The Hunt For The Best Biryani In Cochin
Hello guys. Lately, I have been having biryani craving. Yes, thats right, one can crave and keep craving biryanis as well not just ice-creams, chocolates and cigarettes. I have gone around our wonderful Kochi in search of that ultimate biryani bliss. Believe me when I tell you that the stuff thats out there on offer is less than impressive; especially if you are biryani buff like me. I felt bad actually. One of our local favourites is now a taken for granted thing. They call it biryani, they call it dum biryani. Call it anything but I felt the authenticity has been lost in many of our local biryani places. Most of the time, I was served some ghee rice with a few pieces of hard to bite, hard to chew chicken.
At Ela, the chicken biryani was utterly disappointing. For 75 bucks I was served some rice and poorly cooked chicken. It wasn’t even masalafied enough. South Star (Bimbis) would probably get the honour of serving the worst biryani in town and I am not even going to elaborate on it. Malabar Plaza on the way to Kakkanad served up an alright biryani but it wasn’t dum and plus the two pieces of chicken looked, felt and tasted different from each other. I didn’t get and only ended up eating little chicken and too much rice. Along the same road you can find Biryani Hut. Now, keeping Pizza Hut in mind, you would tend to think Biryani Hut might be the ultimate. Again, I was completely let down. I had gone with a friend of mine and we both got two different looking, different tasting biryanis. Thankfully mine was the more edible one (plus I was hungry). They either need to improve the biryani or change their name.
Khader’s Biryani in Pioneer Towers is a tiny little place with seating for not more than 12 people but the biryani is commendable. The quantity and the quality is good. The downside is that because its so cramped, you hardly have any elbow room to actually enjoy your biryani in peace. Then there is Mubaraq opposite Kaloor bus stand. Again, the place is too cramped, hot and if you go there during peak lunch hours then its way too crowded and you might find yourselves waiting out in sunny heat for a couple of minutes. The biryani was ok but certainly not worth that much pain. Then there is Jaybees and Ceebees in Palarivattom. The biryanis where average but served with very little hospitality or authenticity. Hotel Sani near Town Hall just off the North bridge serves up average biryani but I don’t think you want to leave your car on the bridge, inside the HP pump or just in front of the town hall gate. In most of these places I am not even served eenthapazham (dates) achaar along with the biryani. Usually the chicken pieces are either too rough or undercooked with very little of the traditional masalas or aromas.
Then we have Kayees near TDM hall opposite the Durbar Hall. I had to take a token and wait and thats not cool when you are really craving for a biryani. Now the biryani, what should I say? Hmm…you know the kind of stuff you would probably serve your pet doggy, the yellow colour, sloppy rice the entire works. Yuck. I shall stop there. Kayees is way too over rated.
At Ceylon Bakehouse, I would give them a 6 out of 10 because I liked their rice and thats pretty much it. Now I am sure there many more outlets serving up biryanis but certainly not one where you could comfortably sit down with a friend or your family members; well apart from going to star rated hotels. There is Thali Family Restaurant and Arabian Fiesta both in Kadavanthra but again disappointing.
Where is my biryani? Where can I comfortably eat one, be confident about the hygiene and most importantly the taste and authenticity? Okay, by now you guys might have heard of a new cafe restaurant called Somewhere Else on Cheruparampath Road. They have now turned slightly more Kochi since Republic Day and Kochivibe loves anything and everything Kochi. Somewhere Else now serves up Dum Biryani and I thought I’d give it a shot. Alright parking can be a problem during day time but the biryani is simply fantastic. I hereby solemnly declare the truth and nothing but the truth (with my hand firmly placed over the Kochivibe logo) that Somewhere Else serves up the best biryani in town. It was by far the best chicken biryani I have ever had. The aroma itself floored me. The rice perfectly cooked. The chicken deliciously soft yet firm enough. The traditional mix of masalas and dry fruits is simply to die for. The biryani is served along with simple raita with diced onions and green chillies and, yes finally, dates achaar. And you know the place. Its cool, comfy, roomy, and airy. I think its the perfect offering. All this for 75 bucks is great news for all you biryani lovers out there. Check this biryani out. I really really recommend it and in fact I am writing this after a double biryani meal. I am satisfied. I am satisfied.
There is a place near Saritha Theatre where you get good biriyani. The place is very small but the food was good. I forgot the name of the place. Also they used to serve “Sulaimani” after the meal.
Btw. does Somewhere else offer take-away for biriyani ?
Agree with most of these except I liked the one at Malabar Plaza. Maybe the effect of two days of GODWHATWASTHATbiryani at biryani hut nearby. And Galaxy at Vazhakkala and Breadworld Kadavanthra, though not dum, are ok too, imo.
The most authentic and hygienic food is made at home. Why dont you try cooking for a change? My mommy does is when she has no customers to ‘attend’ to!
No doubt about it mate.!
hey guys
i love the biriyani at a small place called “dum biriyani, just biriyani”
its on the small lane that connects padma junction with chitoor road.its a small place.they just serve lunch.
its so far the best biriyani i’ve tasted in kerala.
its a really small place but peacefull.as far as i’ve gathered its the tasting outlet of some caterers.
u must try it out.
its very close to MG road near padma junction
I agree the point about Biriyani Hut at Vazhakkala. Not sure how someone who claims to be an expert at Biriyani can delivery such bad biriyani consistently. Tried twice (second time as one of my friends had to be sure of what I claimed) and never going there again. Went for the combo with a juice (fruit of the season). And guess what, the fruit of the season happened to be lemon
. They could as well have advertized ‘we are after your money and that is all that we care about.’
Found Kayees to be good most of the time. Maybe you had a bad day?
kebabistan at alappat road ravipuram serves good biriyani.
food there is awesome.
Kayees & Paramount Biriyani’s are the best biriyani i have seen in the city. I haven’t tried the Dum Biriyani in a small shop at Padma Junction. But i too heard that it is good one…
u’ve missed out grand hotel. they serve the most exquisite prawn biriyani. its only coz of them tht ive becum hooked onto it…a lil pricey bt definitely worth it!
Not sure how many of you have heard or had biriyani from ‘kaayeeka’ at Mattanchery. Trust me, they serve the best biriyani you can get in South India. It is very famous in Cochin and I’m very surprised no one has mentioned about it here. I’m not talking about Kayees, who claim that they are the same as kaayeeka, but they are definitely not.
Kayees has a branch in Mattanchery. Where exactly is “Kaayeeka” ??
@Sandeep Sadly I’ve not been to the hotel for a very long time, but have had my dad get parcels for me
and kayeeka is not the name of the hotel, it is actually the name of the owner of the hotel, and he is famous for his biriyani. I remember it is a very small shop somewhere near Gujarathi Vidyalaya in Mattanchery.
Kayees biriyani is JUST OK[at least now, dont know the past]. Not the best in the town. Best biriyani I had as follows.
1. Grant Hotel [Try Dum biriyani, Costly ~200]
2. Just biriyani [Only dum biriyani available for lunch]
3.
4.
5. May be kayees
What Dileep Said is exactly right.
Actually I hate Kayees biriyani. Only a light yellow color is there. NO spices, no cashes, no kismis, nothign nothing… chicken is mostly undercooked and very less masala.
Dum Biriyani @ Grant Hotel is the best.
Not Biriyani, all the items mentioned in the menu in the Grant hotel really is awsome.
Kayees has the most over rated biriyani.! After a rickshaw and a boat and a rickshaw ride again the shit they treated me with almost made me collapse! Was the most over rated thing (not even biriyani) EVER!!
Grand hotel’s biryanis are amazing. Relatively more expensive (still affordable at less than Rs.150 if I remember correctly), but it’s loaded with a lot of meat and it’s quite a rich biryani with raisins and cashewnuts (unlike the basic Kayees version) Their version of the veg biryani is also the only one i’m willing to accept. It’s pretty good. Coz in the end, a “veg” biryani is like a “veg” hotdog, such things don’t and shouldn’t really exist.
Biryani Hut is pathetic, no wonder their plans of expansion haven’t exactly taken off. I remember them opening a branch near the current Pizza Hut, and as the Malayalam phrase goes, not even a fly went in and they soon shut.
I wouldn’t call Kayees bad, it’s just very basic but still well made.
I remember having a biryani from a random place near Kadavanthra (probably doesn’t even exist anymore) after playing in a football tournament from school. We were famished and the biryani seemed like the best one ever. The place was a tiny, dirty, temporary setup and his profits probably shot up with our visit.
From your list, i’ve had Biryani from Hotel Sani as well, Hotel Malabar too. When i look back, it’s amazing how many random places i’ve had Biryani from
I Am also surprised that you’ve only tried Chicken biryani, no mention of mutton biryani at all, now that’s the real deal.
And what’s that in the pic? Is that the so called best biryani in town? It looks more like bhel puri
The best Biriyani which I have ever had is from Kayees hotel in Mattancherry. I have had biriyani from all over India and in UAE. Guys, the taste of biriyani in Kayees is exquisite. This place is near Holy Cross Church. Whenever I visit Kerala I make sure that I have atleast their biriyani atleast once a day. Once I stayed in Le Meridian in Kundanoor and drove all the way to Mattancherry with my family to have it.
the best biriyani is by kayeeka..well its in mattancherry..just drive there and ask anyone..they all knws !! but make sure u reach there before 12.30..the lunch starts and finish in blink of an eye..awesome stuff..!! i think the shop name is mehrubaa..or something like that!!
I just love their cuisine. The amazing mixture of flavors and spices is amazing. Cheers !
Hi,
For me :
1.Paramount (even thought their Hyderabadi Biryani is better than Kerala Biryani )
2.The Grand
3.Kayees(Never been to Kayees @ Mattanchery)
4.Malabar Plaza (Vazhakala)
But for me the ultimate is from Paragon Calicut..Its Awesome..!!!
Cheers…!
The Best and perfect Biriyani is at Apsara Hotel, Perumbavoor.
Its just the perfect malabari biriyani.. no match for that..
Just like no match for Ambiswamys for Kerala treats at Pallimukku
I also admit… Kayees is the worst biriyani I ever had!!!
Have tried many places, without a doubt the best Biryani hereabouts is served in Paramount( in Kakkanad, just beyond Vazhakkala where you turn towards infopark). Their Hyderabadi biryani is simply awesome..fluffy long basmati rice, supremely soft and well cooked chicken and spiced just to the right extent.Got me hooked!
And forgot to mention, they also do home delivery