Paradise Biryani: The Timeless Taste of Hyderabad’s Iconic Eatery

In Hyderabad, biryani isn’t just a dish; it is part of the city's rhythm, served at weddings, packed in lunchboxes, and debated passionately over chai. It cuts across class, community, and occasion, anchoring everything from celebrations to casual family dinners. Paradise, when it opened in 1953 at Secunderabad’s Paradise Circle, did something subtle but significant: it gave this deeply cultural food a formal space.

What was once cooked at home or in small local kitchens now had a dedicated, family-friendly restaurant that made biryani accessible, consistent, and part of public life. In doing so, Paradise didn’t just serve biryani, it helped institutionalise it as Hyderabad’s most recognisable culinary identity.

A Slice of Hyderabad: How Paradise Biryani Came to Be

Known for its slow-cooked Hyderabadi chicken biryani and traditional Indian dishes, the brand began as a small eatery near the old Paradise Cinema in Secunderabad. Its menu is rooted in regional flavours, and its focus on consistent taste, clean spaces, and accessible dining has helped it grow from a local favourite into a name recognised across Indian cities.

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The brand was founded in 1953 by Ghulam Hussain and Hussain Hemati, who initially ran it as a café attached to a cinema hall. As its popularity grew, it gained a reputation for offering high-quality food in a simple, welcoming setting. Later, under the leadership of Ali Hemati, Paradise expanded steadily, retaining its emphasis on family-oriented service and traditional recipes. What began as a modest kitchen has today become a part of Hyderabad’s food identity, valued for its legacy as much as its cuisine.

Staying Grounded While Moving Ahead: How Paradise Biryani Stands the Test of Time

In a food landscape that’s constantly evolving, Paradise Biryani has managed to stay relevant by focusing on consistency and careful expansion. Even as new competitors emerge with modern menus and flashy formats, Paradise relies on a time-tested approach, preserving the original recipes, streamlining operations, and ensuring that each outlet delivers the same familiar taste. Managing such a wide network of restaurants presents its own set of challenges, but the brand continues to grow without straying from its core identity.

Equally important is the role Paradise plays in employment generation. The brand supports a large workforce across various roles, including cooking, service, and administration, offering steady livelihoods to thousands. What truly distinguishes Paradise is its refusal to chase trends for the sake of novelty. Instead, it builds on its reputation for authenticity and tradition. In doing so, it not only competes in a crowded market but also preserves a piece of the Hyderabadi. 

What’s on the Plate: Exploring the Offerings at Paradise Biryani

Paradise’s menu is led by its iconic Hyderabadi dum biryani, served in variants such as chicken, mutton, egg, and vegetarian. Prepared with aromatic basmati rice and a rich mix of spices, each portion is slow-cooked to preserve flavour and texture. The restaurant also serves a range of starters, including popular items like tandoori chicken, paneer tikka, and mutton seekh kebabs, ensuring there’s something for every palate, whether one prefers meat or vegetarian fare.

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Beyond biryani and appetisers, the menu features an array of traditional Indian curries and gravies, which can be paired with freshly made breads like naan, roti, and paratha. For a more complete meal, the thalis and meal boxes bring together different components of Indian cuisine on one plate. To finish, diners can choose from local desserts such as qubani ka meetha and double ka meetha, both known for their strong connection to Hyderabad’s culinary identity. The menu strikes a balance between variety and authenticity, offering food that is both comforting and rooted in tradition.

Carrying Forward a Culinary Tradition

What began as a small café has grown into a widespread chain, yet the brand has stayed true to its core values, authentic taste, reliable quality, and deep ties to local tradition. Its impact goes beyond just serving meals; through job creation and a steadfast commitment to preserving time-honoured recipes, Paradise continues to offer not just food, but a sense of belonging with Hyderabadi chicken and cultural pride to all who walk through its doors.