Hyderabad is a city known for its rich history and culture, as well as its delicious cuisine. From spicy and savory to sweet and tangy, the street food in Hyderabad offers a wide variety of flavors and textures. Hyderabadi food offers an array of flavors and textures. If you’re planning a trip to Hyderabad, or even if you’re just a food lover looking to try something new, here are the top 15 authentic dishes you must try:
1) Hyderabadi Biryani
No trip to Hyderabad is complete without trying the city’s famous biryani. This dish is a combination of long-grain rice, meat (usually chicken or mutton), and a blend of spices. Hyderabadi biryani is cooked in a sealed pot, which allows the flavours to infuse and the rice to cook to perfection. What truly sets this dish apart is that each spoonful captures the essence of fragrant spices, tender meat, and perfectly cooked rice, offering a burst of flavour with every bite.
2) Haleem
This dish is particularly popular during the month of Ramadan. It is a thick stew made from wheat, barley, meat (usually mutton or chicken), and a variety of spices. It is slow-cooked for several hours to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. This labour-intensive process ensures the meat is fully blended into the grain, creating a texture that’s almost like a savoury, meaty porridge. Rich and hearty, haleem is topped with fried onions, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon, adding layers of flavour that make it a deeply satisfying meal.
3) Kebabs
Hyderabad is also famous for its Kebabs, which are made from meat (usually chicken or mutton) that is marinated in a blend of spices and cooked on skewers over hot coals. Some popular varieties include Shami Kebab, Boti Kebab, and Seekh Kebab, each with its own unique marinade and cooking style. These kebabs are often enjoyed with fresh mint chutney and thinly sliced onions, making them a perfect starter or snack.
4) Dosa
While not originally from Hyderabad, dosa is a popular breakfast dish in the city. It is a thin, crispy crepe made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils. In Hyderabad, you’ll find dosas with different fillings and textures, from the plain dosa to the masala dosa filled with spiced potatoes. The dosa’s crispy exterior pairs beautifully with creamy coconut chutney and tangy, flavourful sambar.
5) Qubani ka Meetha
This traditional Hyderabadi dessert is made from apricots and is a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. The apricots are cooked until they are soft and then sweetened with sugar. The dish is usually garnished with chopped nuts and served chilled. For an added indulgence, it’s often topped with a dollop of fresh cream or a scoop of ice cream, offering a truly decadent experience.
6) Irani chai
The perfect complement to any meal is a cup of Irani chai. This tea is made with a blend of black tea leaves, cardamom, and milk. It is served in small glasses and is a staple in almost every Irani café in the city. Unlike regular chai, Irani chai is brewed to be strong and rich, with a thick layer of cream on top. Its slightly sweet, aromatic flavour makes it a soothing drink, perfect to enjoy with Osmania biscuits or samosas in the relaxed, old-world ambience of a traditional Irani café.
7) Mirchi ka salan
It is a traditional Hyderabadi dish made of green chilli, peanuts, sesame seeds, and a blend of spices. It is served as a side dish with biryani. The slight heat from the chillies, combined with the creamy, nutty base of the sauce, adds a rich depth of flavour. This side dish is a perfect balance of spicy and tangy, enhancing the overall taste of the biryani with its complex flavours.
8) Double ka meetha
It is a popular sweet dish of Hyderabad, made of bread slices and Rabri (condensed milk). This Hyderabadi sweet treat is very tasty and is commonly prepared during local Muslim weddings. To make this dessert, bread slices are soaked in saffron and cardamom-infused milk. After baking, it swells up to double its original size, so it is also known as double Roti. The final texture is soft and spongy, while the saffron and cardamom lend a fragrant, rich sweetness, making it a true melt-in-the-mouth experience.
9) Paya
Paya is a traditional meat-based dish made of lamb trotters, ginger, garlic, and a blend of spices. This dish is served with hot rice, and every bite of this mouth-watering dish will be an explosion of flavours in your mouth. The slow-cooking process tenderises the meat and allows the broth to become thick and flavourful. Served with a squeeze of lemon and garnished with fresh coriander, paya is particularly enjoyed during chilly evenings for its comforting warmth and richness.
10) Kachchi gosht ki biryani
It is a type of biryani made of raw meat, yoghurt, and spices, slow-cooked to perfection. The raw marinated meat is layered with basmati rice and cooked in Dum style, which infuses the spices thoroughly. Every grain of rice and piece of meat absorbs the marinade, resulting in a succulent bite that’s truly heavenly. This authentic dish is a must-try, promising to take your taste buds on an unforgettable culinary adventure!
11) Osmania Biscuit
This is a famous biscuit from Hyderabad, named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. These biscuits are made with flour, sugar, and ghee and are known for their crispy texture and sweet flavour. They are perfect as a mid-day snack or paired with beverages. A hint of salt adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness, making them ideal for dipping in tea. Widely enjoyed at Irani cafés, Osmania biscuits have become an iconic symbol of Hyderabad’s rich culinary heritage.
12) Nihari
This is a slow-cooked meat dish, traditionally made with beef or lamb. The meat is cooked with a blend of spices until it is tender and falls off the bone. It is typically served with Naan or Roti and is a popular dish during the colder months. Nihari’s spicy gravy and the meat’s softness make it a satiating dish that warms you up from the inside, especially when garnished with fresh ginger, coriander, and a squeeze of lime.
13) Pathar ka gosht
This dish is made with a cut of meat, usually lamb or mutton, that is cooked on a flat stone. The meat is marinated with a blend of spices and then grilled to perfection. It is usually served with Roti or Naan and is a great option for meat lovers. The unique cooking method on a heated stone gives the meat a slightly smoky flavour, making it tender, juicy, and full of earthy richness that’s hard to find in other meat dishes.
14) Keema Samosa
Samosas are one of the most loved snacks in India. But the Keema Samosas of Hyderabad will blow your mind. The yummy delicacy is usually made with spicy masala and minced meat. If you are a fan of Samosas, then you should try these lip-smacking Samosas on your next visit to Hyderabad. Each bite brings a satisfying crunch, followed by spiced keema filling, making it a perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of tea.
15) Phirni
A traditional Indian dessert made with ground rice, milk, and sugar and flavoured with cardamom and saffron. It is usually served in small clay pots and garnished with nuts, making it a perfect way to end a meal. The clay pots add a rustic charm, keeping the Phirni cool and enhancing its creamy texture and delicate flavours, leaving you craving for more. However, if traditional desserts aren’t your preference, you can also explore a variety of cakes in Hyderabad.
These are just a few of the many authentic Hyderabadi dishes that are available in the city. To truly experience Hyderabad’s flavours, visit local eateries and street food vendors to try these dishes and discover many more.
