With Eid celebrations in full swing, I’m sure there’s one thing everyone is craving the most – biryani. This iconic dish, with its origins steeped in history and culture, has transcended regional boundaries to become a national treasure. From the fragrant rice to the tender meat, every spoonful of biryani tells a tale of tradition, craftsmanship, and passion. But you can’t restrict this slow-cooked meal to merely a dish; it’s an emotion, and rightly so. A good biryani can hit all the right spots and elevate your mood in an instant. As per Zomato’s statistics in December 2023, biryani bagged the title of the most-ordered dish in the country. You get the drift, right?
While no one can beat a home-cooked biryani from our mothers’ and grandmothers’ kitchens or even the one prepared at weddings, some iconic spots come close to it. Here are 14 places that serve lip-smackingly good biryani across India.
Hyderabad
Hotel Shadab, Charminar
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One important aspect of biryani is maintaining the rice-to-mutton ratio, and this restaurant—which is over 70 years old—has not only got that right but has also maintained its consistency since its creation. Though the biryani is on the spicier side, you’ll always find locals crowding up at the restaurant. It’s also walking distance from Charminar, which allows you to tick off two tourist spots from your itinerary in one go.
Cafe Bahar, Basheer Bagh
Known for its Mughlai-Persian specialities, Cafe Bahar serves non-spicy biryanis called ‘sonda’ without compromising flavours. This biryani is a moderate, well-flavoured stock with a hint of bone marrow. Â
Shah Ghouse and Pista House are other frequented spots for a good biryani.
Kolkata
Royal Indian Hotel, Barabazar Market
Established in 1905, the Royal Indian Hotel is the oldest biryani spot in Kolkata. It was launched by Ahmed Hussain, a descendant of Nawab Wazid Ali Shah and a migrant from Lucknow. This spot has maintained its Lucknowi-style flavours for over 100 years. You must try the Kolkata biryani with potatoes here.
Aminia, New Market
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Ask someone where to get good biryani, and Aminia will likely be on their list! The Mughlai restaurant has been in the business since 1929 and is known for its tender, juicy mutton biryani as well as chicken biryani.
Arsalan, Park Circus
Also a part of the city’s biryani legacy, Arsalan is one of the most frequented spots in Kolkata. Their mutton and chicken biryani are must-tries.
Lucknow
Idrees, Chowk
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If you’re in Lucknow, you ought to know Idrees. The biryani here is known for its long-grain fluffy rice, delicate mutton pieces, rich flavours, and aromatic spices. The cherry on top, though, is the salan (gravy) served with the biryani, which makes Idrees a beloved spot in the city.
Wahid Biryani, Aminabad
Fragrant rice and a generous amount of meat – isn’t that what every meat lover craves? Wahid Biryani, the legendary spot that has been in the business for more than 70 years, serves just that and won’t leave you disappointed.
Dastarkhwan, Aminabad
If you’re on the lookout for a royal feast that reflects the Land of the Nawabs, Dastarkhwan is the place to be. The mutton biryani paired with mutton chops is a combo you’ll devour.
Mumbai
Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar, Grant Road
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Since its inception in 1973, the restaurant has been famous for its kebabs and mouth-watering mutton biryani. The biryani is aromatic, balanced with the right amount of spice, and has a hearty amount of onions and tomatoes that impart its flavour. Other must-tries include the boti and dum ghost biryani.
Lucky Restaurant, Bandra West
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What started as a quaint Parsi cafe has turned into one of the best biryani restaurants in the city. Saeed Ali Akbarul Husseini launched Lucky in September 1938, with his son and grandson now taking over the family business and maintaining its tradition. Lucky’s Chicken Tikka Biryani, which combines the smokiness of the popular snack chicken tikka with India’s aromatic and flavorful spices, has become its bestseller.
New Delhi
Dum Pukht, ITC Maurya
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This restaurant has maintained its position of serving some of the best Awadhi cuisine in the capital and the same holds for its biryani. At Dum Pukth, the biryani is rich in flavour and has the right amount of spice, one that isn’t too overpowering.
Andhra Bhavan, Feroze Shah Road
The state Bhavan of Andhra in Delhi, this spot is best known for its authentic Andhra thalis at subsidised rates. On Sundays, they serve the special Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani with patrons flocking to the restaurant on that day. If you have a good spice tolerance, Andhra Bhavan is the ideal choice as the biryanis here turn up the heat. Â
Bengaluru
Shivaji Military Hotel, Jayanagar
One of the oldest military hotels in the city, the Shivaji Military Hotel is perpetually crowded and with good reason. It is known for woodfire-cooked biryani, especially the mutton biryani served on banana leaves.
Nagarjuna, Jayanagar
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Find unique Andhra-style biryanis at this frequently visited spot in the city. It’s perfect for those who like their biryani spicy but still has a rich layer of aroma and the right consistency of herbs.
