12 Superb Foods of Delhi That You Must Eat

Are you traveling to New Delhi? If so, you must eat some of the tastiest foods in Old Delhi. New Delhi may be the capital of India but it is the Old Delhi that feeds the gourmets and tourists.

I am sure you will agree that swanky restaurants anywhere in the world may not really fill your hungry stomach. These second and third-string restaurants where you can have your stomach full and satisfactorily too.

It is no wonder such restaurants and roadside food kiosks are always crowded and they continue to do flourishing business. It is they that know what we need, when we are hungry.

Similar to Mumbai, Delhi attracts good eaters who have a great appetite. This list of foods in Delhi is for foodies who appreciate real good food. All the must-eat foods of Delhi carry the name of the best place to eat them.

Superb Foods of Delhi- Paneer Tikka at QD’s

I have stayed in Delhi for a week, long ago. It was in a very posh locality. I observed many things at that time. Paneer (cottage cheese) is widely eaten by all class of people in Delhi. Another food that was always available is fresh green peas.

Paneer recipes are dime a dozen in India but the best of them all is Paneer Tikka.

It is a starter that is eaten before the main course. No need to search for any restaurant that serves Paneer Tikka. Just about every food outlet, especially the roadside food stalls sell piping-hot paneer tikka that the other South Asian countries call ‘skewer’.

The QD’s Restaurant is highly recommended in foodie blogs.

You need to download their app or through Zomato app, to order paneer tikka.

If you are not comfortable with web ordering, you can go directly to the QD’s Restaurant located here.

294, Satyaniketan Market, Near Venkateshwara College, Satyaniketan, New Delhi. Phone: 8882997777

Whole wheat Paratha in Parathewale Gali

Paratha is an Indian flatbread that has many avatars. Every state in India has started improvising the ubiquitous paratha to slightly customize as per the locally available ingredients. To eat any variety of hot paratha, try the popular Parathewali Gali located in Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk.  It is a narrow street full of parathe outlets. Every shop sells excellent parathas accompanied by 5 or 6 gravy dishes. Try the rare khoa paratha that is not available in other big cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, or Calcutta.

Here two recommendations of paratha outlets in Parathewali Gali.

• Pandit Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan

34, Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi

Phone: 9899127472

• Pandit Kanhaiyalal Durgaprasad Dixit

36, Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi

Phone: 9971997140,  9891664131

This paratha joint in Old Delhi has been doing the business since 1875

Superb Foods of Delhi: Dal Makhani in Minar

This is a side dish for parathas, rotis, and pulkas that is originated from Punjab State, India. This vegetarian delicacy is widely made across all Indian cities and villages in the northern and western part of India. The basic ingredients are either black lentil or red kidney beans that are locally called Rajma, cooked to perfection and garnished with a few lumps of butter and cream.

The best dal makhani can be had in Minar Restaurant, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Address: L-11, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi     Phone 9810146512

Superb Foods of Delhi Pav Bhaji at Arjun Bombay

Pav Bhaji is nothing but a few small buns that you dip in hot vegetable gravy that is topped with a generous blob of butter. For a memorable Pav Bhaji, visit Arjun Bombay Pav Bhaji, D- 2/ 4, 3rd Main Road, Model Town III, Pocket D 2, Phase 2, Model Town, Delhi, 110009

Though the poor man’s food pav bhaji is now made everywhere in India, it was supposed to be originated from Bombay (Mumbai). So, when a pav bhaji outlet has ‘Bombay’ in its name, we believe it to be an authentic place to eat pav bhaji. Call 92129 74917 for directions.

Superb Foods of Delhi: Butter Chicken at Gulati

The butter chicken has an Indian name called Murgh Makhani. This is a main course food that was invented by the Punjabis in Punjab. In an authentic Punjabi Dhaba, the chicken is deliciously cooked and a fairly big dose of butter is painted with a large brush.

Try to visit the Gulati Restaurant at 6, Pandora Road Market that has been in the business for nearly 40 years.

Pani Puri at Sharma’s Chaat Bhandar

Pani Poori that is also known as Golgoppa; it is sold every 100 meters in certain crowded areas in New Delhi and Old Delhi. Traditionally a poor man’s dish, now it is served even in restaurants and weddings too. For the best of Delhi’s pani poori, go to Sharma’s Chaat Bhandar located at 28 C, Lala Lajpat Rai Rd, Main Market, Block C, Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar 4, New Delhi, Delhi 110048

Raj kachori at Haldiram’s

Raj Kachori must have been an invention by Haldiram, a very familiar brand name in India for sweets and snacks. Haldiram is a chain of outlets and hence located in various places in Delhi. You have to do a ‘Google’ to find the nearest Haldiram outlet to you.

Carrot Halwa at Anupama Sweets

Locally, it is known as ‘Gajar Halwa’, a sweet made from carrot mainly. Just like pani poori, carrot halwa is a ubiquitous dish in Delhi and is served hot by pushcart vendors everywhere.

Look around for Anupama Sweets located in HS-13, Kailash Colony Main Market, New Delhi. They are said to use pure homemade ghee and are generous in sprinkling nuts on top of the carrot halwa.

Tender Coconut Ice Cream at Naturals

I have not tasted a tender coconut ice cream even in Kerala, the land of coconuts in India. I did a bit of research and found out that the tender coconut ice cream began its journey in Bombay, moved on to Delhi but somehow did not penetrate the south from where the coconuts are bought in truckloads by North India.

There are several Naturals outlets in this city. Go to the one that is nearest to you.

Aloo Chat

Your food travel to Delhi is not complete if you don’t eat a plate of aloo chaat. Generally, the aloo (potato) in Delhi is good right through the year.  These aloo and other chaats such as dhahi papdi are available only from 5 pm.

For a taste of Delhi’s aloo chaat and aloo tikki, go to Ashok Chaat Corner. Address: 3488, Chowk Hauz Qazi, Near Chawri Bazar Phone: 981174771

Superb Foods of Delhi Chole Bature

To taste this fantastic evening tiffin, go to Parathewale Gali and you will be astonished to see the choice of shops. The taste and the size of bature are the same in every shop.

Jalebi at Old Famous Jalebi Wala in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi

This is a semi-sweet (sweet and sour) dessert in India but more famous in Delhi as this is considered as a Mughlai sweet. It called ‘jilebi’ in some parts of India. These juicy jalebis are eaten hot either as an evening snack or as dessert after dinner or lunch.

Wenger’s Cake, Connaught Place

For a cake shop that belongs to the pre-independence era, it is no surprise that everyone knows the delicious and juicy cake shop in Connaught Place, New Delhi. Their pastries too demand much patronage.

Visit this popular cake shop at shop No: A/16, Inner Circle Road, Rajiv Chowk, Block A, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

If you get a chance to eat any or all of these Delhi foods, you are lucky.