Riyadh’s culinary landscape has been given a serious boost. If you’ve ever walked down Karachi’s energetic streets, Pakistan, you’ve likely heard about Burns Road. It’s not a street, it’s a living, breathing culinary memory bank for most. And that energy, that taste? It’s just been brought into the centre of Riyadh with the new opening of Burns Road Express at Ghirnatah Square.
Karachi’s Iconic Burns Road Food Arrives In Riyadh
For those brought up on bun kababs wrapped in newspaper, street-style smoky BBQ, and soul-talk biryani, this new establishment is far more than just a restaurant. It’s Karachi attitude with a side order of nostalgia, served piping hot.
A Street That Shaped Karachi’s Food Identity
Burns Road didn’t appear overnight. The name dates as far back as the 19th century, when it was named after a British doctor, James Burnes, who practised in British India. The street, over the course, became an epicentre where people from every part of Pakistan gathered. The Punjabis, the Memons, the Gaddis, the Qureshis, they all carried along with them their spices, styles, and recipes. The outcome? A street enriched with culture and unforgettable cuisine.
It has been catering to generations since the 1940s. And regardless of how fast the city expanded, Burns Road remained close to its roots. Spontaneous late-night chaats, sputtering karahi, spicy nihari, the whole daily cycle continues to be there. And it’s part of Riyadh’s daily cycle as well.
What To Expect At Burns Road Express Riyadh
You get all that defines desi street food. Piping hot haleem, paratha rolls that fall apart just right, and kebabs that hit the correct note where smoky is concerned. The biryani doesn’t hold back when it comes to masala, and the BBQ has that charcoal, smoky flavour that only real desi restaurants get right.
They’ve aced the setup as well. Al fresco sitting exudes laidback vibes, and the intimate setup is great for sharing plates and conversations. If you’re breaking your evening rut or meeting up with mates after work, it fits perfectly into Riyadh’s late-night eating scene.
Timings run from 12:30 PM till 2:00 AM. That means your post-midnight bun kabab cravings now have a reliable home.
For The Desi At Heart And Everybody Else
If you’re from around the area, you’re already familiar with the sentimental attachment to this kind of food. Even if you’re new to Pakistani tastes, however, you’re drawn, without question, to Burns Road Express. It’s not fusion. It’s not recreated. It’s good old Karachi-style cuisine, presented the way it should be.
And in Riyadh, where communities and cultures are tied together with food, authenticity counts.
Cover Image Courtesy: Burns Road Express Karachi/FB
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