Print

    Food Review: English Tea House, Islamabad

    Food Review of English Tea House, Islamabad

    Written by: Zainab Hasan
    Posted on: June 23, 2017 | | 中文

    The interior of English Tea House

    The cream of restaurants from Lahore is slowly seeping into the culinary map of the twin cities. English Tea House – the most recent addition to the capital – has been welcomed with open arms, and customers have been rolling in since day one. What started off a few years ago as a small café in Lahore has evolved into a popular restaurant, known for its lip-smacking Italian and continental platters.

    In Islamabad, the restaurant is located close to Hardees in Rana Market, Sector F-7. It seems a lot of thought has gone into planning the architecture. The two-storey red-bricked building has teal window and door frames. A beautiful garden trails the right side, and provides a pleasant view from an adjacent sunroom. Customers can also enjoy the outdoor seating area once the weather gets better. In the evening, the restaurant is lit up by warm yellow lights, making the ambiance cozy.

    The outdoor seating area and garden - Food Review of English Tea House, Islamabad

    The outdoor seating area and garden

    Walking into the restaurant, the interior impresses instantly with a crystal chandelier and wooden panelling. The seating area features inviting high-backed chairs on one side, and comfortable low-lying couches on another. Bright leather banquettes line a feature wall, which boasts an assemblage of items, including vintage books resting on shelves. There are two fireplaces, adding warmth to the décor and perfect for cozying up in the winter months. There is also an in-house bakery, serving all kinds of delicacies to keep the visitors satisfied.

    People settling in before Iftar - Food Review of English Tea House, Islamabad

    People settling in before Iftar

    To break the fast in the month of Ramzan, you are provided with a traditional Iftar platter, which arrives in a silver tray and contains an assortment of dates and pakoras, cold sandwiches, crispy chicken wings and fruit chaat. Rooh Afza and lemonade are provided to quench your thirst. Traditional Sehri is also available for this month: in addition to the regular breakfast menu, you can order a platter of favorites (Khageena, Qeema, Aaloo ki Bhujia, Paratha and Sweet/Salty Lassi) for Rs 1,095.

    There is a wide array of options on the menu. To start off, the Chicken Alfredo Pasta is deliciously rich and creamy, a little hot, but balanced with freshness from the sautéed chicken slivers, crispy on the edges and bulbously meaty in the centre.

    The Double Deck Steak is flavourful and evenly cooked, with a nice charred finish, and topped with a dense jalapeno sauce. The hot sauce is emulsified using only neutral vegetable oil. It is served with sautéed vegetables.

    Double Deck Steak - Food Review of English Tea House, Islamabad

    Double Deck Steak

    Grilled Moroccan Chicken, as the name indicates, is inspired by the bold flavours, smoky aromas, and varied textures of Moroccan cuisine. From cinnamon and coriander to cumin and paprika, Moroccan food tends to lean towards warmly spiced meats and stews. Allowing the chicken to marinate in the rich blend of seasonings creates a flavourful crust that smells fantastic, while keeping the insides moist. Potatoes Au Gratin – layered thinly sliced potatoes with cream and cheese – looked appetizing with the chicken, but were slightly bland in taste.

    Chicken Katro is the chef’s recommendation. Grilled, tender chicken breast fillets sit over a special full-flavored, tamarind-studded sauce. The mashed potatoes are filled with cheese, providing a zappy punch to the chicken fillet.

    Lady Smith’s Choice Burger was one of my favourites on the menu. The charcoal grilled chicken, turkey bacon, cheddar cheese, sauté onion rings and jalapenos went together perfectly. The patty was crumbly and slightly charred. The bacon was everything I had hoped it would be: sweet and peppery, it played well with the smokiness of the grilled chicken and the sharpness of the cheddar cheese. The insides were encased in a soft, toasted and seeded bun.

    Lady Smith's Choice Burger - Food Review of English Tea House, Islamabad

    Lady Smith's Choice Burger

    In the dessert menu, the molten lava cake is a popular item. Artistically presented with vanilla ice cream, it’s a flavourful experience and an excellent mix of temperatures. The cake is firm from the outside and splits well when cut, allowing the dense chocolate liquid to flow out smoothly.

    Molten Lava Cake - Food Review of English Tea House, Islamabad

    Molten Lava Cake

    Cheesecake is my weakness, so I just had to try it. This one had Philadelphia’s creamy cheese baked with bite sized Mars chunks. The semi-solid cheese complemented the cutting sweetness of caramel and melted chocolate, leading to a nice balance of tastes.

    Although prices are generally high, the quality of the food makes up for that, and will keep you coming back for more. On your way out, the management offers you bangles made of red roses and white motia flowers, providing a pleasant conclusion to the entire experience.

    With an eclectic interior, courteous service and versatile culinary delights, English Tea House is sure to win hearts in the capital.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021