Bengali Restaurants of Hyderabad

Over the last few years, the options available for enjoying Bengali cuisine have really increased in Hyderabad. The main reasons for this are continued migration of Bengalis from their native state in search of better opportunities as well as an increase in interest in people from other regions to try out Bengali cuisine. My journey for good Bengali food has taken me all over the twin cities to try out various Bengali restaurants. Here is a rundown on some of the most notable Bengali restaurants along with my suggestions of what to have there. (You can also read : Bengali Food Festivals during Nabobarsho)

Beguni at United Kitchens

United Kitchens of India,  at Road No 45 Jubilee Hills serves the cuisines of seven states and Bengali is one of them. The Bengali menu is not very long, but it has signature items from the food we love. The place has the best Fish Kobiraji in town. A thick fish cutlet is covered with egg fluff for this dish, and served with kasundi. Other favourites of mine from their starters menu are Beguni and Mochar Chop.

Fish Kabiraji
Fish Kabiraji at United Kitchens

Koraishutir Kachuri in combination with Alur Dom is a Bengali combination here which is very popular. Their fluffy luchis go well with Shiraji Mutton, a stir-fried preparation. You also have other delicacies like Shukto and Mocha Chingrir Ghanto.

Shiraji Mutton at United Kitchens

Oh Calcutta! is part of the famous Speciality Restaurants group, which has other restaurants chains such as Mainland China and Sigree. After Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore, they started their Hyderabad operations in Begumpet in December 2012.

Bhetki Paturi (Oh Calcutta)
Bhetki Paturi (Oh Calcutta)

If you ever visit their restaurant, don't forget to try their Gandharaj Bhetki (Lime flavored boneless Bhetki fish), Kakra Chingri Bhapa (Crab meat and Prawn in a mustard and green chili marinade, steamed inside a Banana Leaf) and Dab Chingri (Prawns in Raw Coconut).The combination of Chittagong Chicken (Chicken cooked in red chili paste, garlic in Bangladesh style) and Luchis (Flour puris) is pretty good too. For the vegetarians, they have specials like Mochar Ghonto (Banana Flower based preparation) and Dhokar Dalna (Shallow Fried Lentil Cake Curry). Sweet lovers can try their Malpua, Bhapa Sandesh and Nolen Gurer Ice cream.

Read a detailed review here.

Luchi with Kosha Mangsho and Chittagong Chicken Curry (Oh Calcutta)
Luchi with Kosha Mangsho and Chittagong Chicken Curry (Oh Calcutta)

Amantran is a budget restaurant with branches in Domalguda, Somajiguda and near Secunderabad station. This restaurant with about six tables, serve all types of Bengali dishes. Their snacks are especially well known – the Singadas (Kolkata Samosas) are possibly the best you get in Hyderabad with rich and pure filling of a variety of veggies. Other snacks of note are Luchi Alur Dom (Flour Puris with Potato Gravy) and Nolen Gurer Rasagolla .

Nolen Gurer Roshogolla
Nolen Gurer Rasagolla (Amantran)

Their non-vegetarian thali is also in much demand. For vegetarians, they often have seasonal specials such as Echhorer Dalna (Raw Jackfruit Curry ) and Mochar Ghonto (Banana Flower based preparation). They have a very loyal clientele and be prepared for wait to get a table especially in the weekends.

Fish Cutlet (Amantran)
Fish Cutlet (Amantran)

Nabanno,  the Bengali restaurant near Nizampet X Roads is tastefully decorated and gives you a look and feel of a urban Bengali household. The sitting area has a lot of books for people to browse through while they wait for the food at their table. In the main hall are paintings and photographs on the wall which bring forth glimpses of Bengal.

Rasun Bhapa Mach
Rasun Bhapa Mach

The menu has some uncommon items which are not normally available in Bengali restaurants – items like Fena Bhat, Panta Bhat/Pakhal, Peyaj Posto (Onion in Khuskhus), Marich bata (Spicy paste of vegetables and chillies which go well with steamed rice) and Shutki Macher (dried fish) Chochhori. Those who are not so adventurous can try their veg or non-veg thalis.

Read a detailed review here.

Nabanno Non- Veg Thali
Amish Thali (Nabanno)

Apart from the year round visits of the Bengali restaurants in Hyderabad, the best time for Bengali food aficionados is during Durga Puja, when apart from these restaurants, many caterers and sweet shops put up stalls in the pandals of the various samity pujas.

Location

United Kitchens of India
Tel : 040-33165208
Address : Road No 45, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

Oh Calcutta!
Tel : 040-30431249
Address : 6-3-1186/1/1, Near ITC Kakatiya, Greenlands, Begumpet,

Amantran
Tel : 040-65140170
Address : 1) Ground Floor, Hyderabad Bangalee Samity, next to Ramakrishna Mutt, Domalguda
                 2) First Floor, Opposite Shell Petrol Pump, Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda
                 3) Railway Station Road, Secunderabad


Nabanno
Tel : 040-40203180
Address : Nizampet X Roads, Kukatpally

8 comments:

  1. Excellent roundup. With pictures, price points and signature items mentioned; this is a welcome write up. Good work.

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  2. As I said in my post, these are some of my favorites. Could not cover all in one go. Coming soon, a second installment. Like https://www.facebook.com/foodaholix to know when it arrives....

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  3. Wow. Nice list. Have not tried Nabanno and Call of Bengal yet. Seeing this blog for the first time, thanks to the bong food post :). Would be nice to have a subscription widget on the blog.

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  4. Apart from Nobanno have tried all.

    Oh Calcutta is the best and has to be ! But when it comes to a evening addaa session with friends followed by a short snacks will go to Call of Bengal always. Their Khuska Pular, Parantha and Chicken Chap with Cultel is the best. 10 D Street is good though I did not like it much apart from their ala karta menu cause their thalis are pretty much regular.

    But if I have to quench my love for food and as well as need to have a check at my pockets Amantran is the best place.
    They have come up with another wing at Secundrabad too.
    Love the food their...it always reminds me of my grandma's dishes.


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  5. Diwakar must feature is the next installment... It's a must try for regular bengali food eaters!

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  6. Kolkata House is a big no no for me.

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  7. Utpal the owner of Kolkata House was one of the first to set up a Bengali restaurant in Hyderabad.. around 2000... in the ground floor of Hyderabad Bangalee Samity, where a branch of Amantran is currently located.

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  8. Enjoyed the blog post Sabyasachi. We all know Utpal, and probably all of us have a soft corner for him and his mochar chops! All this makes me nostalgic for Calcutta actually. The increase in the number of Bengali restaurants is quite unexpected and a happy bit of news. Thanks for the information on Nabanno, its sounds very different and worth a visit.

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