In 1930s, This Man Left Iran To Start A Biryani Joint That’s Still A Favourite With Punekars!

Get your fill of delicious biryanis and succulent kebabs at one of Pune’s oldest restaurants that has been feeding Punekars for more than five decades. So what makes this restaurant so special? Let’s have a look.

Pune has many iconic restaurants that date back to 100 years and hold a heritage status with foodies. One of them is the iconic Blue Nile. Located on Bund Garden Road, opposite Poona Club, this prominent landmark has been welcoming patrons since 1970. This 51-year-old restaurant was started by Ali Akbar Mashallah who left Iran in the 1930s and settled in Pune and soon started a restaurant selling food of his homeland which was very foreign in Pune at that time. Over the years, this no-frills eatery has made a name for itself for dishing out the finest biryanis in Pune. Ali Akbar also went on to start other bakeries and restaurants in the city as well, but we’ll leave that for another time. 

Love it or hate it, Blue Nile is synonymous with biryani! From their Mutton to Chicken Biryani, they’re also known for their Mutton and Chicken Chelo Kebab which are pieces of marinated meats on a bed of fluffy buttered rice. It is one of the dishes you must try here! The restaurant has gone through renovations and facelifts over the years to turn it into a modern restaurant where students, family and friends can all enjoy the food with an ambience. Not to forget the menu too has changed over the years with the addition of Chinese fare. The service here is very prompt and super fast, you’ll be served within minutes of placing your order which is great if you want to grab a quick bite. Some might argue that the standards have dropped down over the years, but for people who love their food, they have a good chunk of loyal clientele that always go back for more.

If Chicken Biryani and Mutton Biryani are the crowd-pullers here, Tandoori Chicken, Rogan Josh and Bheja Fry are also noteworthy dishes you must try here. As part of Pune’s culinary heritage, Blue is one of the few places serving Brain Fry and Brain Masala that is best eaten with a buttery naan or a tandoori roti. A crucial element of an Irani restaurant is dessert. And you can expect to find the one and only Caramel Custard on the menu. Be it with jelly, ice cream or both, this one is one of the best in Pune. You can also enjoy old school desserts like Fruit Salad with Ice Cream, Jelly With Ice Cream and Falooda to end your meal on a sweet note. So next time you're around Camp and fancy a meal, revisit the Blue Nile and enjoy a delicious Irani dessert. 

P.S. Now you can enjoy the food in the comfort of your home by ordering it from online delivery portals. 

Where: 4, Bund Garden Road, Opposite Poona Club, Camp Area
Price: Rs 800 for two
Contact: 02026125238