HYDERABADI ZAIQA
Indian restaurant · Midtown East ·
Authentic Hyderabadi biryani, curries, kebabs, and desserts
Authentic Hyderabadi biryani, curries, kebabs, and desserts
"Fluffy, fragrant biryanis propelled theoriginal Hyderabadi Zaiqain Hell's Kitchen to our list oftop Indian restaurants. Part of what made their food so impressive was its unlikely source: a cramped basement restaurant with metal stools and simple schoolroom colors. This Murray Hill sequel is around 12 times bigger, with a mezzanine floor and dozens of tables. Add fake flowers and a blown-upbiryani mapon the mustard-yellow walls, and Hyderabadi Zaiqa looksalmostpoised for corporate expansion. But even on this bigger stage (where a sign above the kitchen warns "Entry With Head Cap Only"), the food still shines." - Sonal Shah
"Hyderabadi Zaiqa’s biryani ranks in the 99th percentile of all rice dishes in the city. We’re partial to the dum biryani with tender chunks of goat, but this tiny basement spot also serves 14 other varieties, ranging from paneer to gongura chicken. Come with a group, and split an order or two, with some bagara baingan and saucy chicken 65 on the side. There are a few other Hyderabadi dishes here, although, despite the name, the menu is all over the place in terms of regional inspiration. If you’re looking for Punjabi or coastal South Indian food, you can get that too." - bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja, will hartman, molly fitzpatrick, ciera velarde
"An expansion of a Hell’s Kitchen favorite that ignited a local “biryani boom,” bringing the same value-minded lunch approach to a new Midtown location; the original quickly became an Eater favorite and landed on year-end lists as the best way to spend $20, and the owner Mohammad Tarique Khan has opened another outpost on the other side of town." - Emma Orlow
"It was "biryani boomtimes" in Hell’s Kitchen when this Hyderabadi restaurant opened its doors in 2023. It quickly became one of Eater’s favorite new lunch spots, even landing on Eater’s 2023 awards list for the best way to spend $20. Owner Mohammad Tarique Khan says he’s opened another location on the other side of town at 184 Lexington Avenue at East 32nd Street, in Kips Bay." - Emma Orlow
