Onion Kheer To Boti Masala: Have You Tried These Hyderabadi Dishes?

Anokhi Kheer (or Onion Kheer) is made from onions and the first time we tasted it, this is what ran in our heads — errr...is this a sweet version of biryani? Made from white onions (instead of rice), this kheer is a blast of unexpected flavours in your mouth. And nope, like onions, it doesn't bear a biting flavour, which is what makes it interesting. Considered a lost recipe, not many restaurants serve this. While we've sampled this dish from a couple of home chefs, we love the one they serve at Jewel Of Nizam the most. 

Leaving you in a meat frenzy, Sohail Waves Restaurant in Malakpet brings all biryani and meat lovers to its yard. While you can devour boti masala or boti dishes anywhere, we've got a thing for the boti masala at Sohail. Spicy, slightly greasy, and dunked in masala, you've got to make a large meal out of this. 

While Prince Hotel in Mehdipatnam is known for its classic shawarma, there's another reason for you to make a visit. They serve Bagara Dalcha – a traditional Hyderabadi dish of Bagara Rice and Dalcha, which is a lentil-based gravy that goes well with rice and biryani. Priced at INR 40 only, this dish is available only for lunch. 

Rio Cafe is a sort of hidden gem in SD Road and we cannot recommend their luqmi and chai enough. The blue tables against which food is placed makes for awesome Instagram shots but it's truly the luqmi (a stuffed roti with mashed potato and spices) which is the real deal. Around breakfast time, this street-side cafe gets crowded and you might have to break bread with strangers - exciting or not, you decide! 

Kaddu Ka Dalcha is a vegetarian version of meaty dalcha and it's made from bottle gourd. Did that perk up your spirits? Then head to Firdaus in Taj Krishna and dine like royalty. This fine dining restaurant in Banjara Hills is known for its authentic Hyderabadi delicacies so you can expect a wide range of iconic dishes. Want to go beyond the awesome Kaddu Ka Dalcha? Try out Jheenge Ka Salan (prawns cooked Hyderabadi style) or Haleem with Sheermal. 

Khichdi is one of the most popular breakfast dishes. And why not? It keeps you upbeat throughout the day. Hotel Rumaan in Tolichowki is yet another iconic restaurant. We've heard many good things about biryani here but we recommend trying Khichdi Khatta Kheema where khichdi is basically served with khatta kheema (minced mutton). At INR 40, this is a breakfast that will leave you licking your fingers.

Hameedi Confectioners & Bakery might have begun as a stall in 1913, but it stands tall as one of the best sweet shops in Hyderabad today. A 15-year-old Turkish lad, Muhammed Hussain, started this business and his special dish, the Jouzi Halwa was such a hit among people that the seventh Nizam heard of it and visited the store to try it out. He loved the halwa to such an extent that he sent a letter with the royal seal to Hussain praising his sweets (Even today, this letter is on display at the store). Made out of milk, saffron, ghee, nutmeg, sugar, dry fruits, and some secret spices from Afghanistan, the Jouzi Halwa is heavenly.

Located in Lakdikapul, this cafe has gained its name from a popular hospital with the same name in the proximity. Opening its doors at 4.30 am, the show runs till the wee hours of midnight with people rushing in to order the chai which is – kadak – as the Niloufer patriots claim. But what stands out here are the buttery soft Osmania Biscuits that go perfectly well with chai. Be sure to grab a box of them on your way out to savour them at home.

Run by Nasreen Hussaini, Badam & Kaju ki Jali is an iconic sweet shop in Old City. Making plans to visit Charminar? You cannot miss the Kaju Ki Jali, which is made from a 50-year-old recipe handed over to Nasreen ji from her family. Kaju Ki Jali is made from cashew nuts and looks like a tiny flower and tastes a lot like a Kaju Barfi, but so much better. The consistency of cashew and its richness can be felt in every bite. 

While Irani Chai is what defines Hyderabad, the Arabic delicacies the city offers are no less. The Ghawa tea, an Arabic tea, in Old City is something that you shouldn’t miss. This has a unique preparation where the well-ground powder of coffee seeds is mixed with cardamom and a minute quantity of cinnamon and slowly boiled to derive a rich decoction. Rose water is introduced into this decoction for an aroma. This is an experience you cannot miss when in Old City. Go to Mashaallah for it, and see if you can get accompaniments in the form of dates or anything else that’s on offer. Do note that this stall opens at 7 pm.

You don't visit Hyderabad (or live here) and not try the famous Hyderabadi Marag, it's just not how it works. Marag is a spicy soup made from mutton and served with a special bread. And if you've made up your mind about trying it,  you ought to start with the mutton marag from Aadab Express, a cloud kitchen located in Banjara Hills. Delivering truly authentic Nawabi food, Aadab Express keeps changing its menu every few weeks to keep adding delicious dishes. From soups to desserts, they serve it all. You can walk into this place or order online. Just be sure to try the mutton marag, and we bet you will never look back. 

Naaz Biryani is a gourmet kitchen in Hyderabad bringing the most authentic flavours by using nothing but the best of ingredients. Hyderabad might have over a hundred places to get your biryani packed from but when we say gourmet biryani it doesn't get better than this. Naaz Biryani recently added Haleem to their menu and this stew is rich and flavourful (we're salivating right now). Order their famous mutton biryani before it's sold out. Here are other biryani places in hyderaabd you ought to check out. 

Food shenanigans, you simply cannot leave Old City without devouring the Avocado juice at Milan. Mixed with honey and topped with cashews and nuts, this juice is your happy ending to eating out at Charminar. Go here, and spend INR 100 on this juice, which is a dessert-like meal in itself.