People who know me, they know the fact that I like Hyderabadi Biryani more than Kolkata Biryani though I grew up having Kolkata Biryani.
During 2013, I moved to Hyderabad and I took some time to get my taste bud accustomed with the Hyderabadi Biryani, a version which is much stronger than the Kolkata version, in terms of taste and masalas. I remember, the first biryani I tried after landing at Hyderabad was from Bawarchi at Gacchibowli. Bawarchi is a famous name at Hyderabad when it comes to Biryani. Later, I came to know that the shop of Bawarchi at ABIDS is the original one and they do not have any branch. Needless to say, I could not finish the biryani during the first time, in fact I could have have just few gulps before saying “I am done!”. For the first few months, I could not finish a single plate of Biryani but I always used to like the masalas and the aroma and of course, the huge meat that is served with the Biryani every time. I was never a fan of the potato that is given in Kolkata Biryani, hence the absence of the potato in Hyderabadi Biryani did not disappoint me.
I remember completing a full plate of Biryani on one fine Sunday afternoon. I was super-duper hungry, I was a bit high on beers and I entered Bawarchi to complete a single plate of Biryani, single-handedly. This restaurant was opposite to the building where I was a paying guest and I could see that restaurant and the crowd from the windows. Finishing a plate of Hyderabadi Biryani alone was a kind of achievement, indeed. Over the years, I started loving this version and I started to explore the best places of the city, specially known for their Biryani.
Ma visited Hyderabad for the first time and I took her to Shadab near Charminar. They prepare one of the best Biryanis of Hyderabad and they are my absolute favorite. I remember going there for Biryani and I would pack a plate of Pakistani Chicken, another dish which is my favorite to have with Roti at night. Another place which is my favorite is Alhamdulillah Hotel at Nampally. This place remains open 24X7 and they serve great Beef Biryani along with Talawa Gosht, Kebabs and Irani Chai. The place is always crowdy, the waiters are swift and the pocket pinch is always less than 300 INR, per head. Oh!, this place looks shabby and it is strictly not for people who prefer cleanliness and air condition machines more than the food.
I am sure, you are looking for Paradise Biryani.
To be honest, if you ask a Hyderabadi about the best places to have Biryani, they would keep Paradise Biryani at the end of the list or maybe not in the top 10 even! Paradise was good until it was being sold off to a Bangalore-based catering company, who concentrate more on marketing instead of the food quality. I had Biryani from Paradise but I can count the number of times. Needless to say, I do not like Paradise Biryani but the Haleem is good. Paradise opened up a branch at Kolkata and they invited me for a food-tasting session which I rejected politely.
If I am writing about Hyderabadi Biryani, I really can’t miss Cafe Bahar at Himayetnagar. This place serves Fish Biryani too which you will not get at any other place. Beside that, a plate of Chicken or Mutton Biryani comes with the perfect blend of masalas and spices, every time. It is worthy.
Nayaab Hotel – I like the Haleem more than their Biryani. Their Char Koni Naan, a special bread that they prepare goes very well with the Paya that they prepare.
I have heard a lot about Meridian Hotel during my stay at Hyderabad for the last 9 years, however I could not visit it even for one day. Maybe, the distance was a matter of concern. However, during these 9 years, I saw few names that came up and they were an instant hit. For example : Mehfil.
I used to order Biryani from Mehfil when I used to be at the office since it was near. Mehfil used to offer a mini Biryani pack worth 100 INR, which was sufficient for one. At Madhapur, I found a road-side stall selling Biryanis at 80 INR and I liked that one too. There was a place called Hyderabad Deccan at Madhapur, which is now closed. They used to prepare great Biryani at reasonable rates.
Later, I shifted to Pista House whenever we used to have a Biryani party.
Pista House came up with a branch near Kothaguda and I used to order family pack of Biryani whenever there was a get-together of friends and family. In Hyderabad, if you order a family pack of Biryani, you’ll be served with complimentary Rumali Roti, Chicken 65 too. Beside that, the usual Mirch Salaan and the Raita with some Salad - a complete package! It was cost-saving and the quantity of a single family pack used to serve 4-5 hungry souls. If the gang is newly introduced to Hyderabadi Biryani, this same pack might serve up to 7 people.
Needless to say, I love Hyderabadi Biryani. I have often become brave and ordered double masala for my biryani which is higher on spice. After coming back to Kolkata, I have tried almost all the places which has Hyderabadi Biryani in their menu but I never got the taste, the authenticity here. I should not shy away from saying that Kolkata is yet to get a proper place for Hyderabadi Dum Biryani. Paradise came up with 2 branches in this city however, Paradise is not my favorite and they also fail to give me the authentic taste that I have got from almost all the honchos of Hyderabad.
God knows, I might go back to Hyderabad someday again just for their Biryani, Irani Chai, Mandi and Shawarma.
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