URWA'S Pakistani , indian Cuisine & Flavour (Dine In, Takeout and Catering) — Restaurant in Waterloo

12:15 am I had been driving around all night, on the road for an hour straight. Hungry, I pulled up to a plaza with some lights on it, thinking I might find a pizza slice to satiate my stomach. but pizza, again? How many times can I have bread sauce and cheese?

I saw beside it a Pakistani food place and they were open. I saw some fish special and thought it would be worth a look.

Opening the door I was greeted warmly with colours of a land I never saw before. The host came from the back and greeted me. I knew my eyes looked tired but saw no judgement and only an energetic welcome from the host

I picked up the printed menu and quickly decided on a combo plate with rice and 2 curries.

"take out or dine in?"

what? I could eat here? ok I will.

I sat down inside a strong deep wooden booth that felt like it could hold the weariest of travellers for a moment of rest.

Every colour in the space respected each other, the contrasts of what glittered sat comfortably within the wide tones of earth.

Before I blinked 10 times, piping hot food was gracefully placed before me. A moving scene displayed itself as colours began to elevate one at a time across the table.

It all felt intentional. Not one piece, or colour or placement seemed random. The dish was a slowly revealing painting that became more visible the more rice was eaten. The paneer floated with life as if it was cut to order and not dry or rubbery.

The food was placed in front of me and I was left alone to enjoy my food. For the entire meal. My eating experience was meditative, immersed and uninterrupted. This was the first time I ever enjoy such a thing in a restaurant. Usually only deep in the forests I get such peace and solace when eating. It was only when I stood up that I was greeted to acknowledge my leaving.

I was a chef with professional and formal training in culinary for over 14 years. The highest things to strive for in hospitality is consistency and commitment to quality. To offer and provide such a meal after midnight stands for the root of all restaurants- a place to stay and food for the hungry to help you finish the journey.

-- my only suggestion is to turn off the TV News. Everything in the restaurant speaks of love and life, from the food to the people to the place.

Please switch the TV to pictures or videos of your home place, show us here in Canada where you come from and why you do what you do. Keep the music or sounds low or off. Let people have the space to speak since the space itself feels like a safe place to connect.

I choose no photos for this review because you need to...

The local Indian/Pakistani restaurant that does not disappoint you!!!

We decided to choose this restaurant based on our friend's suggestion of their Aaloo/Halwa Puri breakfast.

We loved it!!!

We ordered the traditional Aaloo/Halwa Puri breakfast and tandoori chicken platter with 4 types of tandoori chicken and chicken keema! When I told them this is our first time they added little portion of Briyani to out order for taste!

They lost one star since they do not have handicapped accessible entrance. They might have handicapped accessible parking but everything was covered in snow so not sure. However, there is enough parking spaces since it is part of a plaza.

The restaurant is not too big and they do have little space for dine-in however they have a large variety of items to serve. I was able to locate the washroom however didn't use so not sure if it is handicapped accessible.

They have special prices for certain items based on the day of the week. We are definitely looking forward to trying out those items.

The quantity of the food was really good. They could definitely use a bit more spices but I guess we should mention that at the time of order.

Here is feedback on the food:

The breakfast - Aaloo, chole, Halwa n Puri is a traditional breakfast and they do a great job on that. We liked the aaloo more than chole which could use some more spices. The puries were BIG and definitely 2 are good for an adult. The Halwa was pretty good, not too sweet which was the best part. Overall it was good and heavy breakfast. Pls make sure to order based on the number of people or you might end up ordering much more than required.

The tandoori chicken platter - this was a mixed one for us. We liked some and didn't like some. I don't remember their names now but the green n red ones we liked the most since they are spicy and others were not so much. The quality of chicken was good so definitely worth a try.

Chicken keema - this was a standard dish so cannot comment much. Yes it was good and again the quality of chicken was good too. If you are ordering this then make sure to ask them to make it enough spicy if you like spicy.

The Briyani - the Briyani sample was really good. Thank you so much for sharing. We are definitely going to get it on next Monday 😉

Overall really good place. Didn't disappoint us so we are going to be a regular here for our Indian/Pakistani cuisines.

Keep up the good...

While in Waterloo recently, we were looking for Indian food for lunch. There were so many choices around, but we decided to go to try at Urwa's Pakistani and Indian Cuisine for the very first time. The first impression was that it was a clean and pleasant place to dine in comfortably. There were only 3 tables but spaced out well between tables. We were glad that we have chosen to come to this restaurant to try out. We were from Toronto and amazed to find such a restaurant with tasty and good quality of food in Waterloo ! The food was all prepared fresh after we placed our order. Food was served in 3-sectioned black takeout containers with clear plastic lids but all steaming hot and fresh as you can taste the difference between freshly prepared and prepared way ahead of time as some restaurants did. We ordered various dishes:

Combo 1 with butter chicken and beef, which came with rice.... Oh! So yummy ! Even though it's a bit spicy for us but we found the spicy level was acceptable and very satisfying to our taste buds.

Combo 1 vegetarian which came with paneer ( didn't know which one but with very sweet, delicious sauce) and chickpea with rice.

Goat Biryani rice - meat was tender and in good portions. A bit spicy but delicious.

Tandoori naan and veggie samosa. Naan was warm and crispy and unbelievably tasty when dipped with the sauces from our combos. Samosa was delicious as it's prepared fresh once ordered.

2 cups of Gardamon tea - a bit bitter and didn't taste as good as we expected.

Kheer - sweet wet pudding and very fulfilling at the end of our meal.

Overall, very satisfying and reasonably priced lunch and would come again the next time we are...