5 Best Biryani in San Diego Which you Should Must Try
Biryani isn’t just food, it’s an emotion. And if you’re an Indian, then you know exactly what we’re talking about.
Biryani is one of the only Indian one-pot dishes that is known worldwide. In fact, it is the most Googled dish of 2020! From kids to adults, this dish is universally loved. Well, what’s not to love? Tender meat, perfectly cooked aromatic rice, and a healthy kick of Indian spices — a match made in heaven!
If you’re a biryani lover like we are, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve made a list of Indian restaurants that serve the best biryani in San Diego, just for you. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and make that reservation right away. Or if you prefer takeout, we have some options for you too! Keep reading to know more.
How we review:
All the Biryani restaurants in San Diego that are a part of our list are reviewed based on three important criteria:
1. Value for money
2. Quality
3. Authenticity
5 Best Biryanis in San Diego to Treat Your Tastebuds
1. Tandoori House
Location: 3146 Midway Dr, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
Website: https://www.tandoorihousesd.com/#colorlib-hero

About the restaurant:
Tandoori House, known as one of the best Biryani restaurants in San Diego, specialises in delightful Indian and Punjabi cuisine. Apart from biryanis, the restaurant also serves a range of Tandoori kebabs, naans, and classic desi curries. If you’re looking for authentic desi food on a budget, then this place is a must-visit!
Tandoori House’s Biryani:
Tandoori House offers seven different varieties of biryani, including vegetarian, egg, chicken, shrimp, lamb, goat, and beef. All their biryanis are prepared using fresh meats/vegetables, traditional Indian spices, served on a bed of aromatic long-grain basmati rice, and garnished with coriander leaves and a wedge of lime.
Cost:
Tandoori House’s biryanis, priced between $12.99 and $17.99, is pretty average for the San Diego area.
2. Charminar Indian Restaurant & Catering
Location: 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd #113, San Diego, CA 92121, United States
Website: https://www.charminarsd.com/

About the restaurant:
Charminar is an Indian restaurant in San Diego known for their extensive menu of classic Indian dishes, prepared using fresh ingredients, exotic spices, and seasonal produce.
What sets this restaurant apart from others is their attention to detail, especially when it comes to meat. All their chickens are naturally grown with no antibiotics, hormones, or animal fat feed. They are certified kosher and halal. Similarly, the goats are pasture-raised and free-range, and certified halal.
Charminar’s Biryani:
Charminar Indian Restaurant offers 13 different varieties of the best biryani in San Diego, inspired by the classic flavours of Indian cuisine. Some of their signature biryanis include:
- Bezawada Boneless Biryani: A specialty of Andhra Pradesh, this dish is prepared by cooking chicken marinated overnight in spices and yogurt, basmati rice, and aromatics.
- Mutton Keema Biryani: Flavoured minced meat, Indian herbs and spices, and long-grain basmati rice is combined to create this must-try biryani
- Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani: The perfect blend of succulent chicken pieces, layers of fluffy and aromatic rice, fragrant spices, and caramelized onions.
Cost:
Charminar Indian Restaurant’s extensive range of biryanis in San Diego is reasonably priced between $12.99 and $16.99. In our opinion, that’s definitely a steal!
3. Royal India
Location: 8990 Miramar Rd #200, San Diego, CA 92126, United States
Website: https://www.royalindiamiramar.com/index.php

About the restaurant:
Voted as one of San Diego’s best Indian restaurants, Royal India is operated by the Kambo brothers — Jagdeep Singh Kambo and Sandeep Singh Kambo. From fine dining, catering, and take-out, this restaurant offers it all. They are also popularly known for their carefully curated collection of Indian vegan food.
Royal India’s Biryani:
Royal India serves four varieties of Biryanis — Veggie, Chicken, Lamb, and Shrimp. All their biryanis are made using premium long-grain basmati rice, sauteed and caramelised onions, the meat of your choice, authentic Indian spices and herbs, and garnished with coriander leaves, raisins and nuts.
Cost:
Though Royal India’s biryanis, priced between $16 and $19, are a tad bit more expensive than other restaurants in the area, the quality is top-notch!
4. Taste of The Himalayas
Location: 3185 Midway Dr, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
Website: https://www.tasteofthehimalayasca.com/

About the restaurant:
Taste of The Himalayas, famously known for serving one of the best biryanis in San Diego, is an Indian restaurant that has been the cornerstone of the La Jolla community for years now. Outstanding dishes, friendly staff, and exceptional customer service are some of the many reasons this restaurant makes it to our list of must-visit places in San Diego.
Taste of The Himalayas’ Biryani:
Taste of The Himalayas offers biryanis that are made using traditional cooking techniques and classic ingredients. While they serve common varieties such as Vegetable and Chicken Biryani, you must check out their Himalayan Style Biryani — meat/vegetables of your choice marinated in exotic Himalayan spices, cooked with fragrant basmati rice, and served with a side of raita.
Cost:
Priced between $15.99 and $20.99, depending on the choice of the meat, Taste of The Himalayas’ biryanis are more expensive than other restaurants on our list. However, if you’re craving a steaming plate of authentic desi biryani in San Diego, then it is definitely worth the splurge!
5. Himalayan Yak and Yeti
Location: 6784 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115, United States
Website: https://himalayanyakandyeti.com/

About the restaurant:
Himalayan Yak & Yeti is a family-run restaurant in San Diego that serves authentic Nepali and Indian cuisine. Classic flavours, large portions, and soul-nourishing food are what they are best known for. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience with excellent customer service, then you must check out Yak & Yeti.
Himalayan Yak and Yeti’s Biryani:
Himalayan Yak and Yeti serves five different varieties of biryani in San Diego. Some of their bestsellers include:
- Himalayan Vegan Biryani: Fresh vegetables such as carrots, green peas, zucchini, broccoli, and cauliflower are cooked in Himalayan herbs and spices and served on a bed of basmati rice.
- Himalayan Lamb Biryani: Boneless morsels of lamb are perfectly cooked in exotic spices and served with aromatic, saffron-infused basmati rice.
- Himalayan Yak and Yeti Special Biryani: This one-of-a-kind biryani is made by combining paneer, chicken, lamb, shrimp, vegetables like carrots, fresh peas, cauliflower and zucchini, fragrant long-grain rice, and Himalayan spices.
Cost:
Priced between $15.95 and $20.95, Yak and Yeti’s biryanis in San Diego are an indulgence. However, it’s one you would most definitely not regret!
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