9 Restaurants Serving the Best Biryani in Sydney
Spicy marinated morsels of tender meat, aromatic saffron-infused basmati rice, and caramelised onions are slow-cooked together to create one of the most famous Indian dishes ever — the Biryani. In fact, according to statistics, 95 biryanis are ordered every minute in India. (Isn’t that absolutely insane?!)
However, if you’re an Indian on the lookout for the best biryani in Sydney, then today is your lucky day, because we know exactly where you can find the most flavourful and authentic biryanis in the city. Keep reading to find out our top picks!
How we review:
All the Biryani restaurants in Sydney that are a part of our list are reviewed based on three important criteria:
1. Value for money
2. Quality
3. Authenticity
1. Shaahi Tandoori
Location: 200 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042
Website: https://www.shaahitandoori.com.au/
Telephone: +61 2 9557 9770
About the restaurant:
Shahi Tandoori has earned itself a reputation as one of the best Biryani restaurants in Sydney, offering authentic Indian, Pakistani and Indo-Chinese cuisine.
They boast of a beautifully curated halal menu with fresh ingredients sourced locally, excellent customer service, and the highest hygiene standards earning them a place in the hearts of both locals and tourists alike.
Shahi Tandoori’s Biryani:
Known for their extensive collection of biryanis, including vegetarian, egg, chicken, lamb, beef, and goat. Their biryanis are made using the traditional long-grain aromatic basmati rice blended delicately with their in-house selection of hand-crafted biryani masala. The star of the show however is their bestseller the Chef’s Special Chicken Tikka Biryani — a combination of tender, flavourful pieces of chicken tikka smoked delicately in a clay tandoor paired with fragrant basmati rice, served piping hot with succulent chunks of tender meat and a cooling raitha to complete the meal.
The staff are warm an welcoming and even suggested we try their famous mango lassi which was well worth it. Overall Shaahi Tanndoori is a place perfect for families or if you’re nostalgic and want to take a stroll down memory lane. Would give it a solid 4.0/5.
Cost:
Priced between $11.90 and $14.90, Shahi Tandoori’s biryanis are definitely a steal!
The restaurant is usually crowded on most days between 6 pm & 10 pm, ensure to call and reserve a table incase of a large group.
Light on the pocket but heavily packed with flavour and cooked with the exact precision and skill one would encounter on the streets of Delhi.
2. Colors of India
Location: 97 Victoria Rd, Parramatta NSW 2150
Website: https://www.colorsofindia.com.au/
Telephone: (+61)8677 3421
About the restaurant:
The restaurant has a friendly and welcoming vibe offering sit down and takeaway with equal fervour. Plush and comfortable interiors coupled with a promt service team makes this experience worthwhile, but the food is what keeps you coming back for more, from classic Indian chaats to lassis, biryanis, and curries, this restaurant offers it all.
They also boast of an exquisite collection of wine and contemporary cocktails.
Colors of India’s Biryani:
Rated the best indian restaurant in 2020 by The Fork this restaurant has come to earn its place in our list of best Biriyani in Sydney thanks to the star of their menu their traditional Hyderbadi Dum Ghost Biryani.
Cooked gently over charlcaol embers, the smokiness of the biryani complements the tender succulent meat and spices blended ever so gently together. Mild hints of saffron and the gentle aroma of mace make this one of the best biryani’s in Sydney.
Cost:
Colors of India’s biryanis are priced between $18 and $21. Perfect for date nights and family dinners, one portion of biryani can easily be split amongst two.
Look out for their mutton cutlets, kofta curry, and butter garlic naan if youre looking to treat yourself to a world of mouth watering memories.
3. The Spice Room
Location: The Quay Building, 2 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000
Website: https://thespiceroom.com.au/
Telephone: (02) 9251 9990
About the restaurant:
What was once a Grand Haveli Mansion has now been renovated to create a restaurant with interiors that display stunning heirlooms, treasured possessions, and an array of family photographs of the royal family that once occupied the mansion.
It is in this ornate and stunning abode will you find a collection of traditional Indian food to tantalise your taste buds.
The food offered as The Spice Room is fit for royalty. Drawing inspiration from the rich and glorious heritage of India, the skilled chefs at this Biryani restaurant in Sydney have created a menu that will transport you all the way to the streets of India.
Traditional heirloom recipes recreated in a modern avatar.
The Spice Room’s Biryani:
Two of the best seller that The Spice Room’s menu boasts of are the:
- Tender Goat Biryani — Tender chunks of goat marinated in a yogurt and cream based marinade, slow cooked to perfection with the right amount of aromats and heat. Paired ever so gently with fragrant basmati rice. My personal favourite.
- Grand Emperor’s Chicken Biryani — Peshawari-style slow-cooked fragrant basmati rice combined with spicy, succulent pieces of chicken. With a hint of smoky goodness and richness form the copious amounts of ghee used.
Both their biryanis are served with a side of raita, pappadum, and Kachumber.
Cost:
The Spice Room’s biryanis are reasonably priced between $18.90 and $23.90. If you’re looking to dine here on the weekends a reservation would be advisable as the restaurant is busy even on Thursdays, for lunch and dinner.
4. Spiced by Billu’s
Location: 7/33 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Website: https://www.spicedbybillus.com.au/
Telephone: (02) 9046 0979
About the restaurant:
With 25 years of experience in the Inndustry Spiced by Billu’s has definitely set the benchmark for all other Indian restaurants in Sydney. Authentic North Indian cuisine, curated carefully with ingredients sourced directly from India, they offer a wide selection of classic and contemporary dleicacies, wining the hearts and minds of locals and expats alike.
With modern and modest interiors, a stunning view of the waterfront, and a menu that is quite literally unbeatable, Spiced by Billu’s promises to provide guests with an engaging experience. Perfect for a special dinner date, corporate meetings, or even a relaxed night out with family and friends.
Spiced by Billu’s Biryani:
Billu’s offer’s 5 types of biryani for those craving that rush of falvour and spice. Available in Lamb, Chicken, Prawn, Fish, and Vegetable Medley.
My personal favourite definitely has to be their Prawn Biryani with the Lamb Biryani coming in a close second place. Tender succulent tigerpraws are steeped in a rich flavoursome curry and steamed together with tender basmati rice. Securing it’s place as one of the best Biryani Sydeny has to offer.
Cost:
$32 dollar may be a fair sum to spend on a Biryani but the overall experience ambience and service sets this restaurant apart. Perfect for a formal dinner or a special date with your loved one, one cant cut corners when it comes to fine dining. The restaurant is usually busy through the week with tuesdays being a bit lean, also the restaurant is closed on Mondays.
5. Zinger Taj Indian Restaurant
Location: 147 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point NSW 2060
Website: https://www.zingertaj.com.au/
Telephone: +61 2 8904 1255
About the restaurant:
Zinger Taj, formerly known as Blue Zinger, is one of North Sydney’s most popular Indian restaurants. Established over two decades ago, this restaurant’s philosophy is centered around leveraging Indian ingredients and cooking techniques to create food that can best be described as art on a plate.
Large portions, authentic flavours, friendly and promt service make this restaurant a go to amongst locals and expats alike. Rated consecutively as one of the best restaurant in Sydney and winner of the preotigious Treaveller’s Choice Award by Tripadvisor, definitely earns it the title of best biryani in Syndey.
Zinger Taj’s Biryani:
With a wide variety of Biryani’s to offer my personal favourite would be the beef and lamb biryanis. Tender cuts of rump and saddle cooked tenderly till the meat falls of the bones, tempered with a collection of whole spices ground in house to make their famous biryani masala. Onions slow cooked till sweet and caramelized dominate the main flavour palette of the dish backed by the hint of tangginess from the yogurt and spice mix. Served in a traditional Handi or Pot, one portion is surely large enough for two when accompanied with entree.
Cost:
Zinger Taj’s biryanis are pretty averagely priced between $18.50 and $24.50, depending on your choice of meat. The tough part is being able to get a table on the weekends, a statutory waiting time of 15 to 30 min may apply during peak business hours.
They also offer outdoor seating for a more relaxed and laidback dining experience.
6. Last Train To Bombay
Location: 469 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest NSW 2065
Website: https://lasttraintobombay.com.au/
Telephone: +61 2 9460 6664
About the restaurant:
Established over 25 years ago, Last Train To Bombay is an Indian restaurant in Sydney with a rich pedigree of serving mouth waterng traditional delicacies form the Indian Subcontinent. With a wide collection of dishes from Dosas to Naans and Curries, their food is homely and the portions are hearty and filling. No frills just good ol Indian food served just right.
They also have a vibrant and exciting collection of vegan friendly dishes.
Last Train to Bombay’s Biryani:
A traditional layered biryani packed with flavour, meat and loads of ghee. With a hint of smoke to elevate the over all flavour, their lamb or beef biryani would be my go to choice. Their chefs ensure authentic flavour with no frills just simple humble straightforward Indian food at its finest.
With a casual enviormment its perfect for weekdays and takeaways as well as a laid back weekend getaway.
Cost:
Last Ticket To Bombay offers some of the best biryanis in Sydney for those on a budget, priced between $16.90 and $20.90.
Some of their other dishes giving you a big bang for your buck are their butter chicken and naan combos, their tandoori platters simply to die for.
7. Sultan’s Palace and Restaurant
Location: Harbourside Shopping Centre, 345/10 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW 2000
Website: Sultan’s
Telephone: +61 2 9660 4357
About the restaurant:
A tradtional curry house serving authentic fare from the North Western Provences of the Subcontinent. Rich in flavour and aromatics these dishes lack the fiery heat most people associate Indian food with let that not dissuade your from trying one of the best Biryani’s Sydney has to offer. The restaurant has a casual vibe and is light on the pocket and palette, the plush warm wodden interiors give it a homely feeling indeed.
Sultan’s Palace Restaurant’s Biryani:
My favourite when frequenting Sultan’s is their Chicken Tikka Biyani, combing two of the most famous dishes form the subcontinent, Tender succulent chicken thighs are cooked gently over the embers of the tandoor only to be paired with a light and falvoursome yakhni based biyani rice. The best of both worlds. One of the best Biryani’s in Sydney. Sultan’s also caters to orders by the pound with their innovative Bucket Biryani Option.
Cost:
Priced between $17 to $20 its a steal compared to the other locations on our list, but dont let that fool you, sultan’s is definitely worth its weight offering mouth watering food at an affordable price range.
Takeaways are generally preferred, since the restaurant is small and gets crowded pretty quickly on most nights.
8. Student Biryani
Location: 42 Auburn Rd, Auburn NSW 2144
Website: https://www.studentbiryani.com.au/
Telephone: +61 413 632 438
About the restaurant:
Established over five decades ago by Haji Muhammad Ali, Student Biryani is one of the oldest biryani restaurants in Australia. With consistent quality and flavours that will make your taste buds tingle, Student Biryani is definitely as good as it gets! What started as a small food joint called Café Student in Karachi has now become an iconic brand in Pakistan and Australia, with plans to soon expand to the UAE, UK, and the USA.
Student Biryani’s Biryani:
Student Biryani offers three different varieties of biryanis — Vegetable, Chicken, and Lamb. All their biryanis are prepared in the Pakistani style using premium basmati rice, traditional hot spices, yogurt, aromatics like ginger and garlic, and generous portions of meat/vegetables. You can also opt for Biryani Rice, which is simply biryani served without the meat.
Cost:
Priced between $7 and $16 per plate, Student Biryani is one of the most affordable and authentic biryanis in Sydney. Pair it with a mango lassi for a truly unforgettable experience.
9. Royal Paradise Biryani
Location: 14, George St, North Strathfield NSW 2137
Website: https://www.royalparadisebiryani.com.au/
Telephone: +61 2 9763 5282
About the restaurant:
Royal Paradise Biryani is one of the best Indian restaurants in Sydney, known for their authentic desi recipes inspired by the South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with a rich history of the Nawabs who ruled the regions before and during the colonial era. While they offer one of the best biryanis in Sydney, they have also been recognised for their traditional Indian curries and tandoori dishes which sets them apart from the competition on the list.
Paradise Biryani’s Biryani:
Paradise Biryani offers twelve different varieties of biryani in Sydney. However my favourites are their :
- Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani: This biryani is inspired by the Kitchen’s of the Nawabs of South India. Chicken thighs on the bone marinated overnight in a mixture of yogurt, authentic desi spices, and lime juice is slow-cooked over coals gently and then steamed with a aromatic mix of basmati rice and whole spices.
- Chicken 65 Biryani: Boneless Chicken thighs coated with a firey chilli based marinade is battered and deep fried before being paried with aromatic biryani rice and steamed to perfection. A modern take on a classic entree from the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
- Mutton Biryani: Though we are all familiar with lamb, mutton tends to be a more gamier equivalent, which when cooked tenderly in the traditional Dum technique of the Nawabs culminates in a tender and succulent biryani unlike anyother.
All their biryanis are served with a side of raita and Mirchi Ka Salan.
Cost:
Paradise Biryani offers some of the best biryanis in Sydney at budget-friendly prices. Their biryanis range from $14.90 to $18.90 depending on the choice of meat.
10. Flavour of Ceylon
Location: 17 Joyce St, Pendle Hill NSW 2145, Australia
Website: Flavour of Ceylon
Telephone: +61 414 262 318
About the Restaurant:
Serving authentic coastal fare form the regions of southern India and Sri Lanka this restaurant is famous amongst many from the expat community and locals alike.
From classics such as Kothu paratha a stir fry dish including shredded flat bread tossed with eggs onions chilies and meat of your choice to breaded fish cutlets fried to perfection.
They have a wide selection of sea food as a ode to the love affair between the Southern regions of the subcontinent and the sea.
Set in the Suburbs of Sydney its perfect for a weekend family meal.
Flavour of Ceylon’s Biryani:
Falvour of Ceylon has a unique take on the traditional biryani the large biriyani includes 2 Eggs, 2 pieces of Chicken Tikka, 2 pieces of Fish Cutlets, Malay pickle and Eggplant pahe. Order with a choice of Chicken, Mutton, Beef or Lamb.
This is a meal perfect to be shared between friends and families with a wide variety of sides to be relished along with the center piece of the meal being the tender meat and rice of the biryani.
Cost:
Their large biryani platters cost between $25 to $28 but their single serve portions are more moderately priced between $17 to $20 based on your choice of meat and sides.
Be sure to try their sea food out, they have some amazing collection of malay indian and portuguese influenced dishes in their arsenal.
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