Being a Lahori, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for anything that smells like freshly baked indulgence and OD has always been on that list. So when I found myself in Islamabad for a few days and got an invite from a friend who was managing the launch of OD’s new outlet at Jinnah Super, Rawalpindi courtesy of Troika PR and Haseeb Sarfraz, I knew I couldn’t miss it.
The moment I stepped in with my best friend, the vibe hit us, loud, cozy, and unapologetically young. It was packed to the brim, like all good things in Pakistan usually are. While we were scanning the space for somewhere to park ourselves, a voice called out, “Come sit here, we won’t bite you.” We turned around and were waved over by none other than Ali Arsalan Soomro (aka Omnomzilla) who threw the kind of spontaneous hospitality our desi hearts secretly live for.
We sat, we laughed, we bantered, and we ordered. Despite not being particularly hungry (we had just eaten, classic mistake), the sight of the food being served around us flipped that switch instantly. The pizza was rich and saucy, the donuts warm and decadent, and the drinks the perfect sidekick to an already feel-good meal. OD clearly knows how to turn cravings into a full-blown experience.
But it wasn’t just the food. It was the energy of the place, the insta-worthy interiors, the fast-paced but friendly service, and this kind of collective excitement that only comes when something is being done right. It reminded me of the time OD opened in Gulberg, Lahore, and I stood in line just to get my hands on their donuts. Same chaos, same rush, same joy. They’ve clearly managed to bring that magic to Rawalpindi too.
And just when we thought we’d sneak out quietly, we got nudged into jumping on the 360-camera setup for “Gen Z-style content creation.” At first, we were like, “We’re too cool for this.” (We weren’t.) Ten minutes later, we were spinning on that platform, fully living our moment and taking some of the coolest photos we’ve had in a while.
OD Rawalpindi wasn’t just a launch! It felt like a gathering of good food, great company, and genuine fun. The best part? I walked out with a happy stomach, a bunch of photos I actually liked, and a new friend made entirely by chance.
Here’s to more such nights and more OD outlets bringing this vibe wherever they land. Lahore se Rawalpindi tak, this donut story keeps getting sweeter.