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| Foods in Hyderabad (Image Credit: Gemini) |
Hyderabad, the capital city of Telengana, a state in South India, is also a paradise for food lovers. It was the capital of Andra Pradesh since India's independence, and remains so till 2014 when the state of Andhra Pradesh was divided into Telengana and Andhra. Till 2024 Hyderabad remains the capital of both states, and later Andhra got its own capital - Amaravati.
This story is all about the food of Hyderabad. At present Hyderabad has became of hub of IT indutries, but Hyderabadi cuisine is a major part of its culture. In fact Hyderabad was the first Indian city listed as a creative city of gastronomy by UNESCO in 2019. In 2025 Lucknow got the recognition as second Indian city.
Hyderabad was founded as the capital city in 1591 by the fifth Qutb Shahi sultan, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, on the banks of the Musi River to avoid water shortages experienced at Golconda Fort. It was built around the Charminar - the iconic landmark of the city. Mughals conquered and founded Hyderabad suba in 1687 and that's the beginning of Nizams in Hyderabad, however as Mughals weakened, the Nizams took control of the city - in 1724 Asaf Jah I defeated Mubariz Khan to establish autonomy over the Deccan Suba, named the region Hyderabad Deccan, and started what came to be known as the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Subsequent rulers retained the title Nizam ul-Mulk and were referred to as Asaf Jahi Nizams, or Nizams of Hyderabad. Nizams developed the state of Hyderabad and continued their royal rule during the British era as largest princely state in British India. Even after India's independence in 1947 Nizams planned to be independent without joining India or Pakistan - but Indian Army took control of Hyderabad 0n 17th September 1948 with Operation Polo.
Nizams of Hyderabad patronaged to create the Hyderabadi cuisines, as the royal chefs or khansamas blended Mughlai cooking techniques with South Indian, local Deccani, and Persian/Arabic influences.
The showstopper of the show is definitely Hyderabadi Biriyani - well it's spicey and some may not like it. If you are fond of subtle, mid aromatic Lucknow biriyani, Hyderabadi biriyani may not be palatable to you. For kebabs you can have Pathhar ki Gosht, and for stew your choice is Hyderabadi Mutton Haleem. Mutton Haleem is a seasonal dish made during Ramadan, but you can now get it during off season too in some joints. And if you consider a light soup in Hyderabad - the choice is Mutton Marag.
I have a long list of restaurants and food joints in Hyderabad and definitely the iconic ones will stay in next years, while some may be lost in time. The list is quite long, but I suggest you to choose a Biryani joint where you can have most of the items like Pista House, Hotel Shadab, etc.
Hyderbadi Biryani – Sarvi Restaurant (Banjara Hills), Hotel Shadab (Madina circle, also try Kachhi biriyani), Pista House (any branch), Mandar, Maks Kitchen, Grand Hotel, Café Bahar (also try Keema Biriyani), Bawarchi (RTC X road), Biryaniwalla & Co (Banjara Hills), Mehfil (Narayanaguda), Capital Multicuisine, Hotel Niagra, Hilton (Kairathabad), 4 Seasons, Imperial, Shah Ghouse (Tolichowki, also try Gongura Biryani), Shahi Dastarkhan, Meridian (Punjagutta), Nawaabs (Gachibowli, also try Ulavacharu Biryani ), Adaa at Taj Falaknuma Palace (Engine Bowli), Al Saba (Telecom Nagar), Fanooz (Lakdikapul, also try: kheema lukhmi, haleem, marag), Swagath Grand, Biryani Times (Hi-Tech City), Paradise (Secunderabad - also try Zafrani Biriyani here), Angaara, Lucky Restaurant, Chaitanya Food Court (KPHB), Nayab (Charminar), Sohail Hotel (Malakpet), Kritunga (any branch)
Special mentions:
Huzaifa (beef biryani) at Affandi Town,
Hamid Biriyani,
Akram Biryani,
Karachi biryani - Teri Meri Biryani
Nalli Gosht biryani - Krishnapatnam
Sofiyani/Safeyda Biryani or White Biryani - Tosh E Daan, Blue Sea, Aish at The Park Hyderabad (Raj Bhawan Rd)
Shahi Gosht biryani - Golden Pavilion
MLA Potlam Biriyani - The Spicy Venue (also try: Jackfruit Biriyani) [MLA Potlam Biriyani is a spicy keema biryani which is topped with prawns and wrapped in a thin egg omelette]
Pathar ka Gosht – Biryaniwalla & Co, Nawabs, Shahi Dastarkhan, Al Farooj Sonu Kebabs, Chichas, Bade Miyan Kebabs
Mutton Haleem (Ramadan) – City Diamond, Sarvi, Pista House, Peshawar, Hilton, Grill 9, Shadab, Shah Ghouse, Subham Bakery, Café 555, Cafer Bahar, Bawarchi
Mutton Haleem (Off Season) – Kholanis, Chichas, Hyderbad House, Pariwar Havmor, Jewel of Nizam, Fanooz, Aish The Park, Soda Bottle Opener Wala, Tosh E Daan, Golden Pavillion
Mutton Marag – Pista House (Kin Koti), Nawaabs, Imperial, Capital Multicuisine Restaurant, Biryaniwalla & co, Hotel Sohail, Chichas, 4 Season, Tosh-e-daan
Chicken 65 – Maks Kitchen, Al Akbar Fast Food, Biryaniwalla & Co, Pesawar, Dine Hill, Spicy Venue, Shadab Go, Shah Ghouse, Lucky Restaurant, Grand Hotel, Imperial
Special mention: Munshi naan (a 170-year-old square bread naan recipe): Khadeem Munshi Naan (Purani Haveli)
Juice centers/Ice Cream - Milan Juice Center (Char Minar, try Mulberry/Shahtoot Malai ), Nice Juice Center, Haji ALi, Mayur Fruit Juice Center, Creamstone, Huber and Holly, Naturals, Famous Ice cream (Mozanjali Market, try Pot Ice Cream), Vindour, Softy Den, Masqati Icecream, Ohri's Eatmor.
Apricot Delight – Spicy Venue, Pista House
Khowa Jalebi – Burhanpur Khowa Jalebi
Khubani ka Meetha - Shadab, Pista House
Kunafa, Turkish Milk Cake – Gourmet Baklava
Lassi - Nishaat Lassi (Memon Hospital)
Semiyan Delight, Ksheer Khurma – Deccan Kitchen
Jouzi Halwa – Hameedi Confectioners
Malai Bun - Chatturam, Nilofer
Double ka Meetha - Subham Bakery
Shadiyon wali Kaddu ki Kheer - Zaiqa e Kitchen
Near Char Minar: Hotel Nayaab (Try: Paya, Nihari, Gurda Bhaji, and Khichdi Kheema), Hotel Shadab (Try: Khichdi Kheema, Talawa Gosht, and Mutton Dalcha), Hotel Armaan (Try: bheja fry, kheema roti, and chicken dosa), Makkah Tiffins (Try: egg dosa, chicken dosa, and spicy kheema), Rumaan Restaurant (Try: paya soup, nahari, and mutton dishes), Deccan Darwaza (try: Gulbarga Tahari)
Dosa at HYD: Nani’s Tiffins, Pragathi Tiffins, Minerva Coffee Shop, Rahul Tiffins, Varalakshai Tiffins, Lakshman ki Bandi, Ram ki Bandi, Taj Mahal Hotel, Taaza Kitchen, Panchakattu, Simply South, Chutneys
Authentic Andhra meal: IGuru (Manikonda), Aho (DLF), Rayalseema Ruchulu (Ameerpet), Sri Kakatiya Deluxe Mess (Ameerpet), Pakka Local (Banjara Hills), Kadali Kitchen, Southern Mirchi (Banjara hills), The Spicy Venue (Jubilee hills), Palle Vindu (Gachibowli), Vivaha Bhojanambu (Secunderabad)
Best Breakfast in HYD: Dulhan Paratha (Resham Gali - paratha/keema/egg salad), Al Naseeb (Tower market - puri/halwa/channa salan/lassi), Cafe Firdous (Resham gali - tea/long breakfast menu), Al Fajar (Latifabad 07 - puri/alo channa/achar), Quetta Partha (Wadhuwah - chai/paratha)
Chai – Café Niloufer, Pista House, Blue Sea, Grand Hotel, Alpha Hotel, Kadak House, Hotel Niagra, Sohanlal Tea Point, Hotel Imroze, Bhai ki Chai, Taiba, Nimrah.
Oshmania Biscuit – Subham Bakery, Karachi Bakery, Café Niloufer, Pista House
Old is Gold - Iconic ones: Hotel Niagara (since 1969 - Biryani/chai), Taj Mahal Hotel, Abids (since 1948), Karachi Bakery (since 1953 - cookies), Haiking Chinese (since 1972 - OG Chinese in Hyd), Hotel Sadab (since 1953 - Biryani/Irani Chai), Grand Hotel (1935), Hotel Madina (since 1947), Paradise (1953), Subhan Bakery (1948 - Osmania biscuits/plum cakes), Hameedi confectioners (since 1913 - Jauzi Halwa)
Pan Asian fine dining - Mekong, Hashi, Haiku, 7 Sisters, Sesame, China Bistro, Chinese Pavilliom, Zega, Minyu, Yi Jing, Kembara, Bidri - Marriott, Seasonal Tastes (Westin), Mazzo (Marriott Excutive Apartments), Aish (The Park), Jewel of Nizam (The Minar), Dum Pukth (ITC Kohenur),. Celeste (Taj Falaknama), Tre Forni (Park Hyatt).
Pizza places: L Pompeii Pizza Studio, Broadway the Brewery, Jamie's Pizzeria, The Hoppery, Olive Bistro, Zozo's Pizzeria (Jubilee Hills), Nove - The Italian Kitchen, Flying Spaghetti Monster (Banjara Hills), Pizza Den (Secunderabad), Ci Gusta (Madhapur), Little Italy (Film Nagar), Prego (Hi Tech City)
Romantic dinner: Jamun, Akina, Olive Bistro & Bar, RU, The Sanctuary Bar & Kitchen
Turkish restaurant - Kebapci Hills (Banjara Hills)
Bars: Hodd's Cocktail Bar (Gachibowli), Ru Craft Bar (Jubilee Hills), Whisky Samba (Hi Tech City), Babylon Kitchen & Bar (JH), Cock & Bull (Madhapur), Olive Bistro (JH - also for Pizza), Lord of the Drinks (JH), Tabula Rasa (JH), Halo Cocktail Bar & Kitchen (JH), Lake District Bar & Kitchen (Khairatabad), Oxymorons (Begumpet)
Microbreweries in HYD:
Broadway The Brewery (Jubilee Hills, must try: apple cider, mango cider)
Zero40 Brewing (JH, must try: mango cider)
Prost (JH, must try: Kashmiri Apple, Salted Chilli Guava cider, Mango cider, Cosmic litchi, Lemongrass lager)
Red Rhino (Madhapur, must try: Apple/coffee cider)
Vault Brewery (JH, must try: vanilla cider, Green apple cider, Cranberry cider)
Zythum Brewing Co (JH, must try: apple/mango cider)
Ironhill (Kukatpally, must try: apple/cosmic litchi cider)
OneGolf Brewery (Financial district, must try: Raspberry/pomegranate cider)
The Beer Cartel (Hitech city, must try: Mango wit cider)
Forge Breu-Hous (JH, must try: guava cider, strawberry cider)
Ok let's stop here! I created this list in early of 2026, and hopefully more will be added in future.
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