Ramzan: Haleem, Hyderabadi Biriyani at Old City

In what is a new trend, youngsters from all parts of the city are heading to the Old City to savour not just Haleem but for many other delicacies

The mood has set in and the Old City is all but ready for the holy month of Ramzan when people from all faiths head to the Old City to soak in the atmosphere. This year however, it is not just families but youngsters working in the corporate world who are making plans for a night out beyond the Musi.

Mohit, an executive with Wells Fargo, says, “Eight of us have planned to visit the Old City on Saturday. We wish to reach Madina by 11pm and return by 5am. There is such a variety to choose, from nahari to bhuna ghost, kababs to early morning breakfast.”

Sundar, a resident of Old Alwal, says, “The idea is to hop from one eating joint to another and round it off with morning breakfast with Kichidi and keema.”

People who work for five days a week, plan for outings during weekends. Rohit, a software engineer says, “Satrurdays are ideal as we can return and take rest on a Sunday.”

Omer Siddiqui, Associate Editor of Geospatial Today, a monthly magazine, says, “A group of five friends have planned to visit the Old City after the ‘taraveeh’ prayers, that is after 10pm. The Old City comes alive during Ramzan and one can find the most authentic kababs near Charminar and Chowmahalla Palace.”

Apart from biryani and Haleem, faludas, dahi wada, mutton and onion samosas are savoured.

Most people kick start their tour to the Old City at about 9 pm and finish off with breakfast at Mehdipatnam at 5 am by consuming kichidi and keema. It is followed by Irani chai and Osmania biscuits.

Sarvesh, a resident of Padma Rao Nagar, says, “Food of course is top on the agenda . But the sights and sounds of the Old City is best at night.”