Best Briyani in Singapore: 15 Best Spots (2026)
Biryani (locally spelled briyani) is one of Singapore's most beloved rice dishes, brought over by the Indian-Muslim, South Indian and Malay communities and available everywhere from decades-old hawker stalls to Michelin-recognised institutions. The scene clusters around Little India (Tekka Centre, Race Course Road), the Indian-Muslim eateries along North Bridge Road in Kampong Glam, and pockets across the heartlands, with styles ranging from South Indian dum briyani to Hyderabadi dum and Malay-influenced nasi briyani. Prices are famously accessible, with many plates under $8, though a new wave of restaurants now serves premium wagyu and lamb-shank versions.
Last verified: September 2026. Hours and prices can change — we re-check our guides regularly, but do confirm before a special trip.
The list
Bismillah Biryani Indian-Muslim / Dum biryani · $$
A multi-year Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee (2024 and 2025) famous for fragrant, slow-cooked dum biryani at hawker-level prices; walk-in only, and it can sell out.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim / Dum biryani
- Price: $$ · Sets from around $7.50; grilled fish biryani around $15
- Must-try: Chicken Dum Biryani, Mutton Dum Biryani, Grilled Fish Biryani
- Where: 50 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209379
- Area: Little India
- Nearest MRT: Rochor
- Hours: Daily 11:30am–8:30pm
- Halal: Muslim-owned
Allauddin's Biryani Indian-Muslim / South Indian biryani · $
A Tekka Centre institution serving Michelin Plate–recognised briyani built on good basmati rice with cashews, and a go-to for an affordable Little India plate.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim / South Indian biryani
- Price: $ · Chicken briyani set around $7; sides from about $1.50
- Must-try: Chicken Briyani Set, Mutton Briyani
- Where: 665 Buffalo Road, #01-232, Tekka Centre, Singapore 210665
- Area: Little India
- Nearest MRT: Little India
- Hours: Daily, roughly 8am–8pm
- Halal: Muslim-owned
Islamic Restaurant Indian-Muslim · $$
Operating since 1921, this air-conditioned heritage restaurant is one of Singapore's oldest biryani names, known for its buttery mutton briyani.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim
- Price: $$ · Mutton/fish briyani around $10–$12
- Must-try: Nasi Briyani Kambing (mutton), Fish Briyani
- Where: 745 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198713
- Area: Kampong Glam
- Nearest MRT: Bugis
- Hours: Daily, roughly 10am–9:30pm (shorter Friday afternoon break)
- Halal: Halal-certified
Bismi Biryani Indian-Muslim / Middle Eastern · $$
A Yishun hawker stall famous for its enormous sharing biryani platters and Middle Eastern-style kabsa rice, popular for groups.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim / Middle Eastern
- Price: $$ · Combo Platter Dulang around $30 (for sharing)
- Must-try: XXL Combo Platter Dulang, Grilled Chicken Kabsa
- Where: 55 Yishun Avenue 11, #01-05, Yishun Park Hawker Centre, Singapore 768867
- Area: Yishun
- Nearest MRT: Khatib
- Hours: Tue, Thu–Sun 9am–6pm
- Halal: Halal-certified
Cilantro: The Biryani Club North Indian / Hyderabadi dum biryani · $$$
A modern Joo Chiat spot serving premium dum biryani with wagyu and lamb, praised for top-tier aromatic rice (Eatbook 8/10).
- Cuisine: North Indian / Hyderabadi dum biryani
- Price: $$$ · Mains from around $21; premium cuts up to $128+
- Must-try: Hyderabad Dum Lamb Biryani, Wagyu Brisket Biryani
- Where: 102 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427396
- Area: Joo Chiat
- Nearest MRT: Eunos
- Hours: Tue–Sun 11am–10pm
- Halal: Muslim-owned
Zam Zam Restaurant Indian-Muslim · $
A landmark eatery opposite Sultan Mosque, better known for murtabak but also a reliable, wallet-friendly plate of briyani with long opening hours.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim
- Price: $ · Briyani around $6.50–$12
- Must-try: Mutton Briyani, Beef Briyani, Murtabak
- Where: 697–699 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198675
- Area: Kampong Glam
- Nearest MRT: Bugis
- Hours: Daily 7am–11pm
- Halal: Halal-certified
Ali Nachia Briyani Dum Indian-Muslim / Dum biryani · $
A CBD lunch favourite serving dum-style briyani; arrive early as it caters to the office crowd and can run out.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim / Dum biryani
- Price: $ · Chicken around $7, mutton around $8
- Must-try: Mutton Briyani, Chicken Briyani
- Where: 9 Hoe Chiang Road, Singapore 089314
- Area: Tanjong Pagar
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar
- Hours: Mon–Sat 11am–4pm
- Halal: Halal-certified
Sakunthala's Food Palace South Indian · $$
An air-conditioned Race Course Road stalwart whose mutton briyani comes with prized bone marrow; a comfortable sit-down option in Little India.
- Cuisine: South Indian
- Price: $$ · Mutton briyani around $11
- Must-try: Mutton Briyani with bone marrow
- Where: 66 Race Course Road, Singapore 218570
- Area: Little India
- Nearest MRT: Little India
- Hours: Daily, roughly 11am–10:30pm
The Banana Leaf Apolo South Indian · $$
A long-running Race Course Road restaurant best known for fish head curry, serving banana-leaf briyani with crisp papadums in a full-service setting.
- Cuisine: South Indian
- Price: $$ · Briyani around $12
- Must-try: Nasi Briyani on banana leaf
- Where: 54 Race Course Road, Singapore 218564
- Area: Little India
- Nearest MRT: Little India
- Hours: Daily, roughly 10:30am–10:30pm
Mr Biryani Hyderabadi · $$
A specialist for Hyderabadi-style dum biryani in Little India, cooked sealed-pot for that layered, spiced fragrance.
- Cuisine: Hyderabadi
- Price: $$ · Hyderabad chicken dum biryani around $13.90
- Must-try: Hyderabad Chicken Dhum Biryani
- Where: 11 Chander Road, Singapore 219529
- Area: Little India
- Nearest MRT: Farrer Park
- Halal: Halal-certified
Al-Tasneem Indian-Muslim · $$
A North Bridge Road eatery known for a generous lamb-shank briyani, with late hours that suit a supper-time craving.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim
- Price: $$ · Lamb shank briyani around $20.50
- Must-try: Lamb Shank Briyani
- Where: 709 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198681
- Area: Kampong Glam
- Nearest MRT: Bugis
- Hours: Daily, roughly 8am–12am
- Halal: Halal-certified
Cafe Mariam Indian-Muslim / Middle Eastern · $
A small eastside spot offering affordable chicken briyani alongside Middle Eastern-style mandi; limited hours, so check before heading down.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim / Middle Eastern
- Price: $ · Chicken briyani around $6.50; mutton mandi around $7
- Must-try: Chicken Briyani, Mutton Mandi
- Where: 116 Changi Road, #01-02, Singapore 419718
- Area: Geylang / Eunos
- Nearest MRT: Eunos
- Hours: Tue–Wed 11am–3pm, Fri–Sun 11am–2pm
- Halal: Halal-certified
Koothurar Nasi Briyani Indian-Muslim · $
A no-frills Beach Road stall doing a solid, affordable mutton nasi briyani for the lunch crowd.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim
- Price: $ · Mutton nasi briyani around $7
- Must-try: Mutton Nasi Briyani
- Where: 17 Beach Road, #01-4705, Singapore 190017
- Area: Beach Road
- Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway
- Hours: Wed–Mon 11am–4pm
- Halal: Muslim-owned
Paradise Biryani SG Hyderabadi · $$
A northern outpost serving a novelty bamboo-cooked chicken biryani, useful if you want Hyderabadi-style biryani up in Sembawang.
- Cuisine: Hyderabadi
- Price: $$ · Bamboo chicken biryani around $13.90
- Must-try: Bamboo Chicken Biryani
- Where: 369 Sembawang Road, #01-07, Singapore 758382
- Area: Sembawang
- Nearest MRT: Sembawang
- Hours: Daily, roughly 10am–10pm (later on weekends)
- Halal: Halal-certified
Sabeen Sara Prata And Briyani Stall Indian-Muslim · $
One of the cheapest plates on this list, this Telok Blangah morning stall is a value pick for an early briyani fix.
- Cuisine: Indian-Muslim
- Price: $ · Chicken briyani around $5–$5.50
- Must-try: Chicken Briyani
- Where: 79 Telok Blangah Drive, #01-07, Telok Blangah Food Centre, Singapore 100079
- Area: Telok Blangah
- Nearest MRT: Telok Blangah
- Hours: Daily 6:30am–1pm
- Halal: Muslim-owned
At a glance: compare every spot
| Spot | Cuisine | Price | Area | Halal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismillah Biryani | Indian-Muslim / Dum biryani | $$ | Little India | Muslim-owned |
| Allauddin's Biryani | Indian-Muslim / South Indian biryani | $ | Little India | Muslim-owned |
| Islamic Restaurant | Indian-Muslim | $$ | Kampong Glam | Halal-certified |
| Bismi Biryani | Indian-Muslim / Middle Eastern | $$ | Yishun | Halal-certified |
| Cilantro: The Biryani Club | North Indian / Hyderabadi dum biryani | $$$ | Joo Chiat | Muslim-owned |
| Zam Zam Restaurant | Indian-Muslim | $ | Kampong Glam | Halal-certified |
| Ali Nachia Briyani Dum | Indian-Muslim / Dum biryani | $ | Tanjong Pagar | Halal-certified |
| Sakunthala's Food Palace | South Indian | $$ | Little India | — |
| The Banana Leaf Apolo | South Indian | $$ | Little India | — |
| Mr Biryani | Hyderabadi | $$ | Little India | Halal-certified |
| Al-Tasneem | Indian-Muslim | $$ | Kampong Glam | Halal-certified |
| Cafe Mariam | Indian-Muslim / Middle Eastern | $ | Geylang / Eunos | Halal-certified |
| Koothurar Nasi Briyani | Indian-Muslim | $ | Beach Road | Muslim-owned |
| Paradise Biryani SG | Hyderabadi | $$ | Sembawang | Halal-certified |
| Sabeen Sara Prata And Briyani Stall | Indian-Muslim | $ | Telok Blangah | Muslim-owned |
Your questions answered
What makes a good biryani in Singapore?
Look for long-grain basmati rice that stays fluffy and separate rather than clumpy, meat that is tender and well-spiced, and the tell-tale aroma of a proper 'dum' (sealed-pot) cooking method. A good briyani is fragrant with whole spices, comes with a decent portion of meat, and is usually served with a curry, dalcha or acar on the side.
How much does biryani cost in Singapore?
Hawker and stall plates typically run about $5–$8, while sit-down restaurants charge roughly $10–$20 for premium mutton, fish or lamb-shank versions. A newer wave of restaurants serves premium wagyu or tomahawk biryani that can cost $30 to well over $100 for sharing cuts.
Is biryani in Singapore halal?
Many biryani spots are Indian-Muslim eateries that are either halal-certified or Muslim-owned, but not all are certified, and some South Indian restaurants serve alcohol or are not halal at all. Always confirm the current halal status directly with the venue or check for a valued MUIS certificate before you go, as certification can change.
Where are the best areas for biryani in Singapore?
Little India is the heartland, with Tekka Centre and Race Course Road packed with options, while the Indian-Muslim eateries along North Bridge Road in Kampong Glam are another classic cluster. Great biryani is also scattered across the heartlands, from Yishun and Sembawang in the north to Joo Chiat and Changi in the east.
Do I need to book or queue for biryani in Singapore?
Most hawker stalls and casual eateries are walk-in only and do not take reservations, so popular spots like Bismillah Biryani can involve a queue and may sell out later in the day. For the best chance, go early for lunch; sit-down restaurants are easier, but it is worth calling ahead for large groups or premium biryani orders.