I love Hyderabad biryani. Will defend it forever. But if I'm being honest, I've been a little bored of our restaurant scene lately β open a new place and it's the same rotation: Chicken 65, some variation of a spicy gravy, and another biryani joint. All great, but you want more variety after a while.
So when I got invited to the preview launch of Baan Phadthai at Salarpuria Knowledge City yesterday, I was genuinely excited. Bangkok's most famous Phad Thai spot is now in Hyderabad β and not just any opening, but the city's first Michelin-recognised Thai restaurant.
A Quick Bangkok Origin Story
Baan Phadthai ("The House of Phad Thai") was founded in Bangkok in 2016 by French entrepreneur FrΓ©dΓ©ric Meyer. The original sits in a 50-year-old heritage house on Soi Charoen Krung 44 β Bangkok's very first street, right in old Chinatown. It has held the Michelin Bib Gourmand every single year since 2018 β the same guide that recognised Jhol Bangkok, a favourite from my own trips. From there they expanded to Paris, Taiwan, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong β India is their latest market.
π‘ Michelin Guide vs. Michelin Star β What's the Difference?
A lot of people hear "Michelin" and assume it means a Star. Not the same thing.
- Michelin Star β the top tier. Reserved for exceptional fine dining.
- Michelin Bib Gourmand β awarded to places with outstanding food at accessible prices. Harder to maintain than people think; Baan Phadthai Bangkok has held theirs every year for six consecutive years.
So no, this isn't white-tablecloth territory. It's a spot that earned global recognition for making one thing brilliantly and affordably.
The Indian rollout is being handled by Unreal Foods (unrealfoods.in), who now have two outlets running in Bangalore. Hyderabad is their third.
The Spot
You'll find it in Knowledge City, sandwiched between the Aptronix store and Raasta Club. Compact compared to the multi-floor restaurant palaces we're used to in Hyderabad β it seats around 64 people. But the space is smart: Thai shophouse-inspired layout, deep blue walls, warm lighting, and good contemporary Thai artwork throughout.
It wasn't officially open to the public when we visited, but being right in the thick of IT offices, people kept walking up and trying to get a table. And honestly, given what happened in Bangalore β their reservation link accidentally stayed live and they were fully booked till August 10 before they even opened β the Hyderabad curiosity made complete sense.
The People Behind It
We got a chance to sit down with Sid Mewara, one of the partners at Unreal Foods. Started out as a chef, moved into capital markets, spent 18 years living and working across China and the world, and is now settled in Goa. That combination of culinary roots and business experience shows β he knows exactly why a concept works, not just what it tastes like.
The team behind Unreal Foods is equally interesting. Rajesh Rebala co-founded Instamart India and was part of the early Swiggy core team. Vasu Reddy built and sold multiple cloud-kitchen brands to Swiggy, then went on to scale their in-house brands nationwide. These aren't first-timers figuring it out β they've built and scaled F&B at a serious level.
Their plan isn't to stop at Thai β next up is one of Italy's finest gelato brands, and after that, an authentic Korean barbecue concept. If they pull those off with the same care, Hyderabad's dining scene is going to look very different in a couple of years.
What We Ordered
We went through almost the entire menu β but here are the ones that stood out.
Hyderabad Gets 8 Exclusive Dishes
The Hyderabad menu has 8 dishes not available anywhere else, not even in their Bangalore outlets. The ones that caught my eye: Yum Makuer (smoky Thai eggplant salad with fresh herbs and chilli lime dressing), Gai Yang Vichianburi (Esaan char-grilled chicken with coconut dressing), and a range of rice set meals. Also a Chinatown-style cabbage stir-fry β Kram Plam Pad Nam Pla β that sounds exactly like the kind of thing you'd eat standing at a hawker stall in Bangkok at midnight. Will definitely be back to try these.
One thing worth knowing: no alcohol on the menu. They've put real thought into the drinks though β there are five Thai-inspired mocktails with proper names and characters. The Cha Yen (Thai milk tea) and Cha Manao (Thai lime iced tea) are the classics if you want to keep it simple.
π½οΈ Michelin Bib Gourmand β Bangkok (2018β2024)
Worth Going?
Yes, without hesitation. The food is genuinely good β not "good for Hyderabad" but just good, full stop. The Phad Thai alone is worth the trip. The space is smaller than what we're used to, and things were a bit hectic on preview day, but that's expected. Once they settle in, I think this is going to be a regular spot for a lot of people in the IT corridor.
If you're looking for more of Hyderabad's newer dining experiences worth trying, the Songkran brunch at Zega, Sheraton was a great one too. Go with the Phad Thai, the Krapao, and save room for the coconut ice cream. You won't leave disappointed.
My Rating
π Find Them
Address: Gate No. 3, Ground Floor, Salarpuria Sattva Knowledge City, Hitech City, Hyderabad
Timings: 12:00 PM β 11:00 PM
Average meal for two: βΉ2,000++
Reservations: +91 8197 89 1798
Instagram: @baanphadthai.in
Recognition: Michelin Bib Gourmand (Bangkok, every year since 2018)
Must-order: Signature Phad Thai, Phad Krapao, Gai Tawt, I-Tim Kati
Would I go back? Absolutely.
Hyderabad has no shortage of pan-Asian restaurants, but very few feel authentically Thai. Baan Phadthai brings Bangkok credibility, bold flavours, and dishes that go beyond the usual green curry and pad thai formula.
If you're a fan of Thai food, this is one restaurant that deserves a spot on your Hyderabad dining list.
Food photography: Manan Upadhyaya / Baan Phadthai