DISCOVERING THE BEST HYDERABADI BIRYANI IN NEW YORK CITY: TOP 5 PICKS

November 18, 2024

If you are from Asia and specially from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh, I am sure you are going to love this article. Because I am going to talk about the best places in New York where you can find the original Hyderabadi Biryani without any hassle . In this article I am not going to be too formal in the language, I will just narrate my experience and try to tell you the names of the Restaurants I will definitely suggest you to go to.

Before I start, I want to tell you a small story about my tour to India and getting the first taste of Hyderabadi Biryani.

In 2021, During the Covid Pandemic I visited India for some emergencies and I had to stay there for more than one and half month. I was staying in Old Delhi, where it was very difficult to find a Halal Restaurant as a tourist and due to the Pandemic the situation got worse. One day I suddenly found a small tiny restaurant with only two tables in it. I went inside out of curiosity and asked them if it is Halal or not? They answered positively and offered me a Biryani Called Hyderabadi Biryani. This was the very first time I tried this delicious item and for the rest of my stay in Delhi I always used to go there for only One Plate of it.

By the way, after coming back from India I was looking for this well known Indian Food for a long time but unfortunately I couldn’t find it anywhere. In NewYork, I visited a lot of Indian restaurants for this biriyani and today I am going to shortlist the names of the restaurants who have the most authentic and Halal Hyderabadi Biryani in NYC.

1. Hyderabadi Zaiqa: (Manhattan)

This Restaurant is on the top of the list because I got my first Hyderabadi Biryani in this place after a long journey of finding it in New York City. They had the original “Green Masala” (I don’t know the name of it) with the biriyani that gave me the exact taste that I got during my stay in India.

If someone asks me to give them a rating on their Biriyani I will definitely give them 5 stars. They have so many varieties in Biriyani including Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani, Hyderabadi Goongura Veg Dum biryani, Egg Biryani, Special Boneless Biryani, Chicken 65 Biryani , Goat Fry Biryani and a lot more of them.

Not only the Biryani, they have a “Big Menu” with a long list of All Indian Food including Tandoori Chicken, Paneer Tikka, Chat, Soup, Korma and Chicken Bhuna.

This is a small tiny place but a beautifully organized and clean dining space for friends or family.

2. Tandoori Indian Kitchen: (Queens)

When you are living in Queens, You don’t need to look further away. Just google the name “Tandoori Indian Kitchen” and drive there.

This is a great Indian Restaurant which can give you the amazing Biriyani that will mesmerize you with flavor and taste. This is the second place I visited for Hyderabadi Biryani. 6 Days a week 10:00 Am to 5:00 Am in the Morning, that gives you the opportunity to visit anytime.

Tandoori Indian Kitchen also offers a variety of Biryanis with different flavors and tastes. They also have all other Indian dishes for your desires.

When I visited this restaurant for the first time, I ordered biryani and some side items. Even though the biryani was a little spicy , it was delicious. But the best thing happened right after finishing the biryani. The owner Mr. Nithin offered me a cup of Cuminder Tea. This was the best tea I have ever had. So don’t miss the tea.

3. Gazab:

This is not like a typical Indian restaurant, This is a modern restaurant that offers unique taste and dishes to the food lovers . Gazab offers mouth watering and innovative dishes to deliver the original taste of India.

I don’t want to talk about other dishes here as I am only telling you about Hyderabadi Biryani. Gazab is one of the best restaurants in New York City that can provide you that. I am sure that nobody will have any complaints about that. Whoever visited Gazab once for Hyderabadi Biryani will visit again and again.

Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani is amazing here. When I asked the employee about the special taste of this they answered me “The chef has been making this biriyani since 1998 and had his own restaurant in India. He knows how to prepare the original flavor and taste”.

Gazab also offers Kolkata Pani Puri, Kasauli Lemon Chicken, Whole Tandoori Pomfret , most famous Gulab Zamon and all other Indian foods.

4. Al-Mehran Restaurant in Jamaica:

This is a small Pakistani Restaurant located on Person Blvd at the corner of person and Hillside ave.

I only go there for the masala biryani that is basically Hyderabadi Biryani. It will cost you around $10.00 for each plate but will be your best choice.

I don’t prefer to eat inside this restaurant as they don’t have a basin outside to clean your hand as I prefer eating biryani by hand instead of using a spoon. So I will suggest everyone to place the order for takeout.

They also have some other Pakistani dishes available and fast food that you can try.

5. Eternity Cuisine of India:

I am adding this restaurant to my list just because of the unforgettable Taste of their biriyani. I ordered a second plate of the biriyani after finishing the first. It was so delicious that I cannot explain it with my words.

This is near the Kew Garden and very easy to visit for one living in Brooklyn, Queens, Jamaica, Ozone Park or Williamsburg. This is one of my best halal stores to visit in New York. Not only the biryani, They also have alcohol free halal mocktails.

These are the restaurants I have visited in search of best Hyderabadi biryani in New York City. If you know some where else has this item please do let me know , I will definitely visit there.