Best biryani in Mumbai
If you are looking for the best biryani in Mumbai, five places to consider are Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar, Persian Darbar, Shalimar, Noor Mohammadi, and Britannia & Co.
Mumbai’s biryani options reflect the city’s diverse food culture. You can find Mughlai-style biryani, dum preparations, chicken and mutton versions, as well as Parsi and other regional rice dishes across different parts of the city.
You can browse best biryani options in Mumbai on Swiggy to compare restaurants and dishes available in your area.
What Makes the Best Biryani in Mumbai Worth Trying?
Mumbai does not have just one dominant biryani style. The city’s food scene brings together Mughlai influences, regional Indian preparations and local interpretations of biryani.
Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar serves chicken, chicken tikka and other biryani options across multiple Mumbai outlets. Persian Darbar also has several locations across the city, with biryani alongside its wider North Indian and Mughlai menu.
Shalimar’s menu includes traditional chicken dum biryani, chicken tikka biryani and mutton biryani, while its Mumbai outlets span areas such as Byculla, Marol and Jogeshwari West.
The choice also depends on what you want to eat. Chicken biryani works for a classic single-serving order, mutton is suited to a richer meal, and chicken tikka, prawns and vegetarian versions give you alternatives to the standard preparation.
Detailed Review of the 5 Best Biryani Places in Mumbai
These five restaurants cover different parts of Mumbai and offer biryani styles ranging from traditional dum preparations to distinctive regional rice dishes.
| Restaurant | Biryani style | What to order | Location |
| Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar | Mughlai-style biryani | Chicken Biryani | Mohammad Ali Road, Mahim, Chowpatty and other Mumbai locations |
| Persian Darbar | Mughlai biryani | Chicken Biryani | Sakinaka, Bandra, BKC and other Mumbai locations |
| Shalimar | Dum biryani | Chicken Biryani | Byculla, Marol, Jogeshwari West and other Mumbai locations |
| Noor Mohammadi | Mughlai-style biryani | Chicken Biryani | Mohammad Ali Road and South Mumbai |
| Britannia & Co. | Parsi-style rice dishes | Berry Pulao | Ballard Estate |
1. Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar in Mohammad Ali Road
- Rating: 4.1
- Best for: Mughlai-style biryani
- Location: Mohammad Ali Road, Mahim, Chowpatty and other Mumbai locations
- What to order: Chicken Biryani
Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar has a substantial biryani menu built around basmati rice and Mughlai-style flavours. Its Mohammad Ali Road outlet lists Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tikka Biryani and other rice preparations.
The Chicken Biryani is available in half and full portions, while Chicken Tikka Biryani adds marinated tikka pieces to the rice. This makes the menu useful for both a straightforward biryani meal and a more substantial order.
Other outlets include:
- Mahim
- Chowpatty
- Chembur
- Jogeshwari West
2. Persian Darbar in Sakinaka
- Rating: 4.3
- Best for: Mughlai biryani
- Location: Sakinaka, Bandra, BKC and other Mumbai locations
- What to order: Chicken Biryani
Persian Darbar is spread across several Mumbai locations and has biryani alongside its broader North Indian and Mughlai menu. Current Swiggy listings include outlets in Sakinaka, Bandra West and Bandra Kurla Complex.
Its menu also includes vegetarian biryani and paneer tikka biryani, so there are options beyond the usual chicken and mutton preparations. The wider menu of kebabs and Mughlai dishes also makes it suitable for group orders.
Other outlets include:
- Bandra West
- Bandra Kurla Complex
- Andheri West
- Bandra
3. Shalimar in Byculla
- Rating: 4.4
- Best for: Chicken dum biryani
- Location: Byculla, Marol, Jogeshwari West and other Mumbai locations
- What to order: Chicken Biryani
Shalimar’s Mumbai menu includes traditional chicken dum biryani, with the Byculla outlet listing it as a bestseller. The dish is described as a mildly spiced preparation finished with fried onions.
The menu also has Chicken Tikka Biryani, where marinated boneless tikka pieces are combined with biryani rice, along with vegetarian biryani. This gives you a choice between a traditional dum preparation and a tikka-based version.
Other outlets include:
- Marol
- Jogeshwari West
- Kurla
- Vashi
4. Noor Mohammadi in Mohammad Ali Road
- Rating: 4.3
- Best for: South Mumbai-style Mughlai food
- Location: Mohammad Ali Road and other South Mumbai locations
- What to order: Chicken Biryani
Noor Mohammadi is located in the Mohammad Ali Road food district, an area known for its concentration of Mughlai and non-vegetarian restaurants. Its menu includes biryani alongside kebabs, curries and other rice-based dishes.
Chicken biryani is a straightforward choice if you want a traditional meat-and-rice meal. The broader menu also makes it easy to add kebabs or curries when ordering for more than one person.
5. Britannia & Co. in Ballard Estate
- Rating: 4.4
- Best for: Parsi-style rice dishes
- Location: Ballard Estate
- What to order: Berry Pulao
Britannia & Co. offers something different from the Mughlai-heavy biryani choices elsewhere on this list. The Ballard Estate restaurant is known for Parsi cuisine, with Berry Pulao being one of its distinctive rice dishes.
Berry Pulao is not a traditional biryani, but it is worth considering when exploring Mumbai’s broader rice-based food culture. The combination of fragrant rice, berries and meat gives it a profile that differs from dum or Mughlai biryani.
What Are the Major Types of Biryani and How Do They Taste?
Biryani differs by region, rice variety, cooking method and spice mix. Mumbai’s restaurant scene makes it possible to compare Mughlai and dum preparations with biryanis from other parts of India.
| Biryani type | Region | Key characteristics | Typical taste |
| Bombay-style | Mumbai | Rice, meat, spices and regional influences | Aromatic and moderately spiced |
| Hyderabadi | Hyderabad | Basmati rice, marinated meat and dum cooking | Rich and spice-forward |
| Lucknowi | Lucknow | Yakhni, fragrant spices and layered rice | Mild and aromatic |
| Kolkata | Kolkata | Potato, egg and Awadhi influence | Mild, fragrant and slightly sweet |
| Malabar | Kerala | Short-grain rice, ghee, nuts and raisins | Rich and mildly spiced |
Bombay-Style Biryani
Mumbai’s biryani traditions include influences from the city’s Muslim and wider Indian food cultures. The exact preparation varies between restaurants, so the rice, meat and spice balance can differ considerably.
Hyderabadi Biryani
Hyderabadi biryani is associated with basmati rice, marinated meat and dum cooking. It generally has a stronger spice and aroma profile than milder biryani styles.
Lucknowi Biryani
Lucknowi or Awadhi biryani focuses more on delicate aromas. Meat and rice are often cooked separately before being layered, producing a lighter and more fragrant result.
Kolkata Biryani
Kolkata biryani developed from the Awadhi tradition and is recognisable for its potato and egg. It tends to be relatively mild and fragrant.
Malabar Biryani
Malabar biryani commonly uses short-grain aromatic rice and ingredients such as ghee, fried onions, cashews and raisins. Its flavour is rich without being heavily spiced.
Bombay vs Hyderabadi Biryani: What Is the Difference?
The two styles can differ in their rice, spice mix and preparation, although recipes vary from one restaurant to another.
| Feature | Bombay-style | Hyderabadi |
| Region | Mumbai | Hyderabad |
| Rice | Varies by preparation | Usually long-grain basmati |
| Preparation | Varies by restaurant | Commonly dum cooking |
| Flavour | Aromatic and moderately spiced | Rich and spice-forward |
| Common proteins | Chicken, mutton | Chicken, mutton, egg |
If you prefer the richer, more spice-forward profile associated with dum cooking, Hyderabadi biryani is worth exploring. For a Mumbai-specific experience, try the city’s local interpretations or Mughlai-style preparations.
Which Biryani Should You Order Based on Your Preference?
- For Mughlai-style biryani: Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar or Persian Darbar
- For chicken dum biryani: Shalimar
- For chicken biryani: Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar, Persian Darbar or Shalimar
- For chicken tikka biryani: Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar or Shalimar
- For vegetarian biryani: Persian Darbar or Shalimar
- For a Parsi rice dish: Britannia & Co.’s Berry Pulao
Menu availability and serving sizes can vary by outlet and delivery location.
How to Find the Best Biryani Near You in Mumbai?
You can find Best biryani in Mumbai on Swiggy. Here is how to order biryani to your location in a few simple steps on the Swiggy App:
- Open the Swiggy app and enter your delivery location.
- Search for biryani to see restaurants and dishes available nearby.
- Compare menus to choose between Mughlai, dum and other biryani options.
- Select your preferred dish, add it to your cart and review the order.
- Complete the payment and track your order until it arrives.
Best Biryani in Mumbai: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the best biryani in Mumbai?
It depends on the style you prefer. Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar and Persian Darbar are options for Mughlai-style biryani, while Shalimar is a choice for chicken dum biryani.
Where can I find good biryani in Mumbai?
Popular biryani options are available across areas such as Mohammad Ali Road, Byculla, Mahim, Bandra, Sakinaka, Marol and Jogeshwari West. Restaurant availability depends on your delivery location.
What type of biryani is popular in Mumbai?
Mumbai has several biryani traditions and restaurant interpretations, including Mughlai-style, dum and regional Indian preparations. The city does not have to be limited to one style.
What is the difference between biryani and pulao?
Biryani generally involves layered or dum-cooked rice with meat, vegetables or spices, while pulao usually cooks rice and its ingredients together in a simpler preparation. Recipes vary by region.
Can I order biryani online in Mumbai?
Yes. You can search for biryani on Swiggy, compare restaurants and menus available for your delivery location, select a dish and place your order online.
