Nayanthara’s 12 am run for biryani at this popular restaurant turns into a late-night feast

South Indian superstar Nayanthara recently surprised the staff at Dubai’s Paragon restaurant by walking in close to midnight, hoping to savour its famed biryani, the dish that has helped the Kozhikode-born brand win admirers across the globe. She arrived with her husband, filmmaker Vignesh Sivan, around 12 am last Sunday, with biryani clearly on her mind.

However, the late hour meant the biryani had already sold out. While the dish she had come for was no longer available, the actor was far from disappointed. The unexpected visit turned into a tasting of Paragon’s best-known dishes, including Thaikkudam Grilled Chicken, Prawn CRS, Kurathi Kozhi, Neymeen Chattikkari and Fish Grandma Thava, along with parotta, appam, coconut rice and elaneer payasam.

Shanker, manager of Paragon Dubai, told Manorama Online that the actor thoroughly enjoyed the homestyle flavours, especially the fish curry, and appreciated the warmth and simplicity of the food.

Paragon’s food has long been celebrated for its consistency and depth of flavour. While its biryani remains one of Kerala’s most talked-about dishes, the restaurant’s reputation rests equally on its wide range of signature preparations, many of which have earned praise from chefs and diners across countries.

Paragon, Kozhikode, was ranked number one in Manorama Online’s Golden Clove 2025 list of best restaurants, an initiative that recognises excellence in Kerala’s food scene.

From a single restaurant in Kozhikode, Paragon has grown into a well-known hospitality group with 25 outlets across Kerala, Bengaluru and the Gulf region, operating under brand names such as Paragon, Salkara, M Grill and Browntown Café.

In the previous edition of Manorama Online’s Golden Clove awards as well, Paragon Kozhikode had emerged as the state’s top restaurant, reaffirming its place in Kerala’s culinary landscape.