ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Phone: +91 9100100987
Address: Plot No. 98, Imam Khomeini Road, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,200
Cuisines: Mughlai, Beverages, Afghan
Facilities: Home Delivery, No Alcohol Available, Board Games, Kid Friendly, Indoor Seating, Free Wifi, Disabled Friendly, Pet Friendly
Located in the calm neighborhood of Banjara Hills, Ariana by Safi serves Afghan cuisine. Food plays a very important role in Afghan culture and its cuisine is very subtle in nature. It’s neither too spicy nor pungent; in contrast, it is aromatic and flavorful.
At Ariana, one would get acquainted with a few of the iconic Afghan and Persian dishes including baked items, fast foods, main course items, and desserts.
Ariana by Safi, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad: Decor
A beautiful villa turned into a restaurant, the place has both indoor and outdoor seating. Indoor seating area is spread across two levels, with each room done differently and distinctly with a hint of Afghan flavor. Pendant lighting, bronze chandeliers, interesting wall painting and bookshelves add to the restaurant’s appeal. Their alfresco has a lovely bamboo cane canopy, which is quite mesmerizing. The ambience is quiet, warm and cosy.
Ariana by Safi, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad: Food
The menu is simple — they offer set menus and you can eat unlimited on table buffets. Afghani Dastarkhan (non-veg), is a specially curated unlimited meal with several courses. I began with a refreshing fresh salad and gosht shorba (lamb broth). The salad plays a very important accompaniment on the table, made with farm fresh chopped tomatoes, cucumber, onion, green chillies, coriander and a gentle drizzle of lemon. The lamb broth was very simple and meaty.
Interestingly, the chef explained that no two Afghans prepare the same dish in exactly the same manner. There aren’t exact measurements, every dish is made to suit your individual taste.
From the starters, I tried the chicken jeera (cumin seeds) tikka — well marinated with jeera, the boneless chicken pieces are grilled over charcoal. The mutton kobida is a ground lamb mixed with herbs and spices grilled on skewers over charcoal; it was the star of the day and very succulent and smokey. By the time one has the starters, one would be left with no space for the mains.
Moving on to the mains, they serve mutton rosh, chicken karai, bonjan borani, sabzi palak, turai chana dal, mixed veg curry. They were all impressive.
They offer a very handful of desserts, most of which is regular fare. But if you wish to try something different, go for the Afghani phirni, a humble and light pudding which is delicately flavored.
