Hyderabad is the ideal place to experience flavours from around India, be it from the North or the South. The city’s location makes it the prime spot for a confluence of flavours. Be it traditional biryani or innovative Indian food, there’s enough in Hyderabad to satisfy anyone who craves local cuisine. We recommend the five best places for local food in the city:
Bawarchi
Bawarchi is a Hyderabadi chain that’s known for its biryani. However, besides the classic, you’ll also find Indian-Chinese and North Indian dishes here. Choose from chicken manchurian, chilli chicken or tandoori chicken, or stick to the biryani, which comes with a choice of chicken, mutton, fish, vegetables and egg.
Location: Plot No. 44, RTC X Rd, Opposite Sandhya Theatre, Jawahar Nagar, Chikkadpally, New Nallakunta, Hyderabad.
Timings: Daily, 11.30am-11.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹500
Minerva Coffee Shop
Another place with North Indian and Indian-Chinese food on its menu, Minerva Coffee Shop also serves South Indian food like dosas and idli. The place has been an important part of Hyderabad’s eating out scene for many years and is especially known for bringing the best of the South and the North to its patrons.
Location: 3-6-199/1, Opposite Brand Factory, AP State Housing Board, Himayath Nagar, Hyderabad.
Timings: Daily, 7am-10.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹800
Kangan
Located in the Westin Hotel, Kangan specialises in Indian dishes from around the country. The kebab platters include ‘Hyderabad ka zaika’, which the menu describes as ‘the grandeur of Mughal descendants merged with local ingredients’. There’s also shorba, a few tandoori dishes and paya (trotters in broth).
Location: The Westin Hyderabad, Survey No.64, HUDA Techno Enclave, Raheja IT Park, Hitech City, Madhapur, Hyderabad.
Timings: Monday-Saturday, 7-11pm; Sunday 12.30-3pm; 7-11pm.
Cost for two: ₹2,500
Sahib Sindh Sultan
Also called Journey 1853, Sahib Sindh Sultan commemorates the first train that took to the rails in India in 1853. The restaurant has been designed to resemble a train station, with a faux train and everything. The menu includes paya, shorba, tandoori dishes and other North Indian food, all of which have been named keeping the theme in mind.
Location: 5th Floor, City Center Mall, Road 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
Timings: Daily, 24 hours.
Cost for two: ₹1,800
Paradise Restaurant
Before it became a full-fledged chain, Paradise was a humble cafe that served tea and snacks. With multiple outlets across Hyderabad, Paradise Restaurant also serves North Indian and Indian-Chinese food along with biryani like most other restaurants in the city. The biryani here has been deemed the best in Hyderabad.
Location: Paradise Food Court, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Sappu Bagh Apartment, Jogani, Kalasiguda, Secunderabad, Hyderabad and other outlets.
Timings: Daily, 11am-11pm.
Cost for two: ₹900