Cafe Bahar

Cafe Bahar is an old-school Hyderabadi restaurant established in 1973 in the Basheer Bagh area of Hyderabad, Telangana. The address on Old MLA Quarters Road in Avanti Nagar, Himayatnagar, places it in a central district close to government offices, colleges and the commercial streets around Himayatnagar. It is best known for its mutton biryani, which is the dish most regulars order, and for staying open late; the listed hours run from 11AM to 12:30AM. The cuisine is classic Hyderabadi. The mutton biryani is prepared in the dum style, with spiced meat and long-grain rice sealed together so that the flavours mingle. The chicken biryani is the alternative for diners who prefer a lighter option, and mirchi ka salan, a tangy curry of chillies in a peanut and sesame gravy, is the traditional accompaniment. The dining room is a simple family-style space with quick service, plain furnishings and a steady stream of local customers rather than tourists. The atmosphere is unfussy and practical, and noise levels rise during the lunch hour and again after evening cinema and office crowds arrive. There is no dress code. The restaurant is not known for a wine or cocktail programme; soft drinks, lassi and tea are the usual beverages. Reservations are not required, and the restaurant operates on a walk-in basis. Prices are modest, at roughly INR 250 to 450 per person, so a full meal with biryani and a side is inexpensive by city standards. Visitors interested in Hyderabad's biryani culture often use Cafe Bahar as a comparison to the larger chains, since its reputation rests on the consistency of its cooking over several decades. It works well for a late dinner when many other restaurants have closed, and for travellers staying around Himayatnagar, Basheer Bagh or Abids it is within easy reach by auto-rickshaw or taxi.