Hyderabad is today one of the top gastronomic destinations, and it has everything from dum biryanis to pot biryanis to shawarmas to chat to faloodas to sweets that are truly Hyderabadi. But there are some restaurants that survive the limitations of time and continue to entice their customers with their simple yet no-nonsense food, which has been served for years.

All you need to do is head to the old city and have chai and Osmania biscuits, and most of these cafes are probably older than you. And a visit to the old city is not complete without having a cup of Irani chai at Nimrah Cafe. The place was started by Aboob Bin Aslam al Katheri in 1993. And beside it stands Farasha Cafe which has delectable food.

That is not all. Hyderabad has some vintage restaurants that make it a foodies paradise.

Famous ice cream (1951)

The place is completely full during the evenings when you have large crowds coming over to taste and enjoy hand-made ice creams from fresh fruit. In 1951, Mohammed Haleem set up Famous Ice Cream at MJ Market, and in no time, it caught the attention of the locals. If you want some asli ice cream, head here.

Gokul Chat

This is a huge favorite for chat lovers, and no trip to Koti is complete without eating at Gokul’s. Premchand Vijayavarg started it, and his family still runs it since the ’70s. It opens at 8.30 am and goes on till 11 pm. But if you want to avoid a mad rush, then go there before 5 pm.

Subhan Bakery

Subhan was established as a home-based business in the 1940s. It has been 74 years, and the bakery is still popular for its puffs, cakes, and rolls. During Muharram, it sells dum ke roat and nut cookies. It is said that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru would insist on having bread for breakfast from this bakery during his visits to Hyderabad.

Hameedi

Hameedi is considered to be the first sweet shop in the city that serves a variety of confectionaries and desserts. It is said Nizam too tasted sweets from this place. The place is known for Jouzi halwa, Saffron ashrafi, badam ki jali, motichur ke ladoo, chandi ke ashrafi, puran poli, pure ghee balusha, khowa puri, and Halwa Sohan Tikki. The place was established in 1913.

Hotel Shadab

The restaurant opened in 1953 and offers Mughlai-Persian food, and whether you love biryani or chai, it is a must-visit in the old city. You will get to taste Asli Hyderabadi biryani here.