Eat Burp Repeat!

Their Somajiguda branch is right in our apartment complex! It’s like a 3 minute walk to get your food! Their steamed vegetables, Devilled Eggs and Chicken Momos are the perfect way to start your meal here! For main course items, whilst their Chinese items are good, I liked their sandwiches better! The ambience of the place is also simple and enjoyable!  

The Palette!

The Palette is an extension of a smaller food joint – Smoking Jalapenos! Situated in the heart of Somajiguda, I am just in love with this place! I’ve always yearned for a good place to eat near home and this fits the bill perfectly! They have a nice lunch buffet that is very affordable and very tasty! You should try their “tawa fish” – one of their best! 

Their chicken varieties are all good (kababs, Chinese etc) – I have tried pretty much everything on their menu and no complaint so far! In their buffet, chat items are also very tasty. Earlier they used to serve boneless chicken biryani – different from the routine dum biryani. I am not sure if they continue to do the same. They have recently started a snacks section in the evening time – that’s when the next attack will happen :D This place is a strong recommend for you to go!

Price: ~Rs. 300/- for buffet

Location: Somajiguda

Oh! Calcutta

It was by accident that we visited this place, and we were glad that the accident happened ;) !

Given that we are always told that Bengali cuisine is famous for it’s fish delicacies, we decided to focus on fish. We had fried fish and “roshun bhapa maach” – steamed fish topped with a mustard flavoured paste! This item was very delicious, spicy and tangy – all at the same time! Our only complaint was that the quantity was too less – just two pieces! Fried fish was good but nothing out of the ordinary! We also ordered Golden Prawn – and they got a really BIG prawn simmered with various spices! The taste was good, but this was the first time I was seeing such a huge prawn! Never knew such prawns existed!

For main course, we decided to move away from fish and prawns because the items were too costly- We had simple chicken curry with poori (yes, poori!) and chicken biryani. The biryani was saffron flavoured and was much different than the famed Hyderabadi biryani! Overall, we liked the taste and service at this place – definitely on our list to go again :) 

Price: Rs. 1200 for two

Location: Somajiguda

Zurna

More often than not, I end up in Zurna enticed by the aromas coming out from their kitchen while we drive into our apartments! Zurna is located right outside our apartment complex. It's kitched faces our complex and hence the aromas while we drive in! 

And the aroma is not misleading too :). Tangdi kabab is awesome. Chilly Chicken, Chicken 65 are also very good, but are slightly overpriced I feel (a full plate is Rs. 130 and it doesn't look like a full plate :) ). We recently had their kheema curry and as always that was also very good. Punjabi chicken is another dish you might want to try too. I am sure the other kababs are equally good - will surely continue to try them. However, their biryani is on and off... at times it is very good and at times the rice is not properly cooked. To be on the safer side, you can always relish their Chicken fried rice! Overall, this place has been superb and will surely be visited many more times :D 

Price range: Rs. 300-400 for two

Location: Somajiguda. 

Smoking Jalapeno

True to their tagline "there is nothing Mexican about it", there is actually nothing Mexican about this! This place is adjacent to Subway in the Ratnadeep complex in Somajiguda. This is primarily a take away joint, but if you wish to, you can eat there too. Their food is also quite good. 

We have primarily tasted their chinese items and have not been disappointed so far. Chicken chilly garlic friend rice, chicken schezuan fried rice, chicken singapore fried rice - all are good. Schezuan chicken (wet), chicken drumsticks, chicken-65 are also good. I'd recommend that you call this place before going there, for more often than not, it takes more than 20 minutes for a simple order to get ready! This place also serves kababs and rolls. I vaguely remember trying their roll once, and don't remember having any complaints. Kababs are yet to be had here :D ... Stay tuned ;) 

KFC

I have never been a fan of their fried chicken - somehow was never attractive. But off late, they came up "Feiry chicken" too ! And this item is quite good! Basically grilled with spices exclusively to KFC, this item is a toned down version of the their fried chicken. Their popcorn chicken is also worth a try. Their "Zinger burgers" are also good for a quick snack. 

However, there are many others who like their fried variety too, so I guess if you haven't tried KFC at all, you can give a try for both fried and fiery chicken and choose your favorite! 

Pizza Hut

Cheesy bites. Cheesy Bites. Cheesy Bites! Just have any of their cheesy bite pizza - this is pure bliss! Ofcourse, you have to be a fan of cheese :D. Any pizza with these is good. That's all I have to recommend here. Any pizza with cheesy bites! Ohh by the way, I hate black olives so I will not recommend them. Otherwise, any pizza with cheesy bites! 

Dominos

Cheese burst and ultimate deep dish are the good crusts that you can choose from. I am no fan of thin crusts, hence my aversion towards ordering that! Their spicy chicken and barbeque chicken pizzas are good. And since I am fan of cheese, I typically order extra cheese on these pizzas!

Bliss Punjabi Paratha

Tucked away in the basement of the more visible Y.S.Cafe in Somajiguda, (right opposite to Tung Kein) is this small Punjabi eatery that makes awesome parathas! Pick any (alu, gobi, onion, plain, mix) and there is no scope of being disappointed. This place is pure veg, so haven't really tried out the dishes here :) Ideally, we should take paratha's here, some nice egg burji from Deccan or a chicken 65 from chinese bandis and it will be nice "healthy" dinner! Above all, their hospitality is also very good... it strikes an instant chord.

Deccan Food Joint

Located in the small bylane beside Baker's Inn, this is essentially a take away joint. Has a decent seating area too, but still would prefer parcels. Food is good - no complaints so far. Tried the Chicken Tangdi Kabab, Butter Chicken (there was this craving one day to badly have this dish, as it has been ages!), egg burji, chicken 65 and Mutton Biryani. All were good. However, the rotis and naans are not that great... can avoid them if possible. Otherwise, a decent place to go pick up your food and eat while watching TV!

Location: Somajiguda, beside Bakers Inn

Burgerman

The concept behind this small kiosk outside big retail stores is really good. Read about the founders and how they expanded their businesses here. That said, I must say the taste of the burger is not superb. The main problem is that the bun is not fresh and soft! That takes away the fun of eating a really yummy burger. Also, the bun is small and a lot of sauces +cutlet+onions are crammed in between the two small buns, making the burger look larger (than life :P) ! All said and done, the concept is innovative and maybe the place is worth trying out once. I wouldn't go back there, for sure.

Location: Outside Ratnadeep super market, Somajiguda (and at many such places in the city)

Kabab Centre right next to Babukhan Mall!

When I took Sisir to this place, he was surprised that one plate of Reshmi Kabab and 2 water bottles cost us Rs.100/- ! Well, kuch paane ke liye kuch khona chahiye :D. But after eating the Reshi Kabab he did not have any complaints! Of all the varities he offers, I like this the best. The Chicken Tikka comes next. Others can be given a pass.

Location: Somajiguda

Subway

I get hungry within 2 hours of eating a foot long sub too! So, it pains me to spend more than 100 bucks to eat something, and then within 2 hours, spend another 100 bucks to eat a Biryani outside ;-) !

This does not mean to say that the offerings of the menu are not good ;-). To keep it simple, you can just have the Egg with cheese sub. It is the best bet for a quick bite. To make it a little more complicated, you can add your choice of vegetables too. Only Ranch and Red Chilli sauce go good with the egg sub. Chicken Tikka Sub and also the chicken meatball sub are tasty. Mayonese and Southwest sauces are good with these. I do NOT like black olives, and therefore avoid them at all costs!

I never knew I will say this - but their veggie delight salad is truly a delight! If you get a chance, don't miss it!

Location: CMR Shopping Mall, Somajiguda

Near Balakrishna's house, Jubilee Hills

Nagarjuna Circle, Panjagutta

Somewhere on the Himayath Nagar road :D

Dhaba Chulha/Baba's Chulha

This place was right opposite my apartments, and I did not know about it for about an year! Ok, that was a little exaggerated. Somehow, the ambience of this small place did not appeal to me, and hence I never ventured to try food there. Finally, I thought we should atleast give it a try. And boy, did I regret not going there for so long! This place is essentially for take away food. Mutton Dakhin Curry, Mutton Rogan Josh, Chicken Butter Masala are my favorites here. Have them along with Nan and Steamed rice, and I guarentee you that will yearn for more. This place also makes rolls, which are needless to say superb!

Tangdi Kabab is a must eat at this place, no arguments about that. These guys have recently shifted to the basement of Neeru Silks (where Dosaz used to be there).

Location: Neeru Silks, Raj Bhavan Road

Cuisine: Indian

Cost: Rs.200 - 400/- for two persons.

Swathi Tiffins

This place has almost been like a second home to me! Right beside my apartments, I have even lost track of the number of times I must have gone here. Idli, Masala Dosa, Onion Dosa, Uthappa, Set Dosa, Puri, Chapati, you name it, I had it! Meals, roti, nan, curries, again you name it, I had it! If you get a chance, don't miss this place. Worth trying stuff here.

Location: Rajbhavan Road, Opposite CMR Mall

Cuisine: Tiffins, Veg

Mantra

The name is what attracted us to this place, but the experience was so bad that now the very name sounds repulsive! This guy brings Paneer Chat Phat when we ordered Paneer Butter Masala and then tells us that both are same curries, so we shouldn't bother much! We go in at around 2'o clock on a Saturday afternoon, and he tells us that the fish they have is stale, and fresh ones will arrive at 2:30!! And the food we ordered was not something to remember either! Anyways, this being a one time experience I am not sure if we can write off the restaurant, but I am not going back there for sure!

Mainland China

This is one of the "veterans" in the cuisine business of Hyderabad! And also it has uniformly maintained it's high cost over the years too ! Mainland China is a quality Chinese place and you will not return disappointed from this place. I believe this place serves lunch buffet too, but I have never been to one. The ala carte menu is full of yummy items, and you will have a difficult time choosing them. Whatever it is, never forget to eat the fish and prawn items here as well as the chicken drumsticks for starters. Vegetarians should try the veg rolls and also the corn fry! There is nothing special to recommend for main course. The standard rice and noodles apart, I liked the Schezuan chicken too. Mainland China also has some festivals from time to time, and the dishes in them are worth trying too.

Location: Somajiguda, opposite to CM's house

Cuisine: Chinese

Cost: Rs.600-800/- for two

Minerva Coffee Shop

One of the oldies of Hyderabad! They are now open in many places across the city and their tiffins still stand out to be one of the best too! 

Rawa Dosa, Poori, Pesarattu Upma are the best dishes here. We've had button idly, paper dosa and masala dosa too, and they are also quite good! 

What will however exceed your expectations is the Coffee! This coffee has a very nice authentic touch to it, and whatever the food, having coffee here is a must. This place also serves thalis for lunch and dinner - you will not be disappointed either, though the best meals are typically in messes and not in restaurants! 

Baker’s Inn

If you want to order cake, then this is the place to do it ! Always fresh and yummy, you will yearn for more! I like only the pastries and cakes here. Other bakery stuff like buns, puffs, rolls are not as good as Big Byte!

Also, these people are now serving chat and chinese too. Chat is not upto the mark. Chinese cuisine is good in taste, but it takes 20 minutes to serve which is a pain!

Location: Somajiguda

Tung Kein

This is a small place located on the main road itself. However, the food is very good here! You should have the Noodles these guys serve! They are soft, thin and just invite you to eat more! Their Corn Soup is another speciality. Chicken Schezuan Rice is also very good here. Veg Manchurian, Chicken 65 are also worth their money. This place is moderate in cost, but scores very high in taste of food. I generally take parcel from here, or just ask them to deliver. Delivery service is also good.

Updates in Aug, 2009: American and Chinese Chopsueys are incredible.

Location: Near Shell Petrol Bunk, Somajiguda

Cuisine: Chinese

Cost: Meal for two- Rs.200-250/- !