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The 5 Places with the Best Biryani in Calgary for a True Taste of India 

Taste: I tried different places and compared the flavours of the biryani. I looked for well-seasoned rice, tender meat, and a balance of spices.

Authenticity: I checked if the biryani was made with traditional methods and ingredients. 

Reviews: I interviewed other customers who had tried the biryani at the different restaurants I visited.

Ambience: I considered the overall atmosphere of the restaurant, including cleanliness and service.

Have you ever tasted biryani so mushy it almost resembled a bowl of porridge? Or have you had it come out dry as sandpaper?

I have, and everyone knows that when eating Indian food, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than horrible biryani. 

Culinary atrocities like this are what drove me to find the city’s best biryani. I sampled, scrutinised, and sweated (from the spice, of course) through multiple plates and have compiled a list of places that will have you lining up for another serving.

How much does biryani cost in Calgary?

It costs at least 15 CAD to get a serving of biryani in Calgary. However, this cost is just an estimate, and the actual cost depends on the type of meat, portion size and more., 

1. Biryani Adda

biryani-adda-logo

Address: 5075 Falconridge Blvd NE, 

Contact Details: +1 403-285-6000

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday – 1 PM to 9 PM 
  • Friday – 2 PM to 10 PM

Website

Everyone raves about how authentic Biryani Adda is, so I had to try it for myself.

The place was pretty busy when I got there, but the staff was really friendly and helpful. They helped me figure out what to order, and I ended up going with the Sindhi biryani.

From the first bite, I could taste the saffron and cardamom, which gave it a distinct and aromatic flavour. The rice was perfectly cooked, and the gravy was rich with a tinge of sweetness.

Also, it was definitely a generous portion, so I had plenty of leftovers.

The only downside is that the place can get pretty crowded, especially in the evenings. It’s a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation if you’re going with a big group. 

Pros

  • Authentic biryani
  • Distinct saffron and cardamom aroma
  • Perfectly cooked rice 
  • Rich gravy
  • Generous portions
  • Friendly staff

Cons

  • Gets crowded in the evenings

Sindhi and dum Biryani cannot be beat

“This place has the best biryani flavour in generous quantities. I always stop by to grab lunch for the office team when I can. Monday to Thursday special. 2 chicken biryanis are for $16. Sindhi and dum Biryani cannot be beat. The boxes are always filled to the top.  Fair to say I’m a regular here at this point All the biryanis here taste better than what I’ve found in Calgary. BBQ items are delicious and juicy. Beef kabab wraps are a must if you are looking a quick bite for less than $9. Take out is best for this location.”

– Syed Ace, Google Reviews

Biryani Adda has always been my family’s first choice for biryani

“Biryani Adda has always been my family’s first choice for biryani, and for good reason! Their beef biryani and chicken Sindhi biryani are absolutely phenomenal—perfectly spiced, fragrant, and bursting with authentic flavors. Every bite is a delight that keeps us coming back for more.

I always order their biryani to enjoy at home or serve at our family parties, and it’s always a hit! While we often order takeout, they also have a spacious and comfortable dining area if you prefer to eat there. Their excellent service makes the experience even better.

If you’re looking for the ultimate biryani experience, Biryani Adda is the place to be. Highly recommended for all biryani lovers!”

Calgary Guidance Group, Google Reviews

2. Marhaba Restaurant Calgary

marhaba-restaurant-calgary-logo

Address: 55 Westwinds Crescent NE #323

Contact Details: +1 403-475-2202

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Saturday – 12 PM to 10 PM 
  • Sunday – 1 PM to 10 PM 

Website

Marhaba Restaurant is a small, clean place with a chill atmosphere. It’s a great spot to try authentic Hyderabadi biryani. 

I tried their famed chicken biryani, and it lived up to the hype. The chicken was juicy, and the rice was soft but not mushy. It had a nice kick of spice, but not so much that it overpowered the amazing flavours.

Bonus points for the massive portions—you definitely get your money’s worth.

Some people also raved about the Chicken 65 biryani. It’s a different kind of biryani featuring crispy fried chicken and a spicy sauce. 

Many loved it, but they also said the name is a bit misleading because it leans more on the rice side and could use a bit more chicken.

Another standout from their menu is the tender goat biryani, which several diners told me is the best thing on the menu.

The catch? It’s only available Thursday through Saturday. Sadly, I went on a Monday, so I missed out—but it’s at the top of my list for next time!

Pros

  • Chill atmosphere
  • Authentic Hyderabadi biryani
  • Huge portions
  • Delicious chicken biryani 
  • Tender goat biryani 

Cons

  • Chicken 65 biryani has little chicken

Dum Biryani and Chicken Tandoori are a culinary delight 

“Absolutely phenomenal dining experience! The Dum Biryani and Chicken Tandoori are a culinary delight and an absolute must-try for anyone visiting. Beyond the exceptional food, what stood out was the amazing customer service. The staff went above and beyond, making our dining experience truly memorable. Highly recommend! Went here during Iftari and I was truly refreshing to find, fresh flavourful food in a South Asian restaurant again. No other restaurant compares at this point”

– Mutasif, Google Reviews

One large biriyani is good enough for 3-4 people

“My friend recommended this place for their biriyani and it’s worth to try🤩🤩 One large biriyani is good enough for 3-4 people and the price is very cheap compared to other restaurants in Calgary

Highly recommended for their biriyani 🫠”

– Naveen Venkat, Google Reviews

3. Madurai Kitchen

madurai-kitchen-logo

Address: 1440 52 St NE #540

Contact Details: +1 825-205-9539

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday- 11:30 AM to 9 PM 
  • Friday & Saturday – 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM 

Website

Madurai Kitchen is known for its authentic Madurai cuisine, hailing from the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. 

After hearing so much buzz about their biryani, I had to give it a try and went with the Madurai traditional biryani. It had a unique blend of spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, which gave it a really warm and earthy scent. 

The chicken was super tender, almost falling off the bone. Plus, the rice was fluffy, and not mushy at all. 

While the biryani was delicious, the portions were on the smaller side—it left me wanting more.

One other thing—the service wasn’t the best. While the staff weren’t exactly rude, they weren’t very welcoming either. 

Pros

  • Authentic Madurai cuisine
  • Delicious biryani 
  • Unique spice blend
  • Tender chicken and fluffy rice

Cons

  • Smaller portions
  • Service could be friendlier

South Indian home made Biryani taste

“Me and my husband had been to madurai kitchen for dinner last night. Nice ambience # Friendly staff# Welcome drink was unique. We tried goat soup, chicken biryani, goat dosa and goat curry. Taste was really good highly recommend this place for others specially for biryani lovers. South Indian home made Biryani taste. I wanted to try goat biryani as well  but it’s available on weekends. If they could do it on weekdays then probably many won’t miss to try that as well. Will be back again.”

– Pavithra H, Google Reviews

The Biryani combo is a must try

“If you’re missing any part of Madurai in Calgary, this is the place you must go to! They offer a welcome drink of Paanagam that has been scientifically known to boost one’s appetite. No other restaurant in Calgary offers Paanagam and this definitely is their ultimate selling point. Their Kari Virundhu is to die for!! As is any other dish on their menu. The Eral thokku is as authentic as it gets! Spice levels for every dish can be adjusted to appease your taste buds. The Biryani combo is a must try. I don’t think there’s any item on the menu that is unsatisfactory. The ambience is pleasing and the service is exemplary! They have an all-you-can-eat dosas offer on Wednesday that you just can’t miss if you’re a dosa lover like me. We recommend Madurai Kitchen to everyone reading this review. Do try their Kari Virundhu, You will not be disappointed.

Thank me later.”

– Shyam Sunder, Google Reviews

4. Biryani Pot

biryani-pot-logo

Address: 2442 23 Ave NE

Contact Details: +1 403-717-3700

Operating Hours: 

  • Tuesday to Saturday – 12 PM to 10 PM 
  • Sunday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM 

Website

Biryani Pot is the place to go for Hyderabadi biryani cooked using the dum method, a traditional technique that seals the flavours in a pot. 

Since they have different spice levels, it’s definitely a good idea to let them know your preference.

The mutton biryani definitely got me sweating a little. Despite the spice, the flavours were so rich and complex. Plus, the lamb was so tender that it practically melted in my mouth.

Some of the customers that I talked to also love the chicken dum biryani. After trying it myself, it’s easy to tell why it’s their top-selling dish. The chicken was amazingly spiced and full of flavour.

I appreciate that they offer a vegetarian option too, and it wasn’t just a side note—it was just as delicious as the meat options.

One thing to note: Biryani Pot is mainly a takeout place, so they don’t have a lot of seating for dine-in. 

Pros

  • Delicious mutton biryani 
  • Amazingly spiced chicken dum biryani 
  • Offers vegetarian biryani

Cons

  • Limited seating for dine-in

It’s not just looking beautiful, it’s super satisfying

“OMGOSH! So delicious

Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani

I am obsessed with that. This is the second time I ordered this biryani for home delivery. As you can see what I got! It’s not just looking beautiful, it’s super satisfying. I can’t stop eating. They are delivering a large portion of biryani at a very reasonable price. Sure enough, shocked. Like me, you should try it if you love biryani.  You will return several times to enjoy this special biryani.”

– Arooj Sa, Google Reviews

The spices were perfectly balanced

“I had the chicken biryani here and it was delicious. The rice was fluffy and flavourful, and the chicken was tender. The spices were perfectly balanced. The customer service was also great. The staff were friendly, helpful, and made sure I had a good experience. I’ll definitely be coming back☺️”

– S Reddy, Google Reviews

5. Bombay Tiger

bombay-tiger-logo

Address: 126 10 St NW

Contact Details: +1 587-227-6777

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 10 PM 

Website

Bombay Tiger is a pretty popular place offering everything from street food to buffets, but their Andhra Biryani is the real standout. 

They use a special rice called Sree Raga Samba, which is known for its delicate aroma and long grains that hold their shape perfectly during cooking.

The biryani is made using the dum method, sealing all the flavours in. It’s a bit of a process, but it pays off. The result is a fragrant blend of tender, juicy lamb and aromatic rice. 

In the serving I had, the lamb came apart with every bite. The spices—cardamom, cloves, and bay leaf—were so well-balanced, creating a fragrant and flavorful experience. 

However, the Andhra Biryani sells out fast, so you have to get there early. And you’re better off snagging a serving during the week because this place gets packed on the weekends.

Pros

  • Delicious Andhra Biryani 
  • Tender and juicy lamb
  • Well-balanced spices 
  • Offers buffets and street foods

Cons

  • Andhra Biryani sells out fast
  • Can get packed on weekends

Biryani was fluffy and flavorful 

“We throughly enjoyed the experience here. Biryani was fluffy and flavorful and chicken tikka masala was beautifully seasoned and juicy.”

– Jisang Lee, Google Reviews

The biryani I had yesterday was super tasty 

“This is my second day there in a row and the food is great. The biryani I had yesterday was super tasty and I really enjoyed the butter chicken I had today. As someone who really enjoys Indian food, this will be one of my go-to spots. Would love to check out their brunch menu another day, looks like something I haven’t seen in the city yet.”

– Ado Nkema, Google Reviews

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