D.I. Khan's food culture is rooted in Saraiki and Pashtun traditions. The city is best known for Sohan Halwa, the sweet dense confection of wheat, ghee, and sugar that has been made here for generations and is sold throughout the bazaars. For meals, the bazaar area has a range of local restaurants serving rice dishes, daal, and grilled meats. Sajji — whole roasted lamb or chicken — is the regional dish of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and available at several establishments near the main bazaars.
The Dhakki Date, grown in nearby villages and harvested between October and December, is a local speciality worth seeking out in season. It has a distinctive caramel flavour and is exported across Pakistan and internationally.