Hyderabad's dining scene continues to evolve, with new restaurants bringing cuisines, brands and food experiences from different parts of India and beyond. From authentic Assamese home-style cooking to globally popular PERi-PERi chicken and nostalgic Mumbai vegetarian favourites, the city's latest openings offer plenty to explore.
I recently visited three new restaurants in Hyderabad that caught my attention—Aakhol in Kokapet, Nando's at Sarath City Mall in Kondapur, and Shiv Sagar in Madhapur. Each is very different, but all three bring something distinctive to Hyderabad's increasingly diverse food scene.
Aakhol, Kokapet – Authentic Assamese Cuisine Comes to Hyderabad
Assamese cuisine is still relatively unexplored in Hyderabad, which makes the arrival of Aakhol in Kokapet particularly interesting. The restaurant is the new home of Dr. Alpaxi's popular cloud kitchen, which had already won a following for its authentic Assamese food.
Having enjoyed the food from the cloud kitchen earlier, I was keen to see how the restaurant experience had evolved. The good news is that the hallmark remains unchanged—simple, authentic, home-style cooking that celebrates the true flavours of Assam without unnecessary embellishments.
Our culinary journey at Aakhol included Thekera Pani, Momos and Pork Dry Fry, followed by a wholesome vegetarian thali featuring Khar, Xaak Bhaji, Dal, Alu Pitika and Koldil Bhaja.
The non-vegetarian offerings included Fish Tenga, Chicken Curry, Patot Diya Maas, Bamboo Shoot Chicken, Til Pork (a la carte) and Homemade Mutton Curry (a la carte). The meal ended on a sweet note with Payokh and the delightful Pati Sapta Pitha.
What I particularly like about Aakhol is its focus on the cuisine itself. There are no unnecessary embellishments—the food stays rooted in the flavours and traditions of Assam.
If you've been wanting to explore one of India's most distinctive regional cuisines, Aakhol offers an authentic introduction to the flavours of Assam.
Nando's, Kondapur – PERi-PERi Chicken Comes to Sarath City Mall
For fans of flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, there's good news: Nando's has opened its newest Hyderabad outlet at Sarath City Mall, Kondapur.
The menu is built around what Nando's does best—marinated, flame-grilled chicken with plenty of smoky char and its signature PERi-PERi sauces.
We started with the Portuguese Lemonade, a refreshing combination of mint and lime with Nando's signature PERi-PERi sprinkle, which adds a surprisingly spicy twist. The Virgin Mojito, fresh, minty and citrusy, made for a good cooler alongside the food.
The Chicken Wings were tender and juicy, with the 24-hour marinade and flame-grilling giving them a lovely smoky, charred flavour.
The Chicken Skewers with Pita & Fresh Salsa brought together succulent grilled chicken, soft pita, fresh salsa and a creamy yoghurt dip.
One of the highlights for me was the Espetada Carnival—juicy flame-grilled chicken thighs stuffed with feta cheese and parsley, skewered with colourful peppers. Rich, smoky and absolutely delicious.
The Nando's Classic Burger featured a juicy flame-grilled chicken breast with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, pickled onions and PERinaise in a toasted Portuguese roll. It was packed with flavour.
And then, of course, there are the five legendary PERi-PERi sauces—Garlic, Wild Herb, Mild, Hot and Extra Hot. Each has a distinctly different flavour profile, so experimenting with the sauces is part of the Nando's experience.
Whether you're looking for flame-grilled chicken in Hyderabad, a family-friendly restaurant in Kondapur, or simply a new place to eat at Sarath City Mall, the new Nando's is worth checking out.
Shiv Sagar, Kavuri Hills – A Taste of Mumbai Nostalgia
For many Mumbaikars, Shiv Sagar is more than just a restaurant. It is a taste of nostalgia. The legendary vegetarian brand, founded in 1981, has now arrived in Hyderabad, bringing with it the kind of comforting, indulgent food that has been part of generations of Mumbai dining memories.
Shiv Sagar was among the pioneers of a distinctly Indian style of casual vegetarian dining, bringing together South Indian dishes, Mumbai street food, North Indian cuisine and Indo-Chinese flavours under one roof.
The Hyderabad menu features several of its familiar favourites, including Signature Pav Bhaji, Tava Pulao, Mumbai-style Bombay Pizza loaded with Amul cheese, Bombay Aloo Masala Sandwich, Idli Chilli Dry and Chinese Bhel.
And no Shiv Sagar experience would be complete without something indulgent to drink or finish with—there are Faloodas and Milkshakes as well.
What makes Shiv Sagar special is the way it balances nostalgia with variety. The food is familiar, comforting and affordable, while also being unapologetically indulgent.
For anyone who enjoys classic vegetarian comfort food with a strong Mumbai street-food influence, Shiv Sagar is a welcome new addition to Hyderabad's restaurant scene.
Three New Restaurants, Three Very Different Experiences. What makes these three openings interesting is how different they are.
Aakhol brings the relatively unexplored flavours of Assamese home cooking to Hyderabad. Nando's caters to the enduring popularity of flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, while Shiv Sagar brings decades of Mumbai vegetarian nostalgia to a new city.
For food lovers looking to discover new restaurants in Hyderabad, these three are certainly worth adding to the list.
Location:
Aakhol
Gandipet Main Road, Manchirevula, Kokapet, Hyderabad
Nando's
4th Floor, Sarath City Mall, Kothaguda, Hyderabad 500084
Shiv Sagar
White Rock Building, Kavuri Hills, Hyderabad 500081