Put the Phone Down, Pick Up the Biryani: Mr Biryani’s No-Phone Challenge

circular connection
7 minutes ago
2 min read

Mr Biryani rewards diners who stay present with 15 percent off for keeping their phones untouched during meals. This December, the challenge is heating up.

Split image: Left side shows "No Phone Challenge" text with silhouettes using phones. Right side depicts people dining with phones on a table.

Screengrabs: Instagram/mrbiryanisg

At Mr Biryani, the real flavour lies not only in its famed Hyderabadi dishes but also in the connections shared over the table. In a bold and refreshingly human campaign, the restaurant launched its No-Phone Challenge in November, and it is continuing all through December 2025.

The concept is simple. Keep your phone off the table for the entire meal and receive 15 percent off your total bill. No texts, no scrolling, no distractions. Just good food, stories, and the people sitting in front of you.

A plate of biryani topped with a boiled egg and tomato sits on a dark table. Nearby, bowls of curry and sauce are visible, creating a savory mood.

Image: Mr Briyani

Founder and head chef Govinda Rajan believes biryani is a communal experience. It is a dish designed to be shared. But what troubles him is the growing habit of people ordering without eye contact, eating without noticing the food, and missing out on the company around them. Phones, to him, have become the greatest barrier to genuine connection.

He has watched diners interact more with their screens than with each other. Families sit together but remain distant. Friends eat side by side but never speak. Even a fragrant, spice-rich plate of biryani goes unnoticed.

People laughing around a restaurant table with plates of food. Phones stacked on the table. "No-Phone Challenge" sign visible.

Image: Nano Banana Pro

That is why Mr Biryani's No-Phone Challenge exists: to reclaim mealtime, to bring focus back to the food, and to encourage meaningful interaction with the people at the table.

Since launching the campaign, the responses have been eye-opening. Gen Z diners often struggle. Young parents tend to crack under pressure. But the older generation? They are embracing it effortlessly. Laughter fills the room. Conversations return. The biryani tastes better.

This is not a trend. It is a reminder. A movement to pause, share, and savour.

Are you game enough to take up the Mr Briyani's No-Phone Challenge?