Hyderabad, India, is the birthplace of two of my favorite things— my husband and biryani.

Hyderabad Biryani and More on Southwind Park Cove, therefore, is one of my favorite places to eat in the Mid-South.

Because India is not a monolith, with vast diversity of culture, language, and yes, food, between different regions, my marriage has gifted me a special appreciation for South Indian food. I’m not here to pit one style of Indian cuisine against another, but I imagine that there are some folks out there who, like myself, simply don’t know the difference and have been missing out on some regional delicacies. 

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Lucky for us, Hyderabad Biryani and More serves a South Indian breakfast for $10.

I use the word breakfast here because idly and vada are often served in the south of India in the morning. But they are not exclusively eaten for breakfast and can be ordered on the Hyderabad Biryani menu at any time during the restaurant’s open hours. 

Savory and filling, idly are steamed dumplings made with the same fermented rice batter used to make dosa (also a South Indian specialty). Think of a sourdough tang but in a dumpling form. These soft oval disks can be ordered plain, with sambar, a delicious lentil-based soup, or with karappodi and ghee, a spicy powder and clarified butter. 

We ordered ours with karappodi, which also came with a tasty coconut chutney, and enjoyed them alongside an order of sambar vada, a doughnut-shaped savory fritter that we dunked into the flavorful soup. 

The rest of the menu isn’t quite as budget-friendly as these breakfast favorites, but a visit is still worth your time if you want a South Indian culinary experience. 

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We rarely go to Hyderabad Biryani without ordering its namesake biryani, a rice dish cooked with meat and rich spices. Or if you’re like me, order it with eggs instead of meat.

And don’t forget the dosa, a crispy crepe that can be ordered many different ways but is really delicious in its most giant, ghee-roasted form or as a masala dosa stuffed with potato curry.

The menu is large and diverse, so once you’ve had your fill of South Indian specialties, I’d encourage you to explore freely. Try chaat (street food), Indo-Chinese dishes, and non-veg and veg curries. If you are sensitive to spice, order a mango lassi, a sweet yogurt and mango beverage that helps cool the heat. Though, pro-tip about tipping, come bearing cash. They only accept cash tips.

Hyderabad Biryani and More is located at 3675 Southwind Park Cove Suite 105, off of Winchester. Order online, by phone, or in person during open hours, 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.