The Best Food and Restaurants in Karakoram Highway Complete Road Trip are clustered around key towns like Gilgit, Hunza, Passu and Sost, with scenic roadside cafés serving hot parathas, trout, chapshuro and apricot desserts right along the Karakoram Highway (KKH) up to the Khunjerab Pass near the China border.[3][4]
For Singapore-based travellers and investors, this food-focused KKH guide by Homejourney sits under our broader Karakoram Highway road trip pillar Karakoram Highway Road Trip Guide: Khunjerab Pass to China Border | Homejourney , giving you trustworthy, safety-first, deeply researched information before you commit time, money – or even future property plans in Asia.
Why Karakoram Highway Belongs on Your Food & Road Trip List
The Karakoram Highway, often called the world’s highest paved road, runs from northern Pakistan up to the Khunjerab Pass at the China border, reaching over 4,700m in elevation.[5][7]
Beyond glaciers and 7,000m peaks, the KKH is a continuous food trail: family-run dhabas (roadside eateries), women-led kitchens, and cafés perched above turquoise lakes.[1][3][4]
From Singapore, most travellers fly into Islamabad, then connect onwards to Gilgit or Skardu before starting their road trip north along the KKH.[5][7]
Currency used is the Pakistani Rupee (PKR). Many Singaporeans find food costs pleasantly low compared with Singapore – a hearty roadside meal can be roughly SGD 3–6 equivalent, depending on location and season (estimate; always check current FX rates with your bank or multi-currency card provider).
Best Food & Restaurant Stops Along the Karakoram Highway
Below are key food stops you can realistically build into a complete Karakoram Highway road trip from Gilgit through Hunza to the Khunjerab Pass.
1. Gilgit – Your First Proper Meal Stop
Gilgit is the practical gateway to the northern stretch of the KKH and where many Singaporean travellers first adjust to local flavours.
- Madina Hotel II (Gilgit) – Popular with backpackers for simple Pakistani dishes (daal, roti, karahi) and friendly service, often bundled with breakfast if you stay there.[5]
- Cozy Lodge Gilgit – A step up in comfort, serving generous breakfasts and home-style dinners; convenient if you want a quiet base before driving north.[5]
- Serena Hotel Gilgit – Higher-end option with more polished buffet-style meals, safer salad options and filtered water, ideal for families or older travellers concerned about hygiene.[5]
Insider tip from a Singapore perspective: If you have a sensitive stomach, use Gilgit to ease in – ask for fully cooked dishes, avoid raw salads on your first day, and bring charcoal pills or probiotics, just as you might for rural trips in Malaysia or Indonesia.
2. Rakaposhi Viewpoint – Iconic Lunch With a 7,788m Backdrop
About 70 km after Gilgit, the official Rakaposhi Viewpoint is both a scenic lookout and a roadside restaurant cluster with dramatic views of Rakaposhi (7,788m).[5]
- Simple eateries serving parathas, chai, and basic curries, perfect for a mid-morning or early lunch stop.[4][5]
- The open-air seating gives you postcard views without leaving the KKH, ideal if you’re on a tight schedule but still want a memorable meal.[5]
Safety note: This stretch is exposed to rockfall, especially after heavy rain or snow melt. Check local road conditions via your driver or accommodation and avoid lingering if there are warnings.
3. Hunza Valley – Food Capital of the KKH
Hunza Valley (especially Karimabad, Gulmit and Attabad Lake surroundings) is where the KKH food scene really shines, mixing local Hunza dishes with more international traveller-friendly options.[1][3]
Karimabad: Cafés With Views and Local Specialties
- Hidden Paradise Café – Karimabad
Known for tranquil terraces and mountain views, serving local Hunza food plus continental dishes – good if your group mixes adventurous and cautious eaters.[1] - Café De Hunza – Karimabad
Famous for excellent coffee, walnut cake and a cosy vibe, great for an afternoon stop after visiting Baltit or Altit Fort.[1] - Highland Cuisine – Karimabad
A female-run initiative focusing on indigenous dishes like Maltash xae Giyalin (Hunza pancakes with apricot or nut oils) and Chamus (dried apricot juice).[3] - Rainbow Hotel Restaurant – Karimabad
Slightly away from the main bazaar; serves hearty traditional meat and vegetable dishes in a bright wooden dining room.[3]
Must-try Karimabad dishes: chapshuro (often described as “Hunza pizza”), diram phitti (sweet wheat bread), apricot-based desserts and herbal teas like tumoro (wild thyme).[1][3]
Attabad Lake & Gulmit: Lakeside and Village Dining
- Glacier Breeze Café & Restaurant – near Attabad/Passu
Perched above glacial terrain with views over Passu and the KKH, famous for apricot cake with coffee or wild thyme tea.[1][3] - Mountain Story Restaurant – Gulmit
Serves a mix of Pakistani and Hunza dishes, a reliable lunch stop if you’re exploring Gulmit village or boating at Attabad Lake.[1]
Insider tip: Portions tend to be generous by Singapore standards. If you are a small group, share 2–3 mains first to avoid over-ordering and food waste.
4. Passu to Sost – True Roadside KKH Food Culture
North of Gulmit, food stops become more spaced out, but some of the most characterful KKH eateries are on this stretch.[3][4]
- Highway Food Point – Ghalapan (Mini Switzerland)
Bright yellow café right on the KKH; popular for non-greasy parathas, fries, pakoras, chai and freshwater trout.[3] - Khunjerav Café – Afiyatabad Sost
Last major food stop before the Khunjerab Pass and China border, offering local kehwa, milk tea, a “secret” local coffee, plus dishes like kabuli channa, daal mash and trout.[3]
This section can be windy and noticeably colder, especially outside June–September. Have a hot drink whenever you stop to keep warm and hydrated.
5. What to Eat on the Karakoram Highway: Dish Checklist
Across these restaurants and cafés, keep an eye out for these dishes that define KKH and Hunza food culture.[1][3][4]
- Chapshuro – Stuffed meat bread often likened to “Hunza pizza”.
- Burum Hanik – Chapati served with aged butter, rich and warming.[3]
- Local trout – Grilled or fried, commonly served at riverside or lakeside spots.[3][4]
- Ghilmindi – Flatbread layered with apricot oil and homemade cheese.[3]
- Quruth/Qoroth dishes – Dishes using sharp, dried local cheese, including Quruth xae Dowdoo (cheese soup with bread strips).[3]
- Apricot products – Cakes, juices, oils and dried fruits, a hallmark of Hunza.[1][3]
Practical Food & Safety Tips on the KKH (Singapore Traveller Lens)
Homejourney places user safety and trusted information at the centre of every guide, and the Karakoram Highway is no exception.
Food Hygiene & Health
- Stick to busy eateries with high turnover, especially for meat and fish.
- Ask for piping hot, fully cooked dishes; avoid food sitting uncovered.
- Prefer bottled or boiled water; avoid tap water and ice.
- Pack a small kit: hand sanitiser, wet wipes, common medication for stomach upsets and altitude headaches (as you would for highland areas in neighbouring countries).
