Student budget food in Islamabad
Cheap, filling food for students in Islamabad near the H-sector campuses: biryani, pulao, shawarma and samosa chaat in G-9, G-10, G-11 and E-11.
If you study in the H sectors (NUST in H-12, FAST in H-11, IIUI in H-10) or live in a G-sector hostel, your food budget probably goes to G-9, G-10, G-11 and E-11. These markets are close, cheap, and open late, which is exactly what student life needs.
Every meal below is a named dish with a total PKR price. We've kept to spots where one person can eat properly for about Rs 350 or less.
G-9 Markaz (Karachi Company)
The biggest budget food market in this part of the city. Biryani, pulao, shawarma and samosa chaat are all within a short walk.
1. Chicken Biryani (Half plate full meal) at Karachi Naseeb Biryani - G-9
Prominent Karachi Company branch serving hot degh biryani and value combo deals to shoppers and workers.
- Price: Rs 220 for one half plate meal
- Where: London Plaza, G-9 Markaz (Karachi Company)
- Hours: Daily 11 AM-1 AM
Price last checked 7 Oct 2026. Confirm before going
2. Chicken shawarma at Chitto Shawarma
Popular G-9 Markaz chicken shawarma counter, confirmed at PKR 200 per shawarma.
- Price: Rs 200 for one shawarma for one person
- Where: G-9 Markaz, near Punjab Samosa Centre, Islamabad
- Hours: Original Reel reports 5 PM–10 PM; confirm current opening
Price last checked 11 Oct 2026. Confirm before going
3. Simple Pulao at Laziza Murgh Pulao & Krispo
A late-night G-9 pulao shop where the simple plate includes salad and raita.
- Price: Rs 320 for rice with salad and raita
- Where: Plot 136, I&T Centre, G-9/1
- Hours: Daily 11:30 AM-4 AM
Price last checked 7 Oct 2026. Confirm before going
4. Samosa chaat at Punjab Samosa Centre
A sharp, inexpensive samosa-chaat plate in G-9 for an early-evening snack.
- Price: Rs 150 for one plate for one person
- Where: Allah Wala Plaza, G-9, Islamabad
- Hours: 5 AM–9 PM reported publicly
Price not yet confirmed. Call ahead
G-10 and G-11 Markaz
Quieter than G-9, but with the same low prices and good options for a fuller plate.
5. Chicken Biryani (Half plate full meal) at Karachi Naseeb Biryani - G-10
High-volume G-10 I&T Centre outlet famous for Karachi-style masala biryani and economical student meals.
- Price: Rs 220 for one half plate meal
- Where: Shop 2, I & T Centre, Bela Road, G-10/1
- Hours: Daily 11 AM-12 AM
Price last checked 7 Oct 2026. Confirm before going
6. Chicken Pulao at Bannu Beef Pulao - G-10
A G-10 rice shop with a clearly pinned storefront and simple chicken pulao portions.
- Price: Rs 350 for one plate
- Where: 20-E, Capital City Center Plaza, G-10 Markaz
- Hours: Daily 10 AM-midnight
Price last checked 7 Oct 2026. Confirm before going
7. Special Samosa Chaat Plate (Full Meal) at Asli Bangali Samosa Centre - G-11
G-11 Markaz branch serving authentic Bangali-style beef and aloo samosas alongside fresh chickpea chaat.
- Price: Rs 250 for full plate chaat with 2 samosas, chana & toppings
- Where: Shop 29, Ground Floor, Al-Ghaffar Plaza, G-11 Markaz
- Hours: Daily 11 AM-10 PM
Price last checked 11 Oct 2026. Confirm before going
8. Mango milkshake at Lucky Mango Juice – G-10/3
The glass-sized mango milkshake at the supplied Bhatti Market pin.
- Price: Rs 100 for one glass of mango milkshake; volume not stated. The mug is a separate size
- Where: Bhatti Market, G-10/3, Islamabad
- Hours: Hours and seasonal mango availability not confirmed
Price not yet confirmed. Call ahead
E-11
Close to the northern H-sector hostels, with one of the cheapest full biryani plates in the catalogue.
9. Chicken Biryani (Half plate full meal) at Karachi Naseeb Biryani - E-11
Popular Karachi-style spicy aromatic biryani counter at E-11/3 Markaz offering economical chicken plates and combo thali deals.
- Price: Rs 220 for one half plate meal
- Where: MPCHS Markaz, E-11/3
- Hours: Daily 10 AM-1 AM
Price last checked 7 Oct 2026. Confirm before going
10. Deal 4: pulao and mixed chicken kebabs at Lahori Chaska – E-11/3
Lahori Chaska’s source-reported Deal 4, with each listed component shown.
- Price: Rs 649 for one Deal 4: pulao + one chicken piece + one chicken kabab + two shami + three malai boti + raita/salad
- Where: Plot 12, Street 70, MPCHS E-11/3 Markaz, Islamabad
- Hours: Hours conflict: newer directories report 24 hours; older FoodNama lists 8 AM–11 PM. Call to confirm
Price not yet confirmed. Call ahead
Common questions
Where do students eat cheap in Islamabad?
G-9 Markaz (Karachi Company), G-10, G-11 and E-11 are the closest budget food markets to the H-sector universities, with meals from about Rs 200.
What's a good cheap meal near NUST or FAST Islamabad?
A half plate of chicken biryani for Rs 220 in E-11, G-9 or G-10, or a Rs 200 chicken shawarma in G-9 Markaz.