Kukatpally is one of the most buzzing neighbourhoods in Hyderabad that perfectly balances being a resident-friendly locality while still having all the commercial establishments like shopping malls, eateries and street food. It's where you will find a lot of great Andhra food, since most residents here have migrated from Andhra Pradesh. What used to once be known for the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University alone is now a thriving neighbourhood that goes beyond Nexus Mall. Read on for our recommendations in Kukatpally!
Restaurants, Malls & Hidden Gems: These Are The Top Things To Do In Kukatpally
Best Places to Eat
Street Food at IDL Lake
The street food scene at IDL lake has always been happening, but the options post-pandemic have literally doubled! Expect to find everything from momos, chaat, snow golas, fruit juices and dosas here. All the food trucks overlook the stunning IDL Lake that's perfect to visit at sunset. The food trucks start serving food at 6 PM and go on till 10.30 or 11 PM. We recommend heading there around 6 or 7 because just like the Madhapur food street, you'll be overwhelmed with choices here. We recommend trying the Tandoori Chai and Omelettes here. Whatever your budget, you won't leave IDL Lake with a tummy full of delicious food!
Ironhill Brewery
If you find yourself heading to Hitech City or Jubilee Hills every weekend, Ironhill (not to be confused with Ironhill Cafe) has sorted out your woes! The place is the only microbrewery in Kukatpally at the moment, and boasts of great ambience, live shows on weekends, delectable food and a selection of craft beers. Their pitchers are relatively affordable as compared to other breweries and pubs in town. The food too, is lighter on your pocket while still maintaining good quality. If you can, try heading there on a Friday evening since it gets pretty crowded on the weekends. We recommend their Wonderland Wheat beer when you visit.
Platform 65, The Train Restaurant
Your inner child will absolutely love visiting the Platform 65, The Train Restaurant at PNR Empire in Kukatpally. The ambience is done up with a railway theme, complete with wall murals, seats and toy train tracks leading to every table. Place your order and while you wait, spot murals of various famous railway stations like Chennai and Mumbai's CST among others. Here's the good part - your food arrives on a little toy train that's fitted with tiny bogies that serve as trays, how cute is that! Do try the Allam Kodi Wings (Ginger Chicken Wings) and Konaseema Pakodi Kodi. Platform 65 is great for starters and a meal here is an experience you should have, the kids in your family will love it for sure!
Subbayya Gari Hotel
Andhrites are known for their maryada (hospitality) and Subbayya Gari Hotel certainly doesn't skimp on it! A traditional Andhra Thali consists of a variety of rice items like pulihora, chutneys, curries, podis and dessert. While their set meals comprise all these delicious foods, the star is their kandi podi and mudda pappu with hot steaming rice and ghee. BRB, we're salivating! The staff is super hands-on and will even tell you which combinations go well with each other so you're not overwhelmed with all the options. Their Kukatpally outlet gets crowded very fast, so expect a waiting time of at least twenty minutes when you visit. You can even pick up some of the condiments served at their store - like the desserts for the day, pickles and the famous Kandi podi.
Delhi Mithaiwala
Most Mithai spots in Hyderabad give standalone chaat places a run for their money with their own chaat and beverage sections to compliment their mithai sections. Delhi Mithaiwala in Nizampet road is the same, serving up some great chaat and beverages like badam milk to cool you off in the evenings. Their selection of sweets goes beyond Indian desserts, they also serve someTurkish desserts here. Do try their Rasmalai when you visit, you won't be disappointed.
Olive Mithai Shop
Olive Mithai Shop has around five outlets in Kukatpally - Chanda Nagar area alone and is a leading Mithai shop in the area. Locals will tell you that their quality is unparalleled and all the food served here is fresh. Head to their outlet in Hydernagar for a variety of sweets and namkeen packed fresh. We love that even their fried foods like mixture and murukulu aren't oily and are packed hygienically. Don't miss their classics like Motichoor Laddoo, Dry fruit sweets and a variety of Telugu sweets here.
Goila Butter Chicken
Mumbai's famous Goila Butter Chicken opened their first cloud kitchen service right here in Kukatpally, Hyderabad. They claim to make the world's best Butter Chicken with minimal sweetness and a smoky flavour. If you like your traditional Butter Chicken with loads of makkhan and cream, you may want to give this one a miss. But, if you like a lean curry with a pretty good portion of meat and a distinctly smoky flavour, Goila Butter Chicken should be your pick. We also recommend their naan bombs that are literally, quite the bomb. While the joint currently accepts orders only on online delivery apps, you could opt for a takeaway for upto 10 kilometers in and around Kukatpally.
TGI Fridays
Catching up with your buddies after long? Or just want to catch the latest football game without the hassle of a big crowd at a pub? Head to TGI Fridays at Nexus Mall. The spot is done up in a stark contrast to the buzzing mall, complete with dimly lit interiors and the signature TGI Fridays aesthetic. We love heading here for a chill time after shopping at the Nexus Mall. You'd also be impressed to find that their non-alcoholic selection of drinks is pretty varied. We recommend heading here during happy hours for a selection of great food and drinks.
Barbeque Nation
A standard Barbeque Nation experience is something you should have, especially if you've never been. We love this restaurant's options for starters that you get to barbecue on your table. There's something for both vegetarians and meat eaters with their unlimited supply of starters. Once you're done, lower the flag on your table and proceed to check out their main course options. Most barbecue places in Hyderabad are notorious for serving bad biryani but the one at Barbeque Nation is pretty decent. Save some space for their vast variety of desserts, they always have live counters. What's more - the staff even has regular cheer-up sessions where they dance to the latest chartbusters. It's a lively experience to have with your friends and family. Their prices are fairly value-for-money considering the quantity of food served here.
Sherlock's Lounge and Kitchen
Sherlock's Lounge and Kitchen is a fairly reliable place to wind down if you're in the area. The place has no thematic resemblance to Sherlock Holmes, but is done up in a quirky, whodunit style aesthetic. We recommend trying their finger foods like Jalapeno Poppers and Guntur Chilli Mushroom and Telagana Kodi Vepudu. Their cocktails like Novel Bachelor, Ladies Can't Drink, Detective Sherlock are pretty great if you're looking to take a break from beers for a bit.
Hangout Havana
If you'd like to head out with your family where you can have a chill meal while the kids play around, you may want to check out Hangout Havana. The place has designated playing areas for children outdoors and indoors too. The restaurant offers a selection of games on rent like an indoor cricket pitch, ball pit, indoor basketball and even a pool table for the adults. It's the perfect place to hangout with both your family and friends. While the place serves North Indian food and Biryani, we recommend their Chinese food to go with your playdates. The place has primarily outdoor seating, so you may want to check the weather app before heading here.
Udipi's Upahar
Udipi's Upahar serves some of the best breakfast around Kukatpally. Expect everything you see at a traditional South Indian breakfast place here - the sweet aroma of piping hot coffee, a bustling kitchen, modest but super hygienic ambience and food that doesn't go wrong. We love the Mysore Bajjis, Ghee Karam Idli, Vadas and Dosas. You can finish your breakfast with a piping hot cup of tea, coffee and even other malt-based options like Boost or Horlicks. The joint is also open for lunch and dinner service where they serve North Indian fare. However, we recommend trying their snacks like onion pakodas and traditional Udupi-style tiffins when you visit.
Gismat Arabic Mandi (JAIL)
This is for the experimental ones - Gismat Arabic Mandi is a Mandi joint in Kukatpally that's themed like the inside of a Jail! That's correct - once you walk in, you're greeted by mannequins donning the police and prisoner's outfits. Walk in, and you'll find yourself different spaces in the restaurant separated by Iron bars. There's even dining sections designed to look like prisoner's cells. Needless to mention, it's great for photo-ops. If you'd like to skip the histrionics, they even have a simpler, Arabic theme going on in a separate section. The Mandi served here is pretty great too, we recommend trying their Mutton variant that's cooked to perfection.
Meekanshi Parcel and Catering
Kukatpally is a haven if you dislike cooking but still want home-style fare. The area is filled with tiny curry points and takeaway places that primarily sell curries for prices as low as INR 30 but can fill you up. Just cook some rice as home, and get curries to go along with it from outside. Meenakshi Parcel and Catering is one of the best places in Kukatpally for your curry fix. They also serve starters like Chicken fry and other seafood options to complete your meal on a budget.
Biryanis
We're glad Kukatpally doesn't have a dearth of good biryani places despite being filled with Andhra and Telangana food joints all around. Here are some of the best places you can check out if you're craving some good ol' biryani.
Mehfil Biryani
Great for: Super spicy Mutton and Chicken Biryani, Irani Chai. If you love your spice, you don't have to mention it here. The biryani served at Mehfil is spicy by default.
Pista House Great for: Tangdi Kebabs, Egg and Veg Biryani
Sahara Cafe
Great for: Double Masala Chicken Biryani that will remind you of a certain iconic food joint in RTC X Roads.
Cafe Bahar Great for: Double Masala Chicken and Mutton Biryani
Raja Rani Ruchulu Great for: Chicken Biryani and Kebabs
Chickpet Donne Biryani Great For: Egg and Chicken Donne Biryani
Karam Dosa
Karam Dosa at Pragathi Nagar is known for its tiffins like Idli, Pongal, Punugulu and Egg Dosa. The joint now also serves freshly made Andhra style Pulaos of different varieties. They make your Pulao fresh and instantly within ten minutes once you order, and the preparation process is pretty fascinating to watch too. Telugus and their love for Gongura can't be separated, so we love that the Pulao comes with a standard serving of Gongura chutney along with Mirchi ka Salan and Raita. If you're looking to gorge on some hot, fresh Pulao to go with the monsoon, head to Karam Dosa.
Ideal Kitchen
Those 6 PM cravings hit pretty hard, especially if you've been working all day. Ideal Kitchen is another spot spot you can check out during tea time for great snack options and tiffins. While they serve crowd favourites like Pesarattu and Ghee Karam Idli, we found unique offering like the Akukura Dosa made with toppings of green leafy vegetables and a Rayalaseema favourite - Uggani with Mirchi Bajji. Make sure you visit Ideal Kitchen for these unique hidden gems from the various interiors of Andhra Pradesh.
Siddique Kabab Centre
You will routinely find rotisserie chickens spinning in a huge barbecue at any Kebab joint in the city. Siddique Kabab Centre is no different. They also offer smaller cuts like Chicken Tandoori, Malai and and Tangdi Kebabs. We recommend trying out their Grilled Chicken, served with Rumali Roti and an in-house masala that's enough to make you salivate. The chicken is crispy and tough on the outside, but super juicy on the inside. It makes for a complete meal, owing to its quantity. Split it with a friend if you can't complete they whole thing, and try out their other offerings. Either way, this Kebab joint is a must try.
Abhi Tiffins
Don't let the ambience at Abhi Tiffins fool you, the joint serves some great South Indian breakfast, North Indian dishes for lunch and even a selection of fresh pressed juices. The Poori and Punugulu are a must try at this place.
Best Places to Shop
Zudio
This new budget store in Kukatpally swept us off our feet and is now one of our favourite stores to shop from. Standing tall near Manjeera Mall in Kukatpally is Zudio and we’re digging it. From strappy tops to pair up with our jackets to formal shirts and Kurtis, we found lots of pieces here that caught our attention. This entire store falls under the affordable bracket which is great to please our month-end shopping wishes. While the store has a lot of budget-friendly, trendy options, their durability runs low. So shop accordingly!
Sri Laxmi Fashion
Sri Laxmi Fashion is a tiny shop tucked away amid the chaos of Kukatpally. The store is packed with designer blouses, and you will see all latest designs here including mirror, kundan, maggam work, and fancy cuts that start at INR 400. They've got their blouses colour coordinated so if you're looking for a blouse for a specific saree, it'll make your search much easier. If you have your lehenga picked, you can choose a choli or a blouse to pair with it here, with prices starting at INR 1500.
Street Shopping at Miyapur
While the KPHB street shopping scene mostly caters to fashion and accessories, the street vendors lined up between JNTU and Miyapur Metro station offer home decor on a budget. From seasonal find like pickle jars of various sizes, planters to Buddha statues - the street vendors here give any home decor store a run for their money. We also found some indoor fountains of various sizes and chandeliers too! Prices start at as little as INR 100 for tiny decor items. While the bigger pieces will be quoted higher, we recommend bargaining heavily to get the best prices.
Q by Tonique
Kukatpally lacks nothing in terms of shopping - even a luxury alcohol shopping experience. Q by Tonique stocks everything from Vat 69 to Black Dog. A great selection of single malts and blended whiskeys like Talisker, Glenlivet along with cognac such as Remy Martin, Hennessy are put on display. The wine is categorised country-wise and you’ll find New World wines from South Africa, GMH from Australia, Frontera from Chile, and several others from New Zealand, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. What's more - The Glenlivet, Chivas Regal and Teachers 50 are regularly on offer here so you can stop depending only on Duty Free for your shopping!
Plan a Plant
If gardening is your way to destress, check out Plan a Plant. The store stocks seeds, manure, fertilisers, and all gardening tools to start your home garden. You can get bonsais, ferns, and air purifying plants to spruce up your home. They also have flowering plants, fruit plants, bamboos, cacti and creepers too. While you're at it, you will also spot cute planters in quirky designs like a mushroom, shoe and duck. Their range of indoor miniature gardens and planters totally caught our fancy. Their price point too, is fairly reasonable compared to other nurseries in town.
Indian Occasion Wear
Kukatpally is the place to be if you want to shop for weddings or any other festivities. The area is a hub for traditional wear stores. Here are some that are worth a visit.
Siri Collections Great For: Ready to wear blouses
Taruni Great For: Lehangas, Party wear Anarkali sets
MemSaheb / Fair Price
Great For: Lehengas and Dress Materials
Teja Sarees Great for: Designer Sarees
RS Brothers Great for: Wedding Silk Sarees
KLM Fashion Mall Great for: Pattu/Silk Sarees
South India Shopping Mall Great for: Festive Wear, Sarees
Chandana Brothers Great for: Wedding Silk Sarees
Suti
Great for: Indo-Western Kurtis and Salwars
Siri Collections Great For: Ready to wear blouses
Taruni Great For: Lehangas, Party wear Anarkali sets
MemSaheb / Fair Price
Great For: Lehengas and Dress Materials
Teja Sarees Great for: Designer Sarees
RS Brothers Great for: Wedding Silk Sarees
KLM Fashion Mall Great for: Pattu/Silk Sarees
South India Shopping Mall Great for: Festive Wear, Sarees
Chandana Brothers Great for: Wedding Silk Sarees
Suti
Great for: Indo-Western Kurtis and Salwars
Ashnah Bridals
If Say Yes to The Dress gave you wedding gown shopping goals, you can fulfil them at the Ashnah Bridal store in Kukatpally. That's correct - you don't need to travel far off to Secunderabad to shop anymore! We found some dreamy floor-length wedding gowns with prices starting at INR 10,000 here. You'll also find all your accessories like tiaras, veils and gloves to go with your outfit here. So gather your friends and get shopping!
Jai Ramdev Sports, Stationery and Gift Shoppe
If buying stationery sparks joy for you, check out the Jai Ramdev Sports, Stationery and Gift Shoppe at KPHB. We found an impressive collection of stationery, toys, souvenirs and even sports-related products here. The store is truly a one-stop shop if you're looking to buy something for the young ones or pick up something for yourself. Prices start at as low as INR 10, you can even get your party decoration supplies here!
Prakruthivanam Organic Store
Living an organic lifestyle is fairly accessible in Kukatpally, with a host of stores offering cooking and bath essentials at affordable prices. The Prakruthivanam Organic Store is one of the more well-maintained stores in the area, offering everything from pickles, millets, flours, cold pressed oils, pulses, and even soaps. We even found clay cookware and serveware in the store. They source their stocks directly from farmers and ensure fair trade practices as well.
Decathlon
Peeps, no more traveling to Shamshabad or Uppal for hoarding sports merchandise from Decathlon. The Kukatpally outlet in Manjeera Mall has stocked up on essentials and has awesome sales and deals throughout the year. Whether you're looking for ponchos because you're traveling to the hills (In style) or a good pair of trekking shoes, get them here. We spotted all things by Quechua to fulfill your camping and hiking needs too. They run pretty attractive sales often, so grab a deal!
Street Shopping at KPHB
Kukatpally is a haven for shoppers, and amid the larger, swankier stores are the tiny street shopping vendors lined up near KPHB Colony. Find everything from salwar kameez sets, kurtas, shirts, blouses, scarves, oxidised jewellery, sling bangs and footwear for a bargain, here. You will also find some trendy imitation jewellery that'll go perfectly with your Indo-Western and Indian outfits. While most vendors these days accept payments via GPay/UPI, we recommend carrying cash worth atleast INR 1000 just in case they only take cash. Head here with a lot of patience and of course, your best bargaining skills!
LBB's Favourite Things to Do
Smaash
Plan a day of fun gaming with your buddies at Smaash in Nexus Mall. From classic arcade games like Deal or No Deal to all the bike and car riding simulators like Road Rash to shooting games like Jurassic Park to virtual roller coasters, there is nothing here that you wouldn’t like. This place also has a 4D theatre, a bowling alley, zip lining, zorbing, and bumper cars! The gaming area gets crowded, so we recommend coming here at least half an hour before peak times so you're not waiting in line for all the games.
Kairali Spa
If a Kerala-style spa is your thing, you need to check out Kairali Spa in the Nexus Mall lane. The ambience is done up to reflect a traditional Keralite home. They offer traditional massages like Abhyangam, Shirodhara and other pain-relieving massages to take your stress off. We recommend their Shirodhara session that involves pouring a steady flow of restorative oils onto your forehead for around 45 minutes. The experience is so relaxing, you'd fall asleep before you know it! They also have therapeutic massages for various ailments here.
SVM Bowling & Gaming
We're all a bunch of excited kids at a gaming lounge, and at SVM in Manjeera Mall, both kids and youngsters come together for arcade gaming. Find yourself at the Pacman, Super Match, Crazy Shoot or Mario Bros. counters, but we wish there was a Dance Dance Revolution too. The bowling alley is a must-do if you are with a bunch of friends. Priced up to INR 1,000 for three, this is sure to set a contest between your gang. Got a few brats with you? Let them get their share of fun at fun rides and mini-trampoline.
Shatavahana Park
While Kukatpally is fortunately not stripped of its greenery completely, the Shatavahana Park is one of the bigger parks in the area that offers big walking tracks, lawns and designated play areas for children and adults as well. Play a game of frisbee or badminton, sit back and meditate on the lawns or simply hit your step count goal of the day at this park.
Iconic
Chaitanya Food Court
Most of your Kukatpally friends may have mentioned Chaitanya Food Court at least once when talking about the food scene in their neighbourhood. The joint is known for their amazing Sambhar Rice with Chicken 65, touted to be one of the best in Hyderabad. They also serve tiffins during breakfast hours and snacks like Mirchi bajji, and pakodas during tea time. The place is done up modestly and is a two minute walk from the Nexus Mall. While they do serve North Indian and Chinese fare too, Chaitanya Food Court is best recommended for their Andhra fare like Sambhar like and Ulavacharu Biryani.
Konaseema Vantillu
Konaseema Vantillu got on the map for serving authentic Godavari-style tiffins and other food in Hyderabad. If your idea of South Indian food stops at Idli and Dosa, head to Konaseema Vantillu to try some new dishes like Punugulu, Chitti Gaare, Dhibbarotte with Cheruku Panakam and Pesarattu. All these tiffins are accompanied by a variety of podis, pickles and chutneys. The joint remains authentic to its West and East Godavari roots in Andhra Pradesh, with many loyal patrons confirming that the taste from the coastal belt served here is the same. They also serve some cult favourites like the Rajahmundry rose milk and Putharekulu here at separate counters that are a must try.
Nexus Mall
Previously known as the Forum Sujana Mall, Nexus Mall has an array international brands for your various shopping needs. The city's first Forever 21 opened at the Mall and continues to be one of their bigger outlets in town. If you're a skincare or makeup junkie, you'll find stores like Sephora, Kiehl's, Forest Essentials, The Body Shop, MAC and Health & Glow that carries brands like Avene and Vichy. If you love Sunglasses, check out The Optic Store that carries international luxury brands like Maui & Jim, Versace, Ray Ban and Prada. We also found an impressive collection at the Crocs and Zara store, here. With a variety of options to choose from, a trip to the Nexus Mall is a day-out in itself.
Hidden Gems
Ruchi Samosa
Kukatpally and the adjoining areas are filled with samosa trucks that come alive at tea time. However, a place that locals swear by for their quality and taste is Ruchi Samosa at the Temple Bus Stop in KPHB. The food truck serves twelve varieties of samosas, ranging from paneer, cheese, corn, kheema, prawns, chicken and even egg! The joint gets super crowded around evening times, but the service is pretty fast. This woman-owned small business is a must-try if you want a break from traditional big samosas with aloo. The ones served here, and most joints around Kukatpally are smaller and crispier, making them a perfect tea time snack.
Vintage Ice Creams
If you thought you'd never taste your childhood favourite ice cream pops or what we famously called 'Pepsi' again, check out the selection at Vintage Ice Creams. They offer fruit cola sticks in all the famous flavours like grape, orange and lime and even add a twist with new flavours like Blue Coraco and coconut. Their milk-based fruit cola sticks are made with organic milk, and we even found a Rajahmundry Rose Milk flavoured one! They're currently available only for ordering online on food delivery apps, but you will regularly spot them at various pop-ups in Hyderabad too.
Cafe Cupz
The cafe scene in Kukatpally is yet to catch on, but Cafe Cupz near Indu Fortune Fields is a pretty decent place to hangout, if you're craving a cuppa and some alone time. The tiny cafe has around ten to twelve tables complete with board games and a collection of books to read. Try their Mocha Coffee, Alfredo Pasta and Crispy Chicken Fingers when you visit. They even have a cute outdoor seating section, if you'd like to enjoy the rains while chilling with a warm cuppa.
Breakfast in a Bottle
Breakfast in a Bottle ensures you never your breakfast! How do they do that? With their range of super delicious preservative-free, freshly made smoothies that get delivered right at your doorstep every morning. The smoothies are packed with healthy ingredients like oats, fresh fruit and generous servings of dry fruit. We love that just one portion of a chilled smoothie fills you up and is an ideal breakfast option. They even have a selection of indulgent Overnight Oats if you love a cold jar of goodness first thing in the morning. You can order some of their must-haves like the Banana Superfuel Smoothie and Chocolate Overnight Oats via online food delivery apps or pick them up from their cloud kitchen in Kukatpally.
