Khabbay Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

I recently made a special trip from Sydney to Melbourne just to dine at Khabbay Restaurant, and I can confidently say it was worth every mile. Located at 140-146 Lygon St, Carlton, this gem has quickly become one of the best restaurants for Desi food I’ve ever experienced. As someone who craves authentic Pakistani and Indian flavors, Khabbay exceeded all my expectations with its vibrant dishes and warm hospitality.

From the moment I walked in, the cozy and family-friendly atmosphere made me feel right at home, despite being far from Sydney. The spacious dining area, filled with red vinyl seats as described in reviews, was buzzing with energy, and the staff were incredibly friendly, guiding me through their extensive menu with genuine enthusiasm. I started with their Beef Nihari, a slow-cooked masterpiece of shank and marrow infused with a fiery chilli-paprika spice mix that left a vibrant red oil glistening on top—an absolute delight for the senses. Paired with their kalwanji naan, dotted with nutty nigella seeds, every bite was a reminder of the rich culinary heritage of the subcontinent.

I also tried the Chicken Handi, a milder yet equally flavorful dish with a tangy yoghurt and tomato base that balanced perfectly with the spices. To finish, their cardamom and ginger-accented masala chai, served in a simple paper cup, was the perfect warming touch to end the meal. The authenticity of the food, often praised in reviews across platforms like TripAdvisor and The Age Good Food Guide 2025, truly shines through in every dish, making it a standout for anyone seeking genuine Pakistani cuisine.

What impressed me just as much as the food was the service. Despite the bustling environment, the staff remained attentive and kind, ensuring my experience was nothing short of exceptional. With a solid 4.5 rating on multiple platforms like Google and Restaurant Guru, based on thousands of reviews, it’s clear I’m not alone in my admiration for Khabbay. The pricing, described as moderate yet slightly overpriced by some, felt entirely justified to me given the quality and portion sizes—every dollar spent was an investment in an unforgettable culinary journey.

If you’re in Melbourne, or even if you’re not, Khabbay Restaurant is a must-visit destination for Desi food lovers. I came all the way from Sydney, and I’m already planning my next trip back. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience of culture, flavor, and warmth that sets a new standard for Pakistani and Indian dining. Keep up the incredible...

So here’s the thing, I really really really want to change this to a 5 star review in the coming months. This place has the potential, I’ve seen and experienced it. Not too long ago, this was my favourite Pakistani restaurant. Food was exceptional and the staff was friendly and helpful, but my last two visits have left me heartbroken

I’ll start with the good, the food is still good (except for my pani puri, but we will come to that later). The mutton is cooked to perfection and is worth coming down here just for that. Same with the nan and kulcha as well. In my previous visits I’ve tried their biriyani and so many other recipes too, which were all worthy of driving 30+ minutes to experience it. But you loose me when you put old, torn, wet leaves on the plate with pani puri…. Like I’m sorry to say but at this point it’s not a garnish, it looks like someone forgot to clean the plates.

Now for the real negatives, I only got two. Staff Cleanliness

The floor staff are not trained at all anymore, and honestly I would prefer QR codes to the current staff. Not friendly, not helpful and knows nothing much about service. I don’t expect you to smile at every customer, but maybe don’t come in and dump a bunch of plates and cutlery on the table please? Looks like a combination of lack of training and professionalism.

Cleanliness was never the strong suit of khabbay, but the place was relatively clean. But now it’s all sticky floors, sticky tables and a lingering smell. I wanted to use the washroom but was not brave enough to try and decided to hold it in till I get back home.

What once used to be a busy packed restaurant that I had to wait to get into is now a half empty shop in Lygon street with plenty of tables (some of them with dirty dishes left from the patrons who paid and gone a while ago)

This is a message to the management of Khabbay, please bring back the standards you maintained a while ago so that we food lovers can indulge in some GREAT...

We recently dined at a Pakistani restaurant and overall had a good experience with the food, though there were a few minor letdowns. We ordered a variety of dishes, including mutton, chicken, and Lahori Cholle, along with a few appetizers. The food was flavorful and well-prepared, capturing the essence of traditional Pakistani cuisine. The spices were balanced, and the meats were cooked nicely — tender and juicy, just the way they should be. The Lahori Cholle in particular was rich, good spiced gravy but missing the authentic taste.

While the main dishes were satisfying, one thing that caught us off guard was the absence of roghni naans. Given the popularity of this bread at most Pakistani restaurants, we were genuinely surprised that it wasn’t available on the menu. We had been looking forward to pairing our mains with soft, buttery roghni naan, so that was a bit disappointing. They did offer regular naan and other bread options, but it didn’t quite make up for the missing favorite.

Service-wise, everything went smoothly. The staff was courteous and attentive without being overbearing, and the ambiance was pleasant enough for a comfortable meal. The portion sizes were decent, and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time.

While we definitely enjoyed the meal, we wouldn’t call it the best Pakistani food we've ever had. It was tasty and enjoyable, but didn’t quite reach that next-level experience that would make it a top contender in our list of go-to spots. That said, it’s still worth a visit if you’re in the area and craving good Pakistani food — just don’t go in expecting all the classic staples to...