Pakistani Food in Connecticut: 10 Must-Try Dishes

Connecticut has a growing appetite for South Asian cuisine, but for diners who are new to Pakistani food, the menu can sometimes feel unfamiliar. What is karahi? How is nihari different from other meat curries? Which biryani should you try first?

Pakistani cuisine is known for hearty dishes, grilled meats, aromatic rice, slow-cooked curries, fresh breads, and bold spice combinations. It also varies by region, so a Pakistani restaurant may offer everything from smoky kebabs and tandoori dishes to rich gravies and comforting traditional specialties.

For anyone looking to explore Pakistani food in Connecticut, these ten dishes are a great place to start.

What Makes Pakistani Cuisine Different?

Pakistani cuisine is part of the broader South Asian food tradition, with strong regional influences from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and other parts of the country. Meat, rice, lentils, vegetables, yogurt, herbs and spices all play important roles.

Cooking methods are just as important as the ingredients. Some dishes are slowly simmered for hours, while others are cooked in a traditional tandoor or prepared quickly in a karahi over high heat.

That variety is one of the best things about Pakistani dining. One meal can include fragrant basmati rice, a rich curry, smoky kebabs and fresh naan, giving you several completely different flavors in the same experience.

10 Pakistani Dishes to Try in Connecticut

1. Biryani

Biryani is one of the best-known South Asian rice dishes, and Pakistani versions are especially popular for their fragrant basmati rice, layered cooking technique and combination of spices.

At Riwayat, the menu includes chicken, goat, vegetable and shrimp biryani. The chicken version combines basmati rice with marinated chicken, saffron, fried onions and aromatic spices, while the goat biryani offers tender meat layered with fragrant rice and traditional seasonings.

For a first taste of Pakistani cuisine, biryani is an easy choice because it offers a good introduction to the spices and textures used throughout the cuisine.

2. Chicken Karahi

Karahi is a classic Pakistani preparation traditionally cooked in a wok-like pan called a karahi. It is known for bold flavors and a fresh combination of tomatoes, ginger, garlic, chilies and spices.

Riwayat’s Chicken Karahi uses bone-in chicken with fresh tomatoes, ginger, garlic and traditional spices. The menu also features several other karahi variations, including goat and Shanwari-style preparations.

If you enjoy savory, tomato-based dishes with a noticeable kick, karahi is a dish worth ordering.

3. Goat Karahi

Goat karahi brings a deeper, richer flavor to the same cooking tradition. The meat is cooked with tomatoes, ginger, garlic and spices until tender, making it a popular choice for diners who enjoy hearty meat dishes.

Riwayat offers both Goat Karahi and Goat Shanwari Karahi, with the latter taking inspiration from Peshawari cooking and using a simpler combination of tomatoes, green chilies and traditional spices.

4. Nihari

Nihari is a slow-cooked meat dish with roots in the Indian subcontinent and a strong place in Pakistani food culture. Its rich, spiced gravy develops through long cooking, creating a dish that is especially comforting with fresh naan.

At Riwayat, Nihari is prepared as a daily special, with the chef’s choice of goat or beef.

This is a good option for someone who prefers deeply seasoned food over grilled dishes.

5. Haleem

Haleem has a completely different texture from biryani or karahi. It is a thick, slow-cooked preparation made with grains, lentils and meat, resulting in a hearty dish with a smooth, rich consistency.

Riwayat serves Haleem as a rotating daily special, prepared fresh and available according to the day’s selection.

For first-time diners, haleem is worth trying when available because it represents another side of Pakistani comfort food.

6. Chicken Tikka

Chicken tikka is a popular grilled dish made with marinated boneless chicken cooked in a tandoor. The high heat creates a smoky exterior while keeping the meat tender inside.

Riwayat’s chicken tikka is marinated with yogurt and spices before being grilled in the tandoor.

It is one of the easiest Pakistani dishes to recommend to someone who enjoys grilled chicken and wants to explore South Asian flavors.

7. Seekh Kebab

Seekh kebab is made from seasoned minced meat shaped around skewers and grilled. Depending on the preparation, it can be made with chicken, beef or other meats.

Riwayat offers chicken or beef seekh kebab, combining minced meat with fresh herbs, onions and house spices before grilling.

Order it with naan, rice or as part of a mixed grill for a traditional Pakistani barbecue-style meal.

8. Chapli Kebab

Chapli kebab is a specialty associated particularly with northwestern Pakistan. Unlike a skewer-shaped seekh kebab, chapli kebab is typically flatter and combines minced meat with herbs, chilies and spices.

Riwayat’s version can be prepared with chicken or beef and includes fresh herbs, crushed red chilies and aromatic spices.

It is a particularly interesting choice for diners who want to explore a more regional Pakistani specialty.

9. Chicken Bihari Kebab

Bihari kebab is known for thinly sliced, highly seasoned meat that is marinated before being grilled. The combination of yogurt and spices gives the dish a smoky flavor and tender texture.

Riwayat offers Chicken Bihari Kebab as part of its tandoori selection, along with beef Bihari kebab.

If you enjoy smoky grilled dishes, this is one of the menu items worth adding to your list.

10. Garlic Naan

No Pakistani meal is complete without fresh bread, and naan is one of the most versatile choices. It is ideal for scooping up karahi, nihari and other rich gravies.

Riwayat’s Garlic Naan is baked in the tandoor, brushed with butter and finished with fresh garlic and herbs. The menu also includes plain naan, sesame naan, cheese naan, keema naan and other breads.

For first-time diners, pairing garlic naan with a curry or karahi is a simple way to experience how Pakistani breads complement the main dishes.

What Should You Order If You’re New to Pakistani Food?

A little variety is usually the best approach.

For a first meal, you could combine:

Chicken Biryani + Chicken Karahi + Chicken Tikka + Garlic Naan

That gives you four different experiences: aromatic rice, a rich tomato-based dish, tandoori grilling and fresh bread.

For something more traditional and meat-focused, try:

Goat Karahi + Seekh Kebab + Garlic Naan

And when Nihari or Haleem is available as a daily special, they are worth considering if you want to explore slower-cooked Pakistani comfort food.

Where to Try Pakistani Food in Connecticut

For diners searching for Pakistani food in Connecticut, Central Connecticut offers an opportunity to explore South Asian cuisine without having to travel far from communities such as Berlin and the surrounding area.

Located at 237 New Britain Road in Berlin, CT, Riwayat Restaurant brings Pakistani and broader South Asian dishes together in an upscale dining setting. Its menu includes biryani, karahi, tandoori dishes, kebabs, traditional specialties, naan and Indian favorites.

That variety makes it possible for a group to enjoy different styles of South Asian food at the same table, whether someone prefers grilled meats, vegetarian dishes, rice dishes or traditional Pakistani specialties.

Explore Pakistani Cuisine at Riwayat Restaurant

Trying Pakistani food for the first time doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a familiar favorite such as biryani or chicken tikka, then branch out into karahi, nihari, haleem and regional kebabs.

At Riwayat Restaurant in Berlin, Connecticut, the menu brings together traditional Pakistani specialties with Indian and broader South Asian dishes, giving diners plenty of ways to explore the cuisine.

Explore the full Riwayat Restaurant menu to see the current selection and find your next Pakistani favorite.

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