Pal Dhaba Sector 28 Chandigarh

Pal Dhaba Sector 28 Chandigarh (Sector 28-D): 2026 Menu, Prices, Mutton Rogan Josh, Butter Chicken & Legendary Food Guide – Operating continuously since 1960, Pal Dhaba in Sector 28-D is one of the most iconic culinary institutions in the Chandigarh Capital Region and Northern India. What started over six decades ago as a humble roadside booth catering to truck drivers and local market vendors along the 27/28 light point has grown into a legendary culinary landmark frequented by Bollywood stars, cricket legends, and food connoisseurs from around the globe. Famous for its unapologetically rich Punjabi gravies, slow-cooked Mutton Rogan Josh, rustic tandoori Butter Chicken, Keema Kaleji, winter Kharode (trotters soup), and fluffy garlic naans brushed with white butter, Pal Dhaba offers a dining experience rooted in pure Punjabi tradition. In this comprehensive 2026 dining guide, we review the complete food menu, updated prices, must-try signature dishes, seating setups, takeaway timings, direct phone numbers, and dining tips.

Restaurant Parameter	Verified Operational Details (2026)
Restaurant Name	Old Pal Dhaba (Pal Resorts Pvt. Ltd.)
Exact Sector Address	Booth No. 165–166 & SCO 151–152, Sector 28-D, Chandigarh, 160002 (Near 27/28 Roundabout)
Establishment Year	Founded in 1960 (Over 65 Years of Culinary Heritage)
Operating Hours	11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Open Daily, Monday through Sunday)
Average Cost for Two	₹600 – ₹1,100 (Extremely Generous Portions)
Direct Phone / Inquiry	0172 265 7596 / +91 95013 71164 / +91 98888 69714
Dining Formats	AC Family Dining Hall, Open-Air Courtyard Seating & Fast Takeaway Counters
Signature Non-Veg Dishes	Mutton Rogan Josh, Butter Chicken, Keema Kaleji, Tandoori Chicken, Kharode
Signature Veg Dishes	Dal Makhani, Shahi Paneer, Baingan Bharta, Sarson Ka Saag & Makki Di Roti
Takeaway & Car Service	Available on-site with doorstep car-tray delivery in the market parking lot

The Pal Dhaba Legacy: A Landmark Since 1960

While modern fine-dining restaurants and designer cafes continuously emerge across the Tricity, Pal Dhaba remains a timeless favorite. The walls of its air-conditioned dining hall are adorned with vintage framed photographs of national dignitaries, cricket stars, and veteran actors who have made the pilgrimage to Sector 28-D specifically for its rustic flavors.

• Authentic Clay Oven Flavors: Unlike contemporary commercial kitchens that rely on packaged purees and electric broilers, Pal Dhaba continues to prepare its marinades and roast meats inside traditional earthen tandoors fired with charcoal.
• Generous Portions & Robust Spicing: Dishes are characterized by bold aromatics—whole green cardamom, black peppercorns, cloves, dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi), and slow-simmered onion-tomato reductions—cooked in traditional brass deghs.
• Multiple Dining Ambiances: Guests can choose between the bustling street-side booth atmosphere, the family-friendly air-conditioned dining hall, or enjoy meals served directly on custom car trays in the spacious Sector 28 market parking lot.

Must-Try Signature Dishes: The Non-Vegetarian Royalty

For meat lovers visiting Chandigarh, dining at Pal Dhaba is a rite of passage. Here are the iconic dishes that define the restaurant’s reputation:

1. Mutton Rogan Josh & Mutton Curry

Arguably the most famous dish on the menu, Pal Dhaba’s Mutton Rogan Josh features tender pieces of goat meat slow-braised for hours until they fall off the bone. The gravy is thick, dark red, and deeply aromatic, infused with caramelized onions, yogurt, and aromatic spices. Pair it with piping-hot butter tandoori rotis or roomali rotis to soak up every drop.

2. The Original Rustic Butter Chicken

Unlike the overly sweet, bright-orange, cream-heavy gravies found in many modern restaurants, Pal Dhaba serves an authentic Punjabi-style Butter Chicken. Charcoal-grilled chicken pieces are simmered in a tangy, spiced tomato and butter gravy finished with fragrant kasoori methi, delivering a balanced blend of smoky, spicy, and savory notes.

3. Keema Kaleji & Maghaz (Brain Curry)

A true connoisseur’s delight, the Keema Kaleji pairs spiced minced mutton with tender mutton liver cubes cooked on a high-heat tawa with green chilies, ginger juliennes, and fresh coriander. The Maghaz Masala (spiced brain curry) offers a velvety, buttery texture that melts effortlessly on the tongue.

4. Kharode (Mutton Trotters Soup) – Winter Specialty

During the chilly North Indian winter months from November to February, food enthusiasts travel from across Punjab and Haryana for Pal Dhaba’s steaming bowls of Kharode (Paya). Simmered overnight with ginger, garlic, and whole spices, this gelatinous, peppery bone broth is celebrated for its restorative warmth and deep flavor.

Vegetarian Delicacies & Accompaniments

While Pal Dhaba is celebrated for its meats, its vegetarian menu commands an equally loyal following among family diners:

• Dal Makhani: Black urad lentils slow-simmered overnight over smoldering charcoal tandoors, finished with churned butter and cream for an authentic earthy flavor. (Compare with other budget-friendly spots in our guide to Affordable Restaurants in Chandigarh).
• Shahi Paneer & Kadhai Paneer: Fresh, pillowy cubes of cottage cheese prepared in either a rich cashew-tomato gravy or a robust wok toss with bell peppers and roasted coriander seeds.
• Sarson Ka Saag with Makki Ki Roti: A classic winter staple made with fresh mustard greens, spinach, and bathua, topped with a generous dollop of homemade white butter and served with crisp cornmeal flatbreads and jaggery.
• Sweet & Salted Punjabi Lassi: Served chilled in tall traditional stainless-steel tumblers, topped with a thick layer of clotted cream (malai).

Menu Pricing Guide (2026 Reference Estimates)

Pal Dhaba continues to provide exceptional value for money with generous portions designed for sharing:

Menu Item	Portion Size	Approx. Price Range (INR)	Flavor Profile & Pairing
Mutton Rogan Josh	Half / Full (2–4 Pcs)	₹420 – ₹780	Rich, slow-cooked whole-spice gravy; best with Tandoori Roti
Butter Chicken	Half / Full	₹380 – ₹720	Smoky, mildly spiced tomato butter gravy; best with Garlic Naan
Keema Kaleji	Standard Plate	₹390 – ₹550	Robust tawa-spiced minced meat; best with Laccha Parantha
Tandoori Chicken	Half / Full	₹280 – ₹520	Charcoal roasted with mustard oil and hung curd marinade
Dal Makhani	Full Bowl	₹220 – ₹320	Slow-cooked black lentils simmered with butter and cream
Shahi Paneer	Full Bowl	₹260 – ₹380	Mild, aromatic cottage cheese curry in rich gravy
Amritsari Fish Fry	Plate (Seasonal)	₹420 – ₹650	Crispy batter-fried river sole fish with carom seeds (ajwain)
Assorted Breads	Per Piece	₹20 – ₹65	Tandoori Roti, Butter Naan, Garlic Naan, Missi Roti

Location & How to Reach: Sector 28-D Chandigarh

Centrally positioned in Sector 28-D along the main internal sector divider road, finding Pal Dhaba is straightforward:

• Exact Location: Booth No. 165–166 & SCO 151–152, Sector 28-D, Chandigarh, 160002, located near the busy 27/28 light intersection.
• From Central Chandigarh (Sector 17): ~3.5 km via Madhya Marg (approx. 7 to 8 minutes drive; check regional transit in our guide to Sector 17 Chandigarh Bus Stand).
• From Elante Mall (Industrial Area Phase 1): ~2.8 km via Purv Marg (approx. 5 minutes drive; plan shopping and cinemas via our master guide to Nexus Elante Mall Chandigarh).
• From Sector 10 & Sector 9 Dining Belts: ~4 km via Madhya Marg (explore daytime coffee bistros in our guide to the Top 10 Best Cafes in Chandigarh).
• From Chandigarh Junction Railway Station (CDG): ~5.5 km (approx. 10 minutes drive).
• From Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC): ~11 km via Airport Ring Road and Purv Marg.
• Parking Tips: The Sector 28-D market features an expansive public surface parking lot. During peak dinner hours (08:30 PM to 10:30 PM), parking attendants assist with vehicle placement. Many diners choose to enjoy hot food served directly inside their cars. (For post-dinner midnight ice creams and drinks, explore Top 10 Night Out Places in Chandigarh).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Pal Dhaba Sector 28 Chandigarh most famous for?

Pal Dhaba is celebrated across India for its authentic, slow-cooked Mutton Rogan Josh, traditional Butter Chicken, Keema Kaleji, Dal Makhani, and winter Kharode (mutton trotters soup).

Where is Pal Dhaba located in Chandigarh?

Pal Dhaba is located at Booth No. 165–166 & SCO 151–152, Sector 28-D, Chandigarh, 160002, near the Sector 27/28 light point.

What are the opening hours of Pal Dhaba Sector 28?

Pal Dhaba is open daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, serving continuous lunch, evening tandoor snacks, and dinner.

What is the average cost for two people at Pal Dhaba?

A hearty meal for two people typically costs between ₹600 and ₹1,100, depending on whether you order specialty mutton dishes or vegetarian gravies with tandoori breads.

Does Pal Dhaba have air-conditioned family seating?

Yes. In addition to its original street-level booth and outdoor courtyard tables, Pal Dhaba offers a fully air-conditioned family dining hall inside SCO 151–152.

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