We’ve driven past Biryani Pot a countless number of times. This wee little outlet with its quirky pot-shaped logo resides on Jumeirah Beach Road. 

Hubby is a huge fan of biryani (the much-loved spicy layered pilaf of the Indian subcontinent) and often goes on a biryani binge, trying out the little nooks and crannies of the UAE. He has come to the conclusion that the best biryanis only come from the smallest, most modest of places. Surely one with a jazzy logo sitting on the likes of posh, urban Jumeirah Beach Road will not fit the bill?

I had seen posts of their very innovative quinoa biryani across social media. Intrigued, I decided to drag along my cynical partner and give Biryani Pot a go.

The restaurant itself is very small and compact, yet stylishly done. We lunched on a weekday, yet there seemed to be a constant inflow of customers and hurried staff catering to an impressive mass of delivery requests.

 

Biryani Pot was created to be a takeaway joint, yet the constant influx of diners demanding to dine in has led the founders to look at larger spaces for their upcoming branches.

At Biryani Pot, the menu has options beyond biryani. We started off with a delicious mixed grill platter, fresh out of the traditional tandoor. The platter includes very succulent, well spiced pieces of chicken and lamb seekh kebab, and is served with a tangy sweet tamarind chutney, a very flavorful mint and yogurt dip, and tandoor bread.

 

Biryani Pot also does samosas. These come with the traditional spicy potato filling, as well as a non-vegetarian lamb keema filling. How adorably cute are these mini snack-sized samosas?! A box of these would allow you to sample both versions in one sitting.

 

For those who love chaat, the ever-popular tangy hot and sweet street food that comes in a number of variations, Biryani Pot’s Tamarind & Mint Chaat is a must-try. This little starter features crispy deep-fried potato cubes that have been tossed in masala, and generously drizzled down with tamarind and mint chutney, and yogurt.

 

Biryani Pot has a special liking for quinoa, the superfood that continues to steal the spotlight on Dubai menus. Apart from the restaurant’s much talked about Quinoa Biryani (which I will get to later), I absolutely loved their Masala Quinoa Salad.

The salad has a Mediterranean touch with the addition of feta cheese, black olives and its olive oil and lemon base, yet it is so quintessentially Indian, spiked up with just a hint of aromatic masala. I absolutely devoured this salad.

 

For our mains (surprise, surprise!) we ordered biryani. Living up to the brand name, the ever-popular pilaf is served in traditional earthen pots.

 

If you have been reading this review till here, you must be dying to know how my Quinoa Biryani was. Although I love quinoa, I was rather skeptical on this dish. Quinoa may not always work as the best substitute for rice, but the chefs at Biryani Pot have done a brilliant job with this innovative dish. Who would have thought someone can successfully turn the calorie-laden biryni into a superfood must-try that everyone is talking about?

The traditional flavours of biryani are all intact, yet I have to admit I was missing the protein. The staff tell us they now allow diners to add chicken or lamb upon request. Will have to remember to ask for meat for my next pot!

 

My husband stays clear of anything that sounds far too healthful, and therefore went for Biryani Pot’s Lamb Biryani. You can sniff the saffron as soon as the bread coating on the pot is removed. The lamb has been slow-cooked, and has a divine melt-in-the-mouth texture. Hubby might have had his reservations on where really good, authentic biryani comes from, yet after a spoonful out of this pot, he gave it a big thumbs up!

 

We also tried Biryani Pot’s sinfully delicious Butter Chicken, and absolutely moreish, wholesome Daal Makhani. Funny how the two dishes look so identical, yet taste so very different from one another!

 

Biryani Pot’s Lamb Rogan Josh is another must-try curry dish, especially if you love lamb. The deep, aromatically spiced Kashmiri gravy is served with a generous helping of very soft, succulent lamb pieces.

 

We scooped up the curries with fresh servings of tandoori bread, served right out of the tandoor oven.

 

With such a heavy, gastronomic meal, sparkling water goes best!

 

My little one had Biryani Pot’s Mango Lassi, a blend of fresh mango, yogurt and a pinch of exotic saffron, this drink is one satiating meal on its own.

 

Ending on a sweet note, we had Biryani Pot’s decadently sweet, sticky Gulab Jamuns and fluffy, light clouds of Ras Malai.

 

Would we return to Biryani Pot? Even my cynical husband has become a convert. Biryani Pot has gone to show him that a really good serving of biryani doesn’t necessarily have to come out of a shabby nook. Despite their prime location on Jumeirah Beach Road, the restaurant offerings are very reasonable.

Some people crib about Biryani Pot serving in disposable containers. The restaurant does not plan to change this, as their main premise remains at being a take-away joint. Given the quantities at Biryani Pot are very generously large, this made it so much easier for us to pack up and go!

Biryni Pot’s Jumeirah branch can seat a total of 25 customers (including outdoors), but if you are hard pressed at finding a table, you can always take away, or order in! They also have 3 more locations, see below:

Biryani Pot’s Jumeirah banch is located opposite Saga World on Jumeirah Beach Road (Umm Suqeim 1), Dubai. For more information, call them on 04 3382277.

And please do try their Quinoa Biryani! 🙂