Buffets in Islamabad come in three flavours: the afternoon hi-tea, a long spread of chaat, BBQ, Chinese and desserts that has become the capital’s favourite way to celebrate; the hotel and rooftop dinner buffet; and, in Ramadan, the iftar buffet that sells out weeks ahead. The best of them balance variety with dishes that actually taste good, rather than piling on fillers.
These are the buffet and hi-tea spots the city rates most highly, from thousands of Google reviews. Prices are per head and change often, so check the current rate and timings when you book, and reserve early for weekends, birthdays and every evening in Ramadan.
Yum Chinese & Thai
An F-7/2 favourite whose buffet comes up in well over a hundred reviews. The hi-tea and lunch buffets mix Chinese and Thai dishes with desi favourites, and the prawns are a highlight. Book ahead and ask for the air-conditioned floor — the rooftop level is open-air.
The Dome
On the Daman-e-Koh road above E-7, The Dome pairs sweeping views over the city with a dinner buffet, alongside BBQ platters and butter chicken handi from the menu. Come in the late afternoon to enjoy the view in daylight; reviewers call it a good alternative to Monal.
Tandoori Restaurant (Faisal Town)
A busy Faisal Town restaurant whose hi-tea buffet — with tandoori dishes, dum biryani and mandi — is a family favourite, along with its iftar buffet in Ramadan. Popular for celebrations, and service stays quick even when it’s full.
Asian Wok
The Beverly Centre branch of Asian Wok is a go-to for hi-tea, with Chinese favourites like chow mein, beef chilli dry and the special fried rice, plus free refills of mint margarita. It’s lively during hi-tea hours and calmer afterwards.
Laiba Restaurant
The Holiday Inn’s restaurant in G-6 Civic Centre serves a fresh, varied buffet lunch, and there’s a rooftop BBQ too. A quieter, good-value choice in the middle of the city.
Hanif Rajput Rooftop Grill
A rooftop restaurant on the sixth floor of Pak China Mall in G-9’s Karachi Company, known for BBQ platters, mutton karahi, biryani served in a clay pot and shahi tukray. In Ramadan it lays out a full iftar spread.
Havana Terraces
A rooftop restaurant on the fifth floor of the Grand Islamabad Hotel in E-11, with a relaxing terrace setting. BBQ platters, karahi and beef or chicken mandi lead the menu, and its iftar buffet is a Ramadan favourite; service can be slow when it’s busy.
Jacaranda Family Club
A family recreation club in DHA Phase 2 with restaurants, indoor sports, a cinema and bowling. Its hi-tea buffet is good value with hot, well-stocked food, and it runs iftar deals in Ramadan; there’s plenty of parking.
Basha Istanbul F-7
An elegant Turkish restaurant in F-7 Markaz known for BBQ platters, lamb chops, hummus and kunafa, served on beautiful crockery. In Ramadan it runs an iftar buffet that books up quickly.
Fig & Olive
A polished restaurant at One Piccadilly in Gulberg, popular for birthdays, with steaks, tres leches and cheesecake on the menu. It hosts an iftar buffet in Ramadan.
Islamabad Marriott Hotel
The Marriott on Agha Khan Road is known for its generous hotel buffets — the breakfast buffet gets special praise — in classic five-star surroundings.
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