Best Restaurants Serving Classic Balti & Pakistani Dishes in Skardu

Skardu’s culinary scene is an unexpected delight tucked beneath the Karakoram peaks—where centuries-old Balti tradition meets modern cafés and resort dining. Visitors arrive hungry for more than views: they come to taste buttery apricot sauces, fresh mountain trout, slow-cooked mutton, and the region’s warming soups and breads. At local family-run eateries and hotel restaurants, chefs lean on locally sourced ingredients—apricots, barley, yak/ox/mutton where available, and freshwater trout from nearby rivers—creating flavors that reflect Skardu’s landscape and seasonal produce. Barbecue is a local favorite, with tandoor or open-flame grills producing succulent kebabs and tikka that pair perfectly with hearty flatbreads. Resorts and heritage sites (like Shangrila Resort and Shigar Fort) balance authenticity with comfort: menu offerings there include Balti classics alongside Pakistani and continental dishes for travelers seeking variety. Street-side stalls and food-street clusters around Kazmi Bazaar and Benazir Chowk provide quick, wallet-friendly bites—ice cream stalls, fried fish counters, and small grills—while cafés in the town center offer coffee, bakery items, and light international fare for slower afternoons. Food in Skardu is seasonal and communal: guests often find shared platters, fresh-made breads, and dishes cooked over wood or charcoal that intensify aroma and texture. For food-minded travelers, the joy of Skardu is sampling a bit of everything—begin with an apricot-based starter or soup, follow with grilled trout or mutton karahi, and finish with local sweets or a kulfi-style ice cream. Practical travel tip: many small eateries do not publish full menus online, so ask hotel staff or locals for recommendations and opening hours (especially in shoulder seasons); popular resort restaurants usually accept reservations. Whether you’re after rustic Balti specialties, cooling lakeside dining, or quick street snacks between trekking days, Skardu delivers genuine regional food that’s both comforting and adventurous

Best Restaurants In Skardu