Fodor's Expert Review Suvarna Mahal

Once the maharaja's throne room, this grand hall has a soaring, frescoed ceiling, tapestry-covered walls, carvings, gold-plated silverware, and a staff eager to elaborate on the history and decoration as well as the menu. It is easily one of India's most elegant restaurants. Service is impeccable. The specialties are cuisines from the royal kitchens of Hyderabad, Punjab, Awadh, and, of course, Rajasthan; try murgh tikka zaffrani (chicken marinated in yogurt and saffron and cooked in a tandoor) and dahi ka mass (lamb cooked in a yogurt-base curry) or sikandari raan (leg of lamb) and the Awadhi gilawat. The Hyderabadi biryani is also divine. A good vegetarian choice is papad ki sabzi (vegetables cooked in gravy). For dessert try soft and creamy ras malai (milk dumplings in a milk syrup).