If you are a biryani enthusiast, there are many delicious beef biryanis in NYC. We have listed the places where you can taste the best halal beef biryani in New York City. 

Beef Biryani

Origin of Beef Biryani 

The origin of beef biryani can be traced back to Persia. The name biryani comes from the Persian dish “birinj biriyan,” which literally means fried rice. Then, with the Mughals, Biryani came to India.  

The dish was usually prepared with mutton, then got its beef variation as cows were more available in India. But the taste of Beef Biriyani won millions of hearts, and today it has become an integral part of Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani cuisine. 

Beef Biryani Recipe and Ingredients 

Being a very popular dish across the subcontinent, Beef Biryani has a wide variety of recipes. And the ingredients vary from recipe to recipe. In Al-Aqsa Restaurant Bronx, we use a similar recipe to the famous Hazi Biryani from Dhaka, with a special touch of our own spices and cooking techniques. Here is the Al-Aqsa recipe for the Best Halal Beef Biryani in New York City.  

Ingredients: 

  • Beef: 1 kg, cut into chunks 
  • Basmati rice: 2 cups 
  • Yogurt: 1 cup 
  • Onions: 2 large, thinly sliced 
  • Tomatoes: 2, chopped 
  • Garlic paste: 2 tablespoons 
  • Ginger paste: 1 tablespoon 
  • Green chilies: 4, slit 
  • Mint leaves: 1/2 cup, chopped 
  • Coriander leaves: 1/2 cup, chopped 
  • Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons 
  • Biryani masala: 2 tablespoons (Our special mix of biryani masala) 
  • Saffron: a few strands soaked in warm milk 
  • Ghee or oil: 1/2 cup 
  • Whole spices: bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon stick, star anise 
  • Salt: to taste 
  • Water: as required 

Instructions: 

  1. Marinate the Beef: Combine beef, yogurt, half of the biryani masala, half of the ginger-garlic paste, salt, and lemon juice. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours. 
  1. Cook the Rice: Parboil the basmati rice with some whole spices and salt until it’s about 70% cooked. Drain and set aside. 
  1. Fry the Onions: In a large pot, heat ghee or oil and fry the onions until golden brown. Remove half of the fried onions and set aside for garnishing. 
  1. Cook the Beef: In the same pot, add remaining ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Add the marinated beef and cook until the meat is tender. 
  1. Layering: Once the beef is cooked, layer the parboiled rice over the beef. Sprinkle the fried onions, mint, coriander, and saffron milk over the top. 
  1. Dum Cooking: Cover the pot with a tight lid and cook on low heat for 20-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. 
  1. Serve: Fluff up the rice and serve hot with raita or a side salad. 
Halal Biryani Restaurant

Top 10 Beef Biryani Restaurants NYC 

New York has become a biryani haven with its multi-cultural character. Many Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Persian, and even Central Asian Restaurants serve mouthwatering biryani in the city. But where can I find the best halal Beef Biryani in NYC? Well, there are many options to choose from. We have put together a list of the places that serve the best halal beef biryani in New York City. Let’s dive into the Biryani story.  

1. Al-Aqsa Restaurant, Bronx

Al-Aqsa Restaurant has become one of the most popular Beef Biryani joints in NYC, right in the heart of the Bronx at Starling Ave. The South Asian Restaurant serves the most delicious halal Beef Biriyani and is considered one of the top-rated Beef Biriyanis in New York. This delicate biryani recipe features premium Basmati rice and premium halal beef. Prepared in a perfectly balanced combination of quality spices and pure ghee, it smells like nostalgic Dhaka memories. Al Aqsa Restaurant takes online orders, and bulk orders are also available. Al-Aqsa Restaurant is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.  With over 1K reviews on Google Maps, it’s a customer favorite place for halal food. 

2. Boishakhi Restaurant Astoria

Boishakhi Restaurant Astoria is known to be one of the best beef biriyani restaurants in NYC.In addition to its popular beef biryani, the place has beef curry, chicken curry, goat curry, duck curry, beef shami kebab, and other delicious and traditional Indian foods. Boishaki Restaurant is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. It has moderate pricing for delicious food. 

3. Joy Curry & Tandoor

Joy Curry & Tandoor is a traditional beef biryani restaurant in NYC. It’s a classic place with around 30 years of operation. The beef biriyani is a customer favorite, and the place boasts a pool of loyal customers. In addition to Biryani Joy Curry and Tandoor, they offer chicken over rice, lamb over rice, and other delicious foods. It takes online orders and opens from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., 7 days a week. It has overall positive reviews on all online platforms. 

4. Khalil Biryani

Khalil Biryani is one of the beef biryani restaurants in NYC. The restaurant is a casual counter-service Indian menu restaurant in New York. It takes online orders. In addition to beef biryani, it has Chicken Biryani, Mutton Biryani, samosa, and other foods. The place is open 7 days a week from 8  a.m. to 12 a.m. Khalil Biryani has overall mixed reviews online. 

5. Hyderabadi Zaiqa

Hyderabadi Zaiqa is another traditional biryani restaurant in New York. It has a wide menu of Indian food, including the Hyderabadi Dum biryani. In addition to biryani, it has butter chicken, chicken tikka, egg masala, and other mouthwatering dishes. Hyderabadi Zaiqa has overall mixed reviews. Online orders are available, and the place is a bit expensive. It’s open from 11:30  a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

6. Biryani Cart

Biryani Cart is a small but delicious biryani cart in NYC. In addition to delicious biryani, it offers different kebabs, including Chapli kebab, different curries, including Kashmiri chicken curry, boneless fish curry, and more. The food cart accepts online orders and has an overall mixed review online. Biryani Cart offers delicious food at relatively affordable prices. This cart is open 7 days a week, from 11  a.m. to 12 a.m. 

7. Royal Biryani Pakistani Food

Royal Biryani Pakistani Food is a popular food truck in NYC, offering delicious biryani. The food stall has many delicious food items, including biryani, gyros, Kathi rolls, and more. It has overall positive reviews on Google Business and is open 7 days a week from 10  a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

8. Kokum Grill & Wok

Kokum Grill & Wok is another biryani restaurant in New York. It offers delicious beef biryani, along with many other Indian dishes. The beef biryani has aromatic, long-grained rice cooked with beef and flavored with a special blend of herbs and spices. It has fish amritsari, Chicken Chili, Chicken Spring Rolls, and other food items. It has an overall positive review on Google. It’s open 11 a.m.–11 p.m., 7 days a week. This place takes online orders and food app orders. 

9. Shaheen Restaurant

Shaheen Restaurant is another popular place for biryani in NYC. It’s mainly a Pakistani restaurant, with many items from Indian cuisine. They offer kebabs, paneer tikka masala, vegetable dishes, and more. Despite being popular, the restaurant has received some critical reviews in recent days. It’s open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., 7 days a week. They take online orders. 

10. Premium Sweets & Restaurant

Premium Sweets & Restaurant is another great spot for halal beef biryani in New York City. It has many other Bangladeshi dishes, including Beef Curry, Mutton Curry, and Vorta. Premium Sweets also offers delicious desserts, including Jilapi, Cham Cham, and more. The restaurant has overall mixed reviews on Google. It takes online orders. Premium Sweets and Restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Top 10 Beef Biryani Restaurants NYC Comparison Chart

Restaurant Name  Area  Cuisine  Hours  Reviews  Online Orders 
Al-Aqsa Restaurant  Bronx  South Asian  8 AM – 12 PM  1K+ Positive  Yes 
Boishakhi Restaurant Astoria Astoria  South Asian  10 AM – 11 PM  Mixed  Yes 
Joy Curry & Tandoor 46th St South Asian  11 AM – 9:30 PM  Positive  Yes 
Khalil Biryani Bronx South Asian  8 AM – 12 AM  Mixed  Yes 
Hyderabadi Zaiqa 52nd Street South Asian  11 AM – 12 AM  Mixed  Yes 
Biryani Cart 46th St South Asian  10 AM – 10:30 PM  Mixed  Yes 
Royal Biryani Pakistani Food 44th St South Asian  11 AM – 11 PM  Positive  Yes 
Kokum Grill & Wok Eastchester Rd South Asian  11 AM – 11 PM  Positive  Yes 
Shaheen Restaurant Broadway South Asian  12 PM – 12 AM  Mixed  Yes 
Premium Sweets & Restaurant 73rd St South Asian  24/7  Mixed  Yes 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Which part is best for Beef Biryani? 

Depends on taste! Popular choices are tender beef, flavorful rice, or crispy fried onions on top. 

Is Beef Biryani good for you? 

Beef biryani can be a good source of protein from beef and carbohydrates from rice. Depending on the vegetables included, it might offer some vitamins and minerals.