In recent years, the street food landscape of Rawalpindi and Islamabad has undergone a remarkable transformation. Not long ago, the streets were lined with makeshift carts offering a modest selection of traditional snacks. Today, the scene is bursting with colour, variety and innovation, thanks to changing tastes, global influences and a new generation of food lovers and vendors.

Globalisation, coupled with the rise of social media and an increasingly adventurous public, has turned the streets into a dynamic food bazaar. While classic dishes like golgappay, samosas, kebabs, and chana chaat still hold their place, they now share space with Chinese stir-fries, cheesy Italian pastas, spicy Mexican tacos, and fragrant Middle Eastern shawarmas.

“People want variety now, and that has created so many new options in street food,” said Nadeem Ali, a kebab vendor in Rawalpindi’s bustling Commercial Market. “They try the new dishes, but they always come back to the classics.”

This shift hasn’t just been about new flavours, it’s also about cleanliness and presentation, areas where vendors are stepping up. Where once many hesitated to eat from roadside stalls due to hygiene concerns, today’s food carts often look more like compact cafés, complete with organised counters, gloves, hairnets and even digital menus.

“Previously, we avoided eating from roadside stalls,” said Amna, a resident of Rawalpindi. “Now, many stalls feel clean and safe especially in the popular food streets.”

Designated food streets have played a big part in this shift. Places like Saddar in Rawalpindi and Jinnah Avenue in Islamabad have become lively culinary hubs where friends and families gather to eat, laugh, and unwind. These aren’t just food stops anymore they’re experiences.

“I used to move my cart every day,” said Mohammad Rizwan, who sells chana chaat in Commercial Market. “Now I have a fixed spot. My regulars know where to find me. It feels like I’m running a little shop, not just a cart.”

“Sometimes a customer shares a story on Instagram, and the next day, five new people show up saying they saw us online,” Rizwan added with a smile.

Another major player in this transformation is social media. A good photo or video can bring in dozens of new customers overnight.

Despite rising costs, increasing competition, and ever-evolving customer expectations, many vendors have responded with resilience and creativity. They’re blending time-tested recipes with modern tastes, listening to customer feedback, and making small changes that go a long way from better plating to catchy stall names.

Ultimately, the transformation of street food in the twin cities is about more than just food. It reflects deeper social changes, rising urbanisation, digital connectivity, and a growing appetite for both novelty and nostalgia. People want new experiences, but they also want to hold on to familiar flavours that remind them of home.

As the street food culture continues to evolve, one thing is clear: it’s still deeply rooted in community, in everyday life, and in the joy of sharing a flavourful moment whether it’s a spicy golgappa eaten standing by the stall, or a cheesy roll shared among friends under neon lights.

Street food in the twin cities has grown up but it hasn’t lost its heart.

(The writer is a freelance journalist)

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2025