Delhi is not only the city of people with big hearts (#dilwallahs), but also of people with appetites just as big (no, bigger actually). The passionate love affair delhiites have with their food has made Delhi a food hub like none else in India.
So you’ve been to those five most famous places in Delhi, put some pictures up on Instagram, and now you say you’re a hardcore foodie? You know of the famous places and the famous dishes, but do you know it all? Have you really ever explored Delhi’s food scene? The answer is: not really. Not unless you have ticked off some certain spots on your bucket list.
We list out the top 50 from our bucket list, in no particular order. How many of these have you been to?
1. Parantha at Paranthe Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
If you haven’t had parantha at paranthe wali gali, you cannot say you love parantha. Period.
2. Dal Makhani at Masala Art, Taj Palace Hotel
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
Dal Makhani is an amazing dish in itself, but Masala Art is famous for serving the best dal makhani in Delhi.
3. Paneer Tikka at QD’s, Hudson Lane
Photo by Aakanksha Joshi
We all love QD’s, but how many of you knew that paneer tikka is one of QD’s specialities?
4. Butter Chicken at Moti Mahal
Photo courtesy of zomato.com
Moti Mahal is famous for its scrumptious Indian dishes, but their butter chicken is a must try.
5. Mutton Korma at Karim’s, Jama Masjid
Think Karim’s, think mutton korma. That pretty much sums it up.
6. Pav Bhaji at New Arjun Bombay Pav Bhaji, Model Town 3
Photo courtesy of zomato.com
They have pav bhaji in their joint’s name. Specialists, duh!
7. Sambhar, Idli and Masala Dosa at Saravana Bhawan, Connaught Place
Photo by Karan Sarpal
Everyone knows there’s no place like Saravana Bhawan for South Indian food in Delhi.
8. Pani Puri at Nathu’s Sweets
Photo by Nilakshi
Pani puri can be devoured at even a street stall, but Nathu’s is famous for its pani puri and other chaat and sweet items. You get taste and you get hygeine…what else could one ask for?
9. Sweet Lassi at Bikanervala
A photo posted by Spoon University – Delhi (@spoon_du) on Apr 19, 2015 at 12:20am PDT
I swear I have had a major food crush on Bikanervala’s lassi for years now. If you haven’t tried this yet…well, you should.
10. Dhokla at Gujarat Bhawan, Chanakyapuri
Photo by Nilakshi
If you love Gujju food, you need to eat at Gujarat Bhawan at least once in your life.
11. Tea at Cha Bar, Connaught Place
Photo by Aakanksha Joshi
No other place in Delhi serves this wide a variety of teas. They spoil you for choice, in the best way possible.
12. Rajkachori at Haldiram’s
Photo by Aakanksha Joshi
Haldiram’s is a really famous food chain, but if you haven’t tried their rajkachori yet, you haven’t tried the best that Haldiram’s has to offer.
13. Aaloo Chaat at Prabhu Chaat Bhandar, Khan Market
Photo by Karan Sarpal
Aaloo chaat is one of the most famous street food dishes in India. You could have it anywhere, really, but Prabhu Chaat Bhandar is famous for the aaloo chaat they serve.
14. Rasgulla at Bengali Sweet Centre, South Extension-I
Photo by Nilakshi
You say rasgulla, I say Bengali Sweet Centre.
15. Dal Tadka at Dhaba by Claridges, Saket
Photo courtesy of dhababyclaridges.com
You won’t go there for only their dal tadka, but if you’re craving specifically dal tadka, then this is one of the best places you can visit to satisfy that craving.
16. Gajar ka Halwa at Kadimi’s, Janakpuri
Photo courtesy of wikicommons.com
Kadimi Sweets is famous for their gajar ka halwa. Try it to believe it!
17. Pakode at Pakode Wali Gali, Lajpat Nagar II
Image courtesy of Flickr
I was unaware about the existence of a “pakode wali gali” for the longest time. Did you know about it?
18. Jalebi at Delhi’s Old Famous Jalebi Wala, Chandni Chowk
A photo posted by Neeru Singh (@eatstory.talesabouteating) on Jul 10, 2015 at 3:46am PDT
As the name suggests, this shop is old (dating back to around 1905), it is famous, and it sells the best jalebis in Delhi. They have a special recipe that has been passed on for generations within their family.
19. Waffles at 1UP, Civil Lines
Photo by Aakanksha Joshi
I love waffles, and trust me when I say that the waffles served at 1UP are some of the best waffles I’ve ever had.
20. Pancakes at Ama Cafe, Majnu Ka Tilla
Photo courtesy of zomato.com
Ama Cafe has become my second home in college and I think their pancakes will soon become my staple breakfast.
21. Rolls at Nizam’s Kathi Kabab, Defence Colony
Photo by Nilakshi
Nizam’s is really famous for their rolls. And for a legit reason.
22. Shawarma at Al Zaitoon, Alaknanda
A photo posted by som_sengupta (@som_sengupta) on Dec 30, 2013 at 4:48am PST
Al Zaitoon serves some of the best Arabic cuisine one can find in Delhi, hence their shawarma is a must try.
23. Litti Chokha at The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe, Shahpur Jat
A photo posted by The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe (@potbellycafe) on Aug 20, 2015 at 8:53am PDT
The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe is famous for its Bihari food, so it is obviously our first choice when it comes to finding Bihari delicacies in Delhi.
24. Tender Coconut Ice Cream at Natural
Photo by Aakanksha Joshi
This Bombay legend offers one of the most tender (literally) coconut ice creams in Delhi. Their other nature-inspired flavours are to die for too.
25. Bun Maska at Chaayos, SDA
A photo posted by Chaayos (@chaayos) on May 17, 2015 at 4:17am PDT
Chaayos is famous for its ambience – the one which makes you want to curl up then and there with a glass of tea, and laze around all day. What’s a better companion to your cup of tea, than a plate of bun maska?
26. Milk Shake at Keventers
A photo posted by Keventers (@keventersshake) on Jul 7, 2015 at 12:10am PDT
There is rarely a time in a day when the crowd outside Keventer’s is thin. People from all age groups flock to this place to have the various flavours of milk shakes they offer.
27. Laping at Majnu ka Tila
So you think trying different kinds of momos makes you an expert on Tibetan street food? Wrong. This is the street food you need to try at least once in your life if you really want to say that you love Tibetan food. Laping is a mung bean noodle dish which can be found at any of the small food stalls in MKT. The degree of spiciness can be decided by you on the spot, but here’s a suggestion – have it as spicy as you can, if you can.
28. Cholle Bhature at Chache Di Hatti, Kamla Nagar
Photo by Tarunima Kumar
Chache Di Hatti undoubtedly serves one of the best chhole bhature in Delhi.
29. Cake at Wenger’s, Connaught Place
Photo by Nilakshi
Literally everyone is Delhi knows that if you want to make any celebration special, Wenger’s is where you need to bring your cake/pastries from. Their cakes and pastries, along with other desserts, are delights to devour.
30. Red Velvet Ice Cream at Azote, SDA
A photo posted by Shruti (@shrutimaheshwari12) on Mar 21, 2015 at 7:28am PDT
Azote serves some of the best nitrogen ice creams in Delhi, and their red velvet is to die for. Really!
31. Thukpa at Rigo Restaurant, Majnu ka Tila
Photo courtesy of wikicommons.com
If you really love trying out new and different kinds of cuisines, then you must try this native Tibetan dish named Thukpa. Rigo is famous for its Thukpa, so this is definitely worth a try.
32. Mughlai Parantha at Dadu Cutlet Shop, CR Park
Photo courtesy of wikihow.com
Being a sucker for Mughlai paranthas means you’re always on a lookout for the best Mughlai paranthas in town. Well friends, your search shall end here.
33. Momos at Momo’s Point, Kamla Nagar
Photo by Tarunima Kumar
This place offers the widest variety of momos you could find in Delhi. Does anything more even need to be said?
34. Mud Cake at Coffee House, Majnu ka Tila
Photo courtesy of zomato.com
If you haven’t been to Coffee House, it is sad. But if you’ve been to Coffee House and not tried their mud cake yet, it is sadder, because you missed heaven by an inch – literally!
35. Biryani at Beeryani, SDA
Photo courtesy of zomato.com
I think the name of this place itself suggests the best thing about the biryani they serve – yes you guessed it right, beer plays a huge role here.
36. Paan at Odeon Paan Palace, Connaught Place
Photo courtesy of wikimedia.com
I’m not a huge paan enthusiast, but even I have to say – this place is definitely bucket list worthy. The mind boggling varieties of paan – which include chocolate paan and ice paan – are something you need to try at least once in your life.
37. Dal Baati Churma at Rajdhani Thali Restaurant, Connaught Place
Photo courtesy of Rajdhani Thali
Rajasthani delicacies that simply should not be missed. Also try their super famous thali while you’re at it.
38. Kebab at Gulati, Pandara Road
Photo courtesy of zomato.com
Gulati’s is very well known for their kebabs. So if you want to try out the best kebabs in Delhi, Gulati’s is the place to go.
39. Peri Peri Chicken at Nando’s, Vasant Kunj
Photo courtesy of zomato.com
If you’re a real chicken enthusiast, you’d probably have already checked this one off your bucket list.
40. Anything Chocolate at Choco Vault, Hauz Khas
A photo posted by chocovault (@chocovault) on Sep 9, 2015 at 5:04am PDT
This place is heaven for a chocolate lover. Check it out to know why.
41. Shabalay at Tee Dee, Majnu ka Tila
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
Authentic Tibetan dishes in an authentic Tibetan restaurant. What makes it better is the fact that Shabalay is unlike any mainstream Tibetan dish you’ll ever try.
42. Lacha Tokri at Roshan Di Kulfi, Karol Bagh
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
The name is quirky, so is the dish. It is a burst of all delectable Indian flavours – all in one tokri. You get to eat the crispy tokri too. Add to it the air-conditioned ambience of the place and heaven materializes.
43. Dhansak at SodaBottleOpenerWala, Khan Market
Photo courtesy of zomato.com
Dhansak is that iconic Parsi dish you cannot not try. The tangy taste of lime, and rice that has been browned by gentle sautéing at the aesthetically pleasing SodaBottleOpenerWala, is a must try.
44. Dabeli at Gujrati Namkeen and Bakers, Kamla Nagar
A photo posted by Spoon University – Delhi (@spoon_du) on Jul 5, 2015 at 1:19am PDT
Ah, the spongy yet tangy Dabeli. The ingredients and the mixture elude any recognition; but for that taste, who cares for what goes inside? We trust the Gujrati Namkeen and Bakers, as our previous three generations have.
45. Pork Dumplings at Dilli Haat, INA
A photo posted by Spoon University – Delhi (@spoon_du) on Aug 31, 2015 at 5:22am PDT
Let’s be mainstream. No one goes to Dilli Haat and not eat dumplings. To say that pork dumplings at the state stalls are a delight is an understatement.
46. Kadhai Paneer at Wah Ji Wah
Photo courtesy of wikicommons.org
Move over Shahi Paneer, the Kadhai Paneer that Wah-ji-Wah serves reminds one of Indian marriages. The rich taste of the gravy gets you drooling. They do home delivery too!
47. Paneer Jalebi at Laxmi Dairy, Hudson Lane
Photo by Sabhyata Badhwar
Every sweets shop has it, and we haven’t come across any one inferior to another. If Jalebi gave you sugar rush as a kid, Paneer Jalebi is here to blow you away – try Laxmi Diary in Hudson Lane or the local sweet shops in Old Delhi.
48. Aloo Tikki at Bittoo Tikki Wala
Photo courtesy of zomato.com
The tikki served with curd takes the idea of potato cutlets to a whole new level. Branches found across the city.
49. Papri Chaat/ Bhalla Papri at Bikanervala
Photo courtesy of Bikanervala
Everyone tries these items, but Bikanervala is known to combine the ingredients in the right proportions to leave you with a lingering taste that stays long after you’ve savoured it.
50. Vada Pav at Fingerlickerz, Paschim Vihar
A photo posted by A A R T I • B H A T I A (@shuddduppp) on Mar 23, 2014 at 5:01am PDT
Does cheese vada pav sound like the best of both worlds? Enough said.