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The Best Biryanis in Singapore with Spice, Rice, and Everything Nice!
The perfect plate of biryani isn’t just food. It’s history, culture, and labour of spice-infused love with legacies showing in its Hyderabadi, dum, kampong, and other variations.
From its Persian roots, these saffron-kissed plates tell the story of migration and adaptation in Singapore. Today, most of us consider it the perfect comfort meal.
If you’re as biryani-mad as I am, prepare to dive head-first into Singapore’s most flavourful, melt-in-your-mouth rice feasts!
Bismillah Biryani Restaurant
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Address: 2 College Ave West, #01-04 Stephen Riady Centre
Contact: +6588868074
Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 11.30 AM–7.30 PM
- Saturday, 11.30 AM–5 PM
Price: $
Bismillah Biryani Restaurant isn’t just good; it’s Michelin Bib Gourmand good. One bite of its dum biryani showed me why.
The chicken and mutton biryani are packed with flavour, with every grain of rice infused with the deep, aromatic spices of a true, slow-cooked masterpiece. There’s no oily mess or flavour gimmicks here—just pure, fragrant biryani done the right way.
Pro-tip: NUS students can avail of a 10% discount when they dine at Bismillah!
Singapore Zam Zam
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Address: 697-699 N Bridge Road
Contact: +6562986320
Hours: Daily, 9 AM–11 PM
Price: $
Since 1908, Singapore Zam Zam has been dishing out legendary biryani, so that’s more than a century to perfect this dish. I tried its mutton biryani and fell in love with the fall-apart tender meat buried under a mountain of fragrant, spiced rice.
The old-school vibes in Kampong Gelam make every meal feel like a step back in time. If you haven’t sat in those worn-out chairs with a plate of the historic biryani, have you even really eaten in Singapore?
Pro-tip: End your meal with some tasty and refreshing teh tarik which is sweetened just right.
Mr Biryani
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Address: 11 Chander Rd, #01-01
Contact: +6586614273
Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday, 11 AM–9.30 PM
- Thursday to Saturday, 11 AM–10.30 PM
Price: $$
Those who prefer Hyderabadi-style biryani (done with a layered cooking technique and intense spices) can trust Mr Biryani to do it just right. Chef Govinda Rajan’s prowess shines through in his delicious balance of spice, aroma, and signature fluffy basmati.
You can opt for mutton, prawn, or even vegetarian biryani here. I’ve tried all varieties, and each place hits with bold, punchy flavours that don’t hold back.
Pro-tip: For those with moderate appetites, consider sharing a plate of biryani, as it’s generously portioned.
Islamic Restaurant
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Address: 735 N Bridge Road
Contact: +6562987563
Hours: Daily, 10 AM–9.30 PM
Price: $$
Islamic Restaurant has been serving biryani since 1921, and if it’s good enough for royalty, I know it’s the real deal! Its mutton biryani is rich, aromatic, and cooked with the kind of expertise that comes from a century of perfecting the craft.
The rice here is fluffy, the spices are not overpowering, and the meat falls apart with a nudge of my spoon. There are no extra frills needed when biryani is prepared as thoughtfully as this.
Pro-tip: You can walk in without a reservation, but try to get there before or after the lunch hour rush to secure a table.
Allauddin’s Briyani
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Address: 6665 Buffalo Rd, #01-232 & #01-229, Tekka Centre
Contact: +65 8788 9987
Hours: Daily, 8 AM–8 PM
Price: $
Allaudin’s Briyani has shown me that you don’t need fancy plating to eat mind-blowing biryani. It’s just all about bold spices, tender meat, and a heaping plate of aromatic rice.
Tucked inside Tekka Centre, this is where locals queue for no-nonsense, affordable mutton and chicken biryani that hits the spot. The portions are generous, the flavours are unapologetically strong, and you’ll probably need a nap after eating!
Pro-tip: You can ask the owner for extra curry sauce if you want to spice up your meal further.
The Banana Leaf Apolo
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Address: 54 Race Course Road
Contact: +6562938682
Hours: Daily, 10.30 AM–10.30 PM
Price: $
I go to The Banana Leaf Apolo not just for the food (though it’s really good) but for the full experience it offers. For one, the biryani is served on a real banana leaf which adds to the sensory experience. For another, its chicken biryani is a true standout.
I like pairing the biryani with some fish head curry to take my meal to the next level. Plus, the vibe in Little India is loud, lively, and exactly what a good biryani feast should be like.
Pro-tip: Eating with your hands is optional, but it makes everything taste better!
Sakunthala’s
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Address: 151 Dunlop Street
Contact: +6562934431
Hours: Daily, 9.30 AM–10.30 PM
Price: $
Sakunthala’s brings the best of North and South Indian flavours together, with the prawn biryani a sumptuous proof of it. Juicy prawns, perfectly spiced rice, and a fusion of bold flavours make every bite of the biryani here dangerously addictive.
With multiple outlets across Singapore, a good Sakunthala’s biryani fix is never too far away. That’s great news for seafood biryani lovers!
Pro-tip: Each biryani comes with a hard-boiled egg and yoghurt veggies to balance the richness.
Geylang Briyani Stall
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Address: Floor 2 Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre, 1 Geylang Serai, #02-146
Contact: +6591709700
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30 AM–3 PM
Price: $
Geylang Briyani stall is the kind of place where one bite takes you to flavour heaven. No frills here, just a good rice dish done right.
Its traditional nasi biryani is the kind of old-school comfort that keeps regulars like me coming back, whether it’s served with chicken or mutton. I love that it’s hawker-style, affordable, and doesn’t mess around with gimmicky extras.
Pro-tip: Visit before noon to beat the lunch crowd and get the freshest biryani.
Biryani by Hamidah Bi
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Address: Circuit Road Hawker Centre, 79 Circuit Rd, #01-14
Contact: +6587484005
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11.30 AM – 1.30 PM
Price: $
Some may consider Biryani by Hamidah Bi a hidden gem, as it’s tucked inside Circuit Road Hawker Centre. The flavour of its mutton biryani that packs a punch, however, shouldn’t be kept a secret!
The meat is so tender you can cut it with a fork, and the spices hit just right. This old-school, affordable biryani spot is proof you don’t need a fancy setting to enjoy something so flavourful and filling.
Pro-tip: Try it with some dalcha—a rich, spiced lentil and vegetable stew—which packs a surprisingly spicy kick.
Global Mat Soul Kitchen
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Address: Orders via the official Instagram account
Contact: +65 85502408
Hours: By reservation
Price: $$
I never would’ve thought that the humble biryani could be raised to influencer food status until Global Mat Soul Kitchen came along. It isn’t your typical biryani joint where you can walk in because it requires Instagram pre-orders and waiting like a VIP event.
But when that stingray biryani lands in front of you, all smokey, spicy, and ridiculously flavourful, you’ll know what the hype is all about. It’s a cult, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it experience you have to try at least once.
Pro-tip: Send a follow request to access the official IG page, and wait for pre-order announcements.
Old City Biryani
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Address: 32 Norris Road
Contact: +6594469332
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–10.30 PM
Price: $$
Old City Biryani’s chicken dum biryani nails the balance for me. It’s fragrant, well-spiced, and packed with caramelised onion goodness.
The chicken chilli brought the heat, while the crispy, well-seasoned okra fry stole the show. The yoghurt’s slight tang kept things refreshing and cut through the richness.
Pro-tip: Portions are generous here, so small eaters may want to share.
Ambur Star Briyani
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Address: 23 Upper Dickson Road
Contact: +6585007373
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–10.30 PM
Price: $
Ambur Star Biryani gets my favourite rice dish done just right. It’s fragrant, flavourful, and never overpowering. The slow-cooked (dum) method locks in the spices to make every bite a treat.
The mutton here is always tender and best enjoyed with the brinjal gravy, raita, and the addictive sweet bread halwa. Plus, it’s lighter than most biryanis so I leave satisfied, not overstuffed!
Pro-tip: The biryani here comes with two vegetable side dishes that complement the dish.
