Restaurants in Delhi
Delhi has a wealth of fantastic restaurants to suit all budgets and palates. Alcohol is available at most places although budget eateries tend to lack the requisite liquor licence. The price of alcohol is variable, with high-end restaurants charging as much as triple the price of a mid-range eatery. Indian wine does exist, although it is still something of an acquired taste. Indian beer is excellent, but insist on a well-chilled bottle!
The Delhi restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over Rs2,500)
Moderate (Rs1,000 to Rs2,500)
Cheap (up to Rs1,000)
These Delhi restaurant prices are the cost of a meal for two with wine or beer (where sold), including taxes.
Expensive
Bukhara
Cuisine: North IndianBukhara is widely touted as the best place in Delhi for North-West Frontier cuisine. Particularly good are its tandoor and dhal as well as the kastoori kebab. The ambience is suitably rustic, while the clientele are decidedly more fashion conscious (despite the bib-like aprons patrons are provided with). If you're with a large group, get the giant naan.
Address: , ITC Maurya New Delhi, Sardar Patel Marg, Delhi,Telephone: (011) 2611 2233.
Website: http://www.itchotels.in/hotels/itcmaurya.aspx
Latitude 28
Cuisine: ItalianA Euro outpost in the midst of Khan Market, Latitude 28 features bruschettas, pastas, sandwiches and juices. To get there, enter the Good Earth store, then make your way all the way up the stairs. Reservations are recommended, as the place fills up with its stylish clientele even at lunch.
Address: , 9 Khan Market, Delhi,Telephone: (011) 2462 1013.
Website: http://www.diva-italian.com/latitude-28
Veda Restaurant
Cuisine: IndianBased on a concept developed by Indian immigrants to New York, Veda Restaurant, conveniently situated in Connaught Place, offers an intriguing range of traditional and not so traditional Indian food in very special surroundings, and supported by an excellent wine list. This Delhi restaurant is gaining fame throughout India, and is definitely worth sampling.
Address: , H-27, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, Delhi,Telephone: (011) 4151 3535.
Website: http://www.vedarestaurants.com
Moderate
Kwality
Cuisine: North IndianThis iconic Delhi restaurant has been going strong for around 60 years, thanks to its consistently good, primarily north Indian food. Attracting a predominantly middle-class crowd, Kwality deserves kudos for its variety of dishes, from chunky meat curries to delicate paneer creations. There is a pleasing variety of veg and non-veg dishes to choose from. One standout is the chana bhatura.
Address: Connaught Place, 7 Regal Building, Delhi,Telephone: (011) 2374 2352.
Website: http://www.kwalitygroup.com
Spice Water Trail
Cuisine: South IndianThe spicy tropical delights of south Indian cuisine are the focus at this new restaurant in Delhi – and it's not just the 'old favourites' that populate the menu. Intriguing seafood concoctions vie for attention with vegetarian and meat dishes, and the chefs aren't afraid to experiment a little with tried and trusted ingredients.
Address: Greater Kailash I, M-24 M Block Market, Delhi,Telephone: (011) 3089 4731.
Website: http://www.spicewatertrail.com
The Big Chill Café
Cuisine: ItalianIf you're ready for a break from Indian food, try the Italian fare at one of the several locations of this Delhi-based chain.
Address: Khan Market, 68, Prithviraj Lane, Delhi,Telephone: (011) 4175 7588.
Cheap
Hotel Saravana Bhavan
Cuisine: South IndianOne of the few places in Delhi to get authentic South Indian fare – including idly, uttapam, dosai and gulab jamun – Saravana Bhavan is so wildly popular that you may have to wait for a table. We’re guessing you’ll find it worth the wait.
Address: , 46, Janpath, Delhi,Telephone:
Website: http://www.saravanabhavan.com
Karim's
Cuisine: MughalEstablished in 1913, Karim's is something of a Delhi institution. It serves robust (mostly non-veg) Mughal food in rudimentary but clean surroundings off a courtyard near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. The tandoori chicken and tandoori burra (mutton) both come highly recommended, as do the juicy kebabs. The selection of traditional Indian breads, from stuffed naan to paper-thin romali roti provides the perfect accompaniment. During Ramadan, the restaurant is only open after sunset.
Address: , 16 Jama Masjid, Delhi,Telephone: (011) 2326 9880.
Website: http://www.karimhoteldelhi.com
Nizam’s Kathi Kabab
Cuisine: Indian street foodEnjoy perfectly greasy, melt-in-your-mouth kathi rolls (a type of wrap, typically with meat and sauce stuffed inside a paratha) at this basic but clean café in Connaught Place's Middle Circle.
Address: , H 5 & 6, Plaza Building, Middle Circle, Connaught Place, Delhi,Telephone: (011) 2371 3078.