Come iftar, the streets of Bengaluru light up with a host of restaurants serving up the most delicious, traditional Ramadan-special delicacies. And the star of the spread is a lentil-and-meat creation that’s both indulgent and nutritious. We round up a list of the best places in Bengaluru that serve up haleem. By Eshita Srinivas
Ramadan brings with it a host of rich, lip-smacking delicacies like patthar ka ghosht, lukhmi, firni, and more. Right at the top of this list is the fortifying, high-protein, and scrumptious haleem. An indispensable part of iftar, the thick stew, traditionally made with mutton, wheat, lentils, spices, and a generous helping of ghee, is believed to provide instant energy to those fasting while also keeping them satiated for a long time.
In Bengaluru, this month spotlights Mosque Road in Frazer Town. A walk down here past sunset is a feast for all the senses, with the sizzle of kebabs and fragrance of biryani permeating the atmosphere. And a popular sight amidst heaped plates here is the haleem. That said, several restaurants around the city offer this delicacy as well. And considering how this labour-intensive dish takes nearly eight hours to make, many families choose to order it. Others opt to head out for a bite. Here’s a roundup of other best places for haleem that locals frequent.
Get a taste of authentic haleem this Ramadan at these spots in Bengaluru
Pista House
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The most popular spot for haleem in the city, Pista House offers thick, creamy haleem with fresh coriander and lemon. The melt-in-the-mouth dish here has all the flavours of the authentic Hyderabadi haleem. Their biryani, tandoor starters, and mutton gravies also come highly recommended. The space is quaint but lights up during Ramzan and is a must-visit.
Address: Pista House Haleem, Gulistan Function Hall, Infantry road, Shivaji Nagar, Bengaluru
Contact: +91 93965 00786
Hotel Fanoos
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An iconic eatery that is believed to have introduced Bengaluru to rolls and kebabs in 1975, Hotel Fanoos is a quaint space with quick bites as well as tandoori and biryani on the menu. Recommended are the paneer, chicken, and egg rolls as well as the mutton kebabs. Ramzan here brings with it a new, special menu. On offer are special sweets like double ka meetha, egg pudding, qubbani ka meetha, muzaffar, and gulab jamun. Also on this menu are a host of quintessential iftar special spring rolls, samosas, and chicken starters. The haleem menu is extensive with options like Alif haleem, chicken and mutton. Be sure to head here early for a bite of the creamy haleem or take it to-go to avoid crowds.
Address: 135, MM Road, Near Mosque, Frazer Town, Bangalore
Contact: +91 97402 92049
Sharief Bhai
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Perhaps the most popular spot for haleem in the city, Sharief Bhai promises authentic flavours, using recipes passed down through generations. Established in 2017, the restaurant’s extensive menu features staples like dal and kofta andae and unique Afghani and Persian-inspired delicacies like nalli nihari and murgh chaap. Most recommended are their mutton kofta, patthar gosht, bheja fry, and matka phirni. The haleem is decadent and topped with nuts and caramelised onions. It comes in two options, Murg (chicken) and Gosht (mutton), both of which are aromatic and delicious.
Address: 96, Cleveland Town, Pulikeshi Nagar, Mosque Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore
Contact: +91 80411 19420
The Deagh
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This popular shawarma spot is a hidden gem. Most people head here for a quick bite. For those who stay for longer, options include biryani, butter chicken, and kebabs, amidst others. During Ramzan, locals are known to travel long distances for their creamy, rich haleem, both chicken and mutton. Expect crowds if you’re here over the weekend.
Address: 69, M.M Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore
Contact: +91 80254 88880
Al Zara Mandi Arabian Restaurant
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A popular spot for Arab food in the city, the menu at Al Zara Mandi Arabian Restaurant includes mandi, kebabs, gravies, and naan. Popular here are mutton soup, biryani, and chicken mandi. This space is also known to serve up haleem throughout the year. However, Ramzan is when most people head here for a bite. Creamy, indulgent, and rich, a drizzle of fresh lemon over their haleem makes all the difference in flavour. The space is also known to be clean and follows COVID-19 protocols.
Address: 137, 1st – 3rd Floor, MM Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore
Contact: +91 80413 42020
Chichabas Taj
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Launched in 1935, this popular restaurant draws people from all parts of the city during Ramadan. Outdoor stalls here dish out delicious seekh kebabs, biryani, and baida roti. The most recommended dishes from their menu include the chops, keema samosa, patthar chicken, nihari, and paya. Haleem steals the thunder. They’ve got a melt-in-the-mouth texture and creamy, rich flavour that leads them to sell out like hotcakes come iftar.
Address: 50, MM Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore
Contact: +91 97401 22667
Charminar Kabab Paradise
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Another popular spot in Frazer Town, Charminar Kabab Paradise offers a range of delicious kebabs, rolls, biryani, and chicken starters. Locals rave about the chicken shawarma as well. The menu has a few options for vegetarians as well, such as the paneer roll and gobi manchurian. Come Ramadan in Bengaluru, the kitchen begins prepping for haleem, which is topped with mint, lemon, and fried onions and is as indulgent as the dish can get. There are a ton of desserts to choose from as well. Head here early to beat the crowds or place an order.
Address: 40, Mosque Complex, MM Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore
Contact: +91 97406 00860
Karama Restaurant
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Another popular spot in Frazer Town, Karama restaurant’s most popular offerings include rolls, nalli nihari, biryani, Karachi naan, dabba gosht, and Karachi chicken curry. The haleem here is rich and aromatic with an extra serving of citrusy lemon for that added tang. Of the Ramzan-special menu here bheja fry, double ka meetha, and tawa shawarma are quite popular. Be sure to head here early to beat the crowds.
Address: 55, Mosque Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore
Contact: +91 80409 47898
Northwest Kabab Curry House
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A restaurant with an extensive regional menu of grills, kebabs, karahis, curries, and more, Northwest Kabab Curry House is a must-visit for Ramadan. The flavours mirror Kashmiri, Pashtun, Middle Eastern, and Punjabi cuisine, and the most recommended are the dahi ke kabab, behari kebab, phirni, dal makhni and butter naan. This Bengaluru restaurant also offers lip-smacking haleem for Ramadan, featuring chicken. Their version is slightly lighter compared to the usual indulgence of haleem.
Address: 99, 2nd Floor, ARD Complex, 5th Cross, Koramangala 6th Block, Bangalore
Contact: +91 80412 01298
Feature and hero image: @priscy.foodphotography/Instagram
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