'DUM'-AAKEDAR HYDERABADI BIRYANI

Biryani. That one word is enough to get you drooling. Add ‘Hyderabadi’ to it and you’ll be rushing out of your door to grab it as soon as possible. Hyderabad’s food landscape captures cuisines from all over the world, but eventually it all comes down to this one dish that cannot be recreated in any corner of the globe. The aromatic Hyderabadi Dum Biryani originates in the historical kitchens of the Nizams and assures you a taste of both mughlai and local flavours. It is the way of life for the locals and for the tourists, a must have. What makes it so popular is it’s authentic slow style of cooking biryani over the Dum to infuse flavours of the Hyderabadi spices with the marination of the meat to absorb juices and release the aromatics. As people say, “Hyderabad aakar biryani Nahi khayi toh Kya khaya”, jumping over the never ending fight of who serves the best biryani, we have rounded up a list of some of our favourites that are definitely a must visit for a plate of the steaming hot and utterly delicious plate of heaven.

Here are some of the top must have places for hardcore biryani lovers:

Café Bahar

Café Bahar is a go to for the locals, who come here for their Irani chai, Haleem and of course their tasteful biryani. Finding a table here at any time of the day is no less than a Herculean task and is sure to test your patience but, in the end, trust me, it’s all worth it. Order the biryani with double masala and wait for them to bring out a plate with huge chunks of well-cooked juicy meat, accompanied by the masala which binds the whole dish together. The quality and quantity of this biryani is sure to leave your jaw touching the floor or busy relishing the biryani.

Address: Cafe Bahar: 3-5, 815/A, Old MLA Quarters Rd, Avanti Nagar, Himayatnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500029

Average Cost: ₹650 for two people (approx).

Café Bahar Biryani

Café Bahar

Paradise

Paradise is a name that resonates and goes hand in hand with Hyderabadi Biryani. Made with Daawat Basmati Rice (yes, they mention it), their biryani is sure to leave your tastebuds tingling and a must try. It is one the oldest restaurants in Hyderabad that once started from a small cabin and has now expanded to multiple outlets overlooking the city. The mutton biryani here is the plate of heaven that you are looking for. With meat that just falls of the bone combined with long flavorful grains of rice and accompanied with their special dahi ki chutney, you must try Paradise Biryani. My personal recommendation would be trying the biryani at their main branch in Secunderabad!

Address: Paradise, SD Road, Sappu Bagh Apartment, Jogani, Ramgopalpet, Secunderabad, Telangana 500003

Average Cost: ₹800 for two people (approx.).

Paradise Biryani

Secunderabad Paradise

Hotel Shadab

The feel of being a true Hyderabadi is what is iconic here at Hotel Shadab. Located in Old city and a short walking distance from Charminar, you will find people conversing in true Hyderabadi Hindi and ordering a more masaledar and spicy biryani and might even catch them saying “yeh biryani sukoon hai.”

Shadab offers very quick service and quality biryani with a sufficient meat to rice ratio and is the perfect pairing of great location, atmosphere, and food.

Address: Hotel Shadab, Madina Circle, 21-1-140-144, Near High Court, High Court Rd, Charminar, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500012

Average Cost: ₹700 for two people (approx.)

Hotel Shadab

Bawarchi, Abids

A 30–40-minute wait is mandatory when you visit this iconic restaurant in Hyderabad. The mutton biryani at Bawarchi is so popular that imposters have popped up all over the city. But don't be fooled: the original has no branches and makes this abundantly clear! Bawarchi takes its biryani seriously and expects you to do the same. It's simple, minimalist, and has a no-nonsense viewpoint about its food. Prepare to eat heaping plates of the delicacy and be prepared to loosen your belt. If you have room, try their famous Tandoori Chicken.

Address: Bawarchi Restaurant, Plot No. 44, RTC X Rd, Opposite Sandhya Theatre, Jawahar Nagar, Chikkadpally, New Nallakunta, Hyderabad, Telangana 500020

Average Cost: ₹700 for two people (approx.)

Bawarchi Biryani

Meridian Restaurant

Despite shutting down for a renovation, Meridian Restaurant has still managed to tie down their cult of followers who swear by their biryani. As soon as the order for Dum Biryani is placed you will see a waiter quickly bring to your table a meaty and spicy biryani that is sure to leave you with a wide smile on your face. Meridian is one of the few joints that has managed to maintain the consistency of their taste, portion size and meat quantity. The cook who is responsible for the preparation of the biryani has been using the same recipe for over two decades and makes Meridian at Punjagutta a favorite.

Address: Meridian Restaurant, 6-3-697, 1, Mumbai Hwy, RTC Cross Road, Punjagutta, Hyderabad, Telangana 500082

Average Cost: ₹600 for two people (approx.)

Meridian Biryani

Over and above the best restaurants that serve biryani in Hyderabad, most foodies would say that the best biryani in Hyderabad is one that is home-cooked, mild and filled with flavours or a wedding biryani made in bulk. That’s why if you ever see a wedding take place in Hyderabad, be sure to sneak in just to try their biryani that is made in enough quantity to last a week; add the thrill factor and the crazy dancing and there’s nothing that could be better.