24 Spots in Delhi to Savor the Most Epic Biryani

Andhra Bhavan—in addition to its usual thali menu and curries—serves stellar Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani on Sundays. Pair it with the Bheja Fry, and your Sunday is sorted. You can even opt for a bout of shopping outside the gate, especially the lady who sells treats from the state: pickles, banana chips, rava mixes, and even Telugu newspapers.

Timing: 8 AM - 10 PM

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: INR 220 for a plate of biryani

Other Must Try Dishes: Breakfast Thali, Bheja Fry, Sweet Pan, Dosa and Chicken Fry

There are two types of biryani to choose from here: chicken and buff. The basmati rice is long-grained and fragrant, the chicken perfectly tender, and the only visible spices are cumin seeds and thickly chopped green chillies. It's simple and simply delicious.

Timing: 11 AM - 10 PM

Rating: 3.9/5

Price: INR 160 for a half-plate chicken biryani

Other Must Try Dishes: Afghani Chicken, Mutton Kebab, and Fish Fry

Tucked deep inside the colony (you’ll be walking for quite a while) of Sarai Juliana stands Malabar Hotel, a neat and clean little restaurant known for its biryani. The specialities here are the Kappa Biryani (buff), Prawn Biryani, and Malabar Special Chicken Biryani, served in pristine white bowls topped with a poppadom and a spoonful of pickle. They also have another outlet in Gurgaon.

Timing: 8:30 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 4.2/5

Price: INR 170 for a plate

Other Must Try Dishes: Porotta, Chicken Lollipop, Chicken 65, Coffee and Prawn Fry

It may not look like much, but the Chicken Dum Pukht Biryani here always brightens our day. While you’re at it, try the butter chicken and naan, too.

Timing: 11 AM - 12 AM

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: INR 270 for a plate

Other Must Try Dishes: Tawa Chicken Masala, Nihari Gosht, Mutton Nahari, and Mutton Barra

This hidden restaurant in the heart of CP has been whipping out delicious plates of biryani for almost 42 years. The interiors aren’t exactly inspiring but try not to let the dinginess get to you. Just go for their selection of biryanis; our favourites are the keema and the egg. They serve a side of gravy with every biryani and a portion of onions dusted with masala and mint chutney.

Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 3.7/5

Price: INR 204 for a plate

Other Must Try Dishes: Meat Curry, Keema Kaleji, Chicken Tikka, Seekh Kebab and Chicken Curry

If you’ve checked out the street food scene at Zakir Nagar, you know how haphazard it can get. If you’re a fan of haleem, head straight for the Madina Biryani Centre. Their biryani merges the orange fragrant rice with the zesty haleem, something we have absolutely no problem with. Expect spoonfuls of gravy-like biryani infused with morsels of mutton and onions.

Timing: 11 AM - 10:30 PM

Rating: 4/5

Price: INR 70 for a plate

Other Must Try Dishes: Mutton Nahari, Paya, Nalli Nahari and Bheja Fry

Kolkata Biryani House offers some of the spiciest biryani in town. It is a perfect meal for hardcore non-vegetarians who need to try their chicken and mutton variants. Given the amount of street food available in this market, we’re sure you’ll find something to counter all the spices—some mishti doi, perhaps?

Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 3.2/5

Price: INR 180 for one portion

Other Must Try Dishes: Chicken Rezala, Chicken Bharta, Roasted Chicken and Afghani Chicken

Further down the lane from Mota Pehelwan, you’ll see a small counter on the left looking like an Old Delhi version of a kiosk. Peer inside, and you’ll see a room full of people digging into their steel plates full of biryani. Again, they only have buff and sell by the kilo. While the meat was a little tough when we ate there, it was definitely worth the struggle.

Timing: 11:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Rating: 2.7/5

Price: INR 700 per kilo and INR 260 for one plate

Other Must Try Dishes: Chicken Kebab, Chicken Tandoori, Chicken Roll and Chicken Kofta

Biryani Blues is a franchise that’s taking over the city, with almost 21 outlets across Delhi NCR. Their menu includes classic veg, chicken, and mutton biryani and biryani handis, as well as new variants like soya, paneer, Kheema, and Chicken 65 biryani. We also love Biryani Blues for their prompt delivery and huge portions, which are good enough to feed two people.

Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 3.9/5

Price: INR 299 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Lamb Chops, Chicken Nizami, Paneer65, Biryani Ka Badshah, Chicken65, and Mirch Ka Salan

Biryani By Kilo only does delivery and boy, do they deliver! They do stellar Hyderabadi, Lucknowi and Kolkata-style biryanis, a portion of which will leave your stomach and your soul feeling happy. Oh and don’t stop at just the biryanis. Try their Dum Nihari Gosht, Mutton Galouti Kebab and maybe, finish up with the sweet, sweet Phirni.

Timing: 10 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 4.3/5

Price: INR 359 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Matka Phirni, Firni, Paneer 65, Ukte Tawe Ka Parantha, Gosht Keema Parantha

Anyone who knows his way around the insanely packed lanes around Jama Masjid must know about the famous Al Jawahar, a cosy traditional family-style diner. The ambiance is simple and clean, with their Mutton Biryani and chicken biryani packing shining flavours that one absolutely cannot get enough of. 

Timing: 10 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 3.8/5

Price: INR 230 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Roti Boti Roll, Chicken Bihari, Kaleji Gurda, Sheer Maal, Badam Pasanda, and Sheermal Roti

With more than 30 outlets all over Delhi NCR, Behrouz Biryani is catering to the taste buds of Dilliwallas like no other. Even with its limited menu, this is one biryani place you should certainly check out from our list. If you are a vegetarian, try their paneer biryani.

Timing: 11 AM - 2 AM

Rating: 4/5

Price: INR 295 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Falafel-e-khas, Beetroot and Peanut Kebab and Murg Seekh Kebab

This joint does delicious chicken dishes all under INR 500 that will leave you licking your fingers. It is a small joint in Sohna Road, so it is best if you order from this place and relish the food at home. Try their fried dishes that include chicken lollipop and chicken fry.

Timing: 9 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 3.7/5

Price: INR 60 for a quarter portion

Other Must Try Dishes: Chicken Tandoori, Afghani Chicken, Fish Fry

Coming from Hyderabad, the land of biryani, this chain does not disappoint. It has scrumptious biryani options. Vegetarians will also be satisfied because they serve amazing Punjabi food, including veg kebabs and different types of curries.

Timing: 9 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 3.8/5

Price: INR 170 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Chicken Lollipop, Mutton Kebab, Chicken Afghani, and Butter Chicken

We know you probably don't expect this one to be on the list but try their Tawa Biryani. Then you'll know why this DU favourite deserves a spot. It is bound to knock your socks off.

Timing: 12 PM - 12 AM

Rating: 4.6/5

Price: INR 409 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Tiramisu Shake, Tropical Heaven Sundae, Chicken Cannelloni, Peri Peri Chicken Skewer, and Bang Bang Chicken

This classic from the lanes of Jama Masjid has been around for more than a century. Old Delhi, chicken dishes, and Karim's go hand in hand. One does not simply ignore Karim's when talking about something as royal as a biryani.

Timing: 9 AM - 1 AM

Rating: 4/5

Price: INR 395 onwards for half plate

Other Must Try Dishes: Karim Roll, Karim's Assorted Kebab Platter, Murgh Malai Tikka and Mutton Mughlai

Another classic on the list, this place has been part of the growing culinary landscape of Delhi since 1972 and will always remain an evergreen option. Stop by this restaurant to enjoy some of the best kebabs, biryani and rolls in town.

Timing: 11 AM - 10:45 PM

Rating: 3.8/5

Price: INR 259 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Spicy Chicken Roll, Aloo Roll and Chicken Kebab

This one has also been around for quite some time now. It is so popular that you will almost always find it brimming with people. But the place and its food, especially their biryani are definitely worth the wait. Also try their Kathi Kabab Rolls which come in vegetarian, egg and non vegetarian options.

Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 3.8/5

Price: INR 390 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Kadak Chicken Tikka, Kathi Rolls, Seekh Roll, and Firni

Thalairaj Biryani is a criminally underrated gem of East of Kailash and should be on your radar for your next GK trip. In addition to their famous authentic Andhra Biryani and non-vegetarian delights, we cannot rave enough about the pepper mushroom biryani, which is truly exceptional.

Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: INR 259 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Roasted Chicken Masala and Chicken kebab Boneless

Bikkgane Biryani offers a cosy ambience for you and your friends to hang out and comfortably enjoy biryani. They serve a huge quantity at a pretty reasonable price, too. They also serve Chinese dishes that include manchurian, chili panner, honey chili potato, and more.

Timing: 11 AM - 12 AM

Rating: 3.9/5

Price: INR 329 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Kaju Chicken, Tangdi Chicken, Hyderabadi Chicken, Gulab Jamun Bomb, and Gobi Manchurian

You can bring out your inner Punjabi for the yummy biryani and amazingly cheap booze. They also offer a free beer tower if you finish the first in 15 minutes. You'll also find a lot of students in this area since it's right opposite the IIT gate. For sides, you can try their shorba (tomato and kadak murga) and variety of salads.

Timing: 12 PM - 12 AM

Rating: 4/5

Price: INR 380 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Murg Tikka, Cheese Balls and Paneer Lababdar

For everyone trying to exclude us vegetarians from biryani plans, head to this joint in Naraina for vegetarian kebabs, biryani, curry and korma next time. Trust us, this place won't disappoint. 

Timing: 10 AM - 12 AM

Rating: 3.8/5

Price: INR 220 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Afghani Chicken, Tandoori Soya Chaap, Malai Murgh Boti Kebab, Murgh Butter Masala, and Nawabi Mutton Korma

Sassy Begum is the spot to fulfil your Biryani cravings without the guilt. They do exceptional Biryanis, Haleem, Kebabs and Curries throughout Delhi NCR, with a lot of love and health poured into one. The taste and flavour notes are not compromised, and you can't walk away from here without trying their Hyderabadi Biryani.

Timing: 11 AM - 9 PM

Rating: 4.1/5

Price: INR 359 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Tandoori Chaap Roll, Kebab Platters, Tandoori Soya Chaap and Mutton Seekh Kebab

A gem of Defence Colony, Quershi Kebab Center is a small yet bustling restaurant that serves the most amazing biryanis and chicken seekh kebabs at remarkable prices. It's super well-lit, with lightning-speed service, and rolls out great chicken biryani, kebabs, and rolls.

Timing: 12 PM - 11 PM

Rating: 4/5

Price: INR 300 onwards

Other Must Try Dishes: Mutton Seekh, Tawa Chicken, Kebabs, and Butter Chicken