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Delhi, being the capital city of India, is a paradise for foodies. The street food markets in Delhi are vibrant and diverse, with a good blend of flavours, cultures, and traditions. From spicy ‘chaat’ items to delectable kebabs, the streets of this city are filled with stalls or carts serving the most mouth-watering delicacies. Whether one is a local or a tourist, the street food market of Delhi forms an integral part of experiencing the city’s rich heritage of food.
10 Street Food Markets In Delhi
Tap into street food markets in Delhi for a world of flavours, traditions, and culinary delights that are pocket-friendly and unforgettable:
1. Chandni Chowk: A Heritage Of Flavours
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Chandni Chowk is not just one of Delhi’s oldest markets, it is the heart and soul of the city’s street food culture. Walking through its narrow, crowded lanes, you’re transported to a world where culinary traditions have been preserved for centuries. From the very famous Paranthe Wali Gali, to the iconic dahi bhalla of Natraj, there’s a wide array of street food in the market. At the other end of the spectrum lies Karim’s, a legendary eatery serving mouthwatering kebabs and curries synonymous with Delhi’s Mughlai cuisine.
How To Reach: Take the Delhi Metro to Chandni Chowk station on the Yellow Line. The market is a short walk from the station
Timings: Open from 10 AM – 8 PM every day
2. Paranthe Wali Gali: A Street Food Gem
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Tucked away in the hustle and bustle of Chandni Chowk is a small lane called Paranthe Wali Gali, which literally turns into a legend among street food lovers. This entire lane has been dedicated to one sole mission in life, making parathas, aka Indian flatbreads stuffed with a myriad of fillings and shallow-fried to perfection. These shops are all family-run, so recipes and flavours have been handed down through generations to ensure their authenticity.
How To Reach: Take the Delhi Metro to Chandni Chowk station and walk towards Paranthe Wali Gali
Timings: 9 AM – 11 PM
3. Lajpat Nagar: The Ultimate Street Food Experience
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Lajpat Nagar is a bustling area, first and foremost because of the Central Market, but it is also an absolute hub of street foods. The aromas wafting in the air are of kebabs sizzling on the tava, tangy chaat, and steaming momos, inviting one and all to a gastronomic journey. This market is specifically famous for its golgappas , which are essentially small, crispy puris filled with spicy water, and shawarmas.
How To Reach: The nearest metro station would be Lajpat Nagar Metro Station on the Violet Line. From the metro station, it is a 5-minute walk to the market
Timings: 11 AM – 9 PM
4. Sarojini Nagar: A Fusion Of Flavours
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Sarojini Nagar is a haven for street food, although more associated with budget shopping. It’s famous for its chole bhature, a typical Delhi delicacy made of spicy chickpeas served with deep-fried bread. Various momos, sweet corn, and freshly prepared chaats that should be ideal for a quick snack amidst shopping are available in its stalls. What really differentiates Sarojini Nagar is the blend of traditional Indian street food with modern twists that make it stand out for any food lover.
How To Reach: The nearest metro station would be that of Sarojini Nagar on the Pink Line
Timings: Open from 10 AM – 9 PM (closed on Mondays)
5. Khan Market: Gourmet Street Food
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Khan Market is associated with posh dining and upscale shopping. It’s also home to some of Delhi’s best street food. This swanky area may not strike you as the obvious choice for street food, but it’s a hidden gem only known to a few. The market is famous for its kebabs, especially the kakori and galouti kebabs. And if you are a chaat lover, there are a number of stalls in this bazaar serving gourmet food.
How To Reach: The closest metro station would be the Khan Market Metro Station on the Violet Line.
Timings: 10 AM – 11 PM.
6. Karol Bagh: A Paradise For Foodies
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Karol Bagh presents a jam-packed commercial hub and is, by itself, another excellent destination for street food in Delhi. It’s a market that’s famous for its rich and hearty dishes such as chole bhature and rajma chawal equally favoured by locals and tourists. Chaat stalls provide a variety of choices from tangy aloo tikki to spicy golgappas. Next come some of the finest traditional Indian sweets, like jalebi and gulab jamun, turning out to be the finest for any sweet tooth.
How To Reach: The closest would be Karol Bagh Metro Station on the Blue Line.
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
7. Connaught Place: Street Food In The Heart Of Delhi
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CP, as Connaught Place is more informally known, is the pulsating heart of Delhi’s commercial and social life. Kiosks and vendors within this food haven have an array of snacks, including Bhel Puri, Pav Bhaji, and Butter Chicken Rolls. CP is more famous for its Keventers milkshakes and Wenger’s bakery. One can have a unique blend of traditional Indian flavours with street food, modernised only in terms of ingredients and presentation. This is the reason CP should be on every traveller’s list.
How To Reach: Most convenient metro stop would be Rajiv Chowk on the Yellow and Blue Lines.
Timings: 10 AM – 11 PM.
8. Jama Masjid: A Non-Veg Lover’s Paradise
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The lanes of Jama Masjid, one of the largest monuments in Delhi, are a paradise for any non-vegetarian street food lover. Kebabs sizzling on open flames, biryani cooking in huge pots, and nihari cooking to perfection are some of the smells that fill these streets. Karim’s, a legendary eatery in this area, is most famous for the dishes of mutton, especially kebabs and korma.
How To Reach: The nearest would be Chawri Bazar Metro Station on the Yellow Line.
Timings: 11 AM and remain till midnight.
9. Majnu Ka Tilla: Tibetan Delights
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The beautiful Majnu Ka Tilla, Delhi’s Little Tibet, will offer you a rather different street food experience than the rest of the city. It is not only a busy shopping hub instead, but it is also famous for the Tibetan and Nepali cuisine it serves, including dishes such as momos, thukpa, and laphing. Momos are the speciality of this market steamed or fried and filled with a whole range of ingredients from chicken to paneer.
How To Reach: The nearest metro station is Vidhan Sabha on the Yellow Line.
Timings: 10 AM – 9 PM
10. Tilak Nagar: A Punjabi Food Extravaganza
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Tilak Nagar is well-recognized among all the street food lovers of Punjabi taste. It remains in the limelight for its kulcha, which is stuffed and topped with butter and really tasty chicken and lassi. There are stalls and eating houses that dish out rich, delicious food according to the culture of this region. More than being delicious, the food here is a representation of the heartiness of Punjabi cuisine.
How To Reach: The Tilak Nagar Metro Station on the Blue Line is the closest.
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM.
The street food markets in Delhi are more than just a place to eat, it is an experience that puts you in touch with the culture and traditions of the city. Be it the ancient alleys of Chandni Chowk or the posh markets of Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar, each has its own cuisine to boast.
Make your bookings with Trip XL to immerse into the authentic flavours of Delhi!
Cover Photo: Teena Sometimes / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
