Ramzaan Special Dishes In Hyderabad: Head Here For Sheer Khurma, Haleem & More

Nihari , the popular breakfast dish for Hyderabadis, is eaten with much gusto during this month. This dish is a stew of slow-cooked meat (could be beef, mutton, or chicken) along with bone marrow and is usually eaten with a kulcha or roti. If you’re interested in trying this dish, it can be found in any Iranian hotel in the city. But we swear by some iconic restaurants in Old City. 

You'll always find heaps of crowd around Iqbal Restaurant, and the aroma will pull you in too. Now, don't go expecting ambience and decor — this is a standard old school shack-like restaurant where the food speaks louder. It's decently clean, and the service is super fast. 

Google rating: 3/5

Timings: 5 AM - 11 PM

Price For Two: INR 400 - INR 700 

Pro-tip: Here's what we think of Iqbal Restaurant.

Another classic restaurant in Old City that has been serving piping hot kiraak food for years, Hotel Nayab is a landmark. So if you are maneuvering through the streets of Charminar, you won't get lost. It's got a no-nonsense ambience with wooden tables big enough to fit large groups and families, and that is all that matters. The entrance of the restaurant is an Insta-worthy spot to update your feed with Charminar shinanigans, and so are the plates of Nihari and Kulcha.

Google rating: 4/5

Timings: 4:30 AM - 12 AM

Price for two: INR 800 - INR 1,000

Pro-tip: There's more to know about Hotel Nayaab. 

Chunks of mutton are cooked on a wide stone that’s set on a flame. First, the meat is cooked until it turns brown and tender, and then spices are added to it. The meat is charred at the end to give it a crispy flavour and is served with onions and a dash of lime. With many street vendors around, Charminar will be dishing out this delicacy till the wee hours of the morning and also attract a good deal of crowd. 

This iconic restaurant in Hyderabad was newly renovated but still serves some of the best Nizami, Hyderabadi, and Mughlai cuisine in the city. All you have to do is sit on the plushy couches and order away. While Patthar Ka Ghosht is one thing, check out more things on their menu, like Chicken 65 and Mutton Biryani. 

Google rating: 4/5

Timings: 5 AM - 11 PM

Contact: 040 2456 5949

Price for two: INR 500 - INR 1,000

Pro-tip: Here's our take from our visit to Hotel Shadab 

A landmark in Tank Bund for years, OG Hyderabadis consider this place their go-to for all things meaty. Think Seekh Kebab, Reshmi Kebab, Chicken 65, and of course, Patthar Ka Ghosht. Treated as a takeaway restaurant, you can do what most people do and eat it on your bike or in your car,  or grab one of the few seats in the open. The service is pretty fast and the quantity is a bang for the buck. 

Google rating: 3.7 /5

Timings: 11 AM - 1:30 AM

Contact: 098492 86169

Price for two: INR 500 - INR 1,000 

Perhaps no Indian festival is complete without generous helpings of dahi wada. During the month of Ramadan, this dish is a staple, and you’ll find every home rustling some of it. However, several street stalls in and around the Old City sell this dish. Garnished with properly chopped coriander, pomegranate, and aamchur (ground mango) powder that complements the dish, this is a must-try when you’re exploring the city this month.

A popular spot for Dahi Wada is this street-side cart in Madhapur. Even in rush hour, it is not difficult to spot as you will see a group of foodies holding plate after plate, and that's a sign of how good the dish is. Now, the owner serves typical Odisha-style Dahibara Aludam and snacks, but it's just the thing to try different styles of Dahi Wada. 

Google rating: 4.5/5

Timings: 5 PM - 10 PM

Price for two: INR 300 - INR 700 

Social handle: @dahibara_dhamaka

After you taste the Odisha-style Dahi Wada, head to Brijwasi Chat Wala in Abids for a Hyderabadi twist on it. Tucked away in the by-lanes, you can stand at peace and have your plates away from the traffic. You can ask for an extra dollop of curd and continue with Aloo Tikki Chaat and Gulab Jamun. 

Google rating: 4.4/5

Timings: 2 PM - 10 PM

Price for two: INR 200 - INR 500 

It doesn’t come as a surprise that over 5,000 haleem stalls are set up across the city during Ramzan season, owing to the popularity of the dish. Having garnered massive fame globally, several known restaurants are delivering it internationally, too. Haleem includes minced meat (usually goat meat, beef, or chicken), pounded wheat, ghee, dry fruits, spices, and lentils, which are slow-cooked for nearly 12 hours to achieve the thick consistency. In the end, it is garnished with fried onions, chopped coriander, and lime. You can get a plate of this dish anywhere in several locations of Hyderabad.

Pro-tip: While we give you our top pick, find more places for haleem here.

The first place that comes to mind when someone wants the richest plate of Haleem is Pista House. You have to know that they ship the Haleem across India, USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Australia, and KSA, and that says a lot about how good the dish is. While there are several branches of this household brand, we suggest you go to the one in Shalibanda for all the Ramadaan feels. 

Google rating: 4.6/5

Timings: 11 AM - 12:45 AM 

Contact: 093965 00786

Price for two: INR 1,000 - INR 1,200

Social handle: @pistahousehyd

Peshawar restaurant in Khairtabad has been serving delicious Nizami and Mughlai dishes for generations, and we've heard about this place from our parents and grandparents. Plenty of seating for everyone and tastes that will suit everyone. Have a go at their menu for everything else leading up to Haleem. It's a seasonal crowd puller, so see if you can make a reservation well in advance. 

Google rating: 3.8/5

Timings: 12 PM - 1 AM

Price for two: INR 1,000 - INR 1,400 

Social handle: @peshawarhyd

Say hello to shahi tukda, the sweeter little cousin of double-ka-meetha. Crispy, crumbly, and dipped in malai, this decadent serving is often the perfect end to an Iftar meal. Prepared with condensed milk, roasted dry fruits, and bread, this is served in many locations in the city.

Karim's is a famous Dilli resto that stands tall in Kokapet and there's so much to try here for that authentic North Indian taste. The ambience is quite warm and comfy so that helps in spending hours here trying the best sellers from their menu. So before you jump to the Shahi Tukda, order some Chicken Seekh Kebab, Murg Tikka or Paneer Tikka for a full meal. 

Google rating: 4/5

Timings: 12 PM - 12 AM

Contact: 063010 91198

Price for two: INR 700 - INR 1,200

Social handle: @karimhoteldelhi6

Tosh-E-Daan in Khajaguda is a lesser-known restaurant in Hyderabad that totally deserves a visit if you love a big serving of mouth-watering mutton or chicken biryani and decadent Shahi Tukda. A family restaurant with a homely decor and waiters flocking with servings, you can have a filling meal here without burning a hole in your wallet. Amazing, right? 

Google rating: 4.4/5

Timings: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM - 7 PM - 11 PM

Contact: 063093 32777

Price for two: INR 1,500 - INR 2,500

Social handle: @tosh_e_daan

Festivals call for something festive. And what’s more festive than a bowl of sheer khurma? A vermicelli pudding that is prepared with dried dates is popular not just during Eid but also Ramzan. While this Persian dish makes for a delicious dessert, it can also be eaten for breakfast. If you’re someone with a sweet tooth and on a food crawl during this season, then you cannot miss the food stalls selling sheer khurma. Now, while every street stall near Charminar will offer you a dallop, get going to our choice of spot for eating right away. 

Meethe Miya is a sweet shop that's popular for Hyderabadi sweets like Sheer Khurma, Shahi Roll, Jauzi Ka Halwa, Nawabi Sewiya. They sell per plate, half kilogram, and one kilogram, and also pack it as a gift so you can spread the love. Reasonably priced and made fresh. Head here to satisfy your sweet tooth with local recipes. 

Google rating: 4.2/5

Timings: 11 AM - 11 PM

Contact: 063092 63092

Price for two: INR 300 - INR 800 

Social handle: @meethemiya.in

Planning a feast? Have a lavish spread at Aish in The Park Hotel, Somajiguda. A popular fine dining restaurant in Hyderabad, head here for authentic Hyderabadi cuisine and have Ramzaan special dishes in a grand setup. Have classics like Biryani and Haleem and end it with a generous serving of Sheer Khurma. And what else? A bit unconventional, but they also have vegan Haleem!

Google rating: 4.6/5

Timings: 12:30 PM - 3 PM, 7 PM - 11 PM

Contact: 099082 66088

Price for two: INR 2,500 - INR 4,000

Social handle: @aish_theparkhyderabad