Please note: The author was invited for a meal, and did not pay the bill. 

Hyderabad can be a challenging place for an outsider – from the time it was a food mecca to today when the price of it becoming an IT centre is that its food has become too mass-produced and now it is hard to find genuine Hyderabadi food in the city. Also the bindaas spirit of the city has somewhat got diluted with its commercialization, and the city fast resembles any other metropolis. 

In the midst of all this is an oasis called Lamakaan, which calls itself an inclusive cultural space that promotes and presents the best of arts, literature, theatre, debate and dialogue with a commitment to being open and accessible. And it does that being well fed by its canteen that serves up some delicious food at an incredibly inexpensive cost. 

Founded by Gurgaon Foodie Farhan Asher, Lamakaan started hosting events in March 2010. I met up with him a couple of days ago for a meal hosted by him under a tree at Lamakan.  The food had a distinct home cooked taste, and was both light and delicious. Roti (Rs 10 for 2), khatti dal (Rs 50), chana curry (Rs 40), chicken curry (Rs 70), mutton keema (Rs 80), rice (Rs 30) and khichdi (Rs 50) were consumed with much relish.

What I loved most was simple khatti dal with rice (finger licking good) and keema roti, with the rest also fighting for top spot. We ended the meal with a perfect cup of tea (Rs 10). Sadly I could not have the legendary samosas (Rs 10) here for lack of tummy space.

I really wish we had a place like it in Gurgaon. Roots started as being one, but pretty soon became commercialized. At Lamakaan you are welcomed to stay the whole day, whether or not you have money to spend. Food is shared with strangers and the warmth of the place envelops you effortlessly. The place genuinely lives up to its intent of “promoting and presenting the best of arts, literature, theatre, debate and dialogue with a commitment to being open and accessible”.

Ratings (Out of 5) 
Food: 4.5 | Ambience: 4.0 | Service: 4.5 | Value: 5.0 | Overall: 4.0
Meal for two: Rs. 200 | Alcohol: No | Credit Card: No | Wheel chair friendly: Yes
Address: Near GVK One, Road 5, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Tel: +91 9642731329