When you’re in Dera Ismail Khan, you can’t not crave having your meals by the gorgeous River Indus. Soaking in the cool breeze that comes riding the waves of the river, and mixes with the aroma of freshly cooked food, is as idyllic as it sounds. Fortunately, there is a place that offers both a majestic view and mouth-watering food to visitors. They call it Super Market and Food Way.

Built on a stretch of land along the bank of Indus, this is Dera’s only ‘official’ food street and maiden picnic spot.

It must’ve been conceived as a commercial project, by private investors who saw a great opportunity in the lack of such a recreational spot in the entire district. Inaugurated last month, the food street has been gaining popularity by the day. The opening ceremony was attended by scores of people from a cross-section of the society. They looked excited and overjoyed. The night ended in loads of selfies.

The place boasts 20-odd food courts. Of these, 17 are functional while three are yet to be rented. What makes it special is the serene environment. Every food shop has an open lawn in the front, which overlooks the river. The traditional Pashtu and Seraiki music playing faintly in the background adds to the experience.

At night time, the place simply lights up. Get ready to be bedazzled. For the entertainment-starved locals, it’s fast becoming the go-to place.

For families, there is a separate section so that no one feels uncomfortable. For women there is also a shopping area where they can buy jewellery and cosmetics, while the children can enjoy themselves at Playland. The Super Market and Food Way also gets brownie points for its spacious parking lot.

It boasts 20-odd food courts. Of these, 17 are functional while three are yet to be rented. What makes it all the more special is the serene environment it creates for the visitors. Every food shop has an open lawn in the front, which overlooks the river. The traditional Pashtu and Seraiki music playing faintly in the background adds to the experience.

As for food, there are several kinds — from desi and traditional to fast food and continental. Jhoke Café, a traditional restaurant, offers the best in desi. (Jhoke means a place for social gathering.)

A dish you won’t find anywhere else in Pakistan is sobat. It’s Dera’s traditional food: a chicken curry with small chunks of roti dipped in it. It’s eaten in a clay pot. At Jhoke, you get the authentic taste. Not to mention, you’ll get a glass of lassi to wash it down.

Jhoke Café is also known for surkh karahi, a dish so named because it is seasoned with red chilies which make it extra spicy. They also offer white handi, and snacks like potato fries and chicken rolls.

If you’re a fast-food fan, Super Market and Food Way has got you covered. Bollywood Girl dishes out the best pizzas and burgers in town. Freshly grilled meat with dripping sauce makes their burgers even yummier. Café Shafe is another fast-food joint, best known for sandwiches and shwarmas. But their signature sandwich is the most popular.

The desserts deserve a special mention. Benazir Ice-cream, a famous local brand, just opened their branch here. They have all flavours of ice cream and milk shakes on their menu. What’s more, the prices are reasonable.

After recovering from a wave of terrorism, the bank of Indus is seeing a revival. The Super Market and Food Way is a major development in this regard. The citizens of Dera Ismail Khan have given their nod of approval by frequently visiting the place.

The writer is a freelance graphic designer. He tweets @Ehteysham1