20 Places That Serve The Most Delectable Best Biryani In The City

With many locations across Chennai, The Old Mirchi Biryani has been serving the most authentic Hyderabadi biryani since 2009. The focus on flavours and preparation techniques remains traditional to this day, with the perfect meat-to-rice ratio. The whole menu is super diverse, with each dish brimming with tantalising aromas. You need to try their Huderabi chicken biryani and Malabar paratha.

Timings: 12 PM - 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM - 11 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.1/5

Price: INR 240 onwards 

Cooking with coconut oil can never go wrong, and Ente Keralam knows that well. Apart from their fish fries and beef curry, their Thalassery biryani is one of a kind. Unlike the others, this biryani uses small grain, khaima rice. What's so different about it? The rice and the meat are cooked separately and then put together dum-style. If you haven't tried this Kerala favourite, this place is your chance. 

Timings: 12 PM - 3 PM and 7 PM - 11 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.3/5

Price: INR 275 onwards

Aren't wedding biryanis one-of-a-kind? H.Akbar Mess in Vepery comes really close to them, serving mutton biryani in banana leaves. It's not overly spicy, and its homely appeal and flavour make it a comfort meal. Don't ask for a spoon to eat the biryani if you don't want to be judged. 

Timing: 9 AM - 5 PM

Zomato Rating: 3.4/5

Price: INR 150 onwards

Whether you have been to Ambur or not, chances are you still know what it is famous for. Having set shop in the 1890s, Ambur Star Biryani serves plates with more meat than rice from more than ten outlets in the city; pick an Ambur Biryani closest to you and enjoy their quick service. Ooh, they've got the XL biryani, too, in case you want to indulge at home with your family (it's takeaway only). 

Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.2/5

Price: INR 144 onwards

Anyone from Chennai is well familiar with the iconic Anjappar Chettinad restaurant, well-regarded for its awesome Chettinad cuisine and deliciously balanced flavours. Started in 1964, this diner has over 48 outlets all over India, with more than 30 foreign locations as well. Their signature Anjappar biryani has been their best seller, and still stands up to the fame of its name, with the robust spices mix, the most indulgent rice, and meat that breaks apart as soon as you eat. Everything on their menu is excellent.

Timing: 11 AM - 11:15 PM

Zomato Rating: 3.8/5

Price: INR 310 onwards 

When you put iconic and biryani together, you get Yaa Mohideen. Always crowded, you can work up an appetite by joining the long queues, and when it is your turn at the front of the counter, snap up their superb Mutton Biryani. There is no fancy ambience and no great furniture, but it's the consistency in flavour that makes them a hot favourite. Pair their biryani with Chicken Pakoras and you’ve got yourself a memorable meal. They even sell biryani by the kilo. Did we just hear house party? 

Timing: 9 AM - 10 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.3/5

Price: INR 210 onwards 

This is mainly a takeaway restaurant that kills it with its combo offers. Our favourite is their Chicken Tikka Masala and Mutton Biryani combo. There's also Fish Biryani, Mutton Seekh Kebab Biryani, Egg Biryani, and others. 

Timing: 11 AM - 10:30 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.3/5

Price: INR 219 onwards

If you are an ardent non-vegetarian, you will know that you can never go wrong with this one. Our favourite dish at Samco is easily the Chicken 65 Biryani, which gets everything right—spices, flavour, oil, and, oh, the Chicken 65 pieces! You can also try their other creation, the Chicken Semiya Biryani, which is equally yummy but surprisingly not as popular.

Timing: 11:30 AM - 12 AM

Zomato Rating: 3.8/5

Price: INR 170 onwards

One of the city's most iconic possessions and a pioneer for giving us Chicken 65, Buhari has grown across Chennai. Not to forget, their biryani remains among the best in town. Their juicy chicken biryani paired with chicken 65 is the perfect jodi; spicy and thick, just how we like it. Ask for a leg piece in your biryani—it tastes heavenly mixed with the spices.

Timing: 11:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Zomato Rating: 3.6/5

Price: INR 230 onwards 

How much spice is too much spice? Well, Chettinad cuisine will answer that. If you love Chettinad food, where else to try it than in the Karaikudi Chettinadu Mess? Located across outlets in Chennai, it specialises in Chettinad biryani. Long grain and heavily spiced, the tears rolling down your eyes are worth it just for its taste. Apart from chicken and mutton biryani, their special fish and prawn dum biryani are worth trying too! 

Timing: 10:30 AM - 10 PM

Zomato Rating: 3.1/5

Price: INR 140 onwards

If you love beef biryani, head to Sukkubhai Biryani! The aromatic rice is subtly spiced, allowing the chunks of meat to shine through. Their hunky beef cutlets and beef fry prove to be worthy accompaniments to the stellar biryani. 

Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.2/5

Price: INR 200 onwards

Pro-Tip: You can also check out our list of budget biryani restaurants to eat the best without shelling out much.

Chennai is surrounded by biryani hubs. If you are heading towards Hosur, you’ll find the famed Dindigul biryani. But don’t worry, you don’t have to budge an inch to get your share of steaming hot Dindigul biryani. With branches across the city, head to a Dindigul Thalapakatti outlet closest to you and indulge in boneless mutton biryani or chicken versions or biryani in a bucket to feed your entire brood.

Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM

Zomato Rating: 4/5

Price: INR 199 onwards (for biryani combos) 

Specialising in Mughlai and North Indian flavours, Copper Chimney is where you head when you’ve got a calorie-loaded treat on your mind. Stuff your face with their excellent Dum Gosht Biryani sprinkled with saffron and chunks of beautifully cooked lamb. That said, it’s certainly a finer dining version of the meal. It is about feeding the Nawab in you.

Timings: 11:30 AM - 4 PM and 6:30 PM - 11 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.3/5

Price: INR 345 onwards 

A busy and budget biryani joint in Royapettah, Charminar is a favourite with the crowds. Don't expect fancy packaging and branding, but a tiny place specialising in home-style biryani mutton and chicken biryani that they prepare in large, blackened cauldrons. They also have a few tandoori dishes that you can chomp down with your biryani. Bucket versions for large crowds are available, too. 

Timing: 10:30 AM – 9 PM

Zomato Rating: 4/5

Price: INR 140 onwards (for half a plate) 

AlMaza's extensive menu is a meat lover’s delight and features quite a variety of biryani. If you want to go the tried-and-tested way, there is the Mughlai mutton and chicken biryani. Fish, prawns, and egg versions make an appearance too. But if you are looking for sheer indulgence, pick the Mutton (also available in chicken) Zafrani Pulao sprinkled with the goodness of saffron. 

Timings: 12 PM - 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM - 11 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.6/5

Price: INR 200 onwards 

Rasavid translates to 'knowing good flavour,' and they stay true to that. Serving one of the best Hyderabad Dum Biryanis in Chennai, Rasavid strikes a perfect balance of spice and flavour. There are multiple locations in Chennai, so hit up the one closest to you next time you are craving biryani, and you will surely relish it. 

Timing: 12 PM - 11 PM

Rating: 3.9/5

Price: INR 175 onwards

Best known for its mutton biryani, Paramount is also a crowd-favourite. They've got fish, egg, chicken and prawn biryani. Their paya and appam are supposed to be just as good. Come to this Kilpauk eatery to get a wholesome serving of your favourite biryani packed, as it's a delivery-only kitchen.

Timing: 7:30 AM - 11 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.1/5

Price: INR 180 onwards 

With multiple branches in the city, SS Hyderabad Biryani has certainly made quite an impact on the Chennai food scene. They serve their biryani pakki-style (the meat is marinated for a lesser time and is almost cooked while the rice is semi-cooked, and both are then arranged in layers and steamed), with their chicken biryani being the most popular. 

Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.2/5

Price: INR 140 onwards 

Bismillah Beef Biryani is an absolutely underrated hidden gem that we believe should gain more traction. It is almost a decade old and offers the most delectable beef biryani at an unbelievable price. It's juicy, packed with delicious spices and flavour notes, and should be had at least once.

Timing: 1:30 AM - 10 PM

Zomato Rating: 4.3/5

Price: INR 200 onwards

If you are in Ann Nagar, and you see a long cue of people, then there is a high chance that it is for the Kabali's Thai Ilai Biryani. It's fresh delicious, simple, and reminds of home-cooked biryani, with sizeable portions at a great price. Their meat-to-rice ratio is immaculate, plus they also take party and event orders. 

Timing: 11:30 AM - 10 PM

Zomato Rating: 3.6/5

Price: INR 150 onwards