Telangana culinary heritage walk celebrates food, culture, and history
Telangana Tourism, in partnership with The Culinary Lounge, has launched the Telangana Culinary Heritage Walk to mark World Heritage Week. The first edition of this premium experience took place on 22 November 2025 in Hyderabad’s Old City. The walk aimed to explore Telangana’s living food culture through stories, heritage spots, and local delicacies.
A group of ten participants took part in a 2.5-hour guided journey, visiting famous eateries, historic landmarks, and streets rich in culture. The walk was designed for travellers and food lovers who want a deeper understanding of history, people, and traditions through food.
Valluru Kranthi, IAS and Managing Director of Telangana Tourism Development, said that the aim is to promote the culinary heritage of the Deccan and showcase Hyderabad’s rich cultural diversity through food walks. He highlighted that Hyderabad’s food is a blend of many communities and cultures, and should be experienced in an authentic way.
The walk began at 6:00 AM at Hotel Nayaab, known for its traditional paya and nihari, popular Irani dishes rooted in Old City culture. Located close to Charminar, it has long been a gathering spot for workers, traders, and travellers.
Participants then stopped at Jai Hinglaj Maa Snacks Point, where they enjoyed hot jalebi and kachori, while learning about the influence of migrant communities on Hyderabad’s breakfast traditions. They also viewed the Telangana High Court, built in 1919, known for its Indo-Saracenic design and striking red-granite structure.
The group later visited Govind Dosa, famous for its buttery dosas, idlis, and South Indian tiffin favourites, demonstrating the city’s diverse food heritage. At Agrawala Sweets, they tasted puri sabzi, rabdi, kalakand, and lassi, learning about Marwari influences on local sweets.
The walk ended at Sardar Mahal, a restored cultural space built in 1900. Here, Café Niloufer’s founder, Shri Babu Rao, spoke about the history of Irani chai, Osmania biscuits, and how chai culture connects communities.
The Telangana Culinary Heritage Walk focused on real conversations, not staged experiences, offering over 20 culinary stories. Future editions will be announced soon under the Telangana Culinary Experiential Accelerator.
