Telangana is a landlocked state in south-central India on the Deccan Plateau, home to Hyderabad, the Qutb Shahi and Nizam heritage of Golconda and Charminar, and the Kakatiya temples of Warangal and Ramappa.
Telangana's cuisine centres on Hyderabad, where Mughlai and Nizami traditions meet Telugu cooking. Hyderabadi dum biryani, haleem, Mirchi ka salan and Bagara baingan sit alongside rustic Telangana dishes such as sarvapindi, jonna rotte and pachi pulusu, with desserts like double ka meetha and khubani ka meetha. Irani chai and Osmania biscuits define the city's cafe culture, while Warangal and the districts serve millet rotis, spicy curries and country chicken.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Telangana.
Hyderabadi Dum Biryani
Layered rice and marinated meat sealed and slow-cooked
Where to try: Paradise, Bawarchi, Cafe Bahar, Alpha
Price: INR 250-600 (approx USD 3-6)
Haleem
Slow-cooked wheat, lentil and mutton porridge, served in Ramzan
Where to try: Pista House, Shah Ghouse
Price: INR 150-400 (approx USD 2-4)
Mirchi ka Salan
Peanut-sesame chilli curry served with biryani
Where to try: Most biryani houses
Price: INR 40-100 (approx USD 0-1)
Bagara Baingan
Baby aubergines in a peanut-tamarind gravy
Where to try: Cafe Bahar, Chicha's
Price: INR 150-300 (approx USD 2-3)
Double ka Meetha
Fried bread pudding with milk and dry fruit
Where to try: Adaa, Old City sweet stalls
Price: INR 80-250 (approx USD 1-3)
Khubani ka Meetha
Stewed dried apricots with cream or ice cream
Where to try: Old City restaurants
Price: INR 100-250 (approx USD 1-3)
Sarvapindi
Rice-flour and sesame flatbread, a Telangana home dish
Where to try: Telangana home-style eateries, Warangal
Price: INR 60-150 (approx USD 1-2)
Jonna Rotte with Pachi Pulusu
Sorghum roti with raw tamarind and onion stew
Where to try: Telangana meals restaurants
Price: INR 100-250 (approx USD 1-3)
Irani Chai with Osmania Biscuit
Sweet milky tea with a soft, salty-sweet biscuit
Where to try: Nimrah, Cafe Niloufer, Nayaab
Price: INR 20-60 (approx USD 0-1)
Paya
Slow-simmered trotter soup for breakfast
Where to try: Hotel Nayaab, Old City
Price: INR 100-200 (approx USD 1-2)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Andhra
Hyderabadi
Telangana
Hyderabadi Chaat
Food tours & tastings in Telangana
Eat your way through Telangana with a guide.
Browse food experiences in TelanganaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Irani chai and Osmania biscuits
Cafe staples for early mornings
Find it at: Charminar and Nampally
Dahi puri and pani puri
Cooling chaat
Find it at: Gokul Chat, Koti
Idli, dosa and poori
Street breakfast
Find it at: Ram Ki Bandi, Sultan Bazar
Kebabs and sheekh
Grilled meats sold in the evenings
Find it at: Laad Bazaar and Charminar lanes
Lukhmi
Savory minced-meat pastry
Find it at: Old City bakeries
Mirchi bajji
Battered chilli fritters
Find it at: Roadside carts across Hyderabad
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Laad Bazaar and Charminar food lanes
Old City market streets with bangles, pearls and evening street food
Hours: Daily 10AM-9PM
Moazzam Jahi Market
Historic market with Karachi Bakery, fruit stalls and sweets
Hours: Daily 9AM-9PM
Begum Bazar
Wholesale market for spices and dry goods
Hours: Daily 10AM-8PM
Monda Market, Secunderabad
Large fresh produce market
Hours: Daily 6AM-9PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
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- Vegetarian
- Widely available - Chutneys, Kritunga and Telangana thali restaurants serve vegetarian meals; ask for vegetable biryani
- Halal
- Most Old City and biryani restaurants serve halal meat
- Gluten free
- Rice-based dishes are common; wheat is used in rotis, haleem and baked goods, so ask before ordering
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | INR 100-300 (approx USD 1-3) per meal | Irani chai, street chaat, idli breakfasts and simple biryani |
| Mid-range | INR 400-800 (approx USD 4-8) per meal | Biryani houses, Andhra meals and Jubilee Hills restaurants |
| Upscale | INR 1,500+ per meal (approx USD 16) | Heritage palace dining at Taj Falaknuma and contemporary Nizami menus |