Al-Watan Tandoori - Vancouver

The chicken biryani had 2 pieces of chicken. The beef Karahi was the worst karahi I have ever had. The lassi was terrible. I am not sure why is this restaurant rated? Opposite this restaurant is Das-tar-Khwan, it has much better food. I am not...sure at Al-Watan the cook knows how to cook Pakistani food.

I lived in Vancouver for about 2 years and went back to my country in 2010. This places is one of the places that I really miss. my lovely dishes are: Lamp Karahi (must try) Butter Chicken (must try) Seekh kabab (must try) Paya Brain...masala Butter naan Sometime I think that I have to travel to Vancouver just to eat from this place again.

It was my first trip to Vancouver and I was craving South Asian food. My friend and I found Al Watan on the web and decided to try it out. We were very pleasantly surprised! Not only was the food delicious but the service was wonderful...as well! We loved it so much that we went back the next day for lunch and the staff remembered us! Definitely get the Nihari with garlic naan. I could go back just for that!

When cooking at home I make use of South Asian cuisines more than any other. And yet I continue to be disappointed by the low quality of Vancouver South Asian restaurants. Most tend to offer a grim mix of spices out of packets, tiny portions,...reheated frozen offerings and sour service. Al Watan is a ray of light in comparison. The restaurant itself is small and simple, (but very clean). At the same time the owner and his staff are friendly, helpful and accommodating. Their Pakistani/Muslim Indian fare is unusually well prepared: in contrast to the grungy mix of spices so often encountered, the individual spices stand out clearly and in balance. Portion size is at least 50% larger than typical, and the cost per dish at least 25% less. As a case in point, last night three of us had a chicken biryani, lamb saag, dal, two plain and one onion naan, raita (complementary) and four chais and this ample meal cost us $32 before tip. The restaurant is halal, too.

I've been going to Al Watan now for a few years probably 4 to 5 times per year. The food never ceases to satisfy me. Time after time, Khalid (the owner) will come out and check in with the diners to make sure everything...is ok. The restaurant is small, probably not somewhere you want to go for formal dining, but the food is second to none! May I recommend the Lamb Saag with some Rice and perhaps some Haleem? The mango Lassi is great, as is the Kheer. Enjoy!