Charminar Indian Restaurant & Catering

Charminar Indian Restaurant & Catering in San Diego's Mira Mesa neighborhood was founded by cousins Syed Afzal and Abdul Basith, who left careers in the tech industry to bring authentic Hyderabadi cuisine to Southern California. Named after Hyderabad's iconic 16th-century monument, the restaurant sources all spices directly from India and serves halal meats, with its Goat Dum Biryani widely praised as among the best in the country. The restaurant opened just before the COVID-19 shutdowns of 2020 and built a loyal following through community partnerships and word of mouth.