Ramzan is soon approaching and Hyderabadis’ favorite haleem restaurants are back with the season’s first round of the meat delicacy.
A day after Shaban (when Muslims pray for their ancestors at the cemetary), preparations for haleem begin in restaurants and eateries across the city. The dish will continue to be available practically everywhere in the city during Ramzan.
Although some restaurants and eateries serve haleem year round, cooks churn out their finest recipes during the festival. With the rising popularity of the dish, eateries are experimenting beyond the routine mutton and chicken varieties.
But now that Ramzan’s here, a list of some of the best places to go for this mouth-watering, aromatic dish:
Cafe-555: Located at Masab Tank, this joint is one of Hyderabad’s typical Irani cafes and has more than its regular share of customers during the festival season. Its known for its special ‘Chicken 65’ haleem, which is served with lots of fried onions, lots of pure ghee and a generous topping of dry fruits. Another variety of haleem that the café is known for is its mutton haleem which is served with zabaan (goat tongue), fried onions and pure ghee.
Facebook/Cafe 555
Shahghouse: There are always long queues at this old eatery in Towlichowki, even more so during Ramzan when customers throng the place not just for its famous biryani but also equally delicious haleem. Often, people top it off with desserts such as Qubani-ka-Meeta (apricot puree) and Double-ka-Meeta (fried-bread pudding).
Sarvi: At this Irani restaurant, haleem is served in a unique manner: with amul cream, kaju, egg and omlette as toppings. Located on Road No. 1 Banjara Hills, the joint is otherwise famous for its Irani Biryani, Irani Chai and Chote samosa which are served year-round.
Paradise: Most people know Paradise for its biryani but come Ramzan, and you will find out just how water-watering its Haleem can be.
Shadab: Located near the High Court Road Charminar, Shadab is one of the older hotels of the city and is a favourite for the Ramzan delicacy. Patrons keep returning knowing that they will be treated to the same flavours and aromas year after year. Here, Haleem is served with Zabaan and boiled egg.
Facebook/Shadab Hotel
Pista Haleem: It’s almost an oxymoron, but nonetheless tasty for it. The popularity of haleem is such that even vegetarians could not resist it. And so, Haleem joints in the city have begun serve the veg version of the dish.
Facebook/Pista Haleem