Biryani, a rice-based dish, is perhaps one dish that can be called the pan-Indian dish. Prepared with rice, meat, and lots of spices, one can find different flavored biryanis in different parts of the country. For instance, Lucknow offers a variety of flavored biryanis, while Kolkata uses different ingredients, and Hyderabad has its unique cooking and preparation methods. Interestingly, all claim to offer the best. In this article, we explore the differences between Kolkata Biryani, Hyderabadi Biryani, and Lucknowi Biryani, as well as where to find the best biryani in these cities.

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Lucknow Biryani

Lucknow Biryani is a Mughal-inspired biryani that originated in Lucknow, a city in northern India. It is made with basmati rice, saffron, and a mix of whole and ground spices. The meat used in the biryani is usually lamb and chicken. The dish is cooked in a dum style, which involves layering the rice and meat and then slow-cooking it in a sealed pot over a low flame. Lucknow Biryani is known for its delicate flavor, and the rice is typically lightly spiced and fragrant.

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Restaurants where one can get the best Biryani in Lucknow

Idris Biryani

Idris Biryani is a legendary biryani joint located in the old city of Lucknow. This small eatery is known for its spicy and flavorful biryani, which is made using a special blend of spices and long-grain rice. (Address: Opposite Patanala Police Station, Raja Bazar, Chowk, Lucknow).

Wahid Biryani

Wahid Biryani is another popular biryani joint in Lucknow that has been serving up delicious biryani for over 60 years. The biryani here is cooked in a traditional dum style, which helps to lock in the flavors and aromas. (Address: 12, Lower Ground, Eldeco Complex, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow).

Tunday Kababi

Tunday Kababi is a famous eatery in Lucknow that is known for its melt-in-your-mouth kebabs and biryani. The biryani here is made with succulent pieces of mutton that are slow-cooked with aromatic spices.

Dastarkhwan

Dastarkhwan is a popular restaurant in Lucknow that serves up a variety of traditional Indian dishes, including biryani. The biryani here is cooked in a traditional Lucknowi style and is known for its rich flavor and aroma. (Kaiserbagh Lucknow).

Kolkata Biryani

Kolkata Biryani, also known as Calcutta Biryani, is made with long-grain rice, flavored with saffron, and cooked with a mix of spices that includes bay leaves, cinnamon, and cloves. The meat used in Kolkata Biryani is typically either chicken or mutton, and the dish is known for its sweet taste due to the addition of caramelized onions and raisins. Kolkata Biryani is also served with boiled eggs, which are cooked along with the rice.

Restaurants where one can get the best Biryani in Kolkatta

Arsalan

Arsalan is one of the most popular biryani joints in Kolkata and is known for its rich and flavorful biryani. (Address: Park Street Kolkata). 

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Shiraz Golden Restaurant

 Shiraz Golden Restaurant serves up a variety of biryani options, including mutton, chicken, and fish, each with its unique flavor profile. (Address: Park Circus, Beniapukur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017).

Aminia

Aminia is a century-old restaurant in Kolkata that is known for its biryani. 

Nizam's

Nizam's is a legendary biryani joint in Kolkata that has been serving up delicious biryani for over 80 years. The biryani here is made using a special blend of spices and long-grain rice, which gives it a unique flavor and aroma. (Address:  Hogg Street, New Market Area, Kolkata).

Hyderabad Biryani

 Hyderabad Biryani is a biryani that originated in Hyderabad, a city in southern India. It is made with basmati rice, flavored with saffron and a mix of whole and ground spices, and cooked with meat, usually chicken or lamb. The dish is known for its rich flavor, which comes from the use of ghee (clarified butter) and the addition of fried onions and mint leaves. Hyderabad Biryani is also served with raita, a yogurt-based condiment that helps to balance out the spices and heat.

Restaurants where one can get the best Biryani in Hyderabad

Paradise Biryani

Paradise Biryani is a legendary biryani joint in Hyderabad that has been serving up delicious biryani for over 60 years.

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Bawarchi

Bawarchi is another popular biryani joint in Hyderabad that is famous for its delicious biryani. (Address:  Opposite Sandhya Theatre, Jawahar Nagar, Chikkadpally, New Nallakunta, Hyderabad).

Shah Ghouse Café and Restaurant

Shah Ghouse is a popular eatery in Hyderabad that is known for its spicy and flavorful biryani. (Address: Tolichowki, Hyderabad).

Shadab Hotel

Shadab Hotel is a famous restaurant in Hyderabad that serves up a variety of traditional Indian dishes, including biryani. The biryani here is cooked in a traditional Hyderabadi style and is known for its rich flavor and aroma. (Address: Opposite Madina Circle, High Court Road, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad).

Cafe Bahar

 Cafe Bahar is a popular eatery in Hyderabad that is known for its delicious biryani. The restaurant serves up a variety of biryani options, including mutton, chicken, and vegetarian, each with its unique flavor profile. (Address: Hyderguda, Basheer Bagh Hyderabad).

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