Deccan Spice, Jersey City

Capital of one of the five largest states in India, Hyderabad is something of a melting pot. Its streets contain both ancient temples and modern sky scrapers, while its cuisine combines Turkish, Arabic, and Indian flavors. The chefs at Deccan Spice attempt the same feat at their new Worth Street location, which invites guests to step inside for a taste of Hyderabad's unique culture.

The cooks in the newly-opened location at 214 Worth Street in Iselin as well as the established Jersey City location specialize in some of the city of Hyderabad's most celebrated dishes. They whip up a wide variety of dishes, including sizzling liver fry and Bheja fry, Gongura mutton, goat paya, and Hyderabadi-style dum biryanis such as natu kodi biryani, which are enriched with the herbs and spices of Hyderabad's local Telugu and Marathwada cuisines. They invite every visitor to bring their own favorite beverage, and don't charge a corkage fee for opening a bottle or dislodging a popped cork from a friend's nose.