Best Food In Delhi: Top Dishes And Restaurants You Must Try

Image of Humayun Tomb in Delhi with beautiful architecture, under clear blue sky

Delhi is the national capital territory of a city that borders the Uttar Pradesh and Yamuna river. Delhi is famous for the various types of prominent things going on in the country. It is the centre for many shopping sites, food stalls and many more. There are a few of the best food in Delhi that are a must-try during the visit. Delhi is famous for having delicious food items and varieties like chaat meat, vegetarian food, and desserts. Delhi is a city that has various types of cultures mixed in together.

12 Best Food In Delhi You Can’t Miss

Here are a few famous food items to try in Delhi to get to know the authentic taste of the city.

1. Chole Bhature

Image of deletable chole bhature served on a white plate - one of the best food in Delhi

Photo: Dheerajk88 / Wikimedia Commons

Chhole bhature is one of the best food items to try in Delhi because it has spicy, heavy and rich amounts of flavours. Chole bhature is best enjoyed on an empty stomach, and it is served in many food stores in Delhi. It is a popular vegetarian breakfast in Delhi that is accompanied with a glass of cold lassi and a delicious dessert to balance the spicy flavours in your mouth.

Best Places To Eat: Chache Di Hatta, Baba Nagpal Corner, Sita Ram at Paharganj and Bikanervala
Best Known For: Delicious breakfast item

2. Momos

Image of delicious momos in varieties from steamed to fried and tandoori momo

Photo: shiv singh / Unspalsh

Momos is a popular snack among the youngsters in Delhi, where there are various types of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options with different stuffings. Momos are served with spicy red chutney with a variety of stuffing like chopped vegetables, paneer, chicken, mutton etc. It is a great snack to have on a busy day for a delicious and satisfying feeling. There are momos stalls in every nook and corner of the city, which are a must-try.

Best Places To Eat: Yeti at Connaught Place, QD’s restaurant in Lajpat Nagar and Darjeeling Steemers
Best Known For: A tasty snack on busy days

3. Kebabs

Image of two Kebab served on a white plate with side roasted vegetables like tomatoes

Photo: Suad Kamardeen / Unsplash

Kebabs are one of the best things given to Delhi by the Mughals. There are various types of kebabs available, especially in Delhi. There are varieties, from Seek, Shami, galouti and kakori to many other times available for every type of craving. The meat is marinated with Indian spices in succulent pieces and grilled to perfection, which will make your mouth water. It is a juicy and delicious dish available and one of the most famous dishes in Delhi, seen in street food stalls and dining restaurants with many varieties to choose from.

Best Places To Eat: Sangam Kabab, Bhaijaan Kababs and Abdul Malik Chicken Corner at Jama Masjid
Best Known For: Mughlai cuisine which is rich in its flavours

4. Chaat

Image of two Kebab served on a white plate with side roasted vegetables like tomatoes

Photo: Rutvi Mistry / Wikimedia Commons

Chaats in Delhi are very popular dishes that have rich and tangy flavours. These snacks are of various types, like golgappa, aloo tikki, papdi chaat, dahi bhalla and many more, that tantalise your taste buds with an explosion of sweet, spicy and tiny tastes. It is usually served at the street-side food stalls, which are a famous part of the city’s food culture. Experience Delhi’s vibrant culinary scene, which is a must-try in the busy lanes.

Best Places To Eat: UPSC Chaat Wala, Padam Chaat Corner, Vaishno Chaat Bhandar and Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala
Best Known For: Various types of chaats with a mix of sweet, spicy and tangy flavours

5. Butter Chicken

Close up image of butter chicken in a bowl with butter on top - best food in Delhi

Photo: Raman / Unsplash

Butter chicken originated in the capital city in the 1950s in a restaurant called Moti Mahal, where the marinated juice with butter tomato and some tandoori chicken was tossed and mixed to create one of the most iconic food items in Delhi. This dish is not only popular in India but in the entire world. It is a blend of spicy and succulent chicken that is rich in flavours with a tangy gravy. This food item is a must-try in Delhi if you are a fan of meat in one of your meals.

Best Places To Eat: Moti Mahal at Daryaganj, Havemore at Pandora Road and Aslam’s Chicken Corner at Jama Masjid
Best Known For: Rich flavours and succulent chicken

6. Kathi Rolls

Image of chicken kathi rolls served on a plate - one of the best food in Delhi one can try

Photo: Vivekpat30 / Wikimedia Commons

Kathi rolls are another famous dish in Delhi, even though they originated in Kolkata. In Delhi, rolls are made in different varieties. These rules are a quik’s neck offer with various types of stuffings available in vegetarian and non-vegetarian variations. There are many kathi roll stalls available in almost every lane of the city, just like any other street food item.

Best Places To Eat: Khan Chacha, Qureshi Kabab Corner, Taste Drive at Rajouri Gardens and High Rolls in Defence Colony
Best Known For: Delicious stuffing in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options

7. Jalebi

A vibrant plate of jalebi, featuring intricate, coiled shapes soaked in sweet syrup

Photo: Lion.harvinder / Wikimedia Commons

Jalebi is the most integral part of Delhi cuisine and the best way to eat after a good meal. There is no meal complete without a sugary delight and jalebi is perfect for this. Piping hot jalebi with rabri on top is a must-try in Delhi. There are also several giant jalebis that are the size of your palm available in Delhi. To try one of the best jalebis and satisfy your sweet tooth, try them in one of the oldest eateries in Delhi, which will leave you craving them more.

Best Places To Eat: Jalebi Wala in Chandini Chowk, Bangla Sweets in CP, Kali Charan Gupta Jalebi Wale and Jalebi Store in Chandni Chowk
Best Known For: Mouth Watering taste of the desert

8. Nihari

A delicious serving of Nihari, showcasing tender meat in a spicy broth, topped with cilantro

Photo: 赤猫法師 / Wikimedia Commons

Nihari, which is a signature delicacy, has a rich, spicy broth that is cooked slowly and crafted from tender meat. On the busy streets of old Delhi, the irresistible aroma of this dish is one of the most treasured items in Delhi. This dish is accompanied by hot tandoori or khameeri roti to captivate its flavours and cherish the historical culinary gem in Delhi. This is definitely a must try to get the authentic flavours of Delhi on your palate when you visit the national capital.

Best Places To Eat: Kallu Nihari near Jama Masjid, Al Jawahar, Javed Famous Nihari and Bara Hindu Rao Nihari Wale
Best Known For: Delicious broth with tender meat

9. Parathe

Delicious Lacha Indian Paratha, showcasing its flaky layers and golden colour

Photo: Ananthan Chithiraikani / Unsplash

Parathe is a must-try and an iconic part of Delhi’s culinary heritage. Paraathe are stuffed flatbreads with various types of stuffing and filling inside them, like potatoes, paneer, mixed vegetables, lentils and many more. Parathas are made with wheat dough. There are various types of parathas found in different areas of Delhi. Parathas are accompanied with a side dish to balance the taste and experience the burst of flavours in the mouth.

Best Places To Eat: Moolchand Parathe Wala, Babu Ram Paranthe Wala and Eighteen Paranthe
Best Known For: Amazing stuffed flatbreads accompanying side dishes

10. Rabri Falooda

Image of Rabri Falooda served in a fancy glass with colourful ice cream and fruits

Photo: Kanchana Bose / Wikimedia Commons

Rabri faluda is one of the most famous and popular desserts that one can find in Delhi. It is a delicious fusion of rabri, which is a sweet condensed milk-based dessert and falooda, which is vermicelli noodles served with rose syrup, sabza seeds and chopped nuts. It is rich in its flavours with a blast of various sweeteners and amazing texture. This dessert is found in ice cream parlours and restaurants.

Best Places To Eat: King’s Kulfi, Giani’s Di Hatti, Ameer Sweet House and Mehta Restaurant
Best Known For: A sweet dessert with a mix of various textures

11. Ram Ladoos

Orange ladoos in making - Ram Ladoo and any other sweet ladoos are Best Food In Delhi

Photo: Satdeep Gill / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Ram ladoos are deep-fried lentil fritters that are crispy on the outside and very soft on the inside. It is served with sour tamarind chutney to give it a more flavourful touch. These golden fritters are found in many street food stalls around the city. This is a famous vegetarian street food that will satisfy your cravings. These are definitely a must-try if you visit the national capital – Delhi is known for making the most authentic Ram Ladoos in India.

Best Places To Eat: Ram Laddu Food Corner, Rakesh Ram Laddu and Lajpat Wale Ram Laddu
Best Known For: The texture and the addicting taste

12. Kulfi

Image of Kulfi served in a fancy restaurant with a white plate - Best Food In Delhi

Photo: Francesc Fort / Wikimedia Commons

Kulfi is one of the most famous summer delights in Delhi. It is a local version of ice cream that is rich in its creamy texture and comes in different flavours. There are many varieties, like malai kulfi, mango kulfi, and many more, on various street food stalls in Delhi. This dessert is perfect to satisfy your thirst during the burning heat.

Best Places To Eat: Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfi, Roshan Di Kulfi and Kings Kulfi
Best Known For: Cold and pleasant dessert during summers

There are many street food stalls and fine restaurants in Delhi that provide amazing and authentic food items that represent the culture and lifestyle of the city. Many famous food items in the city are found in the busy lanes of the city. From sweets to main course items, there are different varieties of foods in various cuisines that are rich in spices and flavours. Delhi is mostly famous for its rich flavours of Mughlai cuisine. To learn more about the best food in Delhi and explore the authentic flavours of the city, visit TripXL for further information about the location and their specialties.

Cover Photo: AXP Photography / Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many famous places to visit in Delhi, like the Red Fort, Lotus Temple, India Gate, Jama Masjid, Lodhi Garden and Akshardham.
Delhi is famous for its many markets, like Janpath Market, Dilli Haat, Khan Market, Chandni Chowk and Sarojini Nagar.
The best time to visit Delhi is between the months of October and March because the climate is pleasant and ideal to explore the city.
There are many restaurants, like Bukhara, Mughal Mahal, Moti Mahal, Gulati and Karim's.
Yes, there are many vegetarian restaurants that provide delicious food in Delhi, like Kake Di Hatti, Govind's, Chache Di Hatti and many more.

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