Hotel Shadab — Restaurant in Hyderabad

Hotel Shadab, Hyderabad – The Biryani Legend with Never-Ending Wait Times!

I recently tried to visit Hotel Shadab, one of the most iconic biryani spots in Hyderabad, and while I unfortunately didn’t get the chance to actually taste the food this time, I still want to share my overall experience.

Let me start by saying this – Shadab’s reputation is legendary. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this place is almost always on the must-try list for authentic Hyderabadi biryani. I was genuinely excited to finally visit and taste what so many people rave about.

However, the crowd and waiting time was absolutely insane. I went during a regular mealtime slot (not even a weekend or holiday), and the waiting time was well over an hour. And I’m not exaggerating – people were standing inside, outside, near the staircase, and even on the road just waiting to get a table. It speaks volumes about how good the food probably is, but at the same time, it made it impossible for me to actually dine in. After waiting for a long time, I eventually had to leave without getting a chance to eat.

That said, here’s what I observed during my time there: • Ambience: It’s not fancy or luxurious – it’s a typical, slightly crowded Hyderabadi restaurant setup. But there’s something charming about it. You can feel the local vibe and energy of Hyderabad in every corner. It’s bustling, chaotic, and real. • Crowd: A mix of locals and tourists. Everyone was patiently (and impatiently) waiting – which again hints at how good the food must be. There were even people just coming for takeaways and waiting a good 30-40 minutes! • Location: Easily accessible and located in the Old City area. If you’re sightseeing around Charminar or Chowmahalla Palace, it’s a perfect food stop – if you’re willing to wait. • Parking: That’s one of the real challenges here. The narrow lanes and traffic make it quite difficult to find a proper parking spot. If you’re coming by car, be prepared to park far or take a cab/auto.

Now, even though I didn’t get to try the biryani, I’ve heard consistently that both veg and non-veg dishes are worth the hype. Their mutton biryani, haleem (seasonal), kebabs, and desserts are top recommendations from anyone who has been lucky enough to eat here.

Final thoughts: If you’re planning to visit Hotel Shadab, make sure you come with plenty of time and patience. The place is clearly doing something right – the crowd speaks for itself. I’m definitely going to try again, but next time I’ll plan better (and maybe even go during off-peak hours if such a thing exists here!). Until then, it remains one of my biggest food regrets in Hyderabad – being so close to tasting something iconic, yet walking...

Dear Shadab Management,

I am writing to share some feedback as a loyal customer and well-wisher of Shadab, particularly Aiwan-e-Khas, which has always been one of our favourite dining spots.

During my recent visit, I was surprised and disappointed by the way guests were being managed downstairs. We were told to go downstairs and take a waiting number, but the area was extremely crowded and chaotic. The staff member responsible for taking names was completely untrained, unprofessional, and unfortunately rude. He misbehaved with me, and despite my polite and apologetic approach, he refused to give me a waiting number while seemingly accommodating others without any clear basis.

Fine dining is about the entire experience—not just the food, but how guests are received, seated, and treated throughout. People happily pay a premium for a memorable and respectful experience. Sadly, this incident did not reflect the high standards we’ve come to expect from Shadab.

Even the manager I spoke with seemed helpless, until another manager from upstairs intervened and immediately seated us—despite initially being told it would be an hour-long wait. This inconsistency leaves a poor impression and risks damaging Aiwan-e-Khas’s reputation.

I fully understand the need to manage crowds and maintain quality, but filtering customers in such a manner is not the right approach. I say this as someone who has dined at fine establishments worldwide: Shadab’s brand deserves better front-of-house training and systems to match its renowned food.

I hope you will take this feedback constructively and ensure that your valued patrons continue to have the exceptional experience that makes...

​I visited the AC section of Shadab Hotel with my family (my wife and 2 kids) for my anniversary on November 4th around 5 PM, after getting drenched at the zoo. We were craving a hot biryani and it truly delivered. The food was absolutely 5-star, and my kids loved it!

​However, two major issues spoiled an otherwise great experience:

​Outdated Payment Policy: The restaurant still follows a strict “No Online Payment” rule. In today’s digital age, forcing customers to pay only in cash is extremely inconvenient.

​Rude Takeaway Staff: Since the biryani was so good, I went to the non-AC (ground floor) section to get a parcel. The person at the counter was very rude and sarcastic.

I handed him four ₹200 notes for 3 chicken biryani packets, and he returned ₹20. A few moments later, I asked if I’d get a token to collect my order. When he asked what I ordered, I mistakenly said “four” (referring to the number of notes I’d given), but immediately corrected myself to “three.” Despite that, he got angry and behaved as if I was trying to get an extra biryani. His reaction was completely uncalled for and very unprofessional. ​Assuming he was having a bad day, I politely mentioned that their cash-only policy causes inconvenience to customers. His dismissive response was, “hamein bi taqleef hothi online liye tho.” Why would a business have a problem taking online payment?

​Overall: While Shadab’s biryani remains unmatched and the AC section staff were courteous, the takeaway counter person badly needs training in customer behavior and basic politeness. For such a reputed restaurant, that kind of attitude leaves a poor impression. ​Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Service (Takeaway):...