Spice, Rice & Everything Nice: Asia’s Top Biryani Cities, Ranked

Biryani isn't just golden basmati layered with a medley of spices — it's a taste of history. This culinary gem, a passport to flavour, crosses boundaries and blends cultures with each bite. But here comes the twist: no city does it the same, thereby fuelling the age-old regional Biryani dilemma across Asia.

So which city really does this popular delicacy the best? Is it Hyderabad with its smoky dum pot? Is it Karachi’s fiery plates? Or Colombo’s tropical twist? While some throw in a contemporary spin, others gate-keep centuries-old recipes as heirlooms — each claiming theirs as the ultimate. And just when you think you've had “the one,” another plate conspires to bring you back to square one.

Don't worry, though; in order to give our biryani connoisseurs the definitive ranking of where this aromatic dish is the best, we did our research right. So, let's dive in without further ado!

1. Hyderabad, India

Image credit: Kunal Lakhotia | Pexels

Picture this: marinated meat at the bottom, a layer of spices, and steam curling from the golden grains kissed with saffron — all of which are cooked in the dum pukht method, with flavour permeating every grain. Drooling already? Welcome to the club.

Regarded as the pinnacle of Indian cuisine, whether it is kacchi or pakki in style, Hyderabad’s Biryani is the jewel in the crown. And remember — it is not just a dish; it is heritage served on a plate.

Places to try: Paradise Biryani, Shah Ghouse Cafe

2. Karachi, Pakistan

Image credits: Zoha | Bake With Zoha

While Hyderabad’s biryani wears the crown, Karachi’s turns the temperature high. The City of Lights, as we know it, is unapologetic with its flavours. They are bold, fiery, and sensually evoking. If spice is the language of biryani, then Karachi would be its most passionate poet. And boy, how much I love poetry.

The tender meat, the punch of spice, and flavour make it an unforgettable treat. So, either it's the fiery kick of Sindhi biryani or the simmering charm of Bombay biryani, one bite alone is enough to compel you to reach for a drink and then, inevitably, for another plate.

Places to try: Student Biryani, Ghousia Nalli Biryani, Karachi Darbar

3. Lucknow, India

Image credit: Slurrp | Pinterest

Lucknow’s Awadhi biryani which traces its roots back to the Mughal period, is a dish that sheds royalty. It preserves the grace of the past by whispering the fusion of delicacy, aroma, and subtlety — thereby, making it stand out from its counterparts.

Offering a softer and more refined profile, Lucknow’s Awadhi Biryani is a work of precision layered in a handi; infused with saffron, rose water, cardamom, cinnamon and other aromatic spices.

Places to try: Wahid Biryani, Tunday Kababi

4. Kolkata, India

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Order yourself a plate of Biryani in Kolkata, and the first thing to catch your eye would be its crown jewel — and no, it's not the meat. Sitting proudly on the top of a bed of fragrant rice is a golden potato, warmly coexisting with the aromatic spices — including saffron, cinnamon and cardamom.

By design, this biryani is light on spice and heavy on charm, thereby making it an ideal treat to savour rather than to endure.

Places to try: Shiraz Golden Restaurant, Arsalan, Royal Indian Hotel

5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Image credit: Plated Asia

All thanks to its multicultural heritage, KL's Nasi biryani is a fusion of Middle Eastern, Malay, and Indian tastes and traditions. However, irrespective of the shared characteristics, KL’s Nasi Biryani remains novel in character. This novelty, as we speak, leans towards richness infused with pandan leaves, saffron, ghee and cloves.

Offering layers of texture, this aromatic dish is cooked in a variety of ways across the city, serving authenticity in both clay pots and banana leaves.

This is a must-try for anyone chasing the best biryani places in Asia.

Places to try: Taj Graden, Restoran Mahbub

6. Dhaka, Bangladesh

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“No kacchi, no wedding” — and no that's not an exaggeration, not in Dhaka.

Confused? Let me clue you in. Kacchi Biryani is the heart of every celebration that happens in Dhakka. It’s not just food simmering down taste buds — it is a symbol of unity, joy, and festivity.

Colossal pots filled with marinated beef or mutton, potatoes, and Basmati rice that are cooked slowly, creating a dish that is incredibly flavourful and rich in every layer. Traditionally served on banana leaves with a slice of boiled egg on the side, this is not a solo dish — it is a crowd magnet.

Places to try: Haji Biryani, Fakhruddin Biryani

7. Colombo, Sri Lanka

Image credits: Roshani Wickramasinghe | Hungry Lankan

What sets the Sri Lankan Biryani — or buiryani as the locals call it — apart are the accompaniments featuring cashews, caramelised onions, raita, sambal (coconut relish), raisins and boiled eggs. Here, for a traditional tropical twist, the basmati rice is cooked with fiery flavours and at times simmered in coconut-infused curry.

Want to go Colombian style? Next time you find yourself there, head to Pettah, grab a street stall serving, and have it wrapped in a steaming banana leaf. Open it up and you’ll have a flavour ready to devour.

Places to try: Hotel de Pilawoos, The Bayleaf

The final grain

One can never go wrong with Biryani. With that being said, while Biryani varies across cities, its essence never fades. From bold flavours to gentle aromas, the dish speaks a language that is universal — one that connects the whole of Asia like the grains in a plate.