Delhi Nihari Restaurant - Al Nahda — Restaurant in Sharjah

If you’re someone living in Sharjah’s Al Nahda area and craving the bold, authentic flavors of Karachi street food, Dehli Restaurant is a spot you’ll want to check out. Tucked into the busy neighborhood, this unpretentious eatery serves up a range of Pakistani dishes that are both flavorful and comforting. I recently had the chance to visit with my family, and overall, it was a pleasant dining experience—especially for those with a nostalgic palate looking to relive the taste of home.

What We Ordered

We ordered a mix of items to try out different parts of their menu. Our spread included:

1 x Special Nalli Nihari

1 x Beef Behari Kabab

1 x Cheese Naan

3 x Plain Naans

1 x Roce Kheer (a type of creamy rice pudding)

1 x Pakola (classic Pakistani soft drink)

The total bill came out to 83 AED, which, for the quantity and variety of food we ordered, felt quite reasonable and budget-friendly—especially for families or small groups.

The Food

Let’s talk about the highlight: the food itself.

The Special Nalli Nihari was rich, thick, and slow-cooked to near perfection. The marrow in the bone added depth and umami, making the gravy silky and flavorful. It had that perfect Karachi-style balance—not overwhelmingly spicy, but still packed with flavor. You could tell this dish was made with time and care.

The Beef Behari Kabab was another winner. Tender, smoky, and well-marinated, the beef melted in the mouth. It came with just the right amount of char, and the spices clung nicely to each bite. This dish in particular really transported us back to the streets of Karachi, where Behari kababs are a staple at food stalls.

We paired these main dishes with plain naans and a cheese naan. The cheese naan, while a little heavy, was indulgent and satisfying. The plain naans were soft, slightly crisp on the outside, and fresh from the tandoor—great for scooping up the rich nihari gravy.

To round things off, we tried the Roce Kheer, which was a smooth and lightly sweetened dessert with the right amount of cardamom and a delicate rice texture. It didn’t feel overly sugary, making it a nice, balanced end to a hearty meal.

Of course, no Pakistani meal is quite complete without Pakola, and that fizzy green drink brought just the right hit of nostalgia.

Ambiance & Service

Dehli Restaurant is clearly focused more on the food than the ambiance. The setup is simple and no-frills, more like a traditional dhaba-style eatery. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—many diners go there primarily for the flavors, not for a fine dining experience.

The service was prompt, and the staff were courteous and attentive without being overbearing. They brought the food quickly and responded to requests with a smile. For a busy neighborhood joint, they’re doing a decent job on customer service.

Room for Improvement

If there’s one area where Dehli Restaurant could—and should—improve, it's hygiene. While the tables and seating areas looked generally clean, there were some signs that more attention could be paid to cleanliness in both the dining and kitchen areas. This might not be a deal-breaker for most patrons used to casual street-food-style places, but for a family outing, it’s something worth noting.

Improving hygiene standards would not only enhance customer confidence but also elevate the restaurant’s reputation in the long run. Even small improvements in presentation and cleanliness can go a long way.

Final Verdict

Dehli Restaurant in Al Nahda, Sharjah, is a solid option for those seeking authentic Karachi-style food at a reasonable price. The flavors are spot-on, the portions are fair, and it delivers that familiar taste that many expats miss. While the ambiance is basic and hygiene could use a bit of work, the quality of the food more than makes up for it.

Would I return? Yes—especially when that craving for Nalli Nihari or Behari Kabab hits. With a bit more polish, Dehli Restaurant has the potential to become a go-to destination for Pakistani cuisine lovers...

We visited Delhi Nihari Restaurant – Al Nahda, Sharjah last night after hearing a lot of praise from someone. Based on the recommendation, we ordered Special Nihari Nalli for three people, along with separate brain (maghaz).

Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. The meat had a strange smell, the salt level was way too high, and the Nihari tasted more like plain soup than a rich, flavorful stew. The person who had recommended the place was with us and stayed silent, clearly embarrassed.

The raita was okay, but the salad had raw onions with a strong odor—definitely not cleaned or salted properly. At the end, we ordered Ras Malai, but it turned out to be another disappointment. It wasn’t sweet at all—just soft Ras Malai floating in flavorless milk.

My honest suggestion to Delhi Nihari Restaurant – Al Nahda, Sharjah: if you’re charging high prices, please focus on improving the quality. For a truly authentic Nihari experience, I recommend Delhi Restaurant – Pioneers of Nihari in Frij Murar, Deira. Their food is far better in both taste...

"I have met die hard fans of this place and I could see why, when I tried it myself. The Korma with Taftaan was absolutely on point, the Mixed Grill had a good variety of Kebabs and Tikkas. The flavours were exactly as they are supposed to be and way better than most desi places around town. The Nihari was great - good blend of spices and good quality melt-in-your-mouth meat. A stunner for sure. The Kheer and ChamCham were the best way to end the spicy streak and I am surely going back here for more !

Ambience: This place is a comfortable seating and nice atmosphere. A nice family kind of place.

Service: The service was quick - the staff is friendly as well.

Food: The food was great. Everything tasted amazing and so flavourful. Nothing about it is not-to-like.

Location: The location is easy to find but the parking is a bit of an issue so have to wait queit a while during peak times.

Recommendations: Would recommend this place and also definitely be...