Where to find the tastiest biryani in Abu Dhabi
One of the most well-known dishes across the world, biryani is a popular dish from South Asia made with an amalgamation of spices, meat and fragrant rice. A thoroughly irresistible feast on its own, the dish is hugely popular during celebrations and special occasions. Although Dubai and Sharjah have their fair share of biryani restaurants serving decadent bowlfuls of the sinful delight, the capital of the UAE has its hidden gems specialising in this popular dish.
TOP BIRYANI PLACES IN ABU DHABI
There are several places where you can find the best biryani in Abu Dhabi. Each of the eateries on our list boasts a distinct style and recipe. You can have a great time sampling the delicious fare from these options and pick your favourite among all these popular biryani restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
RITAJ
Ritaj is one of the top-ranking spots for a delectable biryani in Abu Dhabi. The small casual-dining restaurant serves authentic Hyderabadi dum biryani with chicken or mutton. They are known for serving huge portions for extremely affordable prices. It is also one of the most popular places for breakfast in Abu Dhabi.
The pocket-friendly and irresistibly delicious Ritaj dum biryani in Abu Dhabi is an absolute crowd-pleaser. Their delivery and takeaway options are popular as well. Besides chicken and mutton, patrons can also enjoy egg or vegetable biryani.
- Location: Behind Akter General Trading, Hamdan Street, Al Markaziya
- Opening hours: 09:00 am – 03:00 am
- Average cost for two: AED 70
- Contact: +971-2-631-0036 | +971-2-633-3097 | +971-55-772-3449
PAKWAAN FOODS
Another hotspot for biryani in Abu Dhabi is Pakwaan Foods, a popular Pakistani restaurant. The restaurant serves various Pakistani and Indian dishes, but their biryani makes foodies return for more! You can enjoy the Hyderabadi biryani in both mutton and chicken variants from this modest restaurant.
The spicy biryani served at Pakwaan Foods is made with a blend of spices, mutton or chicken and basmati rice. Try the shahi tukda dessert or kheer to end your meal on a high note.
- Location: TCS Courier Building, Opposite National Bank of Fujairah, Near Lulu Centre, Salaam Street, Al Markaziya
- Opening hours: 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
- Average cost for two: AED 80
- Contact: +971-2-666-1446 | +971-2-666-3886 | +971-54-504-0552
BIRYANI POT
Biryani Pot is one of the top biryani restaurants in Abu Dhabi tantalising the tastebuds of residents with delicious dum-style biryani. Taste authentic biryani in varying flavours with fluffy rice and tender meat. Biryani Pot also offers an interesting quinoa biryani for the health-conscious biryani lovers.
- Location: South Cafe Terrace, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
- Opening hours: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm | Thursday and Friday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Average cost for two: AED 70
- Contact: +971-2-672-3155 | 800-2768
CALICUT NOTEBOOK RESTAURANT
One of the top places offering authentic Malabari cuisine in the capital is Calicut Notebook Restaurant in Abu Dhabi. This cosy South Indian restaurant in the heart of the capital is known for its traditional Malabari biryani in Abu Dhabi made with a smaller variety of rice.
This is where patrons can also try bamboo biryani, a famous type of biryani where the rice and meat are steamed in the bamboo shoots! This Kerala restaurant also offers other delicious varieties such as the special Notebook BBQ biryani.
- Location: Level 2 Food Court, Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre, Madinat Zayed
- Opening hours: 08:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Average cost for two: AED 85
- Contact: +971-2-627-8644 | +971-52-645-9075
MAHFIL HYDERABAD RESTAURANT
Mahfil Hyderabad Restaurant is another popular eatery known for serving the best dishes from traditional Indian cuisine including a range of biryanis in Abu Dhabi. The delicious mutton and chicken biryani served here are one of the most popular in the capital.
Chicken tandoori biryani, kofta biryani, Mahfil Combo biryani with chicken 65 and mutton are some of the unique variants of the popular dish at Mahfil Hyderabad Abu Dhabi.
The extensive Mahfil Hyderabad menu in Abu Dhabi also has a range of other biryanis such as egg biryani, vegetarian biryani and chicken 65 biryani.
- Location: Next To Mansour Pharmacy, Near Iranian Private School, Al Falah Street, Al Dhafrah
- Opening hours: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
- Average cost for two: AED 90
- Contact: +971-2-443-0120 | +971-55-425-1044 | +971-22-444-5520
NEMAT KADAH RESTAURANT
Nemat Kadah is a popular restaurant serving some of the best biryani in Abu Dhabi. If you feel like experimenting with different flavours, you can their hammour biryani, kingfish biryani, mutton biryani and vegetable biryani.
- Location: Behind Fish Market, Near General Post Office, Madinat Zayed
- Opening hours: 06:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Average cost for two: AED 90
- Contact: +971-2-633-5878 | +971-2-633-8140 | +971-50-110-8558
GHEE RICE
One of the most popular joints for biryani in Abu Dhabi is the Ghee Rice restaurant. Serving both North and South Indian cuisine, this food joint has a range of different varieties of Malabari biryani in Abu Dhabi.
- Location: Near UAE Exchange, Shabiya ME 10, Mussafah Shabiya, Abu Dhabi
- Opening hours: 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
- Average cost for two: AED 95
- Contact: +971-2-557-8188
INDIA PALACE
One of the top places to get dum pukht biryani in Abu Dhabi is India Palace. Counted amongst the best Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi, the eatery is known for following the authentic dum pukht cooking method where the dish is cooked on a low flame for hours. The result is soft fluffy rice, tender fall-off-the-bone meat and a delicious smokey flavour. India Palace’s dum pukht biryani is also available with chicken, mutton, fish and vegetables.
- Location: Opposite ADNOC Petrol Station, Salam Street, Tourist Club Area (Al Zahiyah)
- Opening hours: 11:30 am – 11:45 pm
- Average cost for two: AED 170
- Contact: +971-2-644-8777
NIHAL RESTAURANT
Another popular biryani spot in the capital is Nihal Restaurant. The restaurant has a range of rich, flavourful Mughlai dishes on the menu including a wide selection of biryani. Some of the must-try biryanis here are the delicately spiced chicken biryani and mutton biryani. Moreover, there are vegetarian options as well. Seafood buffs can also indulge in their sinfully spicy prawn and fish biryani.
- Location: Opposite Arab Link Exchange, Near International Community School, Electra Street, Al Markaziya
- Opening hours: 11:00 am – 12:30 am
- Average cost for two: AED 100
- Contact: +971-4-204-9343
STUDENT BIRYANI
Student Biryani is a popular food chain with several branches in Dubai and Sharjah as well. The Student Biryani in Abu Dhabi also serves delicious chicken and mutton biryani along with desserts. Student Biryani is also one of the best biryani places in Sharjah.
- Location: Beside Crowne Plaza, Al Markaziya, Abu Dhabi
- Opening hours: 12:00 am – 12:00 am | Friday 01:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Average cost for two: AED 65
- Contact: +971-2-631-7333 | +971-54-990-8494
FAQs ABOUT BEST BIRYANI IN ABU DHABI
What types of biryanis are available in Abu Dhabi?
The capital city has several eateries that offer a wide range of delicious biryanis across town. Some of the different flavours available include beef biryani, fish biryani, lamb biryani and vegetable biryani. There are some fursion biryanis also available at upmarket eateries.
Are there any signature or specialty Biryanis available in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, some restaurants have specialty biryanis, which incorporate unique ingredients or cooking techniques to create a distinct flavour profile. These signature Biryanis are worth trying if you’re looking for something different.
This brings us to the end of our list of the best places for biryani in Abu Dhabi. These popular hotspots for biryani in Abu Dhabi are well-known among the locals for their unique varieties of the popular rice-based dish! Now you know where to satisfy your spicy biryani carvings in the capital city, don’t forget to check out the top spots for piping hot biryani in Dubai.
There are also several other restaurants in Abu Dhabi where you can taste unique dishes and exotic flavours from around the world. If we have missed out on any of your favourite Biryani restaurants in Abu Dhabi, let us know in the comments section!
