HYDERABAD : For a food lover, a visit to the old city is a must during the month of Ramzan especially in the evenings after Iftar prayers. A huge number of makeshift stalls add to the permanent shops in the bustling Charminar area, where all kinds of iftari food items are sold apart from clothes and ornaments. Quite a few Ramzan food trails are organized in this area by food experts, but with a little bit of knowledge and information, even the common food lovers can plan their own food walks with their friends and family. Most of the food walks touch almost the same places will very little variation.
The food trail can be started from both ends of Charminar, but I prefer to directly proceed to Shah Ghouse at Shah-Ali-Banda to have one of the most popular haleems of Hyderabad. Shah Ghouse is known for its spicy food, and the haleem here is no exception with a strong aftertaste of hot chillies. The initial hunger pangs being satiated, we can walk down almost a kilometer towards Charminar and reach Pista House, the biggest name in haleem business with a huge fan following. This haleem is usually more balanced and has a decent amount of meat in it.
Matwale Doodh Ghar close by is one of the best places for falooda and lassi in the old city. We usually try their special falooda. Our next stop is Al-Akbar the popular Chicken 65 outlet near Mecca Masjid, where we enjoy the fiery red coloured but succulent chicken pieces with paratha and ginger chutney.
Charminar is just a few hundred metres away and we always stop for some time here, soaking in the ambience. You get some good quality dates and other dry fruits in this carts, and I usually buy some here to carry home. The legendary Nimra Café is the next place to visit, where we enjoy their Irani chai with Osmania biscuits, clicking a selfie with Charminar in the background.
Hotel Shahran near Machli Kaman serves some brilliant Mutton Seekh, whereas the hole in the wall Kabab-E-Jahangiri is the place to visit for the beef version. Shadab Hotel near Madina building also serves some very good haleem and their biryani is also one of the best in the town. You can end the meal with their signature falooda. Hotel Nayaab , a short walk away from Shadab is known for its offal preparations like bheja, gurda as well as some typical Hyderabadi malai paya.
Apart from these, there are many smaller places in the neighbourhood worth a look in, and every year some really good new ones do pop up. But to experience that, one needs to make multiple trips to this area. Another of my favourite areas for Ramzan food walk is Tolichowki.
Sabyasachi is a food enthusiast and blogs at www.foodaholix.in