Biryani has a way of stopping a conversation. One spoonful of the right biryani — fragrant basmati, golden-tinged from saffron and whole spices, hiding pieces of tender marinated chicken — and the room goes quiet. It's a dish that's been perfected over centuries, and finding that standard in Calgary's northeast quadrant is easier than most people think. At Lazeez Indian Cuisine Sweets & Hakka Chinese, the chicken biryani is slow-cooked the traditional way, and it shows.
What Makes a Chicken Biryani Worth the Drive?
Not all biryani is the same. The gap between a well-made biryani and a mediocre one is enormous — and it mostly comes down to three things: the rice, the marinade, and the cooking method.
Long-grain basmati is non-negotiable. The grains need to be parboiled just right, so they finish cooking inside the pot without turning mushy. The chicken has to be marinated — not just seasoned — with yogurt and a layered spice blend that includes whole cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, and cinnamon. Then everything gets sealed together using the dum method, a slow-steam technique where the pot is essentially pressure-cooked using its own moisture and heat. No shortcuts.
That's exactly what we do at Lazeez. Chef Manjinder Singh, who spent years in professional kitchens in the UK before bringing his craft to Calgary, approaches the biryani with the same attention he gives every dish on our menu.
How Is Lazeez's Chicken Biryani Different from Other Options in NE Calgary?
Calgary's northeast has no shortage of Indian restaurants, and that's genuinely great for the community — competition pushes everyone to be better. But if you're searching for the best chicken biryani in Calgary's northeast, a few things set Lazeez apart.
- Whole spices, not just powder. We use actual whole spices — star anise, black cardamom, mace — layered into the rice as it cooks. You'll taste the difference in every forkful.
- Marinated overnight. The chicken isn't seasoned just before cooking. It sits in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, and spices long enough for the flavours to penetrate the meat.
- Dum cooked in-house. We seal our pots and let the biryani finish on low heat, building the steam pressure that makes biryani what it is. You can't replicate this with a quick stir-fry approach.
- Freshly prepared daily. Lazeez prepares over 100 dishes fresh every day. The biryani is made in limited quantities, which means it's always fresh — never sitting under a heat lamp.
We also serve the biryani with a side of cooling raita and a light mirchi (fried green chilli), which is how it's traditionally served back home. Small details like that matter.
Which NE Calgary Neighbourhoods Do We Serve?
Lazeez is located at 5850 88 Ave NE, Unit 1110, Calgary, AB T3J 0J2 — right in the heart of northeast Calgary. We're minutes from Saddle Ridge, Martindale, Taradale, Falconridge, Skyview Ranch, and Redstone. Residents from Cornerstone, Cityscape, and even further north in Coventry Hills and Harvest Hills make regular trips to pick up biryani.
And for those days when leaving the house isn't an option, we deliver. Order online through our ordering page and get fresh biryani straight to your door in Saddle Ridge, Taradale, Falconridge, or Pineridge.
Beyond Biryani: What Pairs Well at Lazeez?
A great biryani dinner doesn't have to start and end with the main dish. At Lazeez, the surrounding menu gives you a lot to explore.
Start with a bowl of soup or some pakoras to get things going. Our non-vegetarian specials section includes tandoori chicken and seekh kebab, which pair naturally alongside biryani for a larger spread — especially useful if you're feeding a group or planning a family dinner. For dessert, our in-house sweets counter (the mithai side of Lazeez) has gulab jamun, barfi, and jalebi, which make a satisfying close to a biryani meal.
If someone at the table doesn't eat chicken, we also serve vegetable biryani. It's prepared the same way — dum method, same rice, same whole-spice profile — just with a mix of seasonal vegetables and paneer in place of the chicken.
How to Order Chicken Biryani from Lazeez Indian Cuisine
Getting the best chicken biryani in Calgary NE to your table is straightforward. You have three options:
- Order online — Place your order at orders.iorders.online/lazeez-cuisine-calgary for delivery or pickup.
- Call ahead — Phone us at +1 403-973-2504 to place a pickup order or ask about large group orders and catering.
- Walk in — We're open seven days a week. Friday through Sunday we open at 9am, so you can grab biryani earlier in the day.
For large orders — office lunches, Eid gatherings, family get-togethers — calling ahead gives us time to prepare a full batch. Our catering team is also available for events in the Calgary area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get the best chicken biryani in Calgary NE?
Lazeez Indian Cuisine Sweets & Hakka Chinese at 5850 88 Ave NE, Unit 1110, Calgary is a strong choice for chicken biryani in northeast Calgary. The biryani is dum-cooked with long-grain basmati, marinated chicken, and whole spices. You can dine in, take out, or order online at orders.iorders.online/lazeez-cuisine-calgary.
Does Lazeez deliver biryani to Saddle Ridge and Martindale?
Yes. Lazeez delivers to Saddle Ridge, Martindale, Taradale, Falconridge, Skyview Ranch, and surrounding NE Calgary communities. Order through our online platform for delivery to your neighbourhood.
What's the difference between Lazeez's biryani and a regular rice dish?
Lazeez uses the traditional dum (slow-steam) method. The chicken is marinated overnight, layered with parboiled basmati rice and whole spices, and sealed to steam slowly. This produces a fragrant, fully-integrated biryani rather than a seasoned stir-fried rice dish. The texture and depth of flavour are noticeably different.
What are Lazeez's hours for biryani orders?
Monday to Wednesday: 11am–11pm. Thursday: 10am–11pm. Friday to Sunday: 9am–11pm. Call us at +1 403-973-2504 or order online anytime during operating hours.
