Your choice of where to go for iftar this week just got easier - Instep rounds up the top iftaris in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad so that you don’t need to waste any of that precious energy while your fast debating the merits of different restaurants. We’ve done the hard part; all you need to do now is exercise those taste buds.

Karachi

Café Aylanto

Exclusivity sums up Café Aylanto’s appeal in one word. Situated on a quiet side street in the vicinity of Clifton, the café is a welcome serene addition to the loud metropolis that is Karachi. That being said,don’t expect a dull menu when goingthere for iftar, for the place boasts some of the most interesting gastronomic delights this Ramzan.

The iftar commences in a traditional way with dates and salt served at the table along with a shot glass of Aab-e-ZamZam to break the fast. After that, it’s a food lover’s spread straight from heaven. Boasting a variety of salads, breads and traditional iftar items as well as continental and Middle Eastern starters like Fish and Chips and Spinach Feta Koftas, a lavish buffet is served before the main courses are available. However, be ready to stand in a line between some really hungry, rumbling tummies as the queue moves slowly in a space that is rather congested. But, one can probably let that go since the food is well worth the wait.

On to the main course - the buffet offers an assortment of around twelve dishes ranging from the Mediterranean to the Oriental. The freshly baked wood-oven margarita pizza served right at the table is an additional treat. And if this entire experience still doesn’t fill your stomach, check out the dessert table that is a sweet tooth’s delight. If nothing else, the authentic-tasting Tiramisu is sure to transfer you to the piazzas in Rome. The buffet also includes drinks such as mint lemonade, tea and coffee in its price.

Verdict: Termed by many Karachi’ites as one of the most expensive iftar deals of this year, expect to pay PKR 2,095 (excluding taxes) per person at this upscale eatery. However, if a good time out of the house is what you desire, look no further.

Chatterbox Café

From its quirky décor to its short but exquisite menu, one can always expect Chatterbox Café to deliver something out of the box. The iftar deal is unique as well, thanks to a menu designed for the smart-eating urban chic.

Slightly different than the usual offerings of a buffet, Chatterbox has a set menu through which one can choose their favourite options for a main course.The iftar platter and dessert trio remain consistent for all orders. The entrée options might seem a tad limited, but what they lack in terms of variety they make up for in taste. With a choice between two chicken dishes accompanied with different sauces to oriental options in beef and noodles, one really can get stuck deciding what would taste the best. The short answer being, all of it.

The iftar platter boasts some interesting items such as South East Asian Sambal and rustic Italian pesto canapés along with the traditional items we’ve all come to enjoy, like samosas and chaat.While the platter could do a lot better in terms of taste, the main course and dessert more than make up for its shortcomings.

The trio of desserts served in the deal is a delight. With a choice of strawberry cheesecake, pavlova and chocolate, there is something to suit all taste buds and all three items offer up delicious mouthfuls. Pair that with the choice of mint lemonade or watermelon juice, and one is set for a refreshingly fresh iftar.

Verdict: While there are things that definitely need to be looked at such as the quality of the iftar platter and limited choices for the main course, Chatterbox Café does justice to the relatively budget-friendly pricing of PKR 1,095 (excluding taxes). Go for the desserts if nothing else interests.

Lahore

Tokyo

Those of you looking for something beyond the traditional iftar buffets that often tend to serve a variety of below-average food should definitely visit Tokyo at least once this Ramzan. This Japanese eatery in Lahore’s Gulberg had gained a reputation for providing delectable and authentic Japanese delicacies and their iftar deal doesn’t disappoint.

The meal commences with a simple iftari consisting of dates and a fruit cocktail accompanied by a chilled glass of either lemonade or fresh juice. The absence of the usual greasy culprits from the table ensures that your appetite remains intact for the delicious meal that is to follow. The beauty of Japanese cuisine, after all, is that it fills you up despite being surprisingly light, and we’re glad the restaurant has stayed true to its signature and not tried to incorporate desi items that wouldn’t gel with its overall ambience.

From the traditional Japanese Miso soup to sushi that is delicious in its freshness, Nana wings with just the right amount of spiciness and prawn tempura that provides an appetizing crunch to the meal, the starters offer a variety of options to choose from. The main course consists of red snapper and chicken teppanyaki, accompanied by a side of stir fried veggies and garlic rice - well-seasoned, clean flavours that don’t override the tastebuds. Round off this scrumptious meal with a choice of either bread pudding or molten lava cake and ocha tea (Japenese green tea) for a culinary experience that is flavourful and authentic.

Verdict: While the restaurant could benefit from sprucing up its interior a little bit, the menu on offer provides a taste of Tokyo that is at par with the high-end Japanese eateries found at hotels such as Avari. At PKR 2,155 (plus tax) it comes at a price though.

Spice Bazaar

If desi is what your heart desires at the end of a long and tiring roza, and that too in copious amounts, head over to the newly-opened Spice Bazaar to avail their expansive iftar buffer menu. Spice Bazaar is owned by the same people who introduced the Chinese restaurant Yum and the café English Tea House to Lahore’s ever-expanding dining scene and if there’s one thing the owners know, it’s how to cater to popular taste.

If you like to start off slow, help yourself to the iftar platter which includes small portions of every iftari staple you can think of: fruit chaat, dahibaray, chicken wings, pakoras, kachoris, finger fish and shamikebas with a twist (these are stuffed with paneer and mint). Wash it down with a refreshing concoction of plum and mint juice and sit back and relax before heading off to the buffet area where a feast awaits.

The buffet will leave you spoilt for choice. There is a variety of traditional rice and curry dishes to choose from, including Mutton Korma Badami, Achari Chicken and Fish Curry to name a few, but what really stands out is the live cooking counter serving up exotic local specialties. From kunna and haleem to Payas and the star attraction, Stuffed Whole Lamb, there really is something to suit all taste buds. Except of course, if you happen to be vegetarian because this is primarily a meat-lover’s heaven. The barbeque section has Mutton Chops, Fried Battair and the usual assortment of kebabs on offer. If you have room after all this, do stop by the dessert corner as well for a taste of desi as well as continental sweets.

Verdict: With so much on offer, it’s understandable if some of the dishes aren’t top-notch but the overall quality of the buffet dinner is definitely above average at this high-end Pakistani restaurant. The meal will set you back PKR 1,950 (plus tax) per ahead, so go only if you feel you can do justice to the vast menu.

Islamabad

Tuscany Courtyard

This Italian-themed restaurant in Islamabad is popular with locals as much for its food as for its stylish ambience. The iftar buffet that it is serving up for this month is extensive, consisting of house favourites such as the Tuscan Chicken and Penne Alfredo (cooked at the live pasta station) as well as seafood and vegetarian options. The roast chicken at the live carving station is juicy and tender, although it would be nice if the portioned out pieces weren’t so tiny. The dessert selection is scrumptious and includes all the usual favourites such as mango custard, chocolate mousse, bread pudding and tiramisu. The live jalebi station, serving the desi sweets straight from the wok, is a nice touch.

The iftar platter served at the beginning of the meal offers a selection of small bites that include mini sandwiches, pakoras, chicken and mushroom patties and vegetable rolls.

Verdict: At PKR 1,695, the iftar at Tuscany Courtyard offers a wide range of continental favourites to choose from. Some of the pasta dishes on offer could do with the addition of more flavor, and there have been complaints of food running out given the popularity of the buffet, but it’s worth checking out.