The New Restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina We Can’t Wait to Experience

A trip to Charleston almost always means a fantastic dining experience, whether you're popping into a local bakery, opting for fresh Lowcountry seafood, or are in the mood for something extra special. Located in Mount Pleasant, Malika Canteen falls into the latter category. This relatively new eatery highlights traditional Pakistani street food in a comfortable and memorable atmosphere. The bottom line? You'll want to plan your trip there as soon as you can.

Malika is the creation of Maryam and Raheel Gauba, a husband-and-wife duo who have brought authentic Pakistan cuisine to South Carolina's Lowcountry. Maryam is the chef and owner of Ma'am Saab, another visit-worthy restaurant in the region, in addition to Malika Canteen. She brings countless hours of experience in the kitchen alongside her sister, mother, and grandmother, curating a love for her culture's cuisine and perfecting staple dishes, including Saags, Kababs, and Biryanis. Eventually, Maryam's family moved from Pakistan to Canada, where she met her husband Raheel, who now works as co-owner and Creative Director.

Put simply, the restaurant celebrates street food, a staple of everyday life in Pakistan. These streetside cafes, known as dhabas, deliver a vibrant palette of flavors and colors, which have all been recreated beautifully at Malika Canteen. Despite being a more casual kitchen, the restaurant can transform your experience into a special occasion.

So what can you expect from the menu? A series of appetizers, curries, kababs, signature Thalis, street burgers, rolls, and something truly extraordinary: naan pizzas. One of the most popular items on the menu is chicken tikka masala, crafted with grilled chicken tikka, creamy tomato sauce, and basmati rice. The portions are wonderfully generous, so you can even count on a few leftovers to bring home with you and tide you over until your next visit!

Have you had the chance to visit Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina? What was your favorite thing on the menu? Be sure to share this article with someone you'd love to visit with! For more information about the restaurant, be sure to visit Malika Canteen online.

Need a place to stay while you're exploring? Check out these wonderful and unique vacation rentals near Charleston! And, for even more dining inspiration, we've put together a list of some of our very favorite restaurants in South Carolina.