The food in Delhi is a testimony to the North Indian ways of dining, concocted with an array of spices, tadkas, and lots of love. Whether you're going out for drinks with your squad or are aching for a quick bite in between classes, the multitude of cafés and restaurants present here are more than enough to mess with your heads. If you're confused and simply need a guide to direct you to the most happening and popular eateries in the city, I've made a list of the 12 best places to eat in Delhi to get you started.
1. Connaught Place
Positioned in the heart of Delhi, Connaught Place serves as the most convenient and accessible hang out spot due to its centralized location and connectivity via metro. Lined with a number of fast food joints like Burger King, Dunkin' Donuts, Dominos to fancy restaurants and affordable cafés, CP is an all-time favorite and a prominent destination for people of all ages.
Approximate Budget: ₹200-300/- for one person.
Nearest Metro Station: Rajiv Chowk (Blue and Yellow line).
#SpoonTip: Visit Wenger's Deli, Saravana Bhavan, Cha Bar, Warehouse Café, Sbarro, Caffe Tonino, or Lady Baga.
2. Satya Niketan
Located in Moti Bagh, right in front of Sri Venkateswara College, Satya Niketan is every South Campus' student's pride. Abundant with dainty cafés and budget-friendly restaurants, this is the ideal place to satiate those hunger pangs that develop in between classes.
Approximate Budget: ₹200-400/- for one person.
Nearest Metro Station: AIIMS (Yellow line) and Dhaula Kuan (Orange line).
#SpoonTip: Hit up Echoes, Big Yellow Door, Papa Buns, The Chai Story, 2 Bandits, Young Wild Free Café, or Espress-o-Ville.
3. Hudson Lane
One of the most celebrated areas of North Campus, Hudson Lane is a blessing in disguise for the broke college students who just want to chill after college hours. A lot of restaurants here are theme based and serve an array of cuisines, alcohol, and hookahs without burning a hole in your pocket.
Approximate Budget: ₹200-500/- per person.
Nearest Metro Station: GTB Nagar (Yellow line).
#SpoonTip: Ricos, Spezia Bistro, The Hudson Café, QDs Restaurant, Cafeteria & Co., Abongchiiz, Wood Box Café, Phonebooth Café, Indus Flavour, The Vintage Avenue.
4. Kamla Nagar
Kamla Nagar is one of Delhi's infamous markets where inexpensive clothes and accessories, second-hand books, tangy chaat, and a cluster of fine eateries are all available under one hood. It is alongside Hansraj College and in close proximity to Delhi University's North Campus.
Approximate Budget: ₹100-300/- per person.
Nearest Metro Station: Vishwavidyalaya (Yellow line).
#SpoonTip: Go to Phirangi, Bercos, Vaishnav Chat Bhandar, Chill'm Bar & Café, or Cones & Curries.
5. Majnu Ka Tila
This Tibetan refugee colony is the place to be if you're looking to experience authentic Tibetan and Korean food. The multifarious stalls selling clothes, shoes, jewelry, and bags is an added bonus along with the overall vibrant vibe of this place.
Approximate Budget: ₹200-400/ per person.
Nearest Metro Station: Vidhan Sabha (Yellow line).
#SpoonTip: Visit AMA Café, Tee Dee, Dolma House, Busan Korean Restaurant, Kham Coffee House, or Rigo Restaurant.
6. Hauz Khas Village
Constructed back in the 13th century as a water tank, Hauz Khas Village, today, is much more wholesome and lively. Apart from the timeworn Fort Complex and the flourishing Deer Park, the village is packed with upscale restaurants, pubs, and bars duly noted for the extravagant nightlife here.
Approximate Budget: ₹300-600/ for one person.
Nearest Metro Station: Green Park (Yellow line).
#SpoonTip: Go to Hauz Khas Social, Levels HKV, Raasta, Matchbox, Imperfecto, Masha, or Rehab Gastropub.
7. Shahpur Jat
Home to various designer boutiques, Shahpur Jat is the one-stop destination to subside all fashion related woes. Amidst the pink and exquisite walls of this urban village, lie quite a few exceptionally fanciful cafés that are worth every penny.
Approximate Budget: ₹200-500/ per person.
Nearest Metro Station: Green Park (Yellow line).
#SpoonTip: Visit The Potbelly Rooftop Café, Old Town Café, Puppychino, Greenr Café, The South Delhi Kitchen, or Sugarama Patisserie.
8. Lajpat Nagar, Amar Colony & Kailash Colony
Amar Colony and its adjoining areas, namely Lajpat Nagar and Kailash Colony, are a solid option when it comes to devouring affordable and comforting food. Moreover, there are a few awesome restaurants like Baking Bad, Owl Is Well, and Pedro's that deliver home-like extravagance in a box right to your doorstep.
Approximate budget: ₹300-600/ for one person.
Nearest Metro Station: Lajpat Nagar, Moolchand & Kailash Colony (Violet line).
#SpoonTip: Go to Roadhouse Café, Stop My Starvation, Crack Pot Café, Café Culture, Twisted Tacos, Colony Bistro, Wafflesome, Nimtho, Moolchand Paranthe, or Brown Sugar.
9. Nehru Place
One of the most renowned commercial areas in Delhi, Nehru Place is the market for all your hardware and software requirements. When you're done shopping to your heart's content, there is a lovely food court called Epicuria right below the Nehru Place Metro Station, and loads of other mini shacks, quaint restaurants, and juice corners to gorge on food.
Approximate Budget: ₹100-500/ per person.
Nearest Metro Station: Nehru Place (Violet line).
#SpoonTip: Hit up Chatter House, Taco Bell, Nehru Place Social, Oh! Calcutta, Nooshe Joon, Big Wong XL, or Fidahh.
10. Khan Market
Brimming with high-end restaurants, elegant bakeries, and opulent outlets selling designer clothes to books to vanilla scented body lotion, Khan Market is a humble yet exotic place to be at. Visit this market at night if you are as captivated by lights as I am.
Approximate Budget: ₹400-800/ for one person.
Nearest Metro Station: Khan Market (Violet line).
#SpoonTip: Visit Big Chill, SodaBottleOpenerWala, Mamagoto, Latitude 28, Khan Chacha, Smoke House Deli, Café Turtle, The Artful Baker, or Side Wok.
11. Dilli Haat
The delectable Indian food, ethnic clothes and jewelry, and the jovial and upbeat vibe of Dilli Haat are sure to leave an enormous smile on your face. If you happen to visit it during some festival, be prepared to be swayed into new realms of magic. Dilli Haat features food stalls from different states of India, so, you can pick a new state to explore each time!
Approximate Budget: ₹200-400/ per person.
Ticket Charges: ₹50 for an adult, ₹30 for a child (13yrs and above).
Nearest Metro Station: INA (Yellow line).
#SpoonTip: Get Momos and fruit beer at Sikkim and Nagaland stalls, Naga Thali at Nagaland stall, Satoo Ka Sherbet at Bihar stall, Moong Dal Ka Halwa at Rajasthan stall, or Yakhni and Rajma Chawal at Kashmir stall.
12. Netaji Subhash Place
This West Delhi gem is well-known for the variety of pocket-friendly cafés serving utmost quality to their customers. Delhi's second Dilli Haat, located in Pitampura, is quite close to NSP, which gives you another alternative to scout for snacks.
Approximate Budget: ₹200-400/ per person
Nearest Metro Station: Netaji Subhash Place (Red line).
#SpoonTip: Visit Billu's Hut, Shake Eat Up, Chills 'n' Grills, Raj Bhature Wala, Ram G Snacks and Food Corner, Bistro 57, The Good Food Café, or Themis Barbeque House.
After reading such a comprehensive list of the best places to eat in Delhi, where are you heading next?