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Veg Haleem in Hyderabad has always been a topic of debate, especially during Ramzan. I originally wrote this post in 2018 after noticing that every year, more people start searching for it. While many might argue that haleem without meat isn’t the real deal, as a vegetarian, I was curious to see if an authentic version existed in Hyderabad.
Fast forward to 2025, and I’m updating this post to reflect my latest experiences. Over the years, veg haleem has gained more popularity, with restaurants experimenting to perfect its texture and flavor. In this updated version, I’ll share where you can find it, how it compares to the original, and whether it’s worth trying during Ramzan!
Why is Haleem Special?
When I first moved to the city, I did learn about this amazing – world-famous – dish that is prepared only during the holy month of Ramzan. No prize for guessing: I’m talking about Haleem.
Originally an Arabic dish, it was brought to the Deccan by the Nizams in the 19th century. The Hyderabadi version evolved by incorporating local spices and slow-cooking over several hours to achieve a smooth, paste-like texture.
During Ramzan, haleem became a go-to dish for iftar due to its high protein, fiber, and slow-digesting carbs, making it ideal for fasting. Its popularity surged in the late 20th century when restaurants like Pista House commercialized it, offering packaged versions and nationwide delivery.
Today, Hyderabad’s haleem holds a GI (Geographical Indication) tag, distinguishing it from other variants. The dish is now a symbol of the city’s culinary heritage, attracting food lovers from across India during the holy month.
What’s with Veg Haleem?
Unlike the original haleem, the vegetarian version is made using broken wheat (daliya), lentils, and vegetables like raw jackfruit, soya chunks, or mushrooms to mimic the meaty texture. The absence of slow-cooked meat changes the cooking process significantly, but the end result still delivers the rich, hearty consistency that haleem lovers crave.
Veg Haleem was created to cater to vegetarians who wanted to enjoy this beloved Ramzan delicacy. With Hyderabad being home to a diverse population, many eateries began experimenting with meat-free alternatives, leading to the rise of this dish. Some versions even include cashew paste and ghee to enhance the creaminess and depth of flavor.
The slow-cooking technique remains essential—ingredients are simmered with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, allowing the flavors to meld. While purists may argue that nothing compares to traditional mutton haleem, my meat-loving friends have vouched for certain vegetarian versions that come remarkably close! If you haven’t tried it yet, you might be in for a surprise.
Veg Haleem in Hyderabad during Ramzan
After some research in 2014, I realised that Pista House is famous for Haleem in the city. Today, every eatery has the best Haleem in the city: Shadad, Azeebo, Cafe 777, Sarvi, and Shah Ghouse are some of the famous places for Mutton Haleem in the city.
My first experience with veg Haleem was about 8 years go. I was returning from my office and stopped by the Pista House outlet in Gachibowli. The waiters rush towards me right from the road itself, and I’ve read there are thousands of people coming to the city to fill the gap between waiters and diners during Ramzan.
When I reached the counter, I hesitantly asked for Veg Haleem, half-expecting a laugh or a confused look. To my surprise, the person simply nodded and handed me a plastic container filled with haleem within seconds.
Excited yet slightly skeptical, I examined the packaging—only to notice a big image of a sheep on both the packet and the container. This immediately raised doubts at home. Despite my assurances, my parents refused to try it, unsure if it was truly vegetarian. I, however, decided to give it a shot, curious to see how this meat-free version compared to the real deal.
I came home and opened the box just to see oil and dry fruits. Got some hot roits to go with it. The first bite, well, it was way too greasy and slimy. The taste? Awful. I mean, it barely had any taste. It felt more like dry fruits in a brownish, oily gravy. I was brave enough to try a couple of spoons before I gave it to the watchman to finish it.
Best Veg Haleem in Hyderabad – Aish, The Park
That was the story from 2018; since then, a lot of restaurants and eateries across the city have had their own vegetarian version of Haleem during the festival. However, the one place that I recommend for the best Veg Haleem in Hyderabad has to be Aish at The Park.
The Nizami restaurant at The Park, Somajiguda, serves Jackfruit Haleem that’s available 365 days a year at Aish. Many of my meat-eating friends recommend this quite a bit as well. Every time I’m at Aish, I make sure to try some of it, and every time I drool just looking at it. It looks exactly like Mutton Haleem and has a similar texture due to the Jackfruit, It’s topped with Ghee, Roasted cashew nuts, and fried onions. And it’s the best Veg Haleem in Hyderabad.
Veg Haleem Exists, & It’s Good!
Back in 2018 when I first tasted this vegetarian version of Haleem at Pista House, I swore never to eat this dish again. It was one of the below-average experiences. Pista House is known for their Mutton Haleem, but the veg one wasn’t great.
However, fast forward to 2025, I’ve visited Aish at The Park to eat their Jackfruit Haleem numerous times. It’s the best you can find in the city and trust me you won’t be disappointed at all. It’s slightly on the pricier side, and the quantity served is also too much. I suggest you could take their Thali, where they serve the Jackfruit Haleem.
Now that you’ve read about the Veg Haleem, are you going to try it? Share your experiences in the comments or tweet me at @Atulmaharaj, DM on Instagram or Get In Touch.
