Puran Punjabi Dhaba

If you are around Lal Chowk in Srinagar, you will find us over at the Gurdwara Market area. This is a very old part of the city and there is always something going on outside our door. We have been operating this dhaba for a good while, and it’s a pretty straightforward setup. There are no big signs or bright lights, just a place to sit down and eat something. The morning usually starts with us opening the shutters and getting the stoves going. Srinagar can get quite cold, so the warmth from the kitchen feels good early in the day. We get a lot of people from the market who are just starting their workday or shopkeepers who need a break. It is not a very large space, and sometimes it gets a bit crowded when everyone comes in at once. We don’t have a big staff, just a few of us making sure things are running. A lot of time is spent mostly keeping the place tidy and making sure the food is ready on time. Being in Gurdwara Market means we see all kinds of people passing through. It is loud and busy, especially during the peak hours of the day. We don’t really worry about making things look perfect for pictures or anything. Our focus is just on the daily tasks and making sure we have enough chairs for everyone. It’s just a regular spot for a regular meal in the middle of a busy city market.