Juicy Kebabs & Nalli Nihari: Here's What To Feast On When In Mohammad Ali Road

We wondered if a Chinese joint is a misfit in a lane that smells of Mughlai ambrosia, but this one's super famous since years, and is Salman Khan's favourite too (if that counts!) Go here if you’re the sort who doesn’t like to miss out on a good, flavourful nalli nihari. Mostly made with beef (can request for mutton in some cases), this dish is best paired with tandoori roti and probably best made at Chinese & Grill. 

Price: INR 1,100 for two

Timings: 1 PM to 1 AM

Rating: 4/5 on Google, 4/5 on Zomato

This was a first for us too. Just before Chinese & Grill you will spot a restaurant called Mashallah, that’s perennially crowded. On display are a variety of kebabs they make, and we chose to dig into their tasty chicken seekh kebabs (undoubtedly a winner.) If the place is too crowded, move on to the next restaurant but don’t miss out on your share of succulent kebabs at Mohammad Ali Road.

Price: INR 700 for two

Timings: 7 AM to 4 AM

Rating: 3.9/5 on Google, 3.7/5 on Zomato

Mashallah is what you will say after you have the first bite of this mouth-watering biryani. Made using curd and cashew paste, this delectable biryani is the best way to end your meal (at least the savoury part of it). Pair it with their famous shammi kebabs or the chicken Sanju baba (not our personal favourite, but hugely popular here), and you’ve got yourself a good deal. 

Price: INR 350 for two

Timings: 7 AM to 4 AM

Rating: 4/5 on Google, 4/5 on Zomato

If mithai makes your world go round, then treat yourself to these yummy malpuas from Suleiman Usman Mithaiwala (don’t go to the bakery, go the one next to the mosque). Freshly made and lathered with rabdi (on insistence) one bite is enough to transport you to a whole new world.

Price: INR 150 for a plate of two big malpuas (approx.)

Timings: 2 PM to 11:15 PM

Rating: 4.3/5 on Google, 4.4/5 on Zomato

Pro-Tip: Right opposite, there's a khichdawala whose khichdi is the best of the lot in the area. This will cost about INR 100 a plate.

No trip is complete without this one. Just ahead of Mohammad Ali Road and inside Bohri Mohalla is the famous Tawakkal Sweets. When here, obviously have their firni – the regular and mango flavoured ones are our personal favourites. Not too sweet, the firni is perfect in every sense; texture, taste and presentation. They have many other options on their menu for those with a sweet tooth, so don’t hold back.

Price: INR 400 for two people

Timings: 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM

Rating: 4.4/5 on Google, 4.4/5 on Zomato

Well, what can you say about a 130-year-old institution? Taj Ice Cream is THE place to have their freshly-made, hand-churned ice creams, and the best way to end the food trail. Also, the best bit is that since summer is at its peak, you can taste the freshness of the fruit while enjoying some rich sinful dessert. 

Price: INR 70 only

Timings: 10 AM to 11:30 PM

Rating: 4.3/5 on Google, 4.8/5 on Zomato

You can end it with some soothing mango and badam shake at Noorani Milk Center after all the chaos in the Minara Masjid lane takes a toll on you. It is highly refreshing after you've moved around in the jigsaw puzzle that Mohammad Ali Road's lanes are. 

Price: INR 400 for two

Timings: 6 AM to 1 AM

Rating: 4.4/5 on Google, 3.9/5 on Zomato

In a tiny alley off Mohammed Ali Road, Idris isn’t hard to find thanks to Google Maps. Between all the kebabs and other meaty dishes you will be trying, this drink stall comes as a refresher. The flavoured sodas are old-school and perfect for washing down the grease. Try their Spl. Idris, which will instantly remind you of Pallonji’s raspberry soda. We also loved the Pomegranate (Anar) and Lemon, which cooled us off in the heat.

Price: INR 100 for two

Timings: 9 AM to 8 PM

Rating: 4.2/5 on Google, 4/5 on Zomato

You can’t ditch a classic like Baida Roti during Ramzan, and Haji Tikka Corner has one of the better ones. They’ll fry it hot on the tawa and slice it up for you. It’s available in chicken and mutton variations. We love that Haji’s Baida Roti is crisp on the outside and the chicken stuffing is simply put, quite masaledaar.

Price: INR 150 for two

Timings: 4 PM to 12 AM

Rating: 4.3/5 on Google, 4.3/5 on Zomato

Walk down from J.J. Junction to Jilani Fast Food Corner and get yourself Naan Chaap, which is now also known as Naan Sandwich. Jilani is popular for its Kasturi Chicken Sandwich, which has chicken that’s tawa-fried in kasuri methi and spices and then stuffed between two mini naans. The sandwich is available all through the year, but is a special treat worth chowing down for iftar.

Price: INR 500

Timings: 12:30 PM to 12 AM 

Rating: 4/5 on Google, 3.8/5 on Zomato

A mix between gulab jamun and jalebi, the Mawa Jalebi at J.J. Jalebi is a sweet treat you can’t ignore. Pack 100gms or a kilo, if you’re a large group, and enjoy the sugary, soft treat. Just off J.J. Junction, you’ll find what claims to be the original shop; but in all honesty, it’s one of the best of all the J.J. Jalebi shops around. 

Price: INR 300 per kilo (approx.)

Timings: 11 AM to 1 AM

Rating: 4.2/5 on Google

This shop dishes out its age-old family recipe all through the month of Ramzan. Patra (also known as aluwadi) is made from steamed leaves and is added to a rich buff meat gravy. Although it’s called a biryani, it isn’t technically one and has no rice. Enjoy this rich dish as is and tuck into classic Bohri cooking.

Price: INR 50 onward

Timings: 7 AM to 8:30 PM

Rating: 4.4/5 on Google