Street Food in Hyderabad

What to eat on the street in Hyderabad, which neighbourhoods to eat it in, and roughly what it should cost.

What street food in Hyderabad is known for

Hyderabad cooking comes from the Nizam kitchens crossed with Telugu heat, and the city is defined by rice, slow-cooked meat and strong tea.

Dishes to try

• Hyderabadi biryani, cooked dum style with raw marinated meat.
• Haleem, a pounded wheat and meat stew sold mainly during Ramadan.
• Irani chai with Osmania biscuits.
• Lukhmi, a savoury mince pastry.
• Double ka meetha, a bread and milk dessert.

Where locals actually eat

• Old City around Charminar for biryani and haleem.
• Tolichowki and Mehdipatnam for late night rolls and grills.
• Any neighbourhood Irani cafe for chai at any hour.

What it costs

A biryani plate 180 to 400 rupees, haleem 150 to 250 in season, Irani chai 15 to 30.

Eating safely here

Biryani and haleem are cooked in large batches and turned over quickly at busy places. Judge a shop by how fast the queue moves.

Vegetarian and vegan notes

Vegetarian biryani exists but is a different dish, not a substitute. Tara or vegetarian Telugu thali places nearby are a better vegetarian meal than a meat-free biryani.

Common questions