Cafe Aylanto — Restaurant in Karachi Division

A Culinary Legacy by Obaid & Humaira Sattar

Established in 1996 by Obaid and Humaira Sattar, this fine dining destination started its journey as an upscale deli and sandwich bar, offering authentic Italian cuisine. Over the years, it has gracefully expanded its menu to include Mediterranean flavors, all while maintaining its original charm and commitment to quality. I’ve been a regular guest here, and every visit consistently exceeds expectations. This time, it was a family outing — and it turned into yet another memorable experience.

We let our server take the lead and order for us, which turned out to be a great decision. Here’s what we enjoyed:

Chilli Garlic Prawns

A vibrant start to the meal — perfectly cooked prawns tossed in a bold chilli garlic sauce. The dish had a punch of heat and richness, with a slightly smoky finish that made it addictive.

Warm Avocado & Prawns

This dish leaned into subtlety and sophistication. The creamy avocado paired harmoniously with the gently sautéed prawns, served warm to bring out the natural flavors. Light, fresh, and perfectly balanced.

Truffle Pasta

Pure indulgence. The pasta was cooked to al dente perfection and coated in a luxuriously creamy truffle sauce. The truffle aroma was present without being overpowering, offering a deep, earthy richness in every bite.

Aylanto Special (Pizza)

A delightful surprise. The Aylanto Special pizza was thin-crusted, generously topped, and beautifully baked. It featured a balanced medley of toppings — likely including mushrooms, peppers, olives, and maybe some premium meats or cheese — layered over a flavorful tomato base. The crust was crisp yet airy, and the flavors came together in a comforting, satisfying way.

Grilled Jumbo Prawns

These were visually impressive and expertly grilled. Slightly charred on the outside, juicy and tender inside, with a citrus-herb marinade that brought everything together. A showstopper on the table.

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Desserts • Tiramisu: Light, airy, and classic. The espresso was noticeable but not overpowering, and the mascarpone layer was creamy and smooth. A refined take on a traditional favorite. • Warm Bread Pudding: Comforting and indulgent. Served warm with a drizzle of sauce (possibly caramel or toffee) and maybe a scoop of ice cream — this was the perfect sweet finish to the meal.

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Final Thoughts

Each dish was well-executed and full of flavor. The presentation, ambiance, and service were as refined as ever. Yes, prices are on the higher side — and the cost of a Wagyu steak here could very well match a middle-class family’s grocery budget — but the experience justifies the spend, especially for special occasions.

If you haven’t been, it’s well worth a visit — just go knowing that you’re paying for premium ingredients, ambiance, and consistency. Don’t skip the desserts, and if you’re feeling adventurous (and flush), the Wagyu steak is a culinary indulgence you won’t forget.

Highly recommended for those who appreciate fine dining and are...

Poor Experience 1) February 2024….. Had a very disappointing experience. We ordered the baked cheese parcels which were not very appetising. The balance of sweet and savoury was off and there wasn’t enough salt. The prawn tacos had no sauce or sour cream, they were very dry and there was an excess of vegetables. Taste was bland and tasted like tortilla with vegetables only. The Parmesan crusted was cold, dry and the cheese was gag-inducing. Jumbo prawn size had shrunk and roast beef sandwich was dry, lacked taste and salt. Overall very poor experience.

Poor experience 2) June 2024….

went back 4 months later, hoping there would be an improvement in service. Little did I know there would be no change. The prices here do not accurately reflect the quality at ALL. First of all, the ambience inside was quite unpleasant. Did not feel like we were at a high end restaurant. Asked for drinks to be served before food and they came after the food was practically finished. The bread they served was Not fresh and extremely unappetising. We requested more butter three times which came only after the bread had finished. I ordered Moroccan chicken which I did not like at all. Lacked taste and flavour. The dish was also cold. Presentation was below average. Roast beef sandwich was alright but there was very little beef and was definitely not worth the price they charged. Smash burger was not even smashed….despite the name. And overall taste was a 5/10.

Their cookie dough should have been called cookie with icecream because we ordered it and the portion size was sooo underwhelming. Taste was good but there was barely any.

It’s so sad that despite us paying them so much, we don’t get a good environment or good service or good food!! Never coming...

This is with reference to our experience last night at Cafe Aylanto (with reservation with the name of Azeem - 10 adults, 3 Kids). I tried seeking you during/after our dinner to share the same but was told that you were gone. We had one of the most terrible and embarrassing nights at Aylanto yesterday. Faced following issues in particular: When the starter was served few guests had no plates and cutleries. The waiter came and asked for the main-courses from my guests right after they settled in their seats and when they just began their starters. They were not even provided with the menu at that time too. Incorrect order was made. One of the guest dint even get her dish - she was served the same so late. The table wasn't clear and set properly for the main course. Cutleries were again short for guests and table looked terribly messy. Nobody had the courtesy to come over and ask me if the food was ok or if everything is going smoothly. I asked for the cake and bouquet (that I brought) to be served after the dinner. The same was served terribly late after repeated reminders. Don't know what caused the delay but I noticed that some sort of party was going on in the kitchen and there was complete chaos. Again this caused serious embarrassment. When I told the entire predicament to the supervisor, instead of saying sorry or making up for it in some way - he shockingly said 'Thank you'.

We chose Aylanto out of all restaurants in Karachi for the all important dinner for a fine dining experience but it was shockingly disappointing and seriously embarrassing. This had never happened before at Aylanto - standards have visibly gone down. So sad. Would think a lot if I ever wish to return to the...