Punjabi Restaurant Edmonton: Punjab Sweets & Restaurant

Most Punjabi restaurants choose one: savoury food, or sweets. Punjab Sweets & Restaurant chose both. Since the early 2000s, we've operated on Edmonton's southside with a kitchen team carrying 30+ years of combined cooking experience and the kind of menu you'd find in Punjab itself.

What makes Punjab Sweets a true Punjabi restaurant

Walking into a halal Punjabi restaurant on the southside, you notice something most Indian or Pakistani spots skip: the sweets counter runs parallel to the savoury kitchen. In Punjab, these aren't separate businesses. A single family owns both. The baker in the morning shifts to the curry station by afternoon. Spices from one move to the other. This is what authenticity looks like at a place like ours.

Punjab Sweets opened in a location that used to house an Arby's franchise. That building on 34 Ave NW has transformed completely. The founding family's vision was simple, but rare to execute: bring real Punjabi food and traditional sweets to Edmonton in a warm, family-run setting. Twenty years later, regulars from Bisset, Ellerslie, and Mill Woods still walk in expecting their usual order and a greeting from the owner, who manages the floor himself.

The savoury menu: from biryani to butter chicken

Start with the Butter Chicken. It's creamy, deep, built on tomatoes that have actually cooked down rather than been dumped in raw and sweetened. The marinated chicken goes through the tandoor first, picking up that char that no imitation paste can replicate. Serve it with our fresh-baked naan.

The Lamb Biryani is what brings people back. Dum-style cooking means the pot seals and the marinated lamb and basmati rice slow-cook together, the grain absorbing the meat's flavour rather than sitting beside it. Most restaurants won't commit to the time. We do. Finished with fried onions and mint, served with raita on the side.

The Samosa Chole surprises first-time orders. Crispy vegetable samosas over spiced chickpea curry with tamarind chutney. Each piece works alone, but together they're sharper, more interesting. It's the kind of dish people skip on the menu, try once at a friend's recommendation, then order every visit after that.

All meats are halal. Every chicken, every piece of lamb follows our standards from marinating through to plating. Tandoori specialties round out the menu. Order for dine-in, takeout, or delivery across the southside.

Traditional sweets: the halwai counter

The sweets counter is where you see the difference between a restaurant that added desserts and one that respects the craft. Jalebi here is crispy, golden-fried swirls of fermented batter soaked in cardamom-saffron sugar syrup and finished with pistachios. Not the compressed, spongy version you find in most places. Real jalebi should tear when you bite it. If you're looking for halal options across the city, we've covered what makes a genuine halal buffet in another guide.

Rasmalai — soft, spongy cottage cheese patties soaked in sweetened, cardamom-infused thickened milk, served chilled. It's a dish that requires three separate operations and patience. The cheese curds need time to set. The thickened milk needs to be made fresh or it splits. This is halwai work, not assembly line. Order sweets for celebrations or take them home by the box.

The daily lunch and dinner buffets include access to the sweets counter, a way to try several dishes in one sitting without ordering individually.

Serving the southside since the early 2000s

The address is straightforward: 9393 34 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5W8. Parking is ample and on-site. The kitchen team carries more than 30 years of combined experience with these recipes. They haven't changed the method because it doesn't need changing.

The servings are generous. The spicing is consistent. You'll get the same careful attention on a Tuesday lunch as on a Saturday night rush. Families from Bisset, Blackmud Creek, and Charlesworth make the drive regularly. We also deliver to Summerside, Ellerslie, and the wider southside.

Hours: Monday through Wednesday 10 am – 9 pm. Thursday through Sunday 10 am – 9:30 pm. Open every day of the week. The private room on-site hosts birthday parties, family gatherings, and celebrations. Catering is available for events of any size. Call (780) 434-7373 for reservations or party inquiries.

Visit, order online, or book catering

Most people discover us through word-of-mouth. A friend mentions the butter chicken. Someone's grandmother recommends the sweets counter. You show up expecting standard Indian restaurant food and find something more particular, more careful. Regulars have been ordering for years.

For events, the catering menu mirrors the restaurant's full kitchen. We prepare food for Eid celebrations, Diwali gatherings, birthdays, weddings, and office lunches. The private room on-site seats groups comfortably. Contact us through the website or call (780) 434-7373.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Punjab Sweets a true Punjabi restaurant?

Punjab Sweets combines both savoury cooking and traditional sweets under one roof — the way they exist together in Punjab itself. We've operated since the early 2000s with a family-run kitchen, 30+ years of combined chef experience, halal meats, and a commitment to authentic recipes over shortcuts.

Are all meats at Punjab Sweets halal?

Yes. All meats at Punjab Sweets & Restaurant are prepared halal, from marinating through to the final dish. Every chicken, lamb, and fish follows our halal standards.

What are the hours at Punjab Sweets in Edmonton?

We're open Monday through Wednesday 10 am – 9 pm, and Thursday through Sunday 10 am – 9:30 pm. Open seven days a week.

Can I order from Punjab Sweets online?

Yes. Order online at www.punjabsweet.ca or through our ordering service. We offer dine-in, takeout, and delivery from 9393 34 Ave NW. Private catering is also available.