It is not possible to celebrate the holy month of Ramzan in Hyderabad without the festive favourite — Hyderabadi haleem.
Across Hyderabad, eateries have followed the annual custom of setting up their haleem furnace, traditionally known as haleem bhattis.
The mouth-watering stew-like dish is prepared with mashed goat meat, lentils, and pounded wheat as primary ingredients — as well as several spices.
Hyderabad is considered the haleem capital of India. Hyderabadi haleem is the most sought-after dish in the city during the month of dawn-to-dusk fasting.
South First lists the some of the best eateries in Hyderabad in 2023 where you can fulfil your craving for haleem. While haleem is primarily a mutton dish, some of these outlets serve chicken haleem as well:
1) Sarvi, a special Hyderabadi haleem with fried cashew topping
Sarvi’s haleem is widely popular among food lovers of Hyderabad. A popular chain of restaurants in the city, they have been serving Hyderabadi haleem for around 30 years now.
“Haleem there is generally balanced with spices. So you can’t go wrong there,” Panjagutta resident Yunus Lasania told South First.
Aligned with their classic haleem, Sarvi also serves a special haleem, which comes with a boiled egg, cream and fried cashew topping.
Location: Road number 1, Banjara Hills.
Per plate cost: ₹250 for classic haleem and ₹300 for special haleem.
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2) Cafe 555, Irani mutton and spicy Hyderbadi haleem
Cafe 555 or Aqeeq restaurant has become the talk of the town for its surprise elements in haleem.
It includes a special Hyderabadi haleem topped with Chicken 65 and boiled egg (₹500) and Nalli Gosht haleem topped with nallis (₹600).
Cafe 555 has been known for its Irani mutton haleem for a long time now and the dish will be prepared for a week after Eid ul Fitr.
“Cafe 555 is a place for those who like spicy haleem. Their chicken 65 haleem is something I like a lot. The haleem is also properly mashed and cooked. The Iranian haleem is famous across the world, but you will find it here with different flavoured toppings,” Mohammed Ali from Shaikhpet told South First.
Location: Maheshwari Complex, Masab Tank.
Cost: ₹250 for single person and ₹480 for a couple.
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3) Shah Ghouse, among the best haleem places in Hyderabad
Shah Ghouse restaurant is another popular destination for foodies and one of the best places for haleem in Hyderabad in 2023.
“I like that their haleem is made in pure ghee. It’s very creamy too. Reminds me of how my elders used to prepare it at home during my childhood,” Reyan Ahmed Khan from Tolichowki told South First.
“Their haleem is soft and cooked perfectly with a perfect balance of spices. The dish is not only delicious but also visually pleasing, as it is presented beautifully too. The service is also great, the staff are attentive and friendly,” Anuradha Reddy from Begumpet told South First.
Location: Madhura Nagar Colony, Gachibowli road, Hyderabad.
Per plate cost: ₹180 for Chicken Haleem and ₹260 for mutton Haleem.
4) Hotel Shadab, a special Hyderabadi haleem with zabaan
Hotel Shadab is another go-to place for Hyderabadis for haleem, as also Mughlai dishes.
“Their haleem is always consistent with its taste. It’s a little spicy but good overall,” Yunus Lasania pointed out.
Hotel Shadab last year introduced a special haleem, which comes with zabaan (goat’s tongue).
Location: Madina circle, Ghansi Bazar.
Per plate cost: ₹250 for classic Hyderabadi haleem and ₹500 for special haleem.
5) Flora Cafe in Secunderabad
This one cafe in the twin city, Secunderabad, has been receiving huge praise on social media for its haleem.
“I had their haleem from the first time. It definitely one of the best and it’s probably underrated,” a haleem enthusiast Siddharth Kumar Singh from Ameerpet told South First.
Location: Old Ghasmandi, Bhoiguda, Secunderabad.
Per plate cost: ₹200 per plate of haleem.
