Telangana Culinary Heritage Walk Explores Hyderabad’s Food Culture And Iconic Eateries: Here’s What You Need To Know!

Published on November 23, 2025

The first Telangana Culinary Heritage Walk was recently announced by Telangana Tourism and The Culinary Lounge together, as a celebration of World Heritage Week and the event was held on Saturday. It promises to be an exhilarating experience for the visitors and is a new event adding to the already rich culinary and cultural heritage of the state, making it a two-and-a-half-hour trip through the Old City of Hyderabad for the food lovers.

The walk is an immersive exploration of Hyderabad’s culinary culture, showcasing the vibrant food traditions that have been passed down through generations. It takes participants through the city’s historic landmarks, iconic eateries, and lesser-known food spots, offering a deeper understanding of the region’s gastronomic heritage. The guided walk offers an experience that brings the rich flavours, fascinating stories, and cultural significance of Hyderabad’s food culture to life.

A Unique Exploration of Hyderabad’s Culinary Past

The walk started at 6 a.m. from the well-known Hotel Nayaab, where the group was welcomed with traditional chai and lukmi, a local snack. From there, participants were introduced to the city’s famous paya and nahari traditions, often considered soul food by locals. As the group made their way through the Old City, the walk provided an insider’s view of the various influences that have shaped Hyderabad’s food culture over the centuries.

One stop on the walk included a visit to a popular jalebi and kachori stall, located just across from the Telangana High Court. This spot is significant for its North Indian morning snack traditions, which were brought to Hyderabad by migrant communities. These food experiences, organisers shared, reflect the city’s multicultural heritage and migration stories that have influenced its culinary traditions.

Culinary Heritage and Conversations

As the walk continued, more culinary stories were shared, touching on the diverse communities and practices that have contributed to Hyderabad’s food culture. Managing Director of Telangana Tourism Development, Valluru Kranthi, emphasised that this walk aimed to highlight the historical food traditions of the Deccan region and foster a deeper connection with the city’s culinary diversity. She added that the Telangana Culinary Heritage Walk was designed to allow participants to engage with Hyderabad’s food traditions through authentic, story-based exploration.

The walk concluded at the beautifully restored Sardar Mahal, where Café Niloufer’s founder, Babu Rao, led an engaging discussion on the Irani chai heritage. Participants were invited to savour Osmania biscuits and explore the history of Hyderabad’s iconic chai culture. These stories, along with freshly served idli, upma, chai, coffee, and bun maska, illustrated the evolution of Hyderabad’s food scene, which blends elements from both local and migrant traditions.

Promoting Culinary Tourism and Local Entrepreneurship

Organisers highlighted that the walk was intentionally limited to just 10 participants to ensure that conversations could remain personal and authentic. This intimate group size allowed each participant to experience the walk in a more meaningful way, as they explored the city’s historic food traditions and engaged with culinary experts who shared their knowledge of Hyderabad’s evolving food culture. More than 20 culinary stories were shared, showcasing the city’s migration-based traditions and the community-driven evolution of food practices.

Looking ahead, Telangana Tourism announced that this walk would be just the first in a series of culinary experiences to be launched under the Telangana Culinary Experiential Accelerator. This initiative aims to provide both locals and tourists with more opportunities to explore the state’s rich culinary heritage through curated walking tours, events, and hands-on experiences.

Additionally, the state’s newly introduced Telangana Culinary Accelerator has been designed to support entrepreneurs, particularly women and rural participants, in promoting Telangana’s diverse and unique cuisine. By offering practical support and resources to local culinary businesses, the accelerator hopes to boost the state’s tourism industry and create sustainable economic opportunities for those involved in food production and hospitality.

Future of Culinary Tourism in Telangana

The Telangana Culinary Heritage Walk is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting and culturally enriching tourism initiative for the state. Telangana Tourism’s ongoing efforts to promote the region’s culinary history are paving the way for future tourism experiences that celebrate the food, culture, and heritage of the Deccan. The walk has already garnered praise for its ability to showcase the depth and diversity of Hyderabad’s food traditions, providing both tourists and locals a unique perspective on the city’s history.

As Hyderabad continues to grow as a culinary destination, initiatives like these will contribute to its reputation as a vibrant food capital. Visitors will have the chance to not only taste the flavours of the city but also understand the rich stories behind each dish, making their experience far more immersive. Telangana Tourism’s innovative approach to showcasing food as an essential part of cultural heritage is certain to attract food lovers, history buffs, and travellers looking for a deeper, more personal connection to the region’s culinary past.

Bottom Line

To sum up, the Telangana Culinary Heritage Walk is an excellent illustration of the state’s fusion of culture, food, and history for the purpose of making unique tourism experiences. Besides showcasing Hyderabadi’s famous restaurants and food culture, it also backs local enterprises, thus being a significant factor in bringing up Telangana’s culinary tourism.