Two main things Delhiites are proud of are its rich ancient history and the lip-smacking food. If you have ever been to the capital city, you must know what we are talking about. Not one, not two, Delhi brims with a wide range of culinary delights and if you are a traveler who loves to eat, you got to visit Delhi! Like India is called the land of diversity, Delhi boasts of its food diversity. From Majnu ka Tilla to Chandni Chowk to Rajouri, the city has got so much food to offer the visitors. Without much ado, we bring to you the most famous dishes of Delhi you must try when in the city.
Paranthe
When do you like eating parathas – Breakfast, lunch or dinner? In Delhi, paratha is the go-to food for every meal and when we say parathas it is not the plain ones but the delicious Aalo, gobi, mooli and even keema parathas. Yes, you will find a variety of stuffing to choose for your kind of paratha. The chefs can even make a paratha of the left-over dal from last night and you just can’t find out.
Places to try: Moolchand Parathe Waala in South Delhi, Parathe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk, etc.
Chaat
If there is anything that you can find 24X7 in Delhi, it’s the mouth-watering street food. From Dahi Papdi, Samosa Ragda to Kulfi Faluda and bhel, you will find everything here. Chandni Chowk in Delhi is recognized as the Street Food Capital of the city and you better have someone known along with you or you might even get lost in the narrow lanes or at least ask someone for the best chaat stalls to get an idea. To be honest, there’s no particular chaat stall to be said the best, but there are some landmarks you can follow to reach the ones that stand out.
Places to try: Daulat ki Chaat and Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala in Chandni Chowk, Bittu Tikki Wala in Karol Bagh and UPSC Building in Shahjahan Road
Kebabs
If you have any doubt about the delicious taste of grilled chunks of fish and meat marinated in aromatic spices, you will change your mind in Delhi. Kebabs are one of the fabulous things Mughals gave us and Delhiites are no less thankful to them. Kebabs are one type of food you will find in all kinds of food places such as food stalls, dining restaurants and some even deliver it to your car! This is one special dish you must not miss in Delhi.
Places to try: Ustad Moinuddin Kebabs in Lal Kuan, Alkakori Alkauser in R K Puram, Nizamuddin Salim’s Kebabs in Khan Market and Aap ki Khatir in SDA.
Butter Chicken
If you don’t know, butter chicken was invented in the 1950s by an accident in the great Moti Mahal Restaurant in Daryaganj, Delhi. Yes, the cooks are believed to toss the buttery sauce, chicken and tomato juices along with tandoori chicken chunks. The rest is still history. Today, butter chicken is one of the most delicious and famous dishes of Delhi. You will find it everywhere in the city, in all the dhabas and non-vegetarian restaurants.
Places to try: Moti Mahal Restaurant in Daryaganj, Havemore in Pandara Road.
Chole Bhature
How can we miss out the most favorite Indian snack when talking about the best food items in Delhi, Chole Bhature. Take it from us, having this dish on an empty stomach will be the best decision you will make that day. Spicy, rich and heavy, Chole Bhature is a combination of pindi chole and large maida puris with onions, achaar (pickle) and lemon on the side. It is a very popular item on the breakfast menu. There is nothing to be surprised. This happens only in Delhi! Have a glass of lassi on the side and it is a complete Delhi-wali meal.
Places to try: Chache di Hatti in Kamla Nagar, Sitaram Diwan Chand in Paharganj
Biryani
Hyderabad is not the only city in India known for its finger-licking biryani, Mughals also left their favorite dish recipe for the Delhiites. It is poultry meat-based dish is cooked in an earthern pot sealed with dough on its lid to ensure the spices, aromas and flavors are soaked in well. Your Biryani experience in Delhi is based upon the place you eat it – the Sufi shrines, road-side dhabas, 5-star restaurants or the commercial food chains.
Places to try: Al Kakori Al Kauser in R K Puram, Dum Pukht in ITC Maurya, Deez Biryani & Kebabs in Defence Colony
Nihari
The day you explore Old Delhi, the aroma of this special delicacy will reach you before you reach the food joint. Nihari is a spicy, rich broth of slow-cooked meat that is served with tandoori rotis alongside or khameeri rotis. It was one of the indian favorite dishes of the royal families living in this area during the ancient period. The daily morning feasts included Nihari as the prime item.
Places to try: Bara Hindu Rao area and Karim’s close to Jama Masjid
Kathi Rolls
We agree Kolkata is the origin of Kathi Rolls but Delhi is no less in making delicious rolls with interesting variants. You can get delicious kathi rolls in street food stalls across the city and moreover, supermarkets also have frozen options of rolls stocked for people like us, the foodies with midnight food cravings! Even some popular restaurants offer varieties of kathi rolls as starters or snacks in their menu.
Places to try: Khan Chacha in Khan Market, Nizam’s Connaught Place and Qureshi’s Kebab Corner in South Extension-II
Momos
Momos out numbers every snack when it comes to ranking the most popular snacks in Delhi. Be I birthday parties, office complexes or a cocktail party, Delhiites can have momos anytime and anywhere. Have a casual stroll in the corporate area of the city and you will find momo stalls outside every office building and mind you, some might even have token systems! Yes, it is that famous. The yummy dumplings are found in both non-vegetarian and vegetarian options.
Places to try: Kamla Nagar Market, Sikkim House in Panchsheel Marg, Yashwant Complex in Chanakya Puri, Nagaland Food Stall in Dilli Haat, Café Brown Sugar in GK Market and Majnu ka Tilla in North Campus.
Desserts
Almost every meal I Delhi ends with a dessert or else it feels incomplete. We are not kidding. Dessert is an essential item for Delhiites and when you are there, try the delicious Kulfis, Rabr Falooda, Jalebis, Gulab Jamun, Aam Papad, Motichoor Ladoo and the list goes on. Kulfis here are found in interesting flavors like Tamarind, Custard Apple and Aam Papad.
Places to try: Kurelal Mohan Lal Kulfiwala in Chandni Chowk, Big Chill Café in Khan Market, Giani di Hatti in Chandni Chowk, Ghantewala Halwai in Chandni Chowk.
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