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Best Food in Dhaka (2026)
Begin your food journey at Star Kabab in Gulshan, famous for its smoky kebabs and paratha. A full meal costs around 300-500 BDT per person. Visit during lunch for the freshest seβ¦ π Where to Start
Begin your food journey at Star Kabab in Gulshan, famous for its smoky kebabs and paratha. A full meal costs around 300-500 BDT per person. Visit during lunch for the freshest servings.
π₯ Street Food Must-Tries
Head to New Market for authentic fuchka (pani puri) from stalls like Fuchka King. Each plate is about 30-50 BDT. Try the chotpoti at Shahbagh for a tangy chickpea snack.
π Traditional Bengali Thali
Kasturi Restaurant in Dhanmondi serves a classic Bengali thali with rice, dal, fish curry, and vegetables for 250-400 BDT. Their ilish (hilsa) fry is a must-order during monsoon season.
π Chinese and Fusion Spots
For Indo-Chinese, visit Golden Palace in Banani for their chili chicken and fried rice, priced 400-600 BDT per dish. For fusion, try The Westin's seasonal buffet at 1500-2000 BDT.
π° Sweet Treats and Desserts
Visit Mishti Mela in Old Dhaka for fresh rasgulla and sandesh, costing 100-200 BDT per plate. Their mishti doi (sweet yogurt) is a local favorite. For modern desserts, try Coffeeland's brownie sundae.
π Getting Around for Food
Use the Dhaka Metro Rail to reach key food hubs like Motijheel or Uttara. Rickshaws are best for short distances in Old Dhaka, costing 30-100 BDT. Avoid peak hours for less traffic.
π° Budget and Price Tips
Street food meals cost 50-150 BDT, while mid-range restaurants charge 300-800 BDT per person. Upscale dining at hotels like Pan Pacific Sonargaon runs 1500-3000 BDT. Carry cash for small stalls.
π Best Evening Spots
For night food, visit Gulshan Avenue's food trucks offering kebabs and rolls from 7 PM to midnight. Dhanmondi Lake area has cafes like Cafe Mango open until 11 PM, with coffee and snacks around 200-400 BDT.
honestly this guide got most of it right but i'd skip golden palace if you're going for chinese, try Noodle House in Gulshan 2 instead. their pepper chicken is way better and it's like 350-500 per dish. also for biryani lovers you gotta hit up Hajir Biryani in Kakrail, it's 200 BDT for a plate and they serve it with a whole potato and egg on top, way better than Star Kabab's biryani imo
for the fuchka thing, Fuchka King is solid but the real magic is at the stall right outside New Market gate 3, the old guy there uses a secret tamarind mix that hits different. costs 30 BDT per plate but you'll want two
one thing the guide missed is the kacchi biryani at Sultan's Dine in Dhanmondi, it's like 400 BDT and they slow cook it overnight so the meat falls off the bone. get there by 11am or they run out by 1pm
also for sweets, Mishti Mela is fine but if you're already in Old Dhaka go to Rana Mishtanno Bhandar near Chawkbazar, their jilapi is still made fresh in front of you and costs like 50 BDT for a huge piece. way more authentic than the tourist spots
This is a solid guide, but I'd add that the biryani scene in Old Dhaka is a whole different world from the newer restaurants. Specifically, Nanna Biryani in Chawkbazar has been running since the 1940s and their kacchi is cooked in massive clay pots over wood fire. A plate is about 180 BDT and the aroma alone is worth the trip, but go on a weekday morning to avoid the weekend crowds.
For the chotpoti at Shahbagh, the best vendor is the one set up near the DU gate around 4 PM, not the ones closer to the intersection. He adds a splash of fresh coriander chutney that cuts through the tamarind in a way the others don't. I've been eating there since my university days and it's still 40 BDT a plate.
If you want a proper Bengali fish curry beyond the thali places, try Shat Rong in Moghbazar. Their pabda macher jhal is a light mustard gravy that pairs perfectly with steamed rice, and a full meal runs about 350 BDT. It's a no-frills place but the family running it has been there for 25 years.
yeah this guide is pretty solid for a quick overview. i'd say for a proper late night snack, hit up the shawarma stalls near badda around midnight, the one by the police box has this garlic sauce that's unreal and it's like 120 BDT for a wrap. also if you're in old dhaka, the beef bhuna at Haji Nannu's near the armenian church is a hidden gem, 150 BDT for a plate with rice and they give you extra gravy if you ask nice
3 Days in Dhaka: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), open 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, entry 300 BDT for foreigners. Walk to Sadarghat River Port to see the bustling launch terminal and rβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Old Dhaka
Start your morning at Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), open 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, entry 300 BDT for foreigners. Walk to Sadarghat River Port to see the bustling launch terminal and river life. Have lunch at Star Kabab & Restaurant for authentic Mughlai cuisine, around 300 BDT per person.
πΆ Afternoon on the Buriganga
Take a 1-hour boat ride from Sadarghat to explore the river and see old warehouses and shipyards. A shared boat costs about 50 BDT per person; private boats start at 500 BDT. Return to shore by 3 PM to visit the Armenian Church (free entry, open until 5 PM).
ποΈ Day 2: Colonial Dhaka
Begin at the National Museum in Shahbagh, open 10 AM to 5 PM, entry 100 BDT for locals, 500 BDT for foreigners. Walk to the nearby Curzon Hall (University of Dhaka) for its stunning architecture. Grab lunch at Haji Biriyani, famous for its mutton biryani, around 350 BDT.
ποΈ Shopping in New Market
Spend the afternoon at New Market (open 10 AM to 9 PM), where you can bargain for textiles, handicrafts, and electronics. Nearby, visit the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) with its mosaic tile work, free entry. End with a rickshaw ride to Ramna Park for a relaxing evening stroll.
π Day 3: Modern Dhaka
Visit the National Parliament House (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban), designed by Louis Kahn, with free guided tours at 10 AM and 3 PM. Then head to Gulshan Lake Park for a peaceful walk. Lunch at The Westin Dhaka's buffet (around 2,500 BDT) or try local street food at Banani.
π Getting Around
Dhaka's traffic is heavy; plan 30-60 minutes for short trips. Use the metro (opened 2023) for quick travel between Uttara and Motijheel, fare 20-100 BDT. Rickshaws are best for short distances (20-50 BDT), while Uber and Pathao rideshare apps are reliable for longer journeys.
π‘ Practical Tips
Carry small bills for rickshaws and street food, as many vendors don't have change. Stay hydrated with bottled water (20 BDT) and avoid tap water. Dhaka is safe for tourists, but keep valuables secure in crowded areas. Most attractions close by 5 PM, so plan accordingly.
I've done this exact route a few times and it holds up well. One thing I'd add: on Day 1, the boat ride from Sadarghat is better if you go around 4 PM instead of midday. The light hits the old warehouses and the river traffic gets more interesting as the launch terminals wind down for the evening. You'll also catch the call to prayer echoing across the water from the Shahi Mosque.
For Day 2, Haji Biriyani is legendary but the queue can be 30 minutes at lunch. Go at 11:30 AM if you can, or try the biryani at Fakhruddin's on North South Road instead. It's less famous but the meat is more tender and they have better borhani to wash it down.
Day 3's Gulshan Lake Park is nice but small. If you want a longer walk, head to Hatirjheel instead. It's a 3-kilometer loop around a restored lake with footbridges and food stalls, and it stays open until 9 PM. The view of the city skyline from the middle bridge around dusk is one of my favorite spots in Dhaka.
This is a solid itinerary, you've really covered the range of what Dhaka offers. I would add that if you're at Ahsan Manzil on Day 1, make sure to walk through the narrow lanes of Farashganj just behind it. The old Hindu merchant quarter has incredible 19th-century buildings that are crumbling but beautiful, and most tourists skip it entirely.
For Day 2, the National Museum is worth the foreigner fee, but the history section on the ground floor is the most interesting part. I'd also suggest skipping Ramna Park in the evening and instead going to Shahbagh Square around sunset. You'll see students hanging out and can get a cheap cup of cha from a street vendor for 10 BDT, it's a better slice of local life.
On the metro, just know that the line only runs north-south for now, so it won't help you get to Old Dhaka or Gulshan. Your 30-60 minute traffic estimate is generous for a Friday, I'd budget closer to 90 minutes if you're crossing the city during peak hours.
solid itinerary honestly, covers the main spots well. one thing i'd add for day 1 is to grab some shingara or jilapi from a stall near Chawk Bazar before you head to the river. the fried snacks there are insanely fresh and cost like 10-20 BDT, way better than anything you'll find later. for day 2, if you're at Curzon Hall, peek into the nearby Teacher Student Center (TSC) for a cheap cup of cha and watch the students debate politics, it's a vibe you won't get from any