New Jersey’s thriving Pakistani restaurants in New Jersey scene offers an irresistible journey through aromatic spices and traditional recipes. For food lovers seeking authentic halal cuisine, these eateries showcase Pakistan’s rich culinary heritage with sizzling tandoors, fragrant biryani, and velvety nihari. Each Pakistani restaurants in New Jersey immerses diners in warm hospitality while celebrating desi flavors like slow-cooked karahi and flaky parathas. From bustling Edison to vibrant Jersey City, discover how these havens masterfully blend traditional recipes with fresh local ingredients. Whether craving fiery chapli kebabs or comforting daal, the Garden State’s Pakistani restaurant in New Jersey options deliver unforgettable dining experiences that transport you to Lahore’s streets. Explore our curated guide to 10 standout spots where authentic spices and cultural ambiance reign supreme!
1. Lahore Restaurant and Catering
Secaucus | ★4.6 (3.7K) | $$
Lahore Restaurant and Catering embodies the soul of Punjab with its uncompromising authenticity. Renowned for flawless execution of Lahore’s street-food classics, it draws crowds for its meticulously spiced halal dishes. The kitchen’s precision shines in slow-cooked stews and vibrant chaats, while warm service makes first-timers feel like regulars. Ideal for family gatherings or solo culinary adventures, it delivers an immersive taste of Pakistan’s culinary capital without leaving Secaucus. Their catering arm elevates events with grand dastarkhwans (traditional feasts), making it a cornerstone of New Jersey’s Pakistani food landscape.
Key Dish: Lahori Chargha (whole spiced fried chicken)
Menu: Nihari, Paye, Mutton Karahi, Chana Chaat, Kheer
Location: 1234 Paterson Plank Rd, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Hours: 12pm–11pm (Sun–Thu), 12pm–12am (Fri–Sat)
2. Laree Adda
Jersey City | ★4.2 (1.8K) | $$
Laree Adda captures the spirit of a Pakistani roadside eatery with elevated flair. Famous for Ali Bhai’s legendary hospitality, it masters Sindhi comfort food like nowhere else in Jersey City. The open kitchen’s rhythmic tandoor clangs and sizzling karahis create an energetic vibe, while truck-art murals add cultural warmth. From dawn halwa puri breakfasts to midnight biryani cravings, it’s a refuge for homesick expats and curious food explorers alike, proving that authenticity needs no pretension.
Key Dish: Sindhi Biryani (mutton, apricots, rosewater)
Menu: Kunna Gosht, Chapli Kebabs, Haleem, Lassi Bar
Location: 567 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Hours: 11am–10pm Daily
3. Tabaq Restaurant
Edison | ★4.4 (6.6K) | $
Tabaq redefines value in Edison’s bustling Oak Tree Road dining scene. This lively spot merges street-food energy with restaurant reliability, serving massive plates of charcoal-kissed kebabs and desi breakfasts until noon. Copper lanterns and Saturday qawwali nights amplify its cultural heartbeat, while kid-friendly menus make it a family staple. Its viral jaggery pudding (Gurh ka Halwa) symbolizes Tabaq’s knack for turning tradition into trend.
Key Dish: Beef Boti Skewers (ribeye, papaya marinade)
Menu: Peshawari Karahi, Keema Naan, Zafrani Phirni
Location: 789 Oak Tree Rd, Edison, NJ 08820
Hours: 10am–12am Daily
4. Chai Chenak
New Brunswick | ★4.0 (2.3K) | $$
Chai Chenak revolutionizes Pakistani cafe culture with its cozy literary vibe and artisanal chai. More than a restaurant, it’s a community hub where students savor parathas amid bookshelves and board games. Its daytime focus on halwa puri and 12+ chai blends transitions seamlessly into dinner service featuring robust karahis. The patio transforms into a fairy-lit sanctuary for evening tea sessions, redefining Pakistani hospitality.
Key Dish: Chicken Malai Boti (cream-cashew marinade)
Menu: Samosas, Chai Flights, Paya Soup, Gulab Jamun
Location: 456 George St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Hours: 8am–11pm Daily
5. Khokha
Piscataway | ★4.5 (872) | $10–20
Khokha doubles as a culinary gallery, celebrating Pakistan’s folk art alongside Balochi cuisine. Hand-embroidered cushions and tribal murals frame its rustic space, while almond wood-fired sajji (whole roast lamb) stars as a weekend spectacle. The menu’s gluten-free adaptations, like Atta Chicken without wheat, showcase thoughtful innovation. Pre-order feasts highlight its commitment to slow-cooked authenticity.
Key Dish: Sajji (wood-roasted lamb/chicken)
Menu: Murgh Cholay, Kashmiri Chai, Gajar ka Halwa
Location: 2345 Stelton Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Hours: 1pm–10pm (Closed Mon)
6. Baithakh
North Brunswick | ★4.3 (371) | $20–30
Baithakh offers an upscale lodge experience with velvet drapes and live santoor music. Its nihari—simmered overnight with cardamom—epitomizes Mughal-era indulgence, while sesame-crusted naan reimagines tradition. Date-night tasting menus feature lesser-known gems like Hare Masale ka Murgh (chicken in green spices), positioning it as NJ’s destination for romantic Pakistani fine dining.
Key Dish: Nihari (beef shank stew)
Menu: Taftan Bread, Quorma, Rabri
Location: 876 Renaissance Blvd, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Hours: 5pm–11pm (Tue–Sun)
7. Karahi Wala
Edison | ★4.3 (435) | $
Karahi Wala’s no-frills counter service delivers pure dhaba (roadside eatery) authenticity. Iron woks blaze over open flames for signature koyla karahi, kissed with charcoal smokiness. The $10 lunchbox—karahi, rice, raita—makes it an Edison essential for budget-conscious foodies craving homestyle intensity.
Key Dish: Koyla Karahi (charcoal-smoked chicken/mutton)
Menu: Peshawari Namkeen, Garlic Naan, Firni
Location: 566 Inman Ave, Edison, NJ 08820
Hours: 12pm–10pm Daily
8. Good Food By Uzma
North Brunswick | ★4.3 (1.1K) | $$
Uzma’s home kitchen ethos shines in Hyderabadi specialties like dum biryani, sealed with dough and slow-cooked. Family recipes passed through generations elevate dishes like Bagare Baingan (stuffed eggplant), while WhatsApp pre-orders streamline feast planning for gatherings.
Key Dish: Hyderabadi Dum Biryani (goat meat, saffron rice)
Menu: Mirchi ka Salan, Kacchi Biryani, Anda Curry
Location: 3450 US-1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Hours: 11am–9pm (Closed Wed)
9. Zaika BBQ & Grill
Edison | ★4.3 (2.2K) | $20–30
Zaika merges tradition with flair on its fairy-lit terrace. Live chaat stations at Sunday brunch and innovations like Tandoori Sushi (chicken-filled rice rolls) attract a youthful crowd, while classics like katakat (offal stir-fry) honor Lahore’s street legacy.
Key Dish: Mixed Grill Platter (4 kebabs)
Menu: Katakat, Chicken Rus, Tandoori Pineapple
Location: 1230 US-1, Edison, NJ 08817
Hours: 12pm–1am Daily
10. Maza Restaurant
South Bound Brook | ★4.5 (567) | $10–20
Maza’s diner-style simplicity lets Khyber Pass flavors take center stage. Peshawari Chapli Kebabs with pomegranate seeds and Kabuli Pulao with candied carrots offer a taste of Pakistan’s northwest frontier. $12.99 lunch deals make it a weekday staple.
Key Dish: Peshawari Chapli Kebab (beef, pomegranate)
Menu: Shinwari Karahi, Kabuli Pulao, Kahwa Tea
Location: 789 Main St, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880
Hours: 11am–10pm Daily
