Ugadi, or the Telugu New Year, is all about feasting on the flavours of life - sweet, spicy, sour, and tangy. What starts with Ugadi Pacchadi (Ugadi Pickle) continues and ends with a selection of regional dishes that help people usher in the new year's prosperity with good spirits. Amidst this festivity, if you’re away from home and looking for homestyle delicacies or exploring the local cuisine, check out these restaurants that serve authentic Andhra and Telangana cuisine to celebrate the Ugadi feast month-long.
7 Restaurants That Will Take You Closer To Home With Ugadi Delicacies
Kavyam The Telugu Table
Love your favourite Telugu delicacies to be spicy? Kavyam is known for just that. The taste will remind you of hearty home food and everything on their menu is a staple. We’re talking about Mokkajonna Vada with chutney, Gunturu Karam Kodi, Natu Kodi Pulusu, Kaju Masala, Biryani, Sambar Rice and Peruguannam. Best part? You can bring down the temperature of your taste buds with authentic desserts like Kunda Junnu, Bobbatlu with Jaggery Ice Cream and and Pootharekulu with Ice Cream.
Price For Two: INR 1,500 (approx.)
Must Try: Regional Desserts
Subbayya Gari Hotel
Kunda lo bhojanam tine experience kavala? Then there’s one place you need to go and that’s Subbayya Gari Hotel. It’s an all-vegetarian restaurant serving authentic Andhra dishes, and they’re very generous with their quantities. Butta Bhojanam is one of their statement items on the menu, which literally means meals served in a basket. Other highlights include meals served on banana leaves and Pelli Bhojanam (typical Andhra wedding food). Expect dishes like Gongura Pulihora, Chintakaya Pulihora, Gutti Vankaya, Avakayi Annam, Parugu Vada, Kakinada Kaja, Chalimidi, Pandu Mirapakayi Pickle, and Payasam.
Price For Two: INR 700 (approx.)
Must Try: Pelli Bhojanam
Ala Dakshinapuramlo
Meals on banana leaf but not limited to veg? Ala Dakshinapuramlo will fix you up. Besides their preset meal, they have so much more. The food here is delicious so we recommend you have koncham koncham of everything. Order Kothimeera Paneer, Andhra Apolo Fish, Ulavacharu Biryani, Gadwal Kodi Pulao, Mango Chicken Curry, Ghee Sambar Rice and Gummadikaya Halwa for dessert. Vinte bagundi, kada? Trust us, this will be plenty filling.
Price For Two: INR 1,300 (approx.)
Must Try: Aritaku Bhojanam and Mango Chicken Curry
Maryada Ramanna Restaurant
In the mood for some wholesome thalis with dishes curated from the native land? This restaurant is known for its Veg Thali, Mutton Thali, Kona Seema Thali, and Rayala Seema Thali. Covering all the main regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, choose what your heart pleases but beware of the spice; Rayala Seems Thali will be especially spicy. You can also check out their ala carte menu for Mokka Jonna Cashew Masala, Gongura Mushroom, and Bezawada Mamsam Kura. Although their menu is limited, but the bold flavours make up for it.
Price For Two: INR 1000 (approx.)
Must Try: Veg Thali and Kona Seema Thali
Telugu Medium
Telugu Medium has become our new go-to place for authentic regional flavours. From soups to desserts and pickles for the love of all things masala, our list covers it all. Start with Miriyala Kodi Charu for a kick of warmth, then move on to the starters with Bangla Paneer, Karivepaku Puttagodugulu and Mirapakaya Cheese Bajji, which is their take on the street style Mirchi Bajji. Then on to Koramenu Chepa Roast, Paneer Kheema Iguru, Natukodi Pulusu, Majjiga Charu and Bagara Rice with Pappu. While these dishes shine, we’re not gatekeeping our absolute favourite—Mudda Pappu Avakaya Annam. And yes, order lots of liquids to wash off the heat. Don’t say we didn’t tell you.
Price For Two: INR 2,500 (approx.)
Must Try: Mudda Pappu Avakaya Annam
Spicy Venue
What’s a no-nonsense hearty Telugu meal? Spicy Venue's Pappu, Appadam (papad), Sambar/Rasam, Pacchadi (pickle), and Perugu (curd); all this with lots of ghee annam (ghee rice) is what you should have. Ask any local for good regional cuisine, and Spicy Venue is the name you will hear. Veg and non-veg, their traditional Telugu delicacies include comfort food and more. Order an Appadam basket on the side and order your heart away. We’d go for the Pappu of the Day (it might be mango in summer), Mango prawns, Kodi Iguru, and Sambar Annam or a filling thali. But, if you’re planning a celebratory, fancy outing, you cannot miss out on their star, the MLA Biryani. It’s raved about in Hyderabad and, honestly, passes off as a Hyderabadi staple. After all this, clean your palette with Apricot Delight, which is another crowd favourite.
Price For Two: INR 1,200 + taxes
Must Try: MLA biryani, Pappu of the Day with rice and Thali
Vivaha Bhojanambu
Vivaha Bhojanambu translates to a wedding feast, and that’s what you will get here. You can straight away order their thalis, which will cover everything and give you an authentic Telugu wedding feel, or order their crowd pullers. Order Golkonda Kodi if you can handle your spice, Bhimavaram Stuffed Crabs if you like seafood, Pudina Paneer Vepudu if you want to taste a regional twist on paneer, Ulli rings for the crunch, Mamidikaya Pappu if you like a tangy seasonal dal, Natu Kodi Pulusu for a companion for the ghee rice and Kova Gulab Jamun for a staple wedding dessert.
Price For Two: INR 2,000 + taxes
Must Try: MLA Biryani and Thali
