Top 20 Famous Sweets in Hyderabad You Must Try in 2026

Hyderabad is a city of Nawabs where people are dieheart lovers of sweet dishes. The city offers a rich variety of desserts that you cannot get from anywhere else. There are many sweets that you probably have never tried. 

01. Khubani ka Meetha

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This sweet dish is very popular in telangana that is prepared from dried apricoats, rich quantity of desi ghee, almonds and gulab jal. Once you taste, you cannot forget the amazing aroma and the taste of Khubani.

• Best place to try: Pista House near Charminar (also has outlets across the city) and Paradise Restaurant on Sarojini Devi Road are both known for a proper version of this dish.
• Price: Around INR 100 to INR 200 for a single serving.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Served at Hyderabadi weddings, Eid feasts and other festive occasions, usually as the closing dish after a heavy meal.
• Texture and taste: A thick, jammy compote of stewed apricots with a sweet and slightly tangy flavour. It's usually topped with malai or a scoop of ice cream, which melts into the warm apricot and softens the whole thing.

02. Shahi Tukda

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Also named as Double ka Meetha, Shahi Tukda is a special dessert prepared with fried bread soaked in milk. People are just crazy about the taste of Shahi Tukda. You must try this Nizam style dessert. While indulging in Hyderabad's royal cuisine, don't miss the opportunity to explore the city's iconic forts, palaces, museums, and other fascinating places to visit in Hyderabad that reflect its glorious Nizami heritage.

• Best place to try: Pista House and Tosh E Daan in Khajaguda are popular for generous, rabdi soaked plates.
• Price: Roughly INR 100 to INR 150 a plate.
• When it's traditionally eaten: A regular at Ramadan iftar spreads, though it's served all year at most Hyderabadi restaurants.
• Texture and taste: Fried bread with crisp edges and a soft, custardy centre, finished with a drizzle of thick, nutty rabdi. Sweet and rich, best eaten while still warm.

03. Jauzi Halwa

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Jauzi Halwa is one of the most luscious sweet dishes from Hyderabad. The iconic taste of Jauzi Halwa has taken over the country and you should not miss the taste of this delicious sweet while having a tour to Hyderabad.

• Best place to try: Meethe Miya, a dedicated Hyderabadi sweet shop, sells it by the plate or by weight.
• Price: Around INR 300 to INR 400 per half kilo.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Mostly served during Ramadan evenings, though many shops keep it available through the year now.
• Texture and taste: Made from milk solids and walnuts, it sits somewhere between a barfi and a halwa. Dense and slightly grainy, with a rich, nutty sweetness that means a small piece is usually enough.

04. Firni

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It has a light taste prepared with milk pudding with some special flavor. Firni is a very easy to make dessert that is taken after a heavy meal to suit the taste buds. You can also add rose water to enhance the flavor and aroma.

• Best place to try: Most biryani houses and sweet shops across the city serve their own version, so it's easy to find without seeking out one specific place.
• Price: Roughly INR 40 to INR 80 a bowl.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Served after meals, especially during Eid and other family celebrations.
• Texture and taste: Smoother and thinner than kheer, made with coarsely ground rice. A few drops of rose water or kewra add a mild floral aroma without overpowering the milk.

05. Shahjahani Mitha

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If you are visiting Hyderabad city then don’t miss Shahjahani Mitha-a special dessert of Hyderabad that is prepared with fresh tomatoes. This unique halwa will offer you a superb taste in its every bite.

• Best place to try: This one is more of a home kitchen specialty in old Hyderabadi households than a shop item, so it's worth asking at smaller Old City sweet counters near Charminar rather than the big chains.
• Price: Varies by shop, generally in line with other halwas sold by weight.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Made on festive occasions in Hyderabadi Muslim households.
• Texture and taste: Soft and jam like, similar to a fruit halwa. The natural tang of the tomato balances the heavy ghee and sugar, which is what surprises most first time tasters.

06. Mauz Ka Meetha

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Popularly named as “banana sweet’, Mauz ka Meetha is another dessert that can steal your heart. If you are craving for a dessert then this is the right sweet that you can have to satisfy your tounge.

• Best place to try: Typically made at home for festive occasions, and available in small quantities at some old city sweet shops rather than being a headline item anywhere.
• Price: Usually priced by weight, similar to other halwas.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Prepared for festivals and family gatherings.
• Texture and taste: Soft and almost pudding like. The banana's natural sweetness means it needs less added sugar than most halwas on this list, so it feels rich without being too heavy.

07. Badam Ki Jaali

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Basically, Badam Ki Jaali is almond cookies that are a special crown of Hyderabadi sweet dish. You can get this dessert from anywhere in the city that is another addition of Nizami delicacy. Many of these traditional sweets are available in the city's bustling bazaars, making shopping in Hyderabad an equally rewarding experience for anyone looking to take home authentic local delicacies and souvenirs.

• Best place to try: Karachi Bakery and Almond House both stock almond based sweets like this.
• Price: Roughly INR 500 to INR 700 per kilo.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Often boxed and gifted during Eid, though it's sold year round.
• Texture and taste: Crisp and short, almost shortbread like, with a strong roasted almond flavour in every bite.

08. Ariselu

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This sweet dish is specially prepared on the occasion of Makar Sakranti and is prepared from rice flour and jaggery. It looks like a poori and also named as kajjaay in Kannada.

• Best place to try: Almond House stocks Ariselu, sometimes listed as Adhirasam, both seasonally and through the year.
• Price: Around INR 400 to INR 500 per kilo.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Made especially for Makar Sankranti, a major harvest festival in Telangana.
• Texture and taste: Chewy on the inside with a slightly crisp, sesame studded exterior. It's dense, so one piece usually feels like plenty.

09. Nankhatai

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Who doesn’t love Nankhatai? Nankhatai is popular since Nizam’s period and have strong root in Hyderabad. It is a crispy biscuit prepared with bread that is loved by children to adults.

• Best place to try: Karachi Bakery, the city's most iconic bakery since 1953, is the classic go to spot.
• Price: Around INR 300 to INR 400 per kilo.
• When it's traditionally eaten: A tea time favourite, eaten any time of year rather than tied to a festival.
• Texture and taste: Crumbly and melt in the mouth, mildly sweet with a faint cardamom note. Pairs especially well with Irani chai.

10. Semiya Payasam

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This is one of the popular Telangana sweet dishes that are prepared almost in every house. Prepared from rice, jaggery, milk, saffron, roasted cashew and semiya, this dessert has captivating aroma that you must try.

• Best place to try: Made in nearly every Telugu household, and also served at South Indian and Andhra style eateries across the city.
• Price: Roughly INR 40 to INR 70 a bowl if ordered at a restaurant.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Common at festivals like Ugadi, and at birthdays and other family celebrations.
• Texture and taste: The vermicelli stays slightly firm in a thin, milky broth scented with cardamom and saffron, usually topped with ghee roasted cashews.

11. Akkaravadisal

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This sweet dessert is also popular as typical Brahmin recipe and is prepared from rice, milk and jaggery. It is quite similar to Sakkara Pongal, but prepared in milk with loads of ghee.

• Best place to try: Most authentically had at home or at temple functions, since it's tied to Brahmin household and temple prasadam traditions. A few South Indian vegetarian restaurants in the city also serve it.
• Price: Around INR 60 to INR 100 a serving where available.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Prepared for temple offerings, festivals and special family occasions.
• Texture and taste: Thicker than Semiya Payasam, almost pudding like, with a deep caramel note from the jaggery and a generous pool of ghee on top.

12. Malpua Rabdi

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This sweet dish is very luscious in taste in which banana is added to offer it a soft taste. It is one of the yummiest sweet dishes in malpua category. This is taken with rabri to enhance the flavor.

• Best place to try: Old city sweet shops and Hyderabadi caterers usually make it fresh to order.
• Price: Roughly INR 30 to INR 50 per piece.
• When it's traditionally eaten: A common sight at weddings and during festivals like Holi.
• Texture and taste: Soft and slightly chewy with caramelised edges, served with thick rabdi that adds a cool, creamy contrast, especially nice when chilled.

13. Brown Rice Payasam

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This sweet has no comparison and it very luscious in taste. It is prepared with brown rice with roasted cashew nuts that offers a special touch to the dish and taste as well.

• Best place to try: More of a home style or health focused dish, so look for it at Andhra or Telangana home style meals restaurants rather than dedicated mithai counters.
• Price: Usually priced like a regular payasam, around INR 40 to INR 70 a bowl.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Made as a lighter, healthier alternative to the usual milk payasam, often for everyday meals as well as festivals.
• Texture and taste: Slightly nuttier and earthier than white rice payasam, with a bit more bite to the grain.

14. Mix Fruit Payasam

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This is prepared with a condensed milk with a variety of boiled fruits in it. The dish looks very attractive and taste well when served chilled.

• Best place to try: More common at weddings and catered community feasts than at everyday sweet shops.
• Price: Varies by event and caterer.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Served at festive gatherings and celebrations.
• Texture and taste: Lighter and fruitier than milk based payasams, with each spoonful turning up a different fruit. Best enjoyed chilled.

15. Dehrori in Hyderabad Style 

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This easy-to-make sweet dish can be prepared within 30 minutes. It is prepared from rice, cardamom powder, dry fruits, yogurt and ghee. You must taste Dehrori on your excursion in Hyderabad.

• Best place to try: More commonly made at home, though smaller Old City mithai shops sometimes carry it during festival season.
• Price: Similar to other rice based sweets sold by weight.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Made for quick festive occasions since it comes together in about half an hour.
• Texture and taste: Soft with a slightly tangy edge from the yogurt, and a pleasant crunch from the dry fruits.

16. Shahi Tukda with Rusk

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This special sweet dish has fantastic taste that is prepared with rusk instead of bread that offers more crispy taste. The shahi flavor of this dish will surely make you its fan.

• Best place to try: Karachi Bakery's rusks are a popular base for this at home, and a few Old City sweet counters near Charminar serve a rusk version during Ramadan.
• Price: Around INR 120 to INR 180 a plate.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Mostly seen during Ramadan and other festive occasions.
• Texture and taste: Holds its shape better than the classic bread version and gives a firmer bite even after soaking in rabdi.

17. Hyderabad Mawa Kachauri

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It is very delicious sweet of Hyderabad prepared with loads of mawa and bura. Mawa Kachauri is crispy is taste and you cannot have more than 2-3 pieces as it is very heavy.

• Best place to try: Old City sweet shops around Charminar and Ramadan food stalls are the places to find this.
• Price: Around INR 30 to INR 50 a piece.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Popular during Ramadan and other festive seasons.
• Texture and taste: A flaky, slightly crisp shell around a dense, fudgy mawa filling. It's genuinely heavy, so two or three pieces really is the practical limit.

18. Sohan Halwa

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Sohan Halwa is actually a barfi of halwa that is freezed after preparing and then cutted into small pieces. It is very unique in taste prepared with loads of ghee and dry fruits.

• Best place to try: Karachi Bakery and Almond House both sell it by weight.
• Price: Roughly INR 500 to INR 600 per kilo.
• When it's traditionally eaten: A common Eid and wedding gift box item.
• Texture and taste: Chewy rather than soft, with a sticky, toffee like bite from the reduced ghee and sugar, loaded with dry fruits.

19. Balushahi in Hyderabad Style

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This is not like ordinary Balushahi, the taste and shape are also variant. It is prepared with peanut paste that is deep cooked in coconut oil that offers it an amazing aroma.

• Best place to try: Found mainly at select old city and Telangana sweet shops rather than mainstream chains.
• Price: Roughly INR 300 to INR 400 per kilo, similar to standard balushahi.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Made for festivals and special occasions.
• Texture and taste: Has the familiar flaky, syrup soaked layers of a classic balushahi, with a noticeably nuttier, coconut forward finish from the peanut paste and coconut oil.

20. Sheer Khurma

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It is sweet dish prepared with milk and rice with some dry fruits. Sheer Khurma is very popular among Muslims people and they prepare it on the occasion of Eid. Beyond these delightful desserts, every traveller should also savour the best food in Hyderabad, from its world-famous biryani to rich Mughlai delicacies and flavourful street food.

• Best place to try: Meethe Miya and dedicated Ramadan season spots like Sheer Khurma House serve it fresh.
• Price: Around INR 150 to INR 300 for two, depending on portion size.
• When it's traditionally eaten: Traditionally eaten on Eid morning right after prayers, though most shops now serve it through the Ramadan season and beyond.
• Texture and taste: Silkier and richer than semiya payasam, thickened further with khoya, and loaded with dates, nuts and saffron.