Food & Shopping

Nurtured by the Moghal magnificence in the heart of South India, the cuisine combines the very best of Moghlai food, such as Haleem, Mutton Biryani, with the hauntingly aromatic, spicy, tart and pungent, seasonings of the South. The kitchens of the Nawabs, Rajahs and Jagirdars combined the Moghal influence with the predominantly Hindu subculture to cook up a cuisine that is the ultimate in fine dining.

Inseparable from the Moghal culture, but yet as different from the Hyderabadi cuisine as day from night, the sumptuous spread of Andhra delicacies which form a most satisfying repast including the southern foods like the typical Dosa (rice Pancakes), the Pesarattu, variety of rice and lentil and pancake with onion garnishing, the fire hot Rasam or spicy lentil and Tamarind soup, and the versatile Sambar, or thick lentil and vegetable stew, that is the ideal adjunct to all southern meals. Snack time could mean Onion Pakoras, or Vadas, Savoury Doughnuts dipped in piping hot Sambar.

And for those non-vegetarian delicacies, Andhra cuisine serves up tongue tingling recipes like the tangy "Chapala Pulusu" (sour & hot fish stew), flavourful "Mutton Pulao", delectable prawn and crab curry perked up with lots of spices for that tantalizing taste that typifies Andhra feasts. And round off the meal with a sweet note-Double Ka Meetha, Qurbani Ka Meetha or you can pamper yourself with the syrupy 'Kakinada Kajas' (pastry with treacle filling), Paper Thin 'Pootharekalu' (cream and sugar sandwiched rice flour wafers), scrumptious "Bandar Laddus", the exotic 'Ariselu' (sweet pounded rice and molasses pancakes) and many more specialities to satisfy your yearnings.

Hotels and restaurants in Hyderabad rank among the best in the State, with highest standards that are geared to meet the most exacting demands. Most hotels have state-of-the-art facilities such as fitness centres swimming pools, squash courts, pub and Multi-Cuisine Restaurants where tourists can avail the best of comforts.