Jannat Hotel (Town Hall, Mohammadpur)

Jannat Hotel's Town Hall branch in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh, opened in 2002 and has since become a busy budget kabab house. The address is given as Town Hall, Mohammadpur, and the exact frontage should be confirmed on a map app before visiting. Mohammadpur is a large residential and commercial district in western Dhaka, and the Town Hall area is a well-known local landmark and market. The cuisine is Bangladeshi kababs, tandoori dishes and haleem, and the restaurant offers more than fifty dishes daily. That range is a notable feature, since many kabab houses keep a much shorter menu. Signature dishes include reshmi kabab, a soft, marinated chicken kabab, Afghani kabab, beef chaap, tandoori roti and seasonal haleem. Haleem is a thick stew of lentils, grains and minced meat that is especially associated with Ramadan, when it draws large crowds across Dhaka. Prices are modest, and the restaurant is regarded as a place where a full meal with kababs and bread is inexpensive. The dining room is a casual, busy hall with simple furnishings and quick service, and the noise level is moderate to high at peak hours. It suits families, groups of friends and solo travellers. There is no dress code beyond ordinary modest clothing. Drinks are non-alcoholic, mainly tea, soft drinks and water. The restaurant opens daily from 6AM to midnight, which makes it flexible for breakfast, late lunch or a late supper. Reservations are not taken and the restaurant is walk-in. Because the menu is large, first-time visitors can ask the staff which items are freshly cooked, as availability of some dishes changes through the day. Ramadan evenings are exceptionally busy, and visitors should expect queues then.