Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Hyderabad, a city known for its rich cultural diversity and an extensive array of cuisines. Among its culinary delights, the legendary Hyderabadi Biryani stands out as an irresistible highlight. Embark on a gastronomic journey through the city’s top-notch restaurants, where foodies can savor the authentic taste of this iconic dish. Don’t miss the chance to relish the essence of Hyderabad’s culinary heritage at these handpicked best biryani places in Hyderabad.
Let’s begin by review the origins of Hyderabadi biryani
It is reported that for more than 400 years, biryani remained a staple of Hyderabadi cuisine. Even though the dish’s exact history is unknown, some believe that it came from the Hyderabadi and Mughlai cuisines in the kitchen of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
This dish’s primary ingredients include basmati rice, spices, and meat (mostly mutton). And preparing this dish will often take 40 minutes to 1 hour.
Below are best biryani places in Hyderabad handpicked by the foodies
Paradise, Begumpet – A lot of celebrities and well-known people from all over the world visit this restaurant to enjoy the biryani here, which is its primary cause of popularity of this restaurant. Despite having franchises at various locations throughout the city, you must try the biryani at the main branch of this restaurant. If you’re looking for a package, they do offer incredibly quick delivery.
Hotel Shadab – One of the oldest restaurants, Hotel Shadab is situated close to the Charminar and serves authentic Dum biryani. Regardless of the day, one must stand in lengthy queues to try their biryani. If you have a late-night craving for biryani, this restaurant is the place for you, and if you truly love biryani, you must go there.
Chicha’s Hitech city – This restaurant, which is in a prime area of Hyderabad, serves asli Hyderabadi-style biryani and other exquisite meals with a great ambience & family friendly dine in. Must try: Biryani, Kebabs and don’t miss to try Haleem if you are visiting this restaurant in Ramzan season.
Hotel Nayab – This restaurant is where you can find authentic Hyderbadi food including Hyderbadi savior Biryani. In addition, they served from 5 AM to 12:30 AM. This 36 year old restaurant serves 18 plus varieties of breakfast including Hyderabad special Paya, Kichidi, keema roti, biryani and many more. It is located near Charminar. I recommend visiting this restaurant in the early mornings for their non veg breakfast.
Bawarchi X roads – At this place, you can get delicious Hyderabadi biryani for an affordable cost. For families, there are several dining options available. The masala is the best part of the biryani, and you should order double masala for the chicken or mutton biryani here to experience the authentic flavor of this Hyderabadi biryani.
Pista House, King koti – In addition to the Biryani, this restaurant is one of my favorites because it offers delicious starters, drinks, and desserts at reasonable prices. This is the greatest location if you want to host a party for your friends as you can eat a variety of dishes without busting your wallet. Must try their Mutton biryani and starter platter. Also, if you are visiting this restaurant in the Ramzan season, then you should definitely try their Mutton Haleem.
The Palace – This Mughlai cuisine dhaba is 5 Kilometer away from the Hyderabad ORR. The eatery has a palace-like appearance in Hyderabad. If you’re traveling with kids, they will love this location because there are so many activities in addition to sports available. I must say you should try Mutton biryani here which is juicy & tender and Hyderabadi famous Zaffrani chai.
Shah Ghouse – The majority of foodies come to this eatery to try the paya with bread, however I would also suggest trying the mouthwatering mutton biryani. Despite the average ambiance, you may get a wide variety of meals for reasonable prices.
Mehfil – If you’re new to Hyderabad and don’t know where to find the tastiest biryani and mouth watering kebabs at reasonable pricing, this is the place to go. There may be a wait or need to arrive a little earlier to get a seat here between 1 pm in the afternoon and 9 pm for dinner. This restaurant is fantastic for those Heavy and moderate eaters because the portions may be enough for more than expected. The price for a single serving of chicken or mutton biryani is 120 or 150 rupees, respectively.
The Nawab’s restaurant – They treat you like a royal guest, making it one of the best restaurants.It has excellent service, a lovely ambiance, and a very affordable pricing. Additionally, the food’s quality and flavor were excellent. Zafrani mutton biryani is their most well-known dish.
If you would like cook this dish, then here is the preparation for you:
Preparation:
Dum Chicken Biryani is a delightful and aromatic rice dish where marinated chicken and fragrant basmati rice are cooked together in a sealed pot, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Here’s a basic recipe for preparing Dum Chicken Biryani:
Ingredients:
For Marinating Chicken:
- 500 grams chicken, cut into pieces
- 1 cup yogurt (curd)
- 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon biryani masala
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt to taste
For Rice:
- 2 cups Basmati rice, soaked in water for 30 minutes and drained
- Whole spices (2 bay leaves, 4-5 cloves, 4-5 green cardamoms, 1-inch cinnamon stick)
- Salt to taste
For Biryani Layering:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced and fried until golden brown
- Fresh mint leaves
- Fresh coriander leaves
- Saffron strands soaked in warm milk
- Ghee (clarified butter) or oil
Instructions:
Marinating the Chicken:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, biryani masala, lemon juice, and salt. Mix well, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and let it marinate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight) in the refrigerator.
Cooking the Rice:
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add soaked and drained Basmati rice along with whole spices (bay leaves, cloves, green cardamoms, cinnamon stick) and salt. Cook the rice until it’s 70-80% done (still slightly undercooked). Drain the water and set the rice aside.
Layering the Biryani:
In a heavy-bottomed pot or a biryani handi, spread a layer of marinated chicken at the bottom. Top it with a layer of half-cooked Basmati rice.
Sprinkle some fried onions, fresh mint leaves, and coriander leaves over the rice layer. Drizzle a little ghee or oil to add richness and flavor.
Continue layering with the remaining chicken and rice, following the same process of adding fried onions, mint leaves, coriander leaves, and ghee/oil.
Finally, sprinkle the saffron-soaked milk over the top layer for a beautiful golden color and a subtle aroma.
Dum Cooking:
Seal the pot with a tight-fitting lid or use dough to seal the edges, ensuring no steam can escape.
Place the sealed pot on a tawa (griddle) on low heat. This prevents direct contact with the flame and ensures even cooking.
Allow the Dum Chicken Biryani to cook on low heat for about 30-40 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the rice to cook fully.
Serving:
Once the Dum Biryani is ready, carefully open the pot and gently fluff the rice with a fork.
Serve hot, straight from the pot, with raita or salan (spicy gravy) on the side to complement the flavors of this delectable dish.
Enjoy your homemade Dum Chicken Biryani, rich with the authentic taste of Hyderabad’s culinary heritage!
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