Food guide
Irani Cafes in Hyderabad That Are Still Worth the Trip
The old Irani cafes are fewer than they were, but the ones that remain are full from early morning.
By Imran Qureshi ยท Updated 12 October 2025
How Irani chai is made
Irani chai is brewed in two parts. Strong tea decoction is kept hot in one vessel. Milk, slowly reduced until thick and slightly sweet, sits in another. The two are mixed in the cup, which is why the tea tastes richer than ordinary chai.
What to order
- Irani chai, the reason you came
- Osmania biscuits, salty and sweet
- Bun maska, soft bun with butter
- Lukhmi, a square savoury pastry filled with mince
- Paya or nihari in the morning at some cafes
How to spot a good one
Look for a cafe that is busy before 8 am, makes its tea in two vessels, and bakes or buys its biscuits fresh daily. A good Irani cafe does not rush you.
Read next: our guide to Osmania biscuits.
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