Usmania Restaurant

Usmania Restaurant is a family restaurant on the Service Road in Model Town, Gujranwala, in Pakistan's Punjab province, close to the bus-stand area. Its position makes it a practical meal stop for travellers arriving or departing by bus, as well as for local families from the surrounding neighbourhood.

The cuisine is Pakistani, with a focus on karahi. The signature dishes are chicken karahi, mutton handi and naan. Karahi is cooked in a wok-like pan with tomato, ginger and green chilli; handi is a slow-cooked curry made in a round clay or metal pot with a thicker, creamier gravy, usually based on yogurt and onion. Both are made for sharing and are eaten with freshly baked naan. The specialty is karahi, and the menu follows the standard Punjabi family-restaurant repertoire.

The dining room is family oriented and unhurried compared with roadside grills. Expect tables suited to groups, steady service and a moderate noise level, rising in the evening. There is no formal dress code beyond ordinary modest clothing. Alcohol is not served; tea, lassi and soft drinks are the usual drinks.

Prices are low to moderate, about PKR 600-1,300 per person, roughly US$2-$5. Karahi and handi are generally priced by portion size, so the cost per person falls when dishes are shared among a group. The restaurant is typically open from around midday to late evening, though hours should be confirmed locally. Public ratings are about 3.9 out of 5.

Reservations are not needed in general; it is a walk-in restaurant, and only large groups need to arrange seating ahead. The Model Town Service Road location is reached by taxi or rideshare, and the nearby bus stand makes it convenient for visitors with luggage between connections. Karahi is cooked to order, so a wait of around 20 minutes is common at busy times.