Darbar Rooftop · the story
The Lahore food heritage behind Darbar
A darbar was the royal court of the Mughal emperors: the place where rulers received guests, held audience and hosted feasts. Lahore knew those courts well. Emperor Akbar held court here from 1584 to 1598, and the city's great Mughal monuments still stand a short drive from Gulberg.
A city of forts, gardens and feasts
Lahore Fort and the Shalimar Gardens, both built up under the Mughals, were inscribed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Facing the fort, the Badshahi Mosque was completed under Emperor Aurangzeb in 1673. Today the streets around them are some of the busiest food streets in the city.
From the Mughal kitchen to the karahi
Mughlai cooking grew out of the imperial kitchens: rich gravies, slow-cooked meats, kebabs and breads. Lahore's own food culture took that inheritance and made it everyday, cooked fast over high flame. The karahi takes its name from the deep, wok-like pan it is cooked and served in.
What that means at Darbar
Our building is new; we make no claim that it is historic. What we borrow from the old courts is the idea of hospitality on a grand scale. Our 35 chefs cook karahi, handi and live BBQ in a see-through kitchen, so the cooking is part of the evening, and the rooftop looks out over the city.