Hyderabad Food Guide: 15 Dishes to Try and Where to Eat Them
Biryani is just the start. Here are the dishes that define Hyderabadi food and the parts of the city where locals go to eat them.
Hyderabadi cuisine grew in the kitchens of the Qutb Shahis and Nizams, mixing Mughal, Persian, Turkish and Telugu flavours. Food is one of the main reasons people visit, and you can eat well at every budget.
15 Hyderabadi Dishes You Must Try
| Dish | What it is | When to try |
|---|---|---|
| Hyderabadi dum biryani | Basmati and marinated meat slow-cooked in a sealed pot | Lunch or dinner |
| Haleem | Slow-cooked wheat, lentils and meat | During Ramzan |
| Irani chai | Strong, creamy tea | Any time |
| Osmania biscuits | Sweet-salty butter biscuits served with chai | Evening |
| Pathar ka gosht | Mutton cooked on a hot stone | Dinner |
| Mirchi ka salan | Chilli curry served with biryani | With biryani |
| Bagara baingan | Brinjal in a peanut, sesame and tamarind gravy | With biryani |
| Nihari with kulcha | Slow-cooked meat stew | Early morning breakfast |
| Lukhmi | Square savoury pastry with mince filling | Snack |
| Keema samosa | Small minced meat samosa | Snack |
| Double ka meetha | Bread pudding with saffron and dry fruits | Dessert |
| Qubani ka meetha | Stewed apricot dessert | Dessert |
| Khubani malai | Apricots with cream | Dessert |
| Karachi Bakery fruit biscuits | Famous Hyderabad bakery biscuits | Souvenir |
| Pesarattu and upma | Telugu green gram dosa | Breakfast |
Where to Eat in Hyderabad
Old City (Charminar)
The Old City is the heart of Hyderabadi food. Lanes around Charminar serve Irani chai, Osmania biscuits, nihari at dawn, haleem in Ramzan and street desserts late into the night. Nimrah Cafe beside Charminar is famous for chai and biscuits.
Secunderabad and RTC X Roads
Home to some of the city's oldest and best known biryani restaurants, and to the Paradise junction that gave one of them its name.
Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills
Fine dining, modern Hyderabadi restaurants and cafes. Good for trying pathar ka gosht and Nizami thalis in a comfortable setting.
Hitec City and Gachibowli
Cafes, breweries and pan-Indian restaurants, plus branches of the classic biryani houses.
Nampally and Abids
Early morning tiffin stalls and old-style eateries close to Salar Jung Museum.
Food Tips
- Biryani portions are large. One full plate often feeds two people.
- Ramzan is the best time to try haleem, when the Old City has night food markets.
- Ask for mirchi ka salan and raita with your biryani if they are not served automatically.
- Vegetarians can try veg dum biryani, bagara baingan, pesarattu and South Indian tiffins.
- Buy Karachi Bakery biscuits and Pista House sweets to take home.
A Food Tour by Cab
Food stops in the Old City are spread across narrow lanes with little parking. A car rental with driver lets you hop between food stops without parking hassle. You can also combine a food trail with a Hyderabad city tour.
For everything else, see our complete Hyderabad travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous food in Hyderabad?
Hyderabadi dum biryani is the most famous food in Hyderabad, followed by haleem during Ramzan, Irani chai with Osmania biscuits, and double ka meetha.
When is the best time to eat haleem in Hyderabad?
Haleem is traditionally served during the month of Ramzan, when restaurants and stalls across the Old City prepare it fresh daily.
What should vegetarians eat in Hyderabad?
Vegetarians can try veg dum biryani, bagara baingan, mirchi ka salan, pesarattu, Irani chai with Osmania biscuits, and double ka meetha.
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