Basilico by Sara — Restaurant in Lahore Cantonment Tehsil

An Honest Review About a Disappointing Experience

I usually visit different restaurants in Lahore every couple of months. Since my own city doesn’t have many quality dining options, I often travel to Lahore to enjoy good food, ambiance, and variety. It always feels refreshing.

Recently, I made a spontaneous plan with my girlfriend after coming across some restaurant posts on Instagram. One restaurant in particular caught my eye — called BasilicobySara. We decided to give it a try.

The restaurant had a pleasant environment, the service was decent, and the food quality was average but the quantity was slightly better than other places, which I appreciated.

The real issue happened at the end, when the bill arrived.

Now usually, I don’t bother reading the bill in detail. I just ask how much it is and hand over my card for payment. I was about to do the same this time — I had already handed over my card to the staff member — but something made me pause and check the bill thoroughly.

To my surprise, the total amount on the bill was over 21,000 PKR, which was shocking. I’ve been dining out in Lahore for years, and I’ve never had a bill that high — even at high-end places.

When I closely examined the bill, I noticed it included many random items worth around 10,000 PKR that I had never ordered.

Had I not checked the bill, I would’ve blindly paid the full amount and walked away without ever knowing.

I immediately pointed it out to the cashier. He asked me to wait while they checked the system. After about 4–5 minutes, they returned with a revised bill — this time it was around 12,000 PKR, which was accurate based on what we actually ordered.

Now the question is: Why did this happen? The restaurant wasn’t even crowded, so it’s hard to believe it was an honest mistake. It really felt like someone from the staff was intentionally trying to overcharge — possibly scam me — and would’ve succeeded if I hadn’t checked the bill in time.

So here’s my message to everyone: Always review your bill before making a payment at any restaurant. Make sure it only includes the items you actually ordered, and nothing random or extra has been added.

This post isn’t meant to defame any restaurant. In fact, I found their food and service decent overall. But I believe it’s important to raise awareness and share my experience so others don’t fall into the same trap.

If you’ve ever faced a similar situation at any restaurant in Lahore or elsewhere, I’d love to hear your experience in the comments. Let’s help each other...

Booked this place for lunch when it was fairly newly opened and we could tell right away as they were really disorganised. We were seated and we placed our order shortly after. The service was really really slow, we didn't receive our food for 1.5 hours after repeatedly reminding the staff of it. When the food came, it was subpar, I ordered the arancini, which lacked flavour and the texture of the rice inside was mushy. The marinara sauce with it was nice though. I also ordered the pina colada which was too sweet and I'm not sure which coconut milk they used because it didn't taste like a pina colada and I had to get it replaced and even the second one tasted odd and too sweet. For the main I ordered a chicken parm, which was quite basic and could've been elevated. My sister ordered the spinach ravioli which was good and she enjoyed that as it was flavourful and the pasta had a good texture. My husband first ordered the crab au gratin which he said was too salty. Next he ordered the beef tenderloin, which he says was a bit tough as it was overcooked from the preference he asked for. Secondly, the beef could've been salted more before grilling. The sides and sauces with the meat were good. My sister and husband ordered the lychee ice tea and they forgot to bring one of them their drink. We told them this and they made the drink but left it on the counter as the staff were scrambling busy with other things (we weren't sure it was our drink). After repeatedly reminding them, she got served her drink 30 minutes later and when we did receive the second drink, both drinks had different colours and even tasted different, even though they were the same drink. Due to our food coming late, we got complimentary tiramisu, which was not set properly and was a bit warm and I didn't like it (even though I love tiramisu). The staff were really nice and one of the owners even came to us a couple times to explain the menu and help us decide as one of us had celiac. Overall, the vibes are good and it's really pretty, but the food wasn't that good (not worth the wait time) and specially the service and organisation need to be improved. As it is now, I would not...

During a recent visit to Basilico by Sara, I had the pleasure of indulging in a selection of dishes that were nothing short of extraordinary. Each plate reflected a thoughtful commitment to quality, presentation, and most importantly—flavor.

The experience commenced with the Parmesan Alfredo Pasta, a dish that exemplified elegance in simplicity. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the sauce—creamy, smooth, and delicately infused with aged parmesan—delivered a refined richness that lingered delightfully on the palate. It was a gentle, comforting introduction to what proved to be a remarkable dining experience.

Next came the Chicken Ravioli, a true testament to the art of balance. The ravioli were tender and generously filled, and the seasoning struck just the right chord—bold enough to impress, yet subtle enough to maintain harmony. The sauce it was paired with enhanced its flavor without overshadowing the delicate filling, which demonstrated a deep understanding of culinary nuance.

The highlight of the meal, however, was undoubtedly the dish composed of noodles, meatballs, and a tomato-based sauce. This particular plate was a revelation. The tomato sauce stood out with its exquisite depth—a perfect blend of tanginess, natural sweetness, and slow-cooked warmth. The meatballs were exceptionally tender, hearty, and flavorful, perfectly complementing the richness of the sauce and the texture of the noodles. It was a dish that evoked comfort and sophistication in equal measure. My sincerest compliments go to the chef for executing this with such care, depth, and masterful balance.

In conclusion, Basilico by Sara offers a dining experience that is both heartfelt and refined. The culinary execution is thoughtful, the flavors are layered with intention, and the hospitality matches the elegance of the menu. It is an establishment I would wholeheartedly recommend and look forward to visiting again.

— A Very...