Many foods have their separate fanbases, but biryani might easily top the list of such items. The Persian-origin dish has grown to become one of the top dishes across South Asia.
Dubai is no stranger to biryani, which has been driven to popularity in the city by the large South Asian community residing here. With its mix of fragrant rice, meat, spices and vegetables, it has quickly become a star dish when it comes to the abundant Indian dining spots around the emirate.
Check out these eight excellent restaurants selling the best biryani in Dubai.
Top 8 Biryani Spots in Dubai
1. Deccan Biryani
Though Deccan Biryani boasts an extensive menu, their biryani, without a doubt, is the star of the show. They offer a wide range of biryanis, such as Hyderabadi biryani, mutton biryani, chicken 65 biryani and chicken tikka boti biryani, among others. You can also select from their succulent curries, from paya lamb to mutton korma, making the restaurant a true meat lover’s haven.
They also offer biryani combo meals, single pot servings, and half kilogram of any biryani of your choice with a dessert.
- Location: Behind Abu Hail Metro, Al Zarooni Building (Red Building), Ayal Nasser, Abu Hail Street, Hor Al Anz, Deira, Dubai
2. Gazebo Restaurant
Established in Dubai 26 years ago, Gazebo serves a variety of Indian delicacies and has multiple branches across the city, as well as in other emirates.
Among their exquisite chicken biryani platters are an aromatic tandoori murgh biryani and Afghani murgh biryani, with chargrilled pieces of chicken afghani, among many others. Those who swear by mutton variants can enjoy a boti Hyderabadi biryani or a rich gosht Rogan josh biryani. The Aatish-e-Jhinga biryani, featuring jumbo prawns, or a fine machli tikka biryani will definitely suffice seafood lovers.
While biryani popularly contains meat, vegetarians don’t have to miss out either. Try the bharwan aloo biryani, with cottage cheese-stuffed chargrilled potatoes, or a straightforward paneer tikka biryani.
- Location: Multiple locations across Dubai
3. Calicut Paragon
With multiple locations in South India, Calicut Paragon has also established itself in Dubai as a much-loved Indian restaurant for South Indian delicacies. Among their special Malabar biryani options, you can choose from chicken, mutton, fish, prawn and vegetable varieties.
- Location: Al Ghani Building, Amman Street, Al Nahda Second, Al Nahda, Dubai
4. Pak Liyari
Located in places such as Al Fahidi and Deira, Pak Liyari is a family-friendly Pakistani restaurant, and prides itself on its authentic biryani offerings. You can find classic mutton and chicken biryani, and even beef biryani.
You might also want to check out the seekh kebab, anda channa and mutton peshawari, among numerous other homely, hearty dishes.
- Location: Multiple locations in Dubai
5. Student Biryani
True to its name, Student Biryani is the perfect spot for students and youngsters to hit up for a post-school or after-college lunch to satisfy their biryani cravings. Apart from vegetable, chicken and mutton biryani, they have a few standout dishes too.
The BBQ fusion biryani and smoky tikka biryani blend freshly grilled meat with fragrant rice, while their signature bucket biryani offers a generous quantity for parties, family gatherings and office lunches.
- Location: Multiple locations in Dubai (also in Abu Dhabui, Sharjah and Ajman)
6. Saif Restaurant
Saif Restaurant provides the sharp, bold flavours found in Hyderabadi cuisine. The signature dish, of course, is the authentic Hyderabadi chicken dum biryani, with its mix of rich spaces, aromatic rice and tender chicken.
You can also try out their mutton pulao or chicken tandoori.
- Location: Hor Al Anz, Deira, Dubai
7. Bombay Borough
Located on the second floor of DIFC, Bombay Borough offers the best of Indian food and its many layers. Their biryani dishes include a vegetable dum biryani, a tikka kebab dum biryani with grilled chicken chunks, and a mutton dum biryani with slow-braised mutton.
Round off the biryani affair with a rich malai jamun or a Coorgi chocolate mousse.
- Location: Gate Village, Building 3, towards DIFC Parking, Zaa’beel Second, DIFC, Dubai
8. Sthan
Specialising in Indian, Pakistani and Afghani cuisine, the biryanis at this restaurant are definitely worth trying. You can go for the classic murg (chicken) biryani, but if you’re seeking something new, try the yakhani biryani, which consists of mutton and rice cooked in flavoured yakhan.
The Bombay anda biryani and Dilli subz biryani are also great options for something offbeat.
- Location: Al Karama, Dubai
Regardless of where you get your biryani fix from in Dubai, the best biryani spots pack a punch of flavour into each type they serve. Whether you prefer creative variations of biryani, or a traditional potful, the dish has made a mark of its own in Dubai’s food scene.
