Delhi is one of the best cities in India to eat biryani. The city has a long history of Mughal cooking, and biryani is a big part of that tradition. Whether someone is walking through the old lanes of Jama Masjid or ordering food at home, biryani is always the first choice for many Delhiites.
This guide covers the best biryani places in Delhi rated by locals. It includes everything from century-old restaurants in Old Delhi to modern delivery brands. There is something here for every budget and every taste.
Why Delhi Is a Great City for Biryani
Delhi has been the centre of Mughal culture for hundreds of years. The royal kitchens of the Mughal emperors gave birth to some of India’s most famous dishes, and biryani was one of them.
Over the years, Delhi also welcomed food traditions from Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. So today, you can find very different types of biryani in the same city. This is what makes Delhi’s biryani scene so special, it is diverse, rich, and deeply rooted in history.
Types of Biryani Available in Delhi
Before picking a restaurant, it helps to know what kind of biryani is on offer. Delhi has four main styles:
1. Mughlai Biryani
This is the most common type in Old Delhi. It is heavy, spicy, and loaded with meat. The flavour is bold and intense. Places near Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid are famous for this style.
2. Awadhi (Lucknowi) Biryani
This style comes from Lucknow. The rice and meat are cooked separately and then layered together in a sealed pot (called a handi). It is cooked slowly on low heat, a method known as dum cooking. The result is a lighter, more fragrant biryani. It does not have too much spice but has a very nice aroma.
3. Hyderabadi Biryani
This is very popular all over Delhi. Raw marinated meat is layered with half-cooked rice in a handi, sealed, and cooked together. Saffron gives the rice a golden colour and a lovely smell. It is spicier than Awadhi biryani and very flavourful. There are two types kacchi (raw meat method) and pakki (cooked meat method).
4. Kolkata Style Biryani
This style is lighter and milder than the others. It comes with a boiled egg and a whole potato cooked with the rice and meat. Rose water and saffron are used for flavour. It is harder to find in Delhi, but a few places serve it well.
Best Biryani Places in Delhi – Tried and Loved by Locals
Here are the top biryani restaurants in Delhi that locals keep going back to again and again.
1. Karim’s – Jama Masjid, Old Delhi
Karim’s is the most famous biryani place in Delhi. It has been open since 1913, that is more than 110 years. The restaurant was started by a family that once cooked for Mughal emperors. Today, it is still one of the best places to eat authentic Mughlai biryani in the city.
The mutton biryani here is rich, meaty, and full of flavour. The rice soaks up all the spices perfectly. Locals always recommend visiting the original outlet near Jama Masjid rather than the franchise branches. The experience of going there, through the busy lanes of Old Delhi, near the historic mosque, is part of the charm.
- Must Try: Mutton Biryani, Chicken Biryani, Seekh Kebab
- Location: 16, Gali Kababian, near Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk
- Cost for Two: ₹400 – ₹600
- Open: 12 PM – 11 PM
2. Al Jawahar – Jama Masjid, Old Delhi
Al Jawahar is right next to Karim’s and is just as good maybe even better, according to some locals. The restaurant faces Gate 1 of Jama Masjid and has been serving Mughlai food for decades.
The biryani here has a slightly different taste from Karim’s. The Mutton Achar Biryani is a popular choice it has a tangy, pickled flavour that makes it stand out. The restaurant has three floors, and the upper floors are air-conditioned, which is great for families. Service is quick and prices are fair.
- Must Try: Mutton Achar Biryani, Chicken Biryani, Shami Kebab
- Location: 8, Matia Mahal Road, Opposite Gate 1, Jama Masjid
- Cost for Two: ₹400 – ₹700
- Open: 10 AM – 12 AM
3. Dum Pukht – ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri
Dum Pukht is for those who want to eat biryani in a very special setting. It is a fine-dining restaurant inside the five-star ITC Maurya hotel. The restaurant was opened in 1989 and is based on the 200-year-old cooking style of the Nawabs of Awadh.
The biryani here is slow cooked in a sealed handi for hours. Saffron, dry fruits, and fine spices are used. Every grain of rice is separate and full of flavour. The setting is very grand, decorated in a style inspired by Lucknow’s royal courts. This is not everyday biryani. It is a special occasion experience.
- Must Try: Dum Pukht Biryani, Kakori Kebab
- Location: ITC Maurya, Diplomatic Enclave, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri
- Cost for Two: ₹6,500 – ₹8,000
- Open: Lunch 12:30–2:45 PM | Dinner 7:00–11:45 PM
4. Anand Restaurant – Connaught Place
Anand Restaurant is a popular spot for people who work near Connaught Place. It has a simple, old-school look with vintage decor on the walls. There is nothing fancy here — but the biryani is consistently good and very affordable.
The biryani is served with a flavourful gravy, and the portions are generous. Office workers and college students love this place. At around ₹550 for two people, it offers some of the best value for money in central Delhi. It is a no-frills place with honest, tasty food.
- Must Try: Chicken Biryani, Mutton Biryani
- Location: 15/96, Scindia House, Connaught Place
- Cost for Two: ₹450 – ₹600
- Open: 10 AM – 11 PM
5. Biryani By Kilo (BBK) – Multiple Locations, Delhi NCR
Biryani By Kilo is the go-to choice for biryani delivery in Delhi. The concept is simple: every biryani is freshly made when you order. It is cooked in a small clay handi, sealed, and delivered to your door in the same handi. The biryani stays warm and fresh when it arrives.
The Mutton Hyderabadi Dum Biryani is the most popular item. The Lucknowi Chicken Biryani is a good option for those who prefer a lighter taste. For vegetarians, the Paneer Dum Biryani is well liked. BBK has outlets across Delhi NCR including Connaught Place, Dwarka, IP Extension, and Vasant Kunj. The delivery takes some time since the biryani is made fresh, but it is worth the wait.
- Must Try: Mutton Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Lucknowi Chicken Biryani, Paneer Dum Biryani
- Outlets: Multiple locations across Delhi NCR
- Cost for Two: ₹600 – ₹1,200
- Open: 10 AM onwards (delivery available)
6. Andhra Bhavan – Janpath
Andhra Bhavan is mainly known for its South Indian thali, but on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays it serves a Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani and a Mutton Biryani that many locals consider one of the best in the city.
The biryani is rich, well-spiced, and comes at a very reasonable price. Because it is a government canteen, it often gets overlooked by food guides — but locals who know about it come back every weekend. The trick is to arrive early because it sells out fast. Pair the biryani with Bheja Fry for the full experience.
- Must Try: Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani, Mutton Biryani
- Location: Andhra Bhavan, 1 Ashoka Road, Janpath
- Biryani Available: Friday, Saturday, Sunday only
- Cost for Two: ₹300 – ₹500
7. Aminia – Kalkaji
Aminia is one of the most famous biryani brands from Kolkata. The Delhi outlet in Kalkaji brings the authentic Kolkata-style biryani to the capital. The biryani comes with a boiled egg and a whole potato, this is the traditional Bengali way.
The spicing is lighter compared to Mughlai or Hyderabadi biryani. Rose water and saffron are used, giving the rice a slightly sweet and floral flavour. Both chicken biryani and mutton biryani are highly recommended. If someone wants to try something different from the usual Delhi biryani, Aminia is a great place to visit.
Must Try: Mutton Biryani (with egg and potato), Chicken Biryani
- Location: H-1B, First Floor, Kalkaji
- Cost for Two: ₹500 – ₹800
- Open: 12 PM – 11 PM
Other Good Biryani Spots Worth Visiting
Apart from the main restaurants listed above, Delhi has several local spots that are well-loved by people in their neighbourhoods:
Hindi Biryani, Karol Bagh: A simple, old-style biryani place that has been a local favourite for years. Great taste and very affordable. Not famous outside the area, but the locals love it.
Nasir Iqbal Biryani, Nizamuddin: Located in the historic Nizamuddin area, this is a hidden gem. The biryani is very aromatic and full of flavour. It reflects the rich food culture of the neighbourhood.
Qureshi Kebab Center, Defence Colony: A small, busy restaurant in South Delhi. The biryani is very good and the chicken seekh kebabs are some of the best in the area. Prices are fair.
Sassy Begum (Multiple Outlets): A modern biryani brand with outlets across Delhi NCR. Good Hyderabadi biryani and haleem. A solid choice when you want quality food without the old-world setting.
What to Eat Alongside Your Biryani
Biryani tastes even better when paired with the right side dishes. Here is what most biryani restaurants in Delhi serve alongside:
Raita: A cold yogurt dish that balances the spice in biryani. Almost every biryani restaurant offers it, and it is always a good idea to order it.
Salan: A thin, spicy gravy served mainly with Hyderabadi biryani. It adds extra flavour and moisture to the rice.
Kebabs: At places like Karim’s and Al Jawahar, ordering a plate of seekh or shami kebabs alongside the biryani is highly recommended. The smoky taste goes very well with the rice.
Shorba: A light meat soup that many Old Delhi restaurants serve. It pairs naturally with Mughlai biryani.
Phirni or Shahi Tukda: A traditional sweet dish to finish the meal. Many heritage biryani restaurants in Delhi offer these as dessert.
Quick Tips for a Great Biryani Experience in Delhi
Visit Old Delhi on a weekday: The Jama Masjid area is very busy on weekends. A weekday visit is more relaxed and the food is just as fresh.
Reach Andhra Bhavan early on weekends: The biryani sells out fast. Try to get there by 12:30 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Always ask for fresh biryani: At smaller street-food spots in Delhi, always ask if the biryani is freshly cooked. Fresh dum biryani tastes much better than leftover or reheated biryani.
Try different styles: Delhi is one of the few cities where Mughlai, Awadhi, Hyderabadi, and Kolkata-style biryani are all available. Trying at least two or three different styles makes the experience much more interesting.
Check recent reviews before visiting chains: Restaurant quality at chain outlets can vary. Checking Google or Zomato reviews for a specific outlet before visiting is always a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the most famous biryani restaurant in Delhi?
Karim’s near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi is the most famous. It has been open since 1913 and is known for its authentic Mughlai mutton biryani. It is a must-visit for anyone who loves biryani.
What type of biryani is most popular in Delhi?
Hyderabadi biryani and Mughlai biryani are the most popular in Delhi. Hyderabadi biryani is loved for its bold spices and saffron-flavoured rice. Mughlai biryani from Old Delhi is popular for its rich, meaty taste.
Where can I get the best veg biryani in Delhi?
Biryani By Kilo is a reliable option for vegetarians. Their Paneer Dum Biryani and Veg Hyderabadi Dum Biryani are popular. Anand Restaurant in Connaught Place also offers a good veg biryani at a reasonable price.
Is the biryani at Andhra Bhavan available every day?
No. The biryani at Andhra Bhavan is only available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It is best to arrive early as it sells out quickly.
Which Delhi biryani restaurant is best for home delivery?
Biryani By Kilo is the best option for biryani delivery in Delhi. The biryani is freshly cooked on every order and delivered in a sealed clay handi. Behrouz Biryani is another good delivery option available across Delhi NCR.
What is dum biryani?
Dum biryani is made by sealing the rice and meat together in a pot (handi) and cooking it on low heat for a long time. The steam trapped inside cooks the food slowly and gives the biryani a deep, aromatic flavour. Most of the best biryani restaurants in Delhi use this method.
