When we think of Hyderabadi food, it’s biryani that comes to mind. There’s a reason it has achieved legendary status among biryani connoisseurs. The best joints serving Biryani in Hyderabad are always going to be crowded because such connoisseurs from around the country want to hit these places up for that incredible aromatic and gastronomic delight for the senses. So, if you’re craving a steaming hot plate of biryani in Hyderabad, these are the places you should visit.
Here are the top 15 restaurants to relish Biryani in Hyderabad:
1. Paradise, Begumpet
Paradise is now synonymous with the Hyderabadi biryani. The restaurant started as a tiny canteen in a theatre in 1953 and has blossomed into a cultural icon in Hyderabad. They are famous for their Dakshin-e-Khaas Royal Dum Biryani, Dakshin-e-Khaas Nizami Dum Biryani, etc. where the biryani is cooked with exotic south Indian spices. You will get two juicy leg pieces with yummy long-grained basmati rice to help you enjoy some authentic Dakhniflavors. Served with Mirchi ka salan and raita, this is considered by many to be the finest biryani in town.
USP Dishes: Veg Biryani, Tandoori Chicken
Address: Begumpet Rd, Opp. Indian Oil Petrol Pump, Mayur Marg, Begumpet, Hyderabad, Telangana 500016
Prices for Two: Rs. 1,100
2. Adaa, Taj Falaknuma
The signature Indian restaurant located at the Taj FalaknumaPalace is pricey but a food connoisseur's delight. Its Kachche Gosht Ki Biryani is one of the best renditions of the Hyderabadi Biryani you’re ever likely to savour. To clear your palate, you will be served Tamarind Sorbet before eating the Biryani. Be prepared to be blown away by the slow-cooked mutton pieces bursting with flavor, and the long-grained basmati rice that fills the room with the aromas of rose water and saffron. This is a glorious meal that will stay fresh in your memory for years to come
USP Dishes: Truffle Cake Slice, Tomato Rotli Shorba
Address: Taj Falaknuma Palace, Engine Bowli,, Hyderabad, Telangana 500053
Prices for Two: Rs. 14,000
3. The Spicy Venue, Jubilee Hills
Akin to its name, the Spicy Venue serves rich, traditional biryani loaded with spices. The show-stopper of the restaurant is the MLA Potlam Biryani. This biryani is said to have originated in a Telugu kitchen and has, not surprisingly, a fiery taste. The rice is wrapped with a paper-thin omelet, minced mutton, and prawns to give it a unique, unconventional taste. The buttermilk is a welcome companion to cool down its spiciness.
USP Dishes: MLA Potlam Biryani, Apricot Delite
Address: Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500033.
Prices for Two: Rs. 1,300
4. Hotel Nayaab, Charminaar
The famous food gem of Hyderabad, Hotel Nayaab, was established in the 1980s. The place is home to some of the finest award-winning dishes, including authentic Hyderabadi Biryani. The biryani here is slow-cooked in handis and gets sold out in just a few hours. The mutton in the biryani is tender and juicy and sets this dish apart from the ones you get in other joints. Apart from biryani, Nayaab is quite popular for its Chaar Koni Naan, a type of flatbread that goes well with paya soup.
USP Dishes: Paya Masala, Kesar Tea
Address: 22-8, 111&112, Nayapul Rd, Nassir Complex, Chatta Bazar, Darulshifa, Hyderabad, Telangana 500024
Price for Two: Rs. 600
5. The Jewel of the Nizam, Masab Tank
The lofty, opulent hotel has been around for centuries, and will make you feel like royalty, maybe even like the Nizam of Hyderabad! The restaurant offers a beautiful view of Osman Sagar Lake. The best dishes to relish here are authentic Kacchi Dum Briyani, spiced and slowly cooked in a degh. You can also indulge in Hyderabadi haleem, available around the year and a crowd pleaser, and the delectable BarkasPattharGhost(mutton tenderized with papaya and grilled on the stone).
USP Dishes: Golkonda Khaas Kebab Peshkash, Nisha Jhinga
Address: Nizam-The Minar, THE GOLKONDA RESORT, Gandipet, Hyderabad, Telangana 500075
Price for Two: Rs. 2,000
6. Bawarchi Restaurant
Bawarchiis one of the iconic places in Hyderabad that makes you wait at least 30-40 minutes to taste its delicious mutton biryani. But the reward is almost always worth the wait. Their mutton biryani is a classic and can be relished while sitting outdoors. This restaurant is a must-do for foodies looking to get the full Hyderabadi food experience.
USP Dishes: Fish Biryani, Rumali Roti
Address: Plot No. 44, RTC X Rd, Opposite Sandhya Theatre, Jawahar Nagar, Chikkadpally, New Nallakunta, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500020.
Price for Two: Rs. 400
7. Hotel Shadab, Ghansi Bazar
Famous among biryani lovers, Hotel Shadab is endorsed by celebrities as well as several travel and food vloggers. The hotel serves the famous Shadab Special Chicken Biryani, which is much in demand. It is a double-masala biryani with large chunks of chicken and a tangy Mirchi ka salan.
USP Dishes: Hyderabadi Biryani, Mutton Haleem
Address: Madina Circle, 21-1-140-144, Near High Court, High Court Rd, Charminar, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500012
Price for Two: Rs. 750
8. Dum Pukht Begum, HITEC City
If you want to enjoy dum biryani in Hyderabad, then you must visit Dum Pukht Begum. This restaurant is located inside ITC Kohenur and serves perhaps the best Dum Pukht biryani in all of Hyderabad. They also make a fantastic Qubani Ka Meetha, which happens to be Hyderabad’s top dessert. Great ambiance, awesome food, what’s not to love?
USP Dishes: Hara Bhara Kebab, Shahee Tukda
Address: Silpa Gram Craft Village, HITEC City, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500081.
Price for Two: Rs. 3,000
9. Mak Kitchen, Mehdipatnam
This is for the ones who seek subtlety in their biryani. Mak Kitchen serves mild and flavourful tender Mutton Biryani that tastes surprisingly refined. They use long-grain rice which is said to be the best in Tolichowki. Only if you’re super lucky can you get to savor biryani before 9 pm. Apart from biryani, you can also gorge on Mutton 99, a huge favorite in this part of the town.
USP Dishes: Mutton Zafrani Biryani, Chicken Manchow
Address: 10-3-76, 4th Floor, Above Kfc , opposite pillar no 3 Pvnr Expressway, Mehdipatnam Rd, Jyothi Nagar, Humayun Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500028
Price for Two: Rs. 1,100
10. Cafe Bahar, Basheer Bagh
Café Bahar is famous for its delicious haleem, and its varieties of Hyderabadi biryanis. You must taste their Hyderabadi Dum Biryani that is loaded with well-cooked chunks of meat covered in yummy masala! This is the full-blown, over-the-top Hyderabad biryani that you will relish when you feel like indulging. Finding a table here may be a problem because it's so popular! But, much like the rest of the restaurants featured in this list, the food is worth the wait because the quality of the biryani competes with the very best, and the portions are generous. No one walks away unsatisfied with this restaurant.
USP Dishes: Chicken 65, Irani Chai
Address: 3-5, 815/A, Old MLA Quarters Rd, Avanti Nagar, Himayatnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500029.
Price for Two: Rs. 800
11. Biryaniwalla & Co.
If you are really looking for some authentic Biryani which has been made with traditional cooking techniques, then Biryaniwalla & Co. is the place where you should immediately head to. This one-of-a-kind eatery serves a large variety of aromatic Biryani. Here, you can also find other aromatic Mughlai dishes like Tandoori Chicken and a luscious Kebab Platter. If we talk about the ambience, then it is a very decent and cozy place which will make you feel at home.
USP Dishes: Pathar Ka Gosht, Mutton Marag
Address: Plot No 100, Banjara Hills Road Number 3, Beside TV9 office, SBI Executive Enclave, Green Valley, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500034
Prices for Two: Rs. 1300
12. Sarvi Multi Cuisine Restaurant
Sarvi Multi Cuisine Restaurant comes under the list of one of the most popular restaurants in Hyderabad. Despite being a Multi Cuisine eatery, this restaurant has already bagged a reputation in serving delicious Biryani. Also, if you are looking for a place where you can enjoy desserts like Double Ka Meetha and Qubani Ka Meetha with Ice Cream then here you can find them in their best essence. The ambience here is very classy and royal with golden hues in the interior.
USP Dishes: Irani Haleem, Mutton Haleem
Address: Rd Number 1, Avenue 4, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034
Prices for Two: Rs. 1,000
13. Shah Ghouse Hotel & Restaurant
Situated in Madhura Nagar Colony, Shah Ghouse Hotel & Restaurant is a one-stop destination for Mughlai food lovers. This eatery is a perfect place for celebrating festivals like Ramadan and Eid with the whole family as it has separate family sections. Here, you can enjoy one-of-a-kind Mutton and Chicken Biryani along with other luscious Mughlai dishes like Mutton Haleem, Murgh Musallam, Rumali Roti and many more. If you are visiting them for an evening tea, then a cup of Irani Chai in a well-maintained interior and cosy environment won't disappoint you.
USP Dishes: Murgh Musallam, Badami Phirni
Address: Raidurgam, Madhura Nagar Colony, Gachibowli, 8-191/15, Gachibowli Rd, Opposite Bio Diversity Park, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500032.
Prices for Two: Rs. 1,000
14. Meridian Restaurant
Located on Mumbai Highway, Meridian Restaurant is not a regular Biryani server, but it is known for its very famous Mutton Handi Biryani. They cook this dish in a Handi or an earthen pot with traditional slow cooking methods so that the real aroma can be preserved. Apart from this they also offer many other delectable meals like Extra Piece Mutton, Kadai Chicken, Fried Chicken Kebab and many more. If we talk about the ambience here then it is a very happening as well as very well maintained, hygienic place where you can spend some quality time with your loved ones.
USP Dishes: Chicken Majestic, Chicken Lollipop
Address: 6-3-697, 1, Mumbai Hwy, RTC Cross Road, Punjagutta, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500082.
Prices for Two: Rs. 800
15. Ulavacharu
Ulavacharu is another very popular choice for citizens of Hyderabad whenever they crave not only Biryani but also dishes from different cuisines. Apart from luscious Mughlai dishes, they also serve a wide variety of staples of North Indian, Chinese and Andhra Cuisine. If you visit here then you should try their most loved Ulavacharu Biryani, Kodi Chips, Gadwal Kodi Biryani Rice and Rose Milk. Along with the ambience, the staff here is very decent and positive. The place is slightly compact, but it really feels like home.
USP Dishes: Korameenu Tandoori Fish, Chicken Dum Biryani and Bamboo Chicken
Address: Plot No.1299/F, Rd Number 68, Next to Indian Oil Petrol Pump, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana- 500034.
Prices for Two: Rs. 1300
All the restaurants mentioned here serve amazing Hyderabadi Biryani. We have not arranged them in any particular order, so feel free to visit any, or all, of them. When visiting Hyderabad, you must allow yourself to savour this delightful cuisine.