When someone says “famous food in Hyderabad”, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Biryani, right? You’re right, there’s probably no other dish as iconic as the Hyderabadi Biryani. But, Hyderabad’s food streets have so much more to offer. Be it Haleem, keema samosas or Qubani ka Meetha, the city is full of culinary treats for you to enjoy. Just keep one thing in mind, as tempting as the best street foods in Hyderabad might be, it’s not healthy to eat them on a regular basis. When it comes to health, homely meals are your BFF. That’s why we avoid spicy food and serve simple meals in all of our residences. So your tummy is immune and strong when you take it out to experiment with some special food in Hyderabad on weekends.
20 Iconic food in Hyderabad to try are:
Check out our residences in Hyderabad to enjoy some homely meals. |
Can we even talk about famous food in Hyderabad and not mention Hyderabadi Biryani? Nope, not happening. This iconic dish is made with a unique blend of spices and tender chicken pieces and will definitely leave you wanting more. Good news for vegetarians in the house, the veg version, called Qabooli Biryani, is equally yum and can shut everyone’s mouth who says veg biryani doesn’t exist.
Next on the list of special food in Hyderabad, comes Biryani’s healthy cousin, Hyderabadi Khichdi. Not your typical bland dish, this one is gooey goodness loaded with spoonfuls of ghee. Who thought khichdi could taste so yum, huh?
No blog on famous street food in Hyderabad will be complete without Lukhmi. These little squares made of flour are filled with minced meat and are deep-fried. Pair them with some spicy chutney, and you wouldn’t even want to try anything else. Think of them as differently-shaped samosas!
Some of Hyderabad’s best food is non-veg, and Marag is definitely one of them. It is a mutton stew that is served as an appetiser at most local social functions. Well, our real reason for going to Hyderabadi weddings is revealed.
Another famous food in Hyderabad is the iconic Osmania biscuits. They have more than 13 varieties of these buttery cookies that go so well with a cup of Irani Chai. To be honest, we’re not the biggest fans of sweet and salty coming together, but these biscuits are an exception.
Irani Chai is also another special food in Hyderabad. Introduced by the Persians, this creamy tea tastes best when served with Osmania biscuits. Our top recommendation to try this out would be Nimrah Cafe where you can sip your evening tea while looking at the Charminar. And almost feeling like a Nawab yourself.
Another Hyderabadi non-veg dish made during wedding parties, Malai Paya is a rich creamy gravy made with mutton. This dish, paired with Kesar Chai will make you feel all warm from the inside. We suggest avoiding this dish in very hot weather.
Most places serving midnight food in Hyderabad make amazing Malai Korma. So if you’re in the city, definitely try this out. Made with cream, spices and tomatoes, this dish can be customised with meat, eggs or even veggies. And no, it’s definitely not the same as Malai Kofta.
Juicy lamb or mutton, minced with yoghurt – sounds mouthwatering to us. If you like them spicy, just ask the shop to add some extra green chillies for that zing. Head to your nearest Boti Kebab stall if you’re looking for some happy food to uplift your crappy mood.
The list of Hyderabad’s best food is incomplete without stews. And Haleem would be the most popular among them. Brought to the city by the Nizams, this dish is still popular and is made in both restaurants and households. Who knew the combination of lentils and meat would taste so freaking good? Looks like the Nizams did.
Qubani ka Meetha is the no.1 famous street food in Hyderabad. It is made from dried apricots and almonds and is usually served with some malai on top. It is the signature dessert of the city so we suggest you try this gem out, even if you don’t have a sweet tooth.
Patthar ka Gosht is a smoky flavoured lamb dish and is quite popular in Hyderabad. It is usually cooked at traditional Iftaar parties and is a big hit among all foodies. It is cooked on a wide slab of stone. Hence the name.
Double ka Meetha is Hyderabad’s version of the classic Shahi Tukda. The “double” here means the bread that becomes twice its size while baking. If you love desserts, you’ll love this 2x more than any other average dessert.
A plate of Hyderabadi Biryani is incomplete without a side of Mirchi Ka Salan. This chilli gravy is not for the faint-hearted, as it will make your taste buds explode. This dish might not be as famous as Hyderabadi Biryani, but this is what makes it iconic.
Maghaz Masala is a popular lamb dish that is juicy and bursts with flavours. Forget your spoons and forks and dive into this goodness with your fingers. Not to creep you out, but this dish is nothing but Brain Fry.
Not your regular dal, this one is a staple in Telugu households. It’s a little tangy than the yellow dal people eat in other parts of India. You can taste the tamarind and tomatoes and it tastes amazing with any kind of rice. So, we guess we’re trying to say that…Pappu can “dal” saala.
This used to be the top favourite sweet dish of the Nizams. Which royal wouldn’t love a dessert made with tons of ghee and spices like saffron? This dish originated in Turkey but Hyderabad’s Hameedi Confectionery makes it pretty well too. If the Nizams loved it, we do too.
If you’re tired of seeing all the non-veg food in Hyderabad, then you’ll love Andhra meals for sure. Vegetarians! It’s a proper veg thali served on a banana leaf that makes for a perfect lunch. Oh, and the best part, you get unlimited rice at an affordable price.
Burani Raita and rice has been a favourite since the days of the Nawab. So, it’s not surprising that it is still one of Hyderabad’s best food items. Be it Qabooli Biryani or Hyderabadi, neither is complete without a side of this Raita.
Tunday Kebab is traditionally a Lucknawi dish, made with minced buff meat. They’re now popular throughout the country because they’re too delicious to just be available in a single place. Try these piping hot kebabs with a side of mint chutney or mayo, and you’ll forget your fancy sausages and hot dogs.
Two words – Hyderabadi Biryani. We bet you didn’t even have to guess this one. So try out the best Hyderabadi Briyani.
It’s difficult to choose, but some of the best street foods in Hyderabad would be:
Hyderabad and its people love desserts, so naturally, you’ll get a lot of options here, like:
The no.1 popular dish in Andhra Pradesh has to be Pulihora or tamarind rice served with green chillies. If you love veggies, lentils and a sour zing, this is the perfect dish for you.