Whether it’s from the times of Nawabs or to the times of not-so-Nawabs, Biryani, as a dish, has always been celebrated all over India. The moment we utter the words Bir-ya-ni, the phantom of fantasies taking the delicious rice and meat dish nurtures.
Ever since the legendary dish has been introduced in India, the evolution taking it has seen no boundaries. Though there have been many unfolded tales related to the dish, if one has to go by the legendary one, the word “biryani” has been educed from the Farsian word “birian” which means “fried before rice”.
Formerly, Taimur, the lame, introduced biryani in India through Persia. Then later, the Mughals (around 1618) adapted the style accordingly and popularized it in India during their invasion in Lucknow and Hyderabad and the other version was brought to Calicut by the Arabs, since then the dish has evolved and subsequently been part of each and every community in India.
Be whatever the style of biryani, what is important to understand is the method in which it is prepared – katchi or pakki – apart from the regional variants which largely depends on the quality of the rice to spices used to the person making it.
In katchi biryani, the meat is marinated in curd and then steamed with rice, while in pakki biryani the meat is prepared with all the accompanying spices and then the rice is simmered with the resultant gravy which has the fragrance of ittar and kewra along with saffron and cardamom.
With India known to have a repertoire of boasting 26 varieties of biryani under its belt, it is almost difficult to place ones favorite on table. Now, with out much ado, let’s read along and find out the best restaurants serving the absolute mouthwatering dish (in no particular order).
1. Hyderabadi Biryani House
If pizza is to Sardinia in Italy and Couscous is to Morocco in North Africa, then undoubtedly biryani is to Hyderabad in India. With multiple chain locations, Hyderabadi Biryani House is no wonder why everyone’s choice.
With horde of biryani lovers thronging throughout the week in all the branches, the Special Hyderabadi Mutton and Chicken Biryani is what sells the most here, and the family pack of the same is what goes out the most. Some connoisseurs even recommend the extra masala chicken biryani as well.
Address: 7/1, Victoria Road, Richmond Town Area, Bangalore (more)
2. Samarkand
As a place, Samarkand was originally the capital of the Timur Empire (Timur is said to have brought the flavour of biryani to India), even as a restaurant Samarkhand is as true. When here, don’t foget to lay your hands on the “authentic” Ghost ki Dum Biryani. Served with made-to-perfect chilled raita and ideal mirch-ka-salan, this biryani is to absolutely die for!
Address: Gem Plaza, Infantry Road
3. Meghana Foods
Ask any Bangalore Biryani devotee and this restaurant is always on their top biryani list. Meghana is known for its Andhra-style biryani, spicy and aromatic. With atypical option like lollypop biryani in the menu, the boneless as well as regular chicken biryani is a hit here. Also the prawn biryani is worth recommending, but make sure the prawns are fresh and of apt size.
Address: 124, Near Jyothi Nivas College, 1st Cross, KHB Colony, 5th Block, Koramangala (more)
4. Nagarjuna
Photo Credit: CurryLore
This is a restaurant where you need to sit down and relish the food at the restaurant’s table itself, with biryani on banana leaves. The image itself makes one hungry! With just two options of chicken and mutton here, make sure you devour on both, as both the options are aptly cooked and brilliant to taste. Moreover, the quantities will never dissapoint you.
Address: 44/1, Residency Road (more)
5. Ambur Biryani
Photo Credit: MySouthernFlavours
Whoever thinks that “good” Biryani’s can only be relished in restaurants, then they surely need to try out Ambur Biryani. It is economical and outstanding. All the Ambur biryani branches satiate their customers hunger with the best of the best biryani at just Rs. 70 for chicken and Rs. 120 for mutton. When in doubt go for the kabab as well with you choice of biryani to name it as a complete meal.
6. Mani’s Dum Biryani
Photo Credit: MuseThePlace
Nothing can beat the aroma of a biryani cooked perfectly on an earthern clay pot. With the name screaming out the method of preparation, Mani’s Dum Biryani has an array of biryanis under its commorade to make any non-biriyani person go gaga over it.
Regulars vouch for its chicken and egg biryani, but the special biryanis made occasionally are also worth the try.
Address: 88, KK Centre, Jyoti Nivas College Road, Koramangala (more)
7. Dum Pukht Jolly Nabobs
Photo Credit: Gourmet India
Surprised? Well, if you are one of the person who is snotty but love binging on biryani then this is where you need to stop by. As for the vegetarians, it’s time to celebrate, the subz biryani over here can definetly stand tall against the chicken as well as mutton.
The aromatic and well-made saffron topped rice with choicest of meat and vegetable is served with equally commendable buraani raita, which just makes the entire meal worth the money spent for.
Address: ITC Windsor, 25 Windsor Square, Golf Course Road, Near Sankey Road
8. Shivaji Military Hotel and Ranganna Military Hotel
With the rich history of military hotels in Bangalore, these two restaurants have fought their respective battles and come out with flying colours.
Both the places are noted for their chicken as well as mutton biryani. But when you are here, you are definetly in for some real no-frill-style-food where you can gladly lick your fingers and burp to glory.
Address: Shivaji Military Hotel – 780, 1st C Main, 45th Cross, 8th Block, Jayanagar
Address: Ranganna Military Hotel – 61, 1st Floor, K.R. Road, 7th Block, Jayanagar
9. Ferghana
With the meat cooked in rich spices and then cooked again in par boiled rice, Ferghana has been true to the kitchens of Mughals when it comes to biryani at least. Compared to its chicken and vegetable (of course) biryani, what screams out most here is the mutton biryani.
Address: 74/2, 4th Floor, Sanjana Plaza, Elephant Rock Road, 3rd Block, Jayanagar
10. Umerkot
Ask anyone, and they would say Umerkot is one of the most trusted North Indian restaurants who have survived and stood tall by the glory of Bangalore. With the Biryanis aptly named in the menu starting from Subz Tehri to Gosht Biryani Shah Pasand to Murg Zafrani Biryani, one can relish on each gladly while the staff courteously listen to each and every order.
Address: 30, 80 Feet Road, 4th Block, Koramangala
11. Mahesh Lunch Home
Photo Credit: DishGram
Not vastly recommended, but if you are on a spree to feast on seafood biryani, then look no further than Mahesh Lunch Home. Try out the Basa Biryani and Hyderabadi Prawn Biryani; trust you are never going to regret on missing out the traditional mutton or chicken biryani of other restraunts in Bangalore.
Address: Cears Plaza, Opposite Bangalore Club, Residency Road
12. Tunday Kababi
Photo Credit: YummRaj
Who hasn’t heard or craved for a Lucknawi biryani or at the least a Lucknawi style biryani? For those with a milder taste, drive down to Tunday Kababi in Koramangala or HBR Layout to taste the heavenly lucknawi-style biryani.
When you are here, the most recommended of all is the mutton biryani and also a bit out of the topic, don’t forget to taste the steamy and succulent mutton sheek kabab along with the biryani.
Address: 241/E, 4th Block, 1st Stage, Near Mosque, Outer Ring Road, HBR Layout
Address: 479, KHB Colony, 5th Block, Koramangala
13. Jamavar
This fine-dining restaurant of Leela Palace in Bangalore is unquestionably known for its interiors but along with it what the connoisseurs do not miss out on while feasting here is the Awadh Ghost Biryani. Cooked delicately on dum with subtle yet aromatic spices and topped with saffron, the dish makes it worth going back to the restaurant again.
Also the Nalli ka Salan, Kesar and Pista Kulfi is what completes the entire Jamavar meal.
Address: The Leela Palace, 23, Old Airport Road
Tip: To check if the Biryani is cooked well, take a handful of it and spread it across on table. If the rice don’t stick together, that means you have been served the best biryani.