Royal Indian Hotel Pvt. Ltd.

Royal Indian Hotel Pvt. Ltd. is a renowned establishment in the food industry, particularly in Kolkata, West Bengal. The brand has built an incredible reputation for providing the clients with an opportunity to experience the magnificence of the Awadhi and Mughlai flavours in the region. It has successfully grown from a humble joint of the past known time to a highly recognised venue that remains popular among regulars and tourists.

The first information to consider is associated with Ahmed Hussain, a former wrestler who decided to move from Lucknow to Kolkata. Instead of continuing to wrestle, he found a way to combine his passion for food and his skills as a wrestler. Ahmed opened a small hotel and invited clients to delight in his unique cuisine. It is reported that it was the first attempt to provide the public with an opportunity to taste commercial biryani in Kolkata. Ahmed’s biryani was unique in its flavour due to the slow cooking process, and its reputation quickly grew, attracting clients far beyond the region.

Thus, it was a great opportunity to enjoy the Nawabi hospitality and witness the legacy of the royal taste of Awadh. Following the initial success of Ahmed’s small restaurant, his sons began to expand the network and enhance the quality of services to match the increasing demand. The menu remained the same, with traditional flavours that Hussain family members introduced to the market decades ago. This establishment remains a favorite among clients who love to appreciate the slow-cooked rice and mutton with a unique aroma.

The place has come a long way since 1905. However, its prime selling point is the same devotion to the preparation of traditional biryani, which remains one of the best in the city. Ahmed’s initial endeavour has grown into a renowned brand that continues to be a part of Kolkata’s history. Even today, clients can enjoy the slow-cooked and delectable meal with Nawabi hospitality in the heart of Kolkata.

Originally established as a humble eatery in 1905, this venue was founded by Ahmed Hussain, a wrestler from Lucknow, who migrated to Calcutta. True to the ethos of the sport, Ahmed had a well-developed body, but his real talent was cooking rich dishes of his hometown. Ahmed opened a small eatery in the busy center of the city. The delicious smell of traditional cuisine prepared by the former wrestler invited many locals to try his food. It seems that the place and its cuisine became popular because of its simplicity and coziness. This small establishment survived and flourished in the new environment, offering customers a variety of Mughlai specialties that are appreciated by the locals and guests of the establishment.

While Kolkata-style biryani is globally renowned for its slow-cooked potato (aloo), Royal Indian Hotel is one of the few heritage hotels that do not use a potato in its biryani. The hotel uses a strict original recipe from the Awadh royal kitchens and only uses long-grain basmati rice, structural spices, and tender cuts of meat.

• Royal Lucknow Mutton Biryani: The flagship product of the restaurant, which is prepared using an aromatic ‘dum’ technique.
• Mutton Chaanp: Slow-cooked, succulent mutton chops, cooked in a rich and velvety gravy.
• Mutton Pasinda Kebab: Mutton strips are flattened and marinated in a unique spice mix and then grilled.
• Kesari Firni: A traditional chilled rice pudding made with saffron and served in an earthen ‘bhand’.