Speak of Hyderabadi food, and most people will think of the eponymous biryani. And while Hyderabadi Biryani rightfully commands international fame, restricting your perception of Hyderabadi food to just this one dish means missing out on one of South Asia’s richest culinary traditions. The cuisine in this capital city is a unique synthesis of royal Nizami-Deccani heritage, which features rich, slow-cooked, aromatic meats and dry-fruit-laden desserts, and vibrant Telugu street food traditions consisting of spicy and tangy tiffin staples. If you’re in Hyderabad and are interested in exploring the full breadth of culinary experiences the City of Pearls has to offer, this unstumbled guide is for you!
What To Eat In Hyderabad Besides Biryani?
Midnight To Sunrise Tiffins
Dosa Variety At Ram Ki Bandi, Nampally
Ram Ki Bandi in Nampally is famous for its butter-laden, cheese-stuffed, and Schezwan-infused dosas served on plantain leaves even late at night!
Babai Hotel And Chutneys
These restaurants in Hyderabad are renowned for their feather-light Guntur Idlis, Pesarattu, which is a green gram crepe, and multi-chutney samplers including coconut, ginger, tomato, and peanut. If you’re a vegetarian craving some delicious and flavorful South Indian fare, these restaurants are absolutely unmissable.
Traditional Old City Sunrise Feasts
What To Eat: Paya And Bheja Fry With Nayan/Tandoori Naan
Paya is a hearty, slow-simmered broth made from trotters. It is typically paired with the square, flaky, charkoni naan.
Where To Try: Hotel Nayaan, near Char Minar, and Hotel Shadab, near Madina Circle.
Also Read: How To Reach Srisailam Temple From Hyderabad: Timings, Darshan & Travel Guide
Afternoon Chai Rituals: The Irani Chai And Bakery Culture
Hyderabad has quite a prolific chai culture. Irani chai, especially, is quite famous. It is a thick, creamy, condensed-milk tea brewed in sealed brass samovars. This way of making tea was introduced to Hyderabad by Persian immigrants in the late 19th century, which is where the name comes from. This unique tea is typically paired with freshly baked biscuits of various kinds:
Osmania Biscuits: These are soft, buttery, sweet, and salty shortbread cookies engineered to be dipped into hot chai without breaking.
Bun Maska And Maskey Malai: Bun maska is a simple yet delicious snack. It is basically a warm fruit bun slathered with unsalted white butter or thick cream.
Tie Khari And Chand Biscuit: Tie khari is a crispy and flaky pastry that’s dipped in chai. Chand biscuit, on the other hand, is a Crescent-shaped biscuit that’s sometimes coated with a sweet and salty sprinkling.
Where To Go: Iconic Cafes To Visit
Nimrah Bakery and Cafe: This particular cafe is known for its Irani chai and Osmania biscuits. It is situated directly facing Charminar and is great for iconic morning views.
Cafe Niloufer: With outlets across Hyderabad, it is known for its premium packaged tea blends and packaged Osmania biscuits.
Subhan Bakery: Another legendary bakery in Hyderabad, it offers all kinds of traditional Hyderabadi baked goods, including Osmania biscuits, chand biscuits, kharis, and more.
Savory Snacks, Kebabs And Street Food Hits
Apart from these, Hyderabad has numerous other street food items and snacks that are worth trying. They are as follows:
Lukhmi: Think of this as the Deccan cousin of the North Indian Samosa. It is basically a square, flaky puff-pastry envelope stuffed with spiced minced mutton or kheema.
Where To Try: Hotel Alpha in Secunderabad and Hotel Shadab in Madina Circle.
Pathar Ka Gosht: This is marinated boneless mutton strips slow-cooked over a flat slab of granite heated by charcoal. This cooking method produces melt-in-the-mouth tender meat with a subtle smoky mineral char.
Where To Try: Bade Miyan Kababs at Toli Chowk and Bahar Cafe.
Shikampuri Kebab: These are luxurious mutton cutlets stuffed with a velvety center of hung curd or dahi, chopped mint, and green chilies, pan-seared on a flat griddle called a tawa.
Where To Try: Chicha’s in Lakdikapul, and Hotel Shadab in Madina Circle.
Also Read: Best Haleem In Hyderabad: Top Spots For This Ramadan Treat
Summing Up
The food scene in Hyderabad is no joke. It has a rich culinary heritage that it has honed for centuries, way beyond your average biryani with mirchi salan and kabaab. For any true foodie, Hyderabad is one of the most diverse culinary cities in the country. Vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians can find options to satisfy their palate. Old City, especially, is good for a non-vegetarian food walk. During late-night hours, the Old City comes alive and becomes the center of some of the most memorable bites you’ll have in Hyderabad, from succulent kabaabs to juicy shawarma. There’s a reason why Hyderabadi food commands the popularity that it does, and the best way to understand the hype is to simply try the food for yourself.
