Star Hotel and Restaurant

Star Hotel and Restaurant, founded in 1965, is one of the oldest restaurant chains in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and has grown to about a dozen branches across the city, including Wari, Banani, Gulshan, Karwan Bazar and Dhanmondi. The Karwan Bazar and Wari branches are the most central for visitors. The cuisine is everyday Bangladeshi restaurant cooking with a strong kabab and biryani focus. The most frequently praised dishes are the mutton leg roast served with tandoori roti, kacchi biryani, chicken tawa kabab and reshmi kabab. Reported prices are modest: a quarter chicken tikka kabab was noted at Tk 120 (approx USD 1.0) and chicken tawa jhal fry at Tk 220 (approx USD 1.8), so a full meal generally stays inexpensive. The chain's long history is its main claim, and many Dhaka families treat it as a familiar, dependable place for a casual meal rather than a special occasion venue. Dining rooms differ from branch to branch, but the general character is a busy, informal, family-friendly hall with quick service, plain tables and a steady lunchtime and evening crowd. Noise levels are moderate to high at peak hours. There is no dress code beyond ordinary modest clothing. The beverage offer is non-alcoholic, typically tea, soft drinks and similar, in keeping with the mainstream Bangladeshi restaurant format. Reservations are generally not needed and the restaurant operates on a walk-in basis, although hours are not officially published and typically run from late morning to about 10-11PM, so they should be confirmed locally. Because the chain has many outlets, visitors should choose the branch closest to where they are staying or sightseeing, and check the exact address on a map app, since quality and menu availability can vary between branches. Wari is a good option when exploring Old Dhaka, while Banani and Gulshan suit those staying in the business districts.