Delhi is best known for two things— its rich history and its wide-ranging assortment of food. You ask any Delhiite what makes Delhi so exotic, they’ll tell you about its abounding history and delicious food. When you are in Delhi, you can’t miss the food here; otherwise, your experience will be imperfect, so here is a list to get you started.
Top 15 Food Items You Need To Try In Delhi
1. Biryani
It used to be one of the Mughal Emperors’ favorite delicacies and is enjoyed all over India today. Biryani is made with aromatic rice mixed with spices, meat, chicken, or vegetables. Traditionally, it is prepared in an earthen pot, and the top is sealed with dough so that the spices, flavors, and aromas are saturated.
Where to eat: Anand Restaurant (Connaught Place), Deez Biryani (Many branches spread all over Delhi) and Kolkata Biryani House (Chittaranjan Park)
2. Kebabs
Kebabs are sizzling, chargrilled, and marinated pieces of meat available as street food in every corner of the capital. Delhi’s connection with the Mughals and North Indian royal families makes Delhi a kind of an expert in grilling the yummiest kebabs.
Where to eat: Khan Chacha (Khan Market), Rajinder Da Dhaba (Safdarjung) and Al Kauser (Chanakyapuri)
3. Momos
It is common to find vendors almost everywhere, selling Momos in Delhi. These tasty dumplings are available in both veg and non-veg options and are enjoyed with hot and spicy chutney. Delhi has several places that serve incredible varieties.
Where to eat: DePauls (Connaught Place), Hunger Strike (Amar Colony), QD’s Restaurant (Nirman Vihar) and Mom Hand Momos (Satyaniketan)
4. Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is made with pureed juicy tomatoes, spices that are cooked in butter. The aroma of the Kasuri methi/dried fenugreek leaves intensifies its taste. This dish can be found in almost every non-vegetarian restaurant and highway dhabas. It is served with soft naan or rice.
Where to eat: Aslam Chicken corner (Jama Masjid), Kake Da Hotel (Connaught Place), Moti Mahal Restaurant (Daryaganj) and Gulati Restaurant (Pandara Road Market)
5. Chole Bhature
Spicy chole (chickpeas) served with deep-fried bread is one dish that travelers from all across the world try at least once for sure when they visit Delhi. This dish is full of calories and is every Delhiite’s guilty pleasure.
Where to eat: Baba Nagpal Corner (Lajpat Nagar), Prem Di Hatti (Rajouri Garden) and Om Corner (Karol Bagh)
6. Kulfi
This should be officially the staple go-to-mithai of Delhi. It is a frozen dessert traditionally made by boiling milk until it reduces and condenses, then sweetening, cooling, and freezing it in long molds with a stick almost like a popsicle, but it tastes nothing like a popsicle. It’s commonly flavored with spices, nuts, or fruits.
Where to eat: Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfiwale (Chawri Baazar), Kulfiano (Various outlets in Delhi) and Roshan Di Kulfi (Karol Bagh)
7. Jalebi
Sweet deep-fried spirals of paradise should be another name for this unhealthy yet scrumptious sweet of India. One can find jalebis in every corner of India. It’s the go-to-snack for guests at home for every Delhiite!
Where to eat: Old Famous Jalebi Wala (Chandini Chowk), Bangla Sweet House (Connaught Place) and Bikaner (Various outlets in Delhi)
8. Rasmalai
Rasmalai is one of the most famous and loved desserts. In Delhi, the taste and flavors are really different at different places; some make it thick while some make it liquid-ish. It is typically served chilled and garnished with cardamom seeds or dried fruits. This delicious dessert is most popularly served during festivals such as Holi and Diwali.
Where to eat: Imly Express (Rajendra Place), Anil Mishtan Wala (Defence Colony) and Haldiram (Various outlets in Delhi)
9. Paani-Puri
Eating Pani-Puri will make you crave them more and more! It has many names like Gol Gappa, Puchka, Pakodi, Gup Chup, Paani Ke Patashe. Mainly it is popular as Gol Gappa or Paani-puri in Delhi.
Where to eat: Lala Babu Chaat Bhandar (Chandini Chowk), Bitto Tikki Wala or popularly known as BTW (Various outlets in Delhi) and Rasili Chaat (Vasant Kunj)
10. Lassi
This creamy drink quenches your thirst for something refreshing in the scorching heat of summer. It is simple to make, but only a few have mastered the art.
Where to eat: Bille Di Hatti (Kamla Nagar), Baba Nagpal Corner (Lajpat Nagar) and Cool Point (Jama Masjid Road)
11. Paneer Tikka
It’s a famous Indian starter where pieces of marinated paneer (Indian cottage cheese) along with marinated onion, bell peppers, and tomatoes are grilled until charred on skewers.
Where to eat: Rajinder Da Dhaba (Safdarjung Enclave), Khan Chacha (Khan Market) and Zaffran (Greater Kailash-1)
12. Mutton Korma
Delicious and spicy curry with meat dipped inside is served with various kinds of fluffy bread, like Naan. It is another Mughlai dish popular in Delhi, a must-try for all the non-veg lovers out there!
Where to eat: Karims (Jama Masjid), Bukhara (Chanakya Puri) and Prem Dhaba (Karol Bagh)
13. Dosa
Dosa is one of the most widely-eaten South Indian breakfast dishes. This is a crispy and crunchy dish, traditionally stuffed with cottage-cheese or mashed potatoes, but more varieties of fillings are available at various restaurants.
Where to eat: Sagar Ratna (Connaught Place), Shree Rathnam (Rohini) and Saravana Bhavan (Connaught Place)
14. Gajar Ka Halwa
A sweet dish made out of grated carrots! It sounds ridiculous, right? No matter how stupid it sounds, this dish is perfect in all ways. People of all ages enjoy this tasty dish in chilly-winters at night. People of Delhi wait for winters so that they can enjoy this dish!
Where to eat: Kaleva Sweets (Gole Market), Anupama Sweets (Kailash Colony Market) and Giani’s Di Hatti (Chandini Chowk)
15. Shawarma
It is made with shreds of meat, roasted in traditional spices, mixed with crunchy veggies, and wrapped in a not so thick layer of bread. No wonder Tony Stark was craving them after a big fight! It is a Lebanese dish that has made a special place in the hearts of Delhiites.
Where to eat: Kennedy’s (West Patel Nagar), Al Bake (Various outlets in Delhi) and Brown Sugar (Greater Kailash 1)
Here is our list of the best food dishes to try in Delhi! If you are a true foodie and plan to visit Delhi any time soon, then these iconic dishes of the Capital won’t disappoint you. Let us know in the comment section which dish you can’t wait to feast on?
