Day 11 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and this one’s got a plot twist: my favorite thing here is the dessert. I’m at Biryani and Bakers, a little Hyderabadi Indian spot tucked inside the Lotte grocery in Catonsville, and I’m telling you, it’s an absolute must-visit!
My usual is their Chicken Dum Biryani, a proper layered rice-and-meat situation, plus their Apricot Delight for dessert, and honestly? I’d make the trip for that dessert alone, lol. This time I added a flaky Chicken Puff to the mix too. It’s a small food court setup, nothing fancy, but the food punches way above the space. If you love biryani, or you’ve never tried real dum biryani, this is such a good one, Nomsters. Here’s exactly what to get.
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What Makes Biryani and Bakers So Special
What makes this spot special is that it does one regional thing and does it right: Hyderabadi cooking. That means proper dum biryani (more on that below), plus haleem and a case full of Indian bakery treats, all from one little counter. It’s also 100% halal, so it’s an easy call if that matters to you.
And here’s a fun bit of context: a nearby Hyderabadi biryani spot on this same stretch recently closed, which basically makes Biryani and Bakers the go-to for this style of biryani around Catonsville now. You’d never guess a food court counter inside a grocery store could turn out biryani and desserts this good, but that’s exactly the kind of hidden gem I live for. Do not let the setting fool you.
What to Order at Biryani and Bakers
Chicken Dum Biryani ($16.49)
This is my go-to every single time. Dum biryani is the slow, sealed-pot style where marinated chicken and par-cooked rice steam together so every grain soaks up the spice and the meat stays tender (I get into the how below). At sixteen-something for a full plate, it’s easy to see why it’s my regular order. If you’re only getting one savory thing, make it this!
Apricot Delight ($6.59)
Okay, THE dessert. This is Khubani ka Meetha, a classic Hyderabadi sweet made from dried apricots stewed down into a rich, jammy compote, usually served with cream on top. I’m obsessed. I would drive back for this alone! It’s the one thing I make sure to grab every time, and if you’ve got any kind of sweet tooth, you need it. So delish.
Chicken Puff ($3.84)
New addition to my order this round. It’s a flaky, handheld pastry stuffed with spiced chicken, and at under four bucks it’s an easy little add to the order.
Want to go bigger? A few more things on the menu worth a look:
- Goat dum biryani and a boneless chicken biryani if you want to switch up the protein
- Haleem, the slow-cooked meat-and-lentil stew
- A veg dum biryani for the vegetarians
- Indo-Chinese options like Schezwan noodles
What Is Dum Biryani, and Is It Halal?
Dum biryani is the traditional Hyderabadi method, and it’s what sets a place like this apart. Raw marinated meat and partially cooked rice get layered into a heavy pot, the lid’s sealed shut (classically with dough), and it all cooks low and slow so it steams in its own heat and juices. The result is rice and meat that finish cooking together, so the flavor goes all the way through instead of just sitting on top.
As for halal, yes, Biryani and Bakers is certified 100% halal, so it’s a safe bet for halal diners. And that Apricot Delight I keep raving about? Its real name is Khubani ka Meetha, a dessert that traces back to the royal Nizam kitchens of Hyderabad and still shows up at weddings there.
The Vibe and Experience
Set your expectations right and you’ll love it: this is a small counter inside the Lotte Plaza food court, with just a few tables if you want to eat there. Most people grab and go, and it’s perfect for that, order your biryani, grab what you need from Lotte while you wait, and head out with dinner plus dessert (and if you want something sweet or a coffee after, Fukado‘s a cute Japanese cafe in the same plaza). Parking’s easy and free in the big lot. It’s not a date-night dining room, it’s a get-the-good-stuff-and-go kind of spot, and that’s the appeal.
Some of the best food in the DMV is hiding in strip malls and grocery stores, not fancy dining rooms. Biryani and Bakers is proof. The biryani’s the real deal, the dessert’s unreal, and nobody’s paying for ambiance here, they’re paying for the food. Those are always my favorite finds.
Good to Know
- 📍 6600 Baltimore National Pike, Ste J, Catonsville, MD 21228 (inside the Lotte Plaza Market food court)
- Hours: 11am to 9:30pm daily (hours at food-court counters can shift, so check before you head over)
- 100% halal, and there’s no alcohol on site
- Mostly a takeout and walk-in counter with a few food-court tables, no reservations
- Order online or get delivery through DoorDash, Grubhub, or Uber Eats, and they do catering. The full menu’s on their website
- Vegetarian options like the veg dum biryani, plus a big free parking lot at Lotte Plaza
Is Biryani and Bakers Worth A Visit?
YES, and I’d go so far as to say the Apricot Delight alone is worth the trip. For the price you’re getting legit Hyderabadi dum biryani and one of my favorite desserts, all from a little counter that overdelivers. It’s a must if you’re a biryani person or a dessert person, and ideally both.
Have you guys made it to Biryani and Bakers yet, and please tell me you’re getting the Apricot Delight? Let me know in the comments, Nomsters. And if you’ve got a friend who’d cross town for a good biryani (or a better dessert), send this their way.