Earlier known as the walled city, Hyderabad’s Old City is home to the Charminar and Mecca Masjid. The area is an important centre for Muslim culture in Hyderabad and also a major tourist attraction. Its cuisine includes Hyderabadi dishes as well as food from other regions in India like dosa and idli, served by popular street stalls. We recommend five places you must eat at when visiting:
Hotel Shadab
The Urdu word ‘shadab’ means fresh, evergreen, or prosperous. Established in 1990, Hotel Shadab may be a relatively recent addition to Hyderabad's food scene but is no less iconic. The menu includes kebabs, Chinjabi dishes, and a whole range of curries and biryani. However, nihari is the dish to have when visiting. Haleem is also served during Ramadan. End your meal with qubani ka meetha.
Meal for two: ₹500
Agra Sweets
A family-owned business from 1930, Agra Sweets specialises in mithai, namkeen and biscuits. Visit for chaat like pav bhaji, matar kulcha, aloo tikki, bhalla papdi, bhel puri and pani puri, or snacks like samosa and kachori. The place has an extensive selection of milkshakes like badam, chiku, pomegranate, grape, mango, chocolate, strawberry and rose; the pista-kesar lassi and kulfi-falooda are also popular.
Meal for two: ₹300
Hotel Nayaab
Hotel Nayaab is a popular yet humble restaurant with a simple menu. It opens from 4am until midnight, and although the menu features noodles and fried rice, we recommend you try more traditional dishes like the biryani and paya or bheja fry. Haleem can be found on the menu during Ramadan. The place also serves kesar tea, which is good to wash down a heavy meal with.
Meal for two: ₹500
Govind Ki Bandi
Mainly known for its dosa and idli, Govind Ki Bandi is a street stall with a queue of hungry patrons on most days. There’s plain idli, butter idli, tawa idli, ghee idli and even cheese idli. Options for dosa include butter dosa, cheese dosa, paper kothmeer dosa, onion dosa, rava dosa, schezwan dosa and pizza dosa. The place is known for using generous blobs of butter in the food.
Meal for two: ₹200
Nimrah Cafe & Bakery
Known for its Irani chai, Nimrah Cafe & Bakery is the place to go to for a cuppa and some Osmania biscuits. The story goes that these biscuits were originally made for the patients in the hospital near the café. Some people also believe that they were made for the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. Snacks here include puffs stuffed with vegetables, egg or paneer.
Meal for two: ₹350