Shimla Biryani Kolkata Review (2026): Is It the Best Budget Biryani Spot in the City?

Jul 06, 2026 / North Indian , Biryani

Shimla Biryani Kolkata Review (2026): Is It the Best Budget Biryani Spot in the City?

Discover Shimla Biryani in Kolkata – taste, price, menu, and why it's a must-try biryani spot for food lovers. Authentic flavors & rich aroma!

Kolkata is often called the Biryani Capital of Eastern India, and for good reason. The city has developed its own unique style of biryani, famous for fragrant long-grain rice, subtle spices, tender meat, and the iconic potato that has become an inseparable part of Kolkata biryani. While legendary restaurants like Arsalan, Aminia, Shiraz, and Royal Indian Hotel dominate the premium segment, there is another name that has quietly become a favorite among students, office workers, and budget-conscious food lovers—Shimla Biryani.

Over the years, Shimla Biryani has earned a reputation for serving affordable biryani without compromising too much on taste or quantity. With several outlets spread across Kolkata, it has become one of the city's most accessible biryani chains. But does it really deserve the popularity it enjoys? Is it worth visiting when there are so many biryani options available in Kolkata?

In this detailed review, we'll explore everything about Shimla Biryani—from its food quality and ambience to pricing, service, cleanliness, and overall value for money.

About Shimla Biryani

Shimla Biryani is a Kolkata-based restaurant chain specializing in Mughlai and North Indian cuisine. Since its establishment in 2013, the brand has focused on a simple philosophy:

Serve filling, tasty biryani at prices almost everyone can afford.

Instead of investing heavily in luxury interiors or premium dining experiences, Shimla Biryani concentrates on what matters most to its customers—good food at reasonable prices.

Today, the restaurant operates multiple outlets across Kolkata and continues to attract thousands of customers every day.

Quick Information

Cuisine: Mughlai, North Indian, Biryani
Founded: 2013
Best For: Budget dining, takeaway, quick meals
Average Cost for Two: ₹200–₹400
Dining Style: Casual
Delivery: Available through major food delivery platforms

First Impressions

Walking into a Shimla Biryani outlet, one thing becomes immediately clear—this is not a luxury restaurant.

Instead, the restaurant offers a practical and functional environment where customers can quickly order, eat, and leave.

You'll usually notice:

Bright lighting
Simple furniture
Limited seating
Fast-moving crowd
Busy takeaway counters

During lunch hours and evenings, many outlets remain packed with customers collecting takeaway orders.

If you're expecting elegant décor or a fine dining experience, Shimla Biryani isn't the place for you.

But if your only priority is delicious biryani at a reasonable price, you'll probably feel right at home.

Ambience & Dining Experience

Rating: 3.5/5

The ambience is basic but functional.

Positives

Clean tables
Comfortable enough for short meals
Quick seating turnover
Family-friendly environment

Negatives

Can become crowded during peak hours
Noise levels increase significantly
Limited seating at smaller outlets
Not ideal for celebrations or romantic dinners

Overall, Shimla Biryani focuses more on efficiency than luxury.

Menu Variety

One of Shimla Biryani's biggest strengths is that it doesn't only sell biryani.

The menu includes several Mughlai dishes that pair beautifully together.

Food Review

Now comes the most important part.

How good is the food?

Let's break it down item by item.

Chicken Biryani Review

Rating: 4.3/5

Chicken Biryani remains Shimla Biryani's biggest bestseller.

The rice is long-grained, aromatic, and lightly flavored.

Unlike Hyderabadi biryani, Kolkata biryani is known for its mild spices, and Shimla follows that tradition quite well.

The chicken piece is usually medium to large in size and properly cooked.

The potato, an essential component of Kolkata biryani, is soft and flavorful.

What We Liked

Good quantity
Balanced spices
Pleasant aroma
Soft potato
Filling meal

What Could Improve

Sometimes different outlets show slight variations in spice levels.

Mutton Biryani Review

Rating: 4.5/5

The Mutton Biryani is arguably the better option if your budget allows.

The meat is generally:

Tender
Juicy
Well-marinated
Easy to separate from the bone

The rice absorbs the flavor of the mutton beautifully, creating a richer experience than the chicken version.

Although priced higher, it offers excellent value.

Egg Biryani Review

Rating: 4/5

For students and budget-conscious diners, Egg Biryani remains one of the most affordable options.

You'll get:

Flavorful rice
Boiled egg
Potato
Good quantity

It's simple but satisfying.

Perfect for lunch on a tight budget.

Chicken Chaap Review

Rating: 4.6/5

If there's one side dish that deserves special mention, it's the Chicken Chaap.

The gravy is:

Rich
Creamy
Mildly sweet
Aromatic

The chicken absorbs the spices nicely and pairs wonderfully with biryani.

Many regular customers actually order Chicken Chaap alongside every biryani.

Highly recommended.

Other Side Dishes

Apart from Chaap, you can also try:

Chicken Kebab

Nicely grilled with decent seasoning.

Butter Chicken

Creamy and mildly sweet.

Chicken Curry

A budget-friendly alternative.

These dishes make Shimla Biryani more than just a biryani restaurant.

Taste Comparison with Famous Kolkata Biryani Restaurants

Naturally, people often compare Shimla Biryani with Kolkata's legendary biryani houses.

Here's a balanced comparison:

Restaurant	Taste	Quantity	Price	Value
Arsalan	Excellent	Excellent	Higher	Premium
Aminia	Excellent	Very Good	Higher	Premium
Shiraz	Excellent	Good	Moderate	Very Good
Shimla Biryani	Very Good	Excellent	Budget	Outstanding

Shimla may not reach the depth of flavor offered by premium restaurants, but considering the price difference, it performs impressively well.

Portion Size

One of the strongest reasons behind Shimla Biryani's popularity is its generous serving size.

Even the Chicken Biryani usually contains:

Enough rice for one adult
Large potato
Decent chicken portion

Most customers leave feeling full.

For students and office workers, that's a huge advantage.

Pricing & Value for Money

This is where Shimla Biryani truly shines.

Approximate price range:

Chicken Biryani – Budget-friendly
Egg Biryani – Very affordable
Mutton Biryani – Mid-budget
Chicken Chaap – Reasonably priced

Average cost for two people:

₹200–₹400

Considering the quantity, taste, and quality, Shimla Biryani delivers exceptional value.

It is difficult to find another biryani chain in Kolkata offering a similar combination of affordability and portion size.

Service Quality

Rating: 4.2/5

The staff generally works efficiently.

Ordering is straightforward.

Takeaway orders are usually prepared quickly.

Peak hours may involve a short waiting period, but service remains fairly fast.

Delivery orders are also processed efficiently through food delivery apps.

Cleanliness

Cleanliness varies slightly depending on the outlet.

Generally:

Tables remain clean
Kitchen appears reasonably maintained
Food packaging is good
Staff maintain hygiene standards

Although not luxurious, the restaurants are hygienic enough for casual dining.

Delivery Experience

Many customers actually enjoy Shimla Biryani through online delivery.

Packaging is usually:

Leak-proof
Well-sealed
Neatly packed

The biryani generally arrives warm and maintains its aroma.

Rice rarely becomes soggy during transport.

Best Time to Visit

If you're planning to dine in, these timings work best:

Lunch

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Evening

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Avoid:

Sunday evenings
Festival weekends
Dinner rush (8 PM onwards)

These periods tend to be extremely crowded.

Who Should Visit Shimla Biryani?

Shimla Biryani is perfect for:

Students
Office employees
Budget travelers
Families looking for economical meals
Delivery customers
Biryani lovers wanting good value

It may not be the best option for:

Luxury dining
Romantic dates
Business meetings
Premium food experiences

Pros

✔ Affordable pricing

✔ Large portion sizes

✔ Good taste

✔ Multiple locations

✔ Fast service

✔ Excellent takeaway option

✔ Consistent quality

✔ Great value for money

Cons

✘ Basic ambience

✘ Crowded during peak hours

✘ Slight variation in taste between outlets

✘ Limited parking at some branches

✘ Not a premium dining destination

Customer Experience

Most regular customers appreciate Shimla Biryani for one simple reason:

It consistently delivers satisfying food at affordable prices.

Students often choose it because one plate is filling enough for lunch.

Office workers appreciate the quick service.

Families enjoy the reasonable prices.

Food delivery customers value the reliable packaging.

While it may not create a luxury dining memory, it succeeds in meeting everyday expectations remarkably well.

Is Shimla Biryani Better Than Street Biryani?

In many cases, yes.

Compared to roadside biryani vendors, Shimla Biryani usually offers:

Better hygiene
More consistent taste
Standardized portions
Reliable packaging
Better customer service

Although street vendors may sometimes provide stronger flavors, Shimla offers greater consistency.

Tips Before You Visit

To enjoy the best experience:

Visit before peak meal hours.
Try the Chicken Chaap along with your biryani.
If you're very hungry, choose the Mutton Biryani.
Order online if the nearest outlet is crowded.
Check for combo offers on food delivery apps.

Overall Ratings

Category	Rating
Taste	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.3/5)
Quantity	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Ambience	⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5/5)
Service	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5)
Cleanliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Pricing	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.4/5)

Final Verdict

Shimla Biryani has successfully carved out its place in Kolkata's competitive food scene by offering exactly what many diners want—affordable, filling, and flavorful biryani. While it doesn't aim to compete with the city's iconic premium biryani restaurants in terms of luxury or complexity of flavors, it excels in delivering excellent value for money.

Its Chicken Biryani, Mutton Biryani, and Chicken Chaap remain standout dishes that satisfy both first-time visitors and regular customers. Add to that quick service, multiple convenient locations, and wallet-friendly pricing, and it's easy to understand why Shimla Biryani continues to attract students, office-goers, and families across Kolkata.

If your priority is a delicious meal without spending a fortune, Shimla Biryani is a dependable choice. It may not offer an extravagant dining experience, but it consistently delivers where it matters most—good food, generous portions, and affordability.

Whether you're craving a quick lunch, ordering dinner after a long day, or simply exploring Kolkata's famous biryani culture, Shimla Biryani deserves a spot on your must-try list.