Biryani is long grain basmati rice layered and cooked with spices and meat, chicken or vegetables. In a good version the grains stay separate, you can smell saffron, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves, and the meat stays tender. In Baku it often comes with fried onions, mint and a yogurt sauce on the side. A proper plate is filling without feeling heavy, and the heat level is usually moderate. One portion often feeds two people.
At a glance
- Best value: Harbour Tap & Grill, Biryani Chef’s Special – Vegetable (tərəvəz) 14 ₼
- Most choice: Taj Mahal, 4 kinds
- Price range: 14–33.6 ₼ (from 2 menus)
Recommended places
1
Taj Mahal
What to order: Chicken Hyderabadi Biryani 28.8 ₼ · Lamb Hyderabadi Biryani 31.2 ₼ · Fish Hyderabadi Biryani 30 ₼
Hours: 11:00–23:00
2
Harbour Tap & Grill
What to order: Biryani Chef’s Special – Vegetable (tərəvəz) 14 ₼ · Biryani Chef’s Special – Chicken (toyuq) 19 ₼ · Biryani Chef’s Special – Lamb (quzu) 29 ₼
Hours: 12:00–01:00
Frequently asked questions
How is biryani different from plov?
In biryani the rice is cooked in layers with the meat and spices, and Indian spices like saffron and cardamom come through more strongly.
Is biryani very spicy?
It is usually moderate in heat, though many places let you adjust the spice level when you order.
How much is a portion?
Based on menus on Harda, Biryani in Baku costs 14–33.6 AZN (8 menu items at 2 places).