When you think of Hyderabad, your first thought is biryani. Yes, they make it the best without a doubt! But wait...
There's much more to the food scene of this lovely city than just biryani. These were 12 delicious items Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff enjoyed on his maiden trip to Hyderabad.
It's a flavourful mutton broth with chunky mutton pieces in it. A perfect way start to eat your meal. We sampled it at Nawaab's Restaurant at Gachibowli.
Mutton marinated with secret masalas and cooked on a hot stone. It's delicious! From Nawaab's too.
If mutton is your pehla pyaar, then this dish is for your list! Shadab Restaurant's deep-fried mutton at Ghansi Bazaar, tossed with curry leaves and green chillies, was simply outstanding.
Minced mutton kebabs is stuffed with curd (yoghurt), onions and green chillies... What a combo. It just melts in your mouth.
Soft idlis topped with ghee-podi (gunpowder chutney) had with crisped wadas and not one, but SIX types of chutneys -- coconut, chana dal, peanut, tomato, ginger, spicy, tangy at... where else?... Chutneys Restaurant, Jubilee Hills.
A perfectly-cooked Andhra-style meal at Kakatiya Deluxe Mess, Ameerpet, was dil-khush-karne-waale stuff. You may order an extra portion of your choice of a non-veg dish there too -- be it chicken, mutton, or prawns.
And now we get to biryani! The best Mutton Biryani I had was also at Nawaab's. Really the BEST! Rich. Aromatic. Full of deliciousness.
A Hyderabad darshan/chakkar is not done till you partake of Irani chai and biscuits. The ONLY way to end your Charminar tour. I had my lazy Charminar tea break at Nimrah Cafe.
This is the City of Pearl's version of Shahi Tukda. And perhaps the best take yet. Sweet, yummy and full of calories.
This is a unique Andhra sweet, artfully made with paper rice sheets, filled with jaggery and dry fruits, is food of the gods. I sampled the divine mithai at Emerald, a sweet shop with a few branches.
Strawberries & cream, mangoes & cream... We have all had. But how about a creamy dessert concocted from mulberries, cream and Rabdi? Charminar's Milan Juice Centre's offering was like Wow!
Manam Chocolate Karkhana is a chocolatewallah’s paradise, an experience in itself. On offer: Everything from cakes, ice creams, cheesecake. Tonnes of varieties of chocolate, OF COURSE. All made from Andhra cacao beans.