Cafe Niloufer

Cafe Niloufer started in 1978 as a small tea shop beside Niloufer Hospital in Lakdikapul, and took the hospital's name, itself borrowed from Princess Niloufer of the old Hyderabad court. What began as one counter is now the city's most recognisable Irani chai address.

Its story is really the story of A. Babu Rao, who reached Hyderabad in 1975 with no money and nowhere to stay. He swept the floors here, then waited tables, then learned to pull the chai, and in 1993 he bought the place he once cleaned. Under him the Lakdikapul counter began pulling 20,000 cups a day.

That single shop grew into the ABR chain now spread across Hyderabad, but locals still argue the original Lakdikapul chai hits different. Come early, order at the counter, and drink it standing like everyone else.

My order here never changes, chai, a maska bun and osmania biscuits, and honestly they taste best at the Jubilee Hills branch and this main branch. The Hitec City one is a bit on and off on freshness. I'd skip the airport branch at Shamshabad, it's pretty mid across the board and the maska bun there comes out hard instead of smooth. If I want something heavier, the paneer roll is my go-to and it absolutely smacks in Jubilee Hills, as good as it gets. The paneer puff is very good too. Also, they give free water here, same as Rameshwaram, which still feels rare in Hyderabad. One underrated order: the coffee. It is very good, and most people skip it only because everyone comes for the chai.Shiva