Delhi, is an epicureans’ paradise. The diverse range of cuisines makes Delhi a gourmet’s delight. Delhi offers a mixture of North Indian, Mughlai, Punjabi cuisine and mouth watering street fare. Where else would you find a street named after flatbreads? Parathewali Gali. By the way if you are down there try the Papad Paratha.
Street food is the mark of any city – Sitaram Diwanchand’s chole Bhatures, Kuremal’s Kulfis since 1908, Moth Kachori of Multani Dhanda, Jain Sa’ab’s kachoris, Pakorimal Doodhwala’s Milk and Lassi, Bade Mian’s Kheer, Kinari Bazar’s Khurchan, Kulle chaat of Chawri Bazaar, Daulat Ki Chaat, Japani Samosa, Fruit Sandwiches at Jain Coffee House, Giani’s Faluda, Keema Samosa, Sutli Kababs etc. Ghantewala’s Sohan Halwa has been tickling taste buds since 1709. The royal elephant reportedly refused to budge without his daily dose of Ghantewala’s sweets and he used to shake his head to ring the bell tied to his neck to demand sweets. So the halwai got the name Ghantewala.
The place to seek variety in Mughlai food is in the Old city area – Karim’s and Al Jawahar are famous but many an unsung Kababchi or Biryani Wala will surprise you.
Delhi has a big migrant population from all over India. Earlier eateries at state houses served their regional delicacies. Sarvana Bhavan is particularly well known for Andhra cuisine. In CR Park at South Delhi area cuisine from Bengal dominates with cutlets, rolls and sweets having a field day with the varieties of fish on offer. In fact all the state houses have eateries – little known but tasty fare. Regional cuisine is finding its foothold slowly – in restaurants like Brown Sahib and the Gunpowder.
If you are willing to seek out, Delhi has a lot to offer on the culinary trail. For example the Afghani food joint in Lajpat Nagar or the Russian place – Bline, Korean food at Sun and Moon or the Gung in Green park, or excellent Continental fare in the Metropolis restaurant.
Chandni Chowk is a different dimension all together. “No ads, no frills, great food – great prices” says the nameless milk cake shop of Kucha Ghasi Ram. Kashmiri Kebabchi opposite to the Shan Masjid and Bade Mian’s are famous and few gems in this treasure chest of good food.
Commenting on delicious dishes like Biryani is a bit difficult. It is a touchy subject and diehard Lucknavis will pay little heed to Dilli’s fare and Hyderabad is and Kolkattans will swear by their fare but a trip at Hazi Noor Mohammed near Turkman gate or Babbu Bhai near Matka Pir might convert a few. Similarly Lucknow’s ‘Kakori Kebabs’ has a competitor in Dilli’s Gola Kabab of Mian Sahib near Jama Masjid.
Another, landmark “Delhi Haat” Near INA Market and Netaji Subhas Place, showcases India’s rich handicrafts and regional food heritage from all the Indian states. It’s a must visit for handicraft and culinary buffs.
Writing about a diverse and well researched subject like Delhi’s food at best is a difficult task. Eminent food critics have dedicated entire blogs on the subject but only few desperate writers would be able to condense Saadi Dilli’s food in such a short span. It is only my fascination for food and lack of a meaningful ‘Adda’ that I am accustomed to have made a lazy fellow like me to amble across to some of these heavenly eating joints. The experience of describing a Gola Kabab dissolve in your mouth would strain my modest vocabulary and perhaps offend the non carnivorous type. But I would like to hear it from you – your experience, be it an obscure Kachori Wala or a Kulfi Wala – you know the place to tell me all about it – so I might log some more food travel miles.
What are you thinking…. simply post your comment, if you feel we have left any food of your choice and any food courts in Delhi. Lets us know your Food experience, while you are in Delhi. For Delhi Darshan and day tour, please leave a message at metu@toshali.in
Share this with your friends, colleagues, relatives travelling to India and you want to taken out for best cuisines in Delhi.