Hyderabad Spice — Restaurant in Matawan

This place has been on our radar for a long time and guess, the search for delicious Hyderabadi Dum Biryani ends here for now. An impromptu plan to go out for dinner on a gloomy sunday evening was much needed and this was the best decision we took to dine out at Hyderabad Spice. It all started with a very warm welcome by Mr. Satish Reddy, one of the co-owners, who stopped by our table to chat with us and this did give a great start to the dining experience at HS.

We wanted to try out options from the wide spectrum of offerings, they had on the menu and ended up ordering Samosa Chaat & Tandoori Chicken for our starters.

Samosa Chaat: Absolutely loved the varied flavors of this dish, an array of Sweet, Sour & Tangy flavors ready to tantalize the taste buds. Findings a good plate of Samosa Chaat is always tough and this did not disappoint at all.

Tandoori Chicken: Imagining Tandoori Chicken without the overload of red color is always a dream and guess, these guys know that very well. Succulent pieces of chicken laced with perfect marinade, cooked to perfection. I could not stop myself from devouring the delicious goodness of this amazing Tandoori Chicken. All it took was few moments, before I went from Fork & Knife to using my fingers to dig into this delicious Tandoori Chicken. Sorry KFC, this was the Actual FINGER LICKIN' GOOD Chicken.

What started on a high note went a few notches higher with the Round 2 of the Order, Special Chicken Biryani, Egg Biryani and Chicken Hakka Noodles.

Chicken Hakka Noodles: Kids absolutely loved the Noodles, only grouse wish it was less soggy. Said that, kids cleaned out the bowl and that was their STAMP of APPROVAL for this dish.

Egg Biryani: Seldom seen places make the Egg Biryani the right way. All the places I order Egg Biryani till date were few boiled eggs dumped into the Biryani Rice, lacking the flavors it should have. The Egg Biryani at Hyderabad Spice was way different as compared to the other places. Perfectly Sauteed Boiled Eggs with flavors seeped was the star of this dish. Every time I sliced into the egg, the flavors were deep ingrained in the egg. I can go on and on about this dish... to cut it short, this was EPIC and I would love to go back again for this.

Special Chicken Biryani: Delicious Chicken Biryani filled till the brim with Special Chicken 65 RRR, which was a delicious twist to the iconic biryani.

Overall, loved the food and the hospitality at this place. Kudos to Mr. Satish Reddy for making everyone feel welcomed. This is the first of many more visits to...

Tasty, fresh, and well prepared. Good portion sizes for the price (as a single, had an app and took home leftovers for 26$). Ambiance is a bit rubbish; it's that ultra modern subdued thing we've got going on these days so it's just dull. Indian and Bollywood music was playing in the background. BYOB. Will return.

Some of the better Indian food that I've had. The veg samsoas were perfectly cooked - crispy, crumbly, soft, and fresh. The garlic naan was fluffy with a good thickness to them that made it just right for dipping or eating curries without a fork or spoon. The butter chicken was warm and a little spicy without being overpowered (they ask how you like it and they got it spot on for me), creamy and rich but not heavy. No oil slick either. I only wish it came with more ciltranto, and I regret not adding a side of onion for that little snap (which they offer as an accompaniment featuring onion, yougurt, and something else I forgot). Impressive list of deserts, but I did not partake as I grossly full because it was so yummy.

Service was a touch slow even with barely anyone in the restaurant, though there was one customer that was taking up a lot of the server's attention and time with constant requests and having left a large mess upon exiting, so that might explain it. Delivery and pickups were constant, with a number of people coming in and out as I was eating. It also appeared to get busier the later it got.

The restaurant itself is bare and lacks life, with just simple tan tables and booths, grey or tan walls, and this just sad, dim lighting. At some point, the AC or fan popped on and was blowing directly on me and the family behind me. I was leaving so it didn't bother me, but the family asked what I assumed to be the manager who had come out to help clean the tables and talk to people, and he quickly...

We ordered a veggie dum biryani to go from this Hyderabadi restaurant, and it was a complete disappointment. As someone who appreciates authentic biryani, especially from a region known for its rich culinary heritage, I had high expectations. Unfortunately, this biryani failed on almost every front.

Firstly, the biryani lacked any distinct flavor. For a dish renowned for its aromatic spices and bold tastes, this one was incredibly mild. It seemed like the spices were either forgotten or added so sparingly that they had no impact. The rice itself was dry and lacked the usual moist, tender texture that makes biryani so enjoyable. It was an example of all things that could go wrong with a biryani.

Moreover, the quantity was disappointing compared to other places. Typically, biryani servings are generous, reflecting the hearty nature of the dish. However, this portion was meager, leaving us unsatisfied. The ingredients were also underwhelming. The rice included only a few pieces of potatoes and carrots, and even these were poorly seasoned. There was no sign of the variety of vegetables or the richness of flavor that one expects from a good veggie biryani.

Given the high ratings of this restaurant, I had anticipated a much better experience. It's possible that these ratings are based on their non-vegetarian offerings, which might be more in line with traditional Hyderabadi cuisine. However, for vegetarians seeking a flavorful and satisfying biryani, this place is not recommended. The lack of seasoning, inadequate portion size, and overall blandness make it a poor choice for anyone craving a good veggie dum biryani. If you're looking for an authentic and flavorful vegetarian biryani, it would be wise to explore...