....enough for 2 people! Leftovers were packed for later.

Pakistani omelet.

This was clearly prepared in haste, and we had to complain to the server that it was served last (even after the stuffed paratha - pictured below -and tea).

Nevertheless, the taste was pretty alright.

I forgot to photograph the mug of freshly blended sweet lassi, which was really good (we went for seconds).  

The doodh patti tea, however, could be easily given a pass (too many bits of cream floating on top of it.....meh).

Verdict: Worth it. Go enjoy an early-bird weekday breakfast before the midday heat sets in. The weather will be mild between 8 and 9 a.m. during the coming summer months.

Just beware: the beggars thronging this area rise early to start their job too. Sigh. :-/

Daily Dubai Restaurant, Badar Commercial Area, Phase 5 ext., Defence

Located on street 10 in Badar Commercial Area, in Defence phase 5, almost off main Saba Avenue, is the recently inaugurated Daily Dubai Restaurant. 

It is right next to the famous Meerath Kabab House that has also opened recently next to Dandee's Chaat and Fruit Juices on the same corner.

The restaurant occupies the entire 4-storey commercial building.

The owners seem to have left no stone unturned in investing in the decor and ambience of the restaurant.

We were surprised to spot these security video cameras installed on every floor. Even the elevator was top-notch, with audio announcements of the floors.

Families are usually seated on the first floor and up.

The wall-mounted plasma television sets were showing a World Cup match on the night we dined here, as the transfixed gazes of the restaurant's staff demonstrate. :)

The fare on offer is typical Pakistani cuisine, at the same rates as any other good restaurant located in Defence, Karachi.

I must say that the quality of the restaurant is laudable, from the ambience, to the decor and technology in use, to the complete lack of spelling errors in the menu! :)

Daily Dubai is famous for its paye, but on our first visit, we were in the mood for simple Beef Nihari, which didnot disappoint one bit! Priced at Rs 200 per serving, it was more than enough for two people.

The traditional accompaniments of Nihari: lemons, chopped ginger and green chillies.

Mutton trotters (Bakray ke paye) for Rs 300, photographed on a subsequent visit. 

I update this post with photographs of any new items that we order on further visits to Daily Dubai.

Priced at Rs 100, we ordered moong daal to accompany the meat dish(es) on both visits.

Green Chicken Tikka for Rs 140. This was nothing to write home about. 

The naans were hot and fluffy.

Sheer maal for the little ones.

The kheer was amazing, at just Rs 40 per two katora's.

Chocolate Chip and Vanilla Ice Cream, priced at Rs 40 per scoop.

Traditional kulfi priced at just Rs 50 was a wonderful sweet treat!

Recently, Daily Dubai started Sunday breakfast - the usual desi halwa puri fare.

Sooji Ka Halwa - for Rs 50

Channa Tarkari -  for Rs 50

Aloo Tarkari - Rs 50

Puri's - Rs 20 each

Sweet Lassi - Rs 50

Doodh Patti tea - Rs 40

I must say that the Sunday Breakfast was a huge hit! It is served till 4 p.m every Sunday. Each and every item that we ordered was delicious, especially the puri's. Also, the prices were very reasonable for the quantity and quality of the dishes.

Verdict: At Daily Dubai, we almost always like everything: the food, the ambience, the ultra-clean environment, the use of latest technology, and last but not least, the humble politeness of the staff. 

Eating here has become a regular feature for our family by now. Highly recommended! 

Halwa Puri Breakfast, Boat Basin, Clifton

Boat Basin has always been famous for the traditional halwa puri breakfast it offers on weekend mornings. Numerous eateries along the line that offer barbeque by night, open their doors early in the mornings on Saturdays and Sundays to offer rich but delicious delcacies to their customers.

Reportedly, the workers are up since 5 a.m to whisk up the breakfast items.

We arrived late, at 10:30 a.m, but breakfast was still going strong.

This is where we sat to dine; or rather, squatted.

School students and families were in abundance, especially groups of young teenaged lads.

Paratha, aloo bhaji and sooji (semolina) halwa. Obviously this kind of eating out is not for high-maintenance germophobes who can't 'get down and dirty' to rough it once in a while.:)

Omelette and puri's. Health-conscious salad-leaf nibblers, this breakfast is obviously not for you. ;)

Wash it down with hot doodh patti (strong, sweet tea brewed in milk).

Verdict: Dining alfresco in the cool morning breeze - a great option for an occasional family outing on weekend mornings! Try it some day.

BBQ Tonite, Clifton

BBQ Tonite is one of the most popular, vintage, smoothly-run and booming restaurants in Karachi. 

As this picture reveals, its been going strong for over 2 decades now.

More than a decade ago, they were running only from the ground floor of this building. Now, they have occupied the whole three floors of it, in addition to the rooftop.

This barbecue and grill station just outside the entrance of the restaurant, amidst the sprawling parking area,  shows the chefs in action.

Originally, BBQ Tonite (as the name suggests) was open only for dinner. They now also serve lunch and Sunday breakfast. Also, they have added many items to their previously next-to-nothing dessert menu.
This place is obviously growing by leaps and bounds each year.

The restaurant has four seating levels, all of which are full to capacity on most nights, with significant turnover (viz. a table fills up as soon as it is vacated). A long queue of families exists at the entrance, waiting their turn.

We opt for the secluded corner tables on the rooftop side terrace, which enable us to enjoy the cool sea breeze under the night sky whilst dining "alfresco". :)

It is in no way easy on the wallet to dine here. However, BBQ Tonite's steep prices never deter their customers.

Their steaks are quite good, and cost as much as in other restaurants.

"Special" Hot 'n Sour soup.

It had tofu, prawns and mushrooms in it, in addition to the usual ingredients. It was very delicious!

Chicken Tikka's, Puri Paratha's and Garlic Naan.

Chicken Steak for Rs 400, with Fresh Lime. Two generous chicken breast fillets topped with a slice of cheddar cheese and oodles of barbecue sauce, served with one baked potato and boiled vegetables on the side.

A glass of traditional sugar cane juice for Rs 75

BBQ Special Platter - Rs 5000

The view of the Clifton roundabout from the rooftop terrace, where we sat.

South City Hospital is visible in the distance.

Recently, BBQ Tonite has started a breakfast buffet on Sundays. 

This sumptuous, all-inclusive breakfast buffet can be enjoyed only on Sundays from 8 a.m to noon, for Rs 525 per head (taxes inclusive). 

Update: The breakfast price is now Rs 650 per head.

It is fun to eat out early on Sunday mornings, once in a while, and enjoy mouth-watering omelets (custom-made for you live by chefs) bursting with olives, mushrooms, vegetables and cheddar cheese, accompanied by hot tawa paratha's and freshly squeezed orange juice. 

You don' get all of that at home, unless meticulous preparation is done in advance.

What more is on offer at the buffet: the entire variety of halwa puri, channa, aalo bhujia, nihari, paye, mutton mince (qeema), naans (flatbreads); a variety of breads and cereals, freshly prepared eggs, bowls of fresh seasonal and tinned fruit, salad, boiled eggs, sarson ka saag with makai (corn) ki roti (pictured above), chicken sausages, hash browns (looking more like potato cutlets, as shown in the picture above), pasta in white sauce, French toast and unlimited orange/grapefruit juice, lassi, tea and coffee.

The cute little pancakes. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised how well these were made: very fluffy and golden brown on both sides. 

A coffee machine was available for ordering fresh, hot cappuccino. It was great!
You could ask for black coffee, regular coffee, or cappuccino.

 Another shot of pancakes with maple syrup. The children loved having them!

Penne pasta in white sauce was also part of the menu. Scrumptious and creamy.

Brownies, croissants, fruitcake, bran and white toasted bread, canned and fresh fruit (apples, figs, apricots and melons) were also available.

Verdict: The food is high-quality, as is everything else at BBQ Tonite. The waiters wear gloves whilst handling the crockery, so you can imagine the kind of quality control in place. 


Tip: if you want a seating arrangement of your choice for dinner, arrive early (before 9 p.m), otherwise parking your vehicle and acquiring a good table could prove to be a test of your patience.


The Sunday breakfast/brunch buffet was thoroughly enjoyed by our family. Our children aged 5.5 and 3.5, were not charged. I recommend that whoever wants to have this buffet arrive early i.e. before 10 a.m. If you arrive after 11 a.m, you'll have to face a lot of crowds in front of the food platters and long lines before the fresh fruit juice and egg-frying stations. Also, you'll be dealing with more frazzled waiters and have less choice of good sitting places. 


To see the official promotional video of the Sunday breakfast buffet, please click here.