Best Food In Chandni Chowk: Must-Try Dishes And Hidden Gems To Explore

A vibrant bowl of curry rice served with warm pita bread -best food in Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk lies in the centre of Old Delhi, with people moving about in their busy lifestyles; it’s a paradise for food lovers. The bumpy lanes containing hoary establishments abound in this historical locality to host a medley of delicious cuisines. Take the savoury kebabs from Karim’s restaurant or have sweet syrupy jalebis served at Old Famous Jalebi Wala. One can find everything about genuine and various Indian foods at Chandni Chowk. In this article, we will provide a deep insight into the best food in Chandni Chowk for your next journey.

10 Best Food In Chandni Chowk You Can’t Miss

Here is a top-picked list of the most popular eateries in Chandni Chowk to make your trip memorable.

1. Paranthe Wali Gali

Image of delicious daal paratha in Parathe wale gali served with achar and dahi on the side

Photo: Ravi Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons

Paranthe Wali Gali, a narrow lane in Chandni Chowk, is famed for its delicious stuffed parathas. Established more than one hundred years ago, this busy lane is home to some of the most recognizable food places across India where you can enjoy parathas filled with potatoes, Cauliflower and Cheese all fried in desi ghee. The outer layer of these parathas is crunchy while the contents are juicy and delicious.

Location: Paranthe Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM (varies by shop)
Prices: ₹100 – ₹200 for two
Signature Dishes: Aloo Paratha, Gobhi Paratha, Paneer Paratha, Dal Paratha, Kachori Paratha

2. Chaat Delights

A vibrant bowl of tamatar chaat, featuring diced tomatoes, spices, and garnishes

Photo: Pandey jayesh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Chandni Chowk’s Chaat Delights is famous for its diverse offerings of tangy and spicy street snacks that are a trademark of Delhi’s food culture. Aloo Chaat, Papdi Chaat, and Dahi Bhalla are some of the chaat varieties that thrive in this busy area. Vendors like Haldiram’s and Babu Ram Chaat Bhandar serve crispy papdis sprinkled with spicy potatoes, soft cream and various chutneys. The tastes may range from sweet to spicy; thus allowing one to experience a fusion on every bite.

Location: Near the intersection with Paranthe Wali Gali and close to the Jain Temple
Timings: 11 AM – 10 PM (varies by vendor)
Prices: ₹30 – ₹80
Signature Dishes: Aloo Chaat, Papdi Chaat, Dahi Bhalla

3. Bhagirath Palace’s Fruit Sandwich

A delicious fruit sandwich from Bhagirath Palace, filled with fresh, colourful fruits and creamy spread

Photo: lazy fri13th / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Bhagirath Palace’s Fruit Sandwich is an unparalleled delight. The traditional sandwich of this specialty shop has an unusual taste, which is made of fresh fruits such as bananas, apples and oranges spread with a thin layer of cream. It is usually served cold making it more refreshing when the temperatures are high. Its mild sweetness distinguishes it from other salty foods in the area.

Location: Near the Bhagirath Palace Market, close to the intersection with Dariba Kalan.
Timings: 11 AM – 8 PM
Prices: ₹50 – ₹80 per sandwich
Signature Dishes: A sandwich with a blend of fresh fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges with a creamy spread, served chilled.

4. Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfi Wale

Image of delicious strawberry kulfi served on a white plate with red strawberry syrup on top

Photo: Kalaiselvi Murugesan / Wikimedia Commons

Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale, one of Chandni Chowk’s most frequented places, is known for its rich and extraordinary kulfis. This historic shop has been in business for over a century and serves several flavours including classic milk solids(mava) and aam (mango) along with more uncommon varieties such as anar (pomegranate) and sitafal(custard apple). Each kulfi is made from full-fat milk mixed with natural substances and then frozen until ready to eat. Whether you want it on a stick or in a cup, these kulfis are simply delicious amidst the great rush of the marketplace.

Location: 2170, Kucha Pati Ram, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India.
Timings: 11 AM – 10 PM
Prices: ₹50 – ₹100
Signature Dishes: Mango Kulfi, Pomegranate Kulfi, Sitaphal Kulfi

5. Mutton Korma And Nihari

A steaming bowl of Nihari served with naan, showcasing rich spices and tender meat

Photo: Kxnyshk / Wikimedia Commons

Chandni Chowk is especially known for Mutton Korma and Nihari, which are their crowning culinary features. With velvety mutton pieces cooked in a sauce made of yoghurt, almonds and spice set, Mutton Korma takes hours to prepare because it has to be cooked slowly at low temperature. Traditional Mughlai stew commonly called Nihari is a night-long cooking process that blends spices to create a thick broth with tender meat pieces throughout. Most people eat these two meals together with naans or parathas.

Landmarks: Karim’s and Al-Jawahar.
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Prices: ₹200 – ₹400
Signature Dishes: Mutton Korma, Nihari

6. Banta

A refreshing bottle of Goli soda with a slice of lemon, showcasing vibrant colours

Photo: Firoz B / Wikimedia Commons

Banta is a refreshing drink stand located in Kanhaiya Nagar that serves one of the most refreshing lemonades in the world. It is a cold drink containing lemon soda and is usually garnished with black salt and masala to make it taste sour and hot. This drink has become very popular with many people who frequent it during the summer season. In addition, this unique drink perfectly accompanies oily dishes sold at Chandni Chowk due to its peculiar taste and effervescence.

Location: Kanhaiya Nagar, Delhi, India
Timings : 10 AM – 9 PM
Prices: ₹20 – ₹30
Signature Dishes: Fizzy lemon soda served with black salt and masala.

7. Rabri Falooda

Image of falooda kulfi served on two glass with colourful ice cream and fruit mixed

Photo: Namitakhaire / Wikimedia Commons

Rabri Falooda is a famous delicacy in Chandni Chowk. It is a combination of Rabri’s rich taste and Falooda’s refreshing qualities. The lavish delicacy comes with levels of chilly creamy rabri – it is sweetened condensed milk prepared with cardamom and garnished with nuts – on top of which are placed vermicelli noodles, basil seeds and one scoop of either rose or mango-flavoured ice cream. This mixture is then chilled before being served off while generously pouring rose syrup over it thus giving rise to an interesting range of textures.

Timings : 12 PM – 10 PM
Prices: ₹50 – ₹100 per serving

8. Khurchan

Spicy mutton Khurchan served on a plate, garnished with fresh herbs and onions

Photo: ANBI / Wikimedia Commons

Khurchan is a scrumptious street food item coming from Chandni Chowk which has a rich flavour. The dish is made out of finely shredded mutton that is cooked slowly to get a tender and flavoursome texture. A combination of spices, including garam masala, turmeric, and chilli powder is used to sauté the mutton producing spicy and fragrant food. Known for its rich, hot gravy and deep umami, Khurchan is often served with naan or parathas.

Landmarks: Karim’s or Al-Jawahar.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (varies by restaurant)
Prices: ₹200 – ₹400 per serving
Signature Dishes: Shredded mutton cooked with spices, served with naan or parathas

9. Haldiram’s

A vibrant plate of Raj Kachori, a popular Indian street food - best food in Chandni Chowk

Photo: Mishti Malik / Wikimedia Commons

Chandni Chowk’s famous Haldiram is known for its vast range of delicious vegetarian snacks and meals. This place serves a variety of traditional dishes such as scrumptious crisp Chole Bhature, spicy Kachoris and savoury Samosas. In addition, the establishment is also well known for its sweets such as Jalebi and Rabri which complement the savoury food items. All these delicacies are made from top-quality ingredients and traditional recipes ensuring their rich flavours and authentic tastes.

Location: 1801, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Prices: ₹50 – 200
Signature Dishes: Chole Bhature, Kachori, and Samosas

10. Kake Da Hotel

A plate featuring roti, sliced meat, and a rich sauce, beautifully arranged - best food in chandni chowk

Photo: amirali mirhashemian / Unsplash

Kake Da Hotel is a legendary eatery that serves rich and flavorful North Indian dishes. This iconic spot has been around since 1931 and is famous for its hearty Butter Chicken, succulent Mutton Curry, and freshly made Tandoori Rotis. The food is prepared in traditional styles using spices and cooking methods that give it a profound taste. The decor is simple and unpretentious; with no distractions, all eyes are on the meal itself.

Location: 1105, Chowk, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Prices: ₹150 – ₹300 per dish.
Signature Dishes: Butter Chicken, Mutton Curry, and Tandoori Rotis.

Plan your visit to Delhi today and learn about the rich history and beautiful architecture. If you are a history aficionado, nature enthusiast or just looking for a calm holiday and want to enjoy the best food in Chandni Chowk in Delhi has something for everyone. Plan your trip with TripXL for a memorable experience.

Cover Photo: kalpa mahagamage / Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the popular markets in Delhi for shopping are Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, and Dilli Haat. These places provide amenities at an affordable price suitable for everyone.
Though Delhi Metro is the most convenient and efficient way to travel around the city, people can opt for auto-rickshaws, taxis, and app-based cabs for transportation purposes.
Yes, photography is allowed in the masjid's premises but is prohibited inside the prayer hall to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
Butter Chicken, Chole Bhature, Parathas, Kebabs, and Street Foods like Golgappe and Chaat are some of the must-try dishes for anyone who visits Delhi. The city is also famous for its Mughlai cuisine and sweets like Jalebi and Kulfi.
Connaught Place, Hauz Khas Village, and Cyber Hub in Gurgaon are some of the most popular places in Delhi where you can find a variety of bars, clubs, and live music venues.

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