Say the word ‘biryani’ loudly anywhere in Hyderabad, and it’s likely to elicit one of two responses: either ears all around will prick up and mouths will start watering, or a heated debate could break out over the best restaurant.
Hyderabadi chicken biryani was invented by the chefs in the Nizam’s kitchen in the mid-18th century. And it’s now known and loved all over the world. Slow-cooked rice, tender chicken (or veggies if you prefer that life), flavourful spices – it’s like the best things in the world on a single plate.
So, if your mouth is already watering at the thought of this tempting dish, visit these 17 places that serve the best biryani in Hyderabad- June, 2024
List of Biryani Restaurants in Hyderabad
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What started out as a tiny canteen in a theatre in 1953 is now almost synonymous with Hyderabadi culture. Though Paradise is often dismissed as a puffed-up Hyderabadi cliché, truth be told, their biryani is excellent. Made with fragrant Daawat Basmati rice (not a plug–the sign is plastered across the entrance), their mutton biryani is the one of the most recommended dishes to order here.
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Being at a very prime location, this joint has become a hopping stop for people looking for some delish biryani, kebabs, haleem and mutton preparations. Especially during the Ramzan season, this place is crowded and the aromatic smell of their preparations fills the space. What more to add to your order there? Undoubtedly their lassi faluda. It just gives the perfect sweet end to your meal.
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Known as one of the most authentic biryani places in Hyderabad, the Grand Hotel serves preparations from a beautiful blend of Mughlai and Telangana cuisines. Generous chunks of fall-off-the-bone meat lie barely hidden under the long-grained rice. Slightly on the spicy side, the dahi ki chutney served with it is a welcome accompaniment.
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This is one of the best Hyderabadi biryani places in the city, and their menu doesn’t end there. Their kebabs, haleem and lassi faluda are to die for. And if you want to try something special, pay a visit during Ramadan. However, if you are not a fan of spicy food, let them know so that they can prepare the dishes according to your taste.
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A simple restaurant setting that has only one business, to serve delicious Biryanis! This famous biryani in Hyderabad is pot cooked, which imparts a unique flavour to the dish. The serving is generous. It's one of those places that are open at odd hours of the night and wee hours of the morning, so you can easily satisfy your midnight cravings and ditch your maggie plans.
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Be ready for a mad rush, and wait for your turn to be seated in this famous biryani house! The biryani at The Great Bawarchi is an explosion of flavours in the mouth with each morsel. We personally love a spoonful of raita with it, to enhance the experience of the biryani.
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Perched atop a minar, 100 feet off the ground, the restaurant offers dazzling views across the Osman Sagar Lake, particularly striking at sunset with their authentic Kacchi Dum Biryani, spiced and slow-cooked in a sealed degh. While you’re there, sample their Hyderabadi haleem, available year-round, and the crowd favourite, Barkas Patthar Gosht, (mutton tenderised with papaya and grilled on hot stone).
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A humongous portion of biryani at this place that will satisfy all your cravings for sure! Order for a single masala biryani if you don't want to risk it being too spicy. They have various kinds for Rs. 500 that will suffice for 4-5 people. What more? Order some kebabs alongside with it for a fulfilling experience.
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Ulavacharu Biryani House is a modern Hyderabadi restaurant serving classic preparations as well as other traditional cuisines amidst a beautiful ambience. Shaadi ka white chicken curry is a brand-new addition to their menu. So, if you’re craving Shaadi ka khaana but don’t have an invitation, stop by this best biryani place in Hyderabad.
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This mid-range family hotel to serves delicious Mughlai food and Hyderabadi Haleem. Their biryanis are authentic and made from age-old passed down recipes. They use a lot of dry fruits in their biryani as well, which makes it rich and even more special.
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They serve famous biryani in Hyderabad hot and delicious at a low price regardless of the time and season. Want to try something new? Go for their amazing fish biryani. The chicken and mutton biryani are the most recommended and can be enjoyed well in a chaotic environment.
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With many branches across the city, you'll never feel short of options. They have regional platters and diverse buffets that serve authentic regional foods like Ragi Sangiti and Naatukodi Pulusu! But of course, their special biryanis are worth mentioning and truly justify the taste and popularity of this authentic speciality.
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This special biryani is quite different from the others on the list. Rustic Biryani is the speciality of the restaurant, which is not yellow or orange like the rest, but is brown and rustic. Though, this doesn't mean that it loses out on any flavour. With a retro ambience of brick walls and bamboo furniture, this place is a must-visit for a hatke biryani experience.
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To give you a straight-up warning, the Dum ka Biryani at the Meridian Cafe and Restaurant in Hyderabad is a hot pick! Although the ambience and setting of the place are pretty average and the place is pretty crowded owing to the food. And if you are a true foodie, don't miss their spicy mutton and chicken biryanis.
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Dedicated to Nawab Mehboob Alam Khan by his nephew Qutub Alam Khan, Chicha's opened in 2016. The delicately-spiced Basmati rice is served with its trusty sidekicks, the spicy mirchi ka salan (or baghare baigan) and dahi ki chutney (or raita, for the uninitiated), till well into the night. Their biryani is not that spicy, hence fits well with everyone's palette.
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Not all biryanis in the lap of luxury are bad and flavourless. Dum Pukht Begum’s at ITC Kohenur will change your perspective that expensive food is bland and not worth your money. This restaurant serves flavoursome Hyderabadi Biryani which has an amazing aroma of whole spices and tender meat! And not just Biryani, but other dishes like Arvee Kebab, Dudiya Kebab, Gucchi Subz-E Zar, Dum Pukht Koh-e-Awadh, Seekh Nilofari, Murgh Chandi Tikka, Dakhni Chowgra are also must-tries here.
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This casual dining restaurant serves some famous biryani in Hyderabad and other cuisines like Mughlai, Chinese, and North Indian. Their outdoor rooftop ambience is the perfect place to sit and enjoy your biryani with a cool glass of dahi sharbat. The biryani comes in large portions and is very tangy.
Beware of that bite of that whole black elaichi and get digging because you have a list of biryanis to catch up on!
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