HYDERABADI ZAIQA

I was seriously impressed by the flavor of the Chicken 65 biryani and the Double Ka Meetha. The rice in the biryani was soft, rich, and flavorful with generous portions of well spiced and spicy chicken with a hint of sweetness. Definitely want to return to try the goat biryani. The biryani can definitely feed 2 people. The naan was a bit disappointing and not necessary given the starch from the rice. Lovely restaurant. Will definitely return.

Spacious and welcoming, Hyderabadi Zaiqa delivers bold Indo-Chinese flavors and authentic Hyderabadi classics. We tried the Chicken Vepudu, Gobi 65, and Paneer Chilli — all packed with flavor. The Veg Dum Biryani and Chicken Biryani were aromatic and juicy, a must-try. Chicken was juicy and tender not at all dry, and the Irani Chai was the perfect finish. Kudos to Chef Pratik for crafting such a flavorful, satisfying meal. A great spot for flavorful bites in Midtown! Ps if you’re visiting on weekend consider reserving a table.

Took my Hyderabadi mother here on Mother’s Day and we loved the food. Authentic Hyderabadi food and the best I’ve had in any restaurant in the tristate. Chef Tariq is one of the best desi chef’s in NYC (which shouldn’t surprise anyone from Hyderabad because he used to work at Park Hyatt in Banjara). 10/10 for everything.

Walking we didn’t have a reservation but were able to get seated - it was a very rainy day so we got a little bit lucky. It always looks packed when we walk by. We ordered some chicken lollipops, samosas and dum murgh. The chicken lollipops were absolutely fantastic they had a lot of flavor were very soft and just absolutely delicious. The samosas were also very delicious not as flavorful as the rest of the dishes but good. The dum murgh was absolutely delicious packed with lots of flavor, very creamy, and the chicken was delicious and super soft. We also got the butter naan which was very soft and crispy and light perfect pairing to the meal. Lastly we finished the meal with mango lassi which was thick creamy and flavorful. Overall would Definitly recommend trying this. The place is known for its biryani - we didn’t get to try it this time - but we will Definitely be coming back to try it. The atmosphere could definitely be a bit more warm - the place was very clean - but gave a bit of a cold industrial feeling, maybe due to the high ceilings. Would love if this place had a more warmer darker for deal - at least for dinner. It’s not a date place but great for trying Indian cuisine or even bigger parties. They have a wide variety for evryone to try. Overall would definitely suggest to try this place. The food does speak for itself - super delightful, flavor filled, and worth the travel.

I was very impressed by their big portions and the richness in flavor of their dishes. I highly recommend the biryani. I also ordered samosas and was very amazed by their tamarin sauce. It was really good.

Hyderabadi Zaiqa in Manhattan is a hidden gem for authentic Hyderabadi cuisine. The Chicken 65 was perfectly spiced with a hint of sweetness, easily the best I’ve had. The Hyderabadi Goat Dum Biryani was just like the ones back home—fragrant, flavorful, and a must-try! The staff was warm and welcoming, unlike some reviews suggested. They even treated me to complimentary Irani Tea, which was truly authentic and nostalgic. To end on a sweet note, the Double ka Meetha was rich and delicious. Highly recommend this place for a true Hyderabadi experience!

PROs - food taste, service , quantity , location CONs- tables too close (no privacy) , hotel is not spottable easily . First timer.. great location. Right in the heart of Lexington Avenue . Let me start with cons , tables are tooooo close to each other . It is noisy and you could hear everything the next bencher talks . And this restaurant is not spottable easily. You can just pass through it without even noticing it . Wish they had bigger / visible signs outside .. I still gave it a 5 star though and it deserves the rating. When I looked at 4.8 star in Google I surely wanted to taste it . Nice interiors depicting Hyderabad and its beauty. Lots of tables inside and there was also another floor on top . Service was very vey good. The girl was very polite and was able to get orders soon. They also gave a free Irani chai, which was super duper good . Tasted really awesome and the taste of chai was in the tongue for an hour :) Ordered biryani . They had many Andhra style biryani - like gongura etc.. but I went for chicken tikka biryani and it was top class ! Superb flavor and nice spice . Not too spicy but it was hitting it well. Raitha was less but they refilled it . The quantity was also really good . Was tough finishing it but somehow managed to finish . Wish they gave salna for biryani …. And to finish the double ka meeta eas exceptional . Took it home and it stayed good. Overall I was impressed with their food.. I’ll surely go back and try more things .

We came in with high expectations due to the 4.8 rating, but were left a bit underwhelmed. While the paneer biryanis we ordered were great, with perfectly soft pieces of paneer, we felt that the appetizer (baby corn manchurian) was lacking. The corn was too crunchy meaning it was probably undercooked, but the masala was decent. However, complementary chai was fantastic. Lastly, the service and ambience was sufficient but not stellar.

So glad I got to try this place, and even more glad for this to be opened in my neighborhood. There are plenty of good Indian restaurants in Murray Hill, but this one is AMAZING, seriously! My party of two ordered four items are were super stuffed after, with all four dishes being standouts among the Indian food we have had in the past. My personal favorites was the palak paneer, which had a velvety texture and a taste that hits well but not overly salty. The chicken 65 biryani was also great. Then the fresh garlic naan went perfectly with the sauces from the dishes. Service was prompt and courteous, with swift water refills. I will definitely be back regularly!

Wanted to try the OG location but they conveniently opened a place near me, and it's soooo good and affordable!! Will be my go to Indian spot from here on out fs. Chicken 65 ($12) - super soft and flavorful (sweet and spicy), warning that it is spicy but it's worth w how good it is Goat Biriyani ($17) - solid Biriyani and big portions! Not the best that I've ever had but still very good and flavorful. If you want a hearty rice dish this is a good option. palak paneer ($15) - I don't have much Indian food but this was the best that I've ever had. It's mild yet so flavorful and was so good with the rice and naan. Must get! Instagram- @joangela.eats

Service was FANTASTIC. Our server was so friendly! Paneer Matar Masala: Delicious. The curry was so rich and savory and the paneer was great. Dum Ka Murgh: I thought this one was just okay. I liked the paneer masala better, but my wife thought really loved this one. Hyderabadi Goat Dum Biryani: So delicious. Goat was very, very tender and fragrant. Definitely try this one, as you usually don't see goat on menus. Restaurant is large with plenty of seating. We sat around talking for a good while, and we didn't feel rushed at all.

LOVE IT! This place is the best Biyani heaven in the city and its coming from me who is very picky about my biryani. First of all they have such a nice ambiance and great service. Place is always busy but you still get table. They have like 15 types of biryani's and its not like they are just using the same spices for all- They are creating each one according to the region and style specified! needless to say all our yummy! to top all they have a pretty decent Veg section too. My most favorite are dum goat and HZ chicken special biryani. For veg lovers their paneer biryani was really good too. Their Okra is the best loved it!

I'm sooooo happy they opened a second location!! Our group of 5 visited on a Saturday late afternoon and were so happy to see a lot of free tables and space. The original location is always so crowded and we've only been able to do takeout. This is our favorite Indian restaurant in the city so we always happily wait. We ordered the Hyderabadi biryani, butter chicken, garlic naan, samosa, gobi Manchurian and chicken tikka masala. They also offered our group complimentary chai. My favorite order is butter chicken but I'll try to explore more of the menu. The service was great and the food was amazing as always. I'll be visiting this location more often now :)

Delish! It's very casual in here with lots of seating, but would be a great takeout option too! The complimentary chai was a great treat to start. We split the chilly paneer appetizer - it had great flavor and a slight kick; it wasn't crispy like I had expected, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. For my main, I got the butter chicken. The menu claimed it was chicken breast, but it looked like dark meat. I'm pretty picky with chicken and wasn't a fan of the the chicken in the dish, but the SAUCE was sooooo good!!! I pretty much just ate the sauce with the rice (free) & garlic naan and was very happy. If you like all types of chicken, I think you'll definitely enjoy this one!! I personally will get a paneer dish next time :) Servers were friendly, and the prices are great!

I've been a fan of their other location and have been meaning to try this place. This is a big space and their menu is extensive. I came in here with a work friend for lunch. They started us off with some free chai, which was welcome in this cold weather. We split the chicken lollipops, and I ordered the Hyderabadi Goat Dum Biryani, while my friend had naan and Chettinad Chicken. Everything was extremely delicious and their portions are very generous. The place is new and service seemed a little slow (not enough staff), but for this food I'm willing to overlook that on my first visit.

I went to this new location of this excellent Indian place twice going once shortly after they opened for dinner and earlier in the day for lunch. As with the other location, they specialize in biryani more than anything else which is outstanding at both spots though the rest of the dishes aren't half bad either. By comparison, this location is much larger and a lot less crowded. It was particularly empty during lunch and I would suggest them perhaps add a lunch special menu to compete better. Perhaps a miniature biryani for a few bucks less or a lunch set with an app and a mini one or something for the same price would work best? Both times, they gave me an Irani Chai with black tea leaf, milk, cardamom, and condensed milk which is normally $4.99. This was a solid chai with a slightly different spice compared to other ones ordered in other places around the area and I would say it would be equivalent to getting 1 sugar in said spots outside of the slight spice difference. The first time I decided to get a chaat or as they spell, chat. Said Aloo Papdi Chat for $7.99 had diced potatoes, crispy lentil, onion, tomato, tamarind, and sweet curd. The portion size wasn't the biggest but the flavors were fine with a nice mix of textures and I would say this one was a bit sweeter compared to some spots. The first time for dinner, I had the Goat Fry Biryani for $18.99 with juicy goat tossed with basmati rice, saffron, and aromatic spices. The goat was cooked down wonderfully and was quite tender and while there were bones, they were easy enough to eat around with the meat being that tender. There was some spice but not too much compared to some other spots with a good balance of heat. The raita/yogurt on the side helped with the heat as well. For lunch, I had one of their more unique options for biryanis which was the Chicken 65 Biryani for $16.99 with coated chicken tossed with curd base sauce and mixed basmati rice. The chicken was moist and tender with a good sour and spicy kick from the sauce. Both were excellent with the chicken being more tender though I preferred the goat in terms of flavor. I would recommend checking out this location as the quality of the food matches the other location and you no longer have to deal with the super crowded tiny space in Hell's Kitchen. Good specialty shop and a little gem among the spots in the area. Mid 4.

We had a nice dinner here at HZ. The food was good, service as well, and the ambiance was very nice and casual. We came at 4PM, so the place was nice and quiet for conversation. The complementary chai masala tea was very nice and warm and appreciated as we waited for our meal. We chose the chile baby corn for our appetizer and we all enjoyed the spicy tanginess. All dishes are medium spicy, which was perfect for our group of 5 (Some like very spicy, but i prefer light to medium). We ordered the palak paneer, paneer tika masala, bhindi masala, chettinad curry chicken, and garlic naan. All the dishes were very good and savory. Many choices for the vegetarians in our group. Would come again.

I came here for a weekday sit-down lunch and while there are no lunch specials, prices are still reasonable. It wasn't very crowded, but I did notice a few take out orders being picked up. They gave us some complimentary chai which I really enjoyed. It had a nice blend of spices and wasn't too sweet. I liked that all the food was served really hot in temperature. We ordered samosas, goongura chicken biryani, chicken tikka masala, and garlic naan. Everything was very good and flavorful. My favorites were the garlic naan, which had good garlic flavor and were crispy, and the chicken tikka masala, which had tender chicken and a rich, delicious sauce. The samosas were a solid appetizer filled with potatoes and peas and served with a spicy and a sweet sauce. The biryani was good with a spicy kick, but it was a touch too salty that you couldn't eat it by itself. Service was also attentive and friendly. Would definitely come back to try other dishes!

A stellar Indian restaurant in a city filled with excellent choices for Indian food. The chicken 65 biryani is superb, as is the chicken chettinad.

pretty good. got the biryani, palak paneer, and garlic naan. wish the biryani had more meat. everything was flavorful. free chai and fast service.

The food here is hands down about the best Indian food I have had in years in NYC. First and foremost it is correctly spiced as per authentic Andra food. And if asked they will make it hotter even still. If you don't love properly spicy Indian food, I personally prefer if you stay away. Too many great Indian restaurants have been ruined by spice adverse customers crying that it is "too hot". If Indian toddlers can eat the food so can American babies in their twenties and thirties. This is now my fifth meal from here. I'm very happy. The vegetarian Biryani is a bit lacking as they use very small pieces of potato and cauliflower which is not how I was taught which should see it cooking for several hours and the chunks vegetables or meat really being infused with the flavors. My non-veg kids love the Chicken Tika and the Butter Chicken Here is the full list I or my partner have eaten. Palak Paneer, the best I have had outside of India. The paneer is perfect and of course home-made. The Aloo Gobi Matar is the best in New York, I always order the Aloo Gobi first, and that will tell me if the restaurant is any good. Most high priced Indian restaurants fail the Aloo Gobi test. The Nizami Paneer is alright, but did not taste much cashew. I have had the Bhindi Masala twice, it is amazing, perfectly spiced (I did ask for it to me made "Hot like India" and yes, it was VERY hot! The Aloo Papdi Chat was likewise good. Their Naan and Roti are also among the best and all cooked fully. Desert I have tried the Double Ka Meetha was great. But always save the best for last, the Irani Chai takes me back to 6am side of the road wake up in Andra.... not to be missed. Visit here, it is very spacious, and bring your taste buds.

Got a chicken 65 appetizer and chicken biryani which came with yogurt. Very solid overall, was not a fan of the cardamom in the chicken biryani, but otherwise yum! It's a small little hole in the wall, but service was

Great Indian food, we tried the veg achari biryani and the goat biryani! Both were very flavorful! The highlight for me was the Double ka meetha, every spoon a delight! Chef Tariq and his team, especially Rupesh, took very good care of us! Definitely recommend!

The food, ambience, service, and the master Chef Tarique - everything spells magnificent here at Hyderabadi Zaiqa. The aroma and the taste - remind one of back home in India. This place compensates for what has almost been lacking authentically in New York forever - a real Hyderabadi Dum Biryani. What a sumptuous treat it is! The chicken lollipop is very refreshingly different from the usual indo-Chinese places. I have enjoyed everything I have ordered here - from Haleem to paya to lentil soup which are all home-style. I will be updating this review as I return for more. Highly recommended to one and all.

Best Indian food around. Try the chili chicken appetizer, samosa and butter chicken. Each best you can find anywhere nearby.

A very solid Indian restaurant that is clean, has plenty of seating, and delicious dishes. We loved the goat biryani, garlic naan, bhindi masala, chicken korma and tandoori paneer tikka. Weren't a fan of the Chicken 65. Will be back as there is great service and good prices. Quality of the food speaks for itself.

went there for my birthday with my 2 friends and we all loved it the service was great! they we're efficient and kind and we got our food in like 10 mins. we enjoyed the food too very good butter chicken.

No frills, just great food. It's much easier to get a table at this location - it was pretty empty on a weeknight - but as a result it feels less cozy and fun than the other location. We had two biryanis for four people with two apps and another dish and it was plenty. Everything was super - popcorn chicken, cauliflower, goat biryani - I really don't think you can go wrong here.

Authentic and delicious Southeast Asian cuisine just like I had over there when visiting. Will for sure return here for more dinners.