After a long wait, historic Monal Islamabad has officially reopened in a brand-new location, bringing back one of the capital’s most beloved dining experiences. The restaurant is now open on the rooftop of the Mall of IMARAT in IMARAT Downtown.
According to media reports, construction on the new site began in September 2024, a year after plans for the relocation were announced.
Monal Group Chairman confirms restaurant officially open
The grand opening was initially expected in January 2025, but the launch was delayed. On March 13, Monal Group Chairman Luqman Ali Afzal confirmed that the restaurant is officially open to the public.
The new restaurant is located in the Capital Enclave’s Jinnah Garden, and early guests say the redesigned space is more impressive than ever.
With a modern architectural layout and expansive rooftop seating, the restaurant aims to recreate the natural charm that made Monal a household name in Islamabad.
The reopening sparked excitement on social media, with many residents sharing photos and celebrating the return of a place that had become a cultural icon for the city.
Original Monal closed in August 2024
The original Monal closed in August 2024 following orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The court directed that all food and beverage outlets operating within the Margalla Hills National Park be closed as part of efforts to preserve the park’s natural environment.
It is worth mentioning here that Monal restaurant, located in the Margalla Hills, opened in 2006 and quickly became a popular tourist destination, where people spent evenings with friends and family.
However, the Apex Court ordered the complete demolition of all restaurants, including Monal, in the Margalla Hills National Park within three months.
Following this ruling, social media trends such as ‘Goodbye Monal’ and “Farewell Monal” began circulating, as fans expressed their sadness over the closure.
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