We Made You A Vegetarian Food Guide From AM To PM In The Old City

Find yourself dragged towards this little kiosk, Govind Dosa (also known as Govind ki bandi), with its all-engulfing aroma. Tawa Idli or freshly-tossed dosa, you are in for a treat. Served along with coconut chutney, there are several options for you to explore, but we implore you to stick to the basics like Butter Dosa or Ravva Dosa for they melt in your mouth. Careful before you dig in, though, because these are served steaming hot. But with a bottle of water in your kitty, you’re sorted.

Do note that this kiosk is always crowded, and we recommend you visit it between 6.30 am (opening hour) and 7.30 am because the first batch of their dosas is the best.

We won’t sugarcoat it for you – Nayaab is great for its Nihari and Zaban Masala, but surprisingly it knows its vegetarian dishes well too. We tried the Paneer Butter Masala and Tandoori Roti and tasted a bit of heaven. Unlike the regular Paneer Butter Masala, Nayaab spices it up with mirchi and masala. Wrap up the meal with Kesar Tea, their specialty, and strut out in glory. The lunch hours run full-house and you might have to share your table with others, but when is breaking bread with other food lovers not exciting?

Old City explorations are entirely incomplete without a visit to Agra Sweets. Go here for the Kesar Pista Lassi which is true ambrosia that can be bought at INR 90 only. Sending you into a frozen frenzy, this lassi comes loaded with the goodness of pista and is thick enough to eat with a spoon.

Known as the Hotel New Udupi Anand Bhavan now, the meals here are an all-vegetarian affair. At INR 55, you can order their Plate Meals that come with dal, curry of the day, rice, roti, papad, and more. This is a filling meal, and you can finish it off with a glass of Butter Milk. Yum!

While Irani Chai is what defines Hyderabad, our city is no less known for its Arabic delicacies. 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 7pm.

Iqbal is a hole in the wall place that can be easily missed, but the aroma wafting out of the restaurant can be a game changer. While this is great for non-vegetarian food, we found it amazing for the vegetarian delicacies too. We tried the Saag Puri and Bagara Rice here and found them ridiculously delicious. While the Saag Puri can make for a great breakfast, we think it’s perfect for a hearty dinner too. The Bagara Rice is a Telangana specialty which is biryani rice cooked without any vegetables or masala powder. This is a simple meal which is also a clear winner.

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.

Did we miss out on your favourite restaurant or food joint? Tell us all about it in the comments below.

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.

Matwale Doodh Ghar is an iconic juice centre that's known for its lassi and falooda. Attracting a crowd even beyond the Cinderella hours, the desserts are absolutely creamy and rich. You won't really mind all the sugar rush with their falooda, but if you want to taste the best of both worlds, go for their salted lassi. Apparently actor Rana Daggubati loves Matwale Doodh Ghar! 

Vegetarians, now is your time! If you are seeking hot samosas and jalebi when you are in Old City, Jai Maajisa Jalebi & Khara Shop (popularly known as High Court Ki Jalebi) is an answer to all your gastronomical prayers. Originally a tiny kiosk in front of the High Court, it grew to a significant size over 50 years but is still known as High Court Ki Jalebi (a name it gained because of its location). Grab a samosa or a kachori and we’re telling you it’s heaven for INR 10!

Nimrah with the view of Charminar attracts crowds from both Old City and modern suburbs of Hyderabad. Known for its Irani chai and Osmania biscuits, go here for Khopra Biscuits (coconut biscuits) and Shirmal (saffron-flavored traditional flatbread) for kickstarting your mornings. Right from 4 am when it opens, people spill out even on the streets waiting for their chai. Be prepared for having conversations with strangers or step out and sip on your chai with Charminar in your sight.