Bala Hissar || Restaurant || Bradford — Restaurant in Bradford

If you are looking for traditional Kashmiri/Punjabi cuisine then maybe this is not the place for you (although the owners did tell me they have plans to introduce a separate kashmiri & punjabi section in the menu). If you are looking for really tasty food from Peshawar and the frontier province then this is the place for you. The food is lightly spiced but flavoursome as is the norm in the frontier area of Pakistan. The ambience is really nice and the place is tastefully decorated with an air of opulence. When someone described the place as having arches of artificial flowers in the window I was expecting something garish but Balla Hissar’s deco cannot be described as in anyway garish. The ambiance is relaxed with music kept at a low volume in the background and one is able to have a conversation at normal tones rather than having to scream to be heard. The staff are very attentive and constantly around to help at the slightest calling. Arshad from the management team was particularly welcoming and ensured everything was just right. Sharjeel the owner came and spent time with us like an old friend even though we only met him. The staff are young and learning some aspects eg the waiter needed me to repeat the order 2 or 3 times before he got it. But that is a fairly minor issue. Now let’s come to the main event ie the food. It is fare from the frontier province which is known for light spices but flavoursome. We had the mixed platter as a starter consisting of kebabs, chicken cubes, fish masala pieces salad and French fries. The fries seemed odd at first but accompanied the meats well, every item was cooked to perfection and not spicy but very tasty. For mains we had Chicken Mandi and lamb makhni. The mandi was superb with the rice perfectly flavoured. The karahi was nice and meaty but sauce was small in quantity. Which again is common in the frontier area so please ensure you ask for the karhai to be saucy if you require sauce. Portions are quite generous and we couldn’t finish our food so ended up having leftovers packed to take home. For the starter for 2, one Mandi, one makhni karhai and 2 naans the price was £49. Which is on the higher end in Bradford but bearing everything in mind it is bearable. Final question would I recommend it…. YES! But please ensure you ask for spicy and saucy if that’s how your...

While the restaurant itself was nicely decorated and had potential at first glance, the overall experience was very disappointing, especially considering we were a group of nine expecting a proper dining experience.

After viewing the restaurant’s online presence, we were under the impression that there would be a menu to order from. However, upon arrival, the waiter informed us that they don’t have menus and only offer a buffet. This came as a surprise, particularly because the venue is quite small and didn’t appear to be set up for a traditional buffet service.

The buffet itself was underwhelming and lacked variety. There were only two salads, approximately 6–8 hot dishes, and three dessert options. This hardly qualifies as a buffet by any reasonable standard. For comparison, other buffet-style restaurants typically offer significantly more variety and fresher options.

The quality of the food left a lot to be desired: • Kebabs were cold and tough • Naan was served cold • The chaat was soggy • Chicken wings and chicken bites were mixed together with no clear distinction • Fish and chips were piled into one dish without separation • Soft drinks (Coke and Sprite) were completely flat — the Sprite tasted more like diluted lemon water than a proper fizzy drink

Oddly, there were starters laid out in the waiting area before we were even seated, which felt unsanitary and unorganised.

The only redeeming part of the meal was the ice cream — and that was clearly store-bought, which says a lot about the quality of the in-house offerings.

We paid around £150 for nine people, which works out to roughly £16 per person. Frankly, the food served did not justify the price. Had there been a wider selection, freshly made and properly maintained, the cost might have been acceptable — but in this case, it felt like very poor value for money.

This establishment needs serious attention from management and the kitchen staff. There are basic issues with food quality, organisation, and overall customer experience that must be addressed. Sadly, based on this experience, I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone, and I will not...

Well? My word! Oh man! + woman of course! Yes having drove past this restaurant so many times seeing it full? I decided gotta have a go! I feel guilty leaving my previous restraunt as they cook so delicious also! But I’m afraid this place “ “ Bala hissar “ has stole my heart and taste buds for ever! The food was really interesting? In that everything had such a spiced and lovely aroma! The herbs / spices etc and everything added were full of flavour and really different to what I’m used too! The names were hard to get my head round on the menu but fortunately the waiter was pleasant and spent time with us explaining the process and ingredients are unique and - the garlic Nan! Oh I could have just ate 2/4 of them alone! I was amazed that I ate everything and somehow could still get up and walk, the pilu rice was so good, I normally add salt! Nope not necessary? In fact it could have taken away the beautiful flavours of this dish, so be aware taste before you add any salt! I could go on and on ! You will not be disappointed! But do book in Advance At weekends inc Sundays ! Talking to another waiter he was saying They even start in a morning with desi breakfast or English with a twist! Can’t wait to try them! And We had such a laugh with him! Well obviously I’m a customer for life! Brilliantly decorated throughout! A lot of attention to detail! Just about warm enough despite the freezing cold outside! Well done to all staff and the chefs,...