3 Markets for Street Food that Aren’t in Old Delhi

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While Old Delhi may be considered street food headquarters, it takes a certain amount of stamina and perseverance to deal with the chaos and noise. Luckily, it’s not the only place for amazing street food. I live in Delhi and have eaten street food all over the city. In my opinion these are the best markets to get street food that aren’t in Old Delhi.

3 Markets for Street Food that Aren’t in Old Delhi

Delhi is the food capital of India and famous for its street food. If fact, eating street food is one of the most culturally authentic experiences you can have in Delhi. Here are the best street food markets that aren’t in Old Delhi:

Connaught Place

Connaught Place is the unofficial commercial and retail hub of Delhi. Numerous office buildings and businesses are located here with plenty of street food options to support the thousands of people who come to work in the area every day. It’s one of the best markets for street food that aren’t in Old Delhi.

The food scene in Connaught Place is bustling, especially down the radial roads toward the many office buildings. Some food stands have been in the same locations for decades and are famous across Delhi. Most stalls open around 10:00 am and stay open until 9:00 pm or later.

Pappu Chaat Bhandar – aloo or fruit chaat

This unassuming kiosk is famous for two things: aloo (potato) chaat and fruit chaat. You can even get mixed fruit chaat with some aloo added. Everyone comes here, even visiting Bollywood celebrities – it is always busy.

For the health conscious, the fruit chaat is amazing. It’s a massive portion of fresh, seasonal fruit perfectly spiced with masala and tangy sauces.

Pappu Chaat Bhandar is located on KG Marg, close to and on the same side of the street as the British Council building.

Depaul’s – flavoured cold coffee

Skip the sandwiches and momos at Depaul’s and get what this place is famous for and does very well: flavoured cold coffee. Depaul’s is well known in Delhi, and a must stop when in Connaught Place, especially if you are a coffee lover.

Depaul’s serves milkshakes, tea, hot coffee and other flavoured drinks, but none of them are as good as their cold coffee. The hazelnut cold coffee is outstanding. I could drink it every day!

It’s located off Janpath Road in the Janpath Bhawan building, directly behind Janpath Market.

Bhogal’s – chole with kulcha or kofta

This place might take a little effort to find, but it’s worth it. Don’t let the run-down look put you off. The food is amazing and extremely popular with office workers and locals.

Chole (chick peas in spicy gravy) are served with either bhature (puffy fried breads), kulcha (flat fluffy breads – not deep fried) or rice. There’s a few different variations like chole with kofta and chole with matar (both delicious), and they’re all excellent.

Bhogal’s is located on the lane behind Scindia House but not visible from the road. If you can’t find it, just ask a local – everyone knows it.

Odeon Bhel Puri Bhandar – bhel puri

This is a tiny little stand next to where the Odeon Social restaurant used to be. The stand has been there for over 50 years, and is now on its second generation.

The man who started it learned to make bhel puri in Mumbai (bhel puri started on Mumbai’s beaches), and jhal muri (the Bengali version of the same dish) in Kolkata.

Bhel puri can be found all over Delhi, but this one is unique because it uses date and tamarind chutney. It’s one of the best I’ve ever had in India (and trust me I’ve eaten a lot). It’s located on Block D.

Parashar Foods – rajma chawal

This little food stand sells a number of Indian foods, but the best item on the menu is rajma chawal (kidney beans in gravy with rice).

It is served with mint chutney, raw onion and crispy papad, and it’s amazing! Don’t even bother with anything else on the menu – this really is the best rajma chawal in Delhi.

It’s located off of Connaught Circle, just on the corner of the street where Shankar Market is located. The stand is well marked with a big red sign.

Lalji – rasmalai, rabri, rasgulla, gajar ka halwa

This tiny little stand sells rasgullas (milk based sweet dumplings, soaked in sugar syrup), rabri (thick, milk based pudding) and rasmalai (paneer based sweet discs soaked in saffron syrup). Mr Lalji has had the stand for 40 years. It’s another Connaught Place street food spot with a loyal following.

Rabri is sold year round, but after Diwali you can expect to see gulab jamun and gajar ka halwa (carrot halwa).

Lalji is located in front of Punjab and Sind Bank on Block H.

Central Market Lajpat Nagar

Central Market Lajpat Nagar (often referred to as Lajpat Nagar Market or just Central Market) is one of the best known markets in Delhi. It is the place to go for Indian clothing, including wedding jewellery, bangles and outfits. It is also known as one of the best markets in Delhi for street food and has some very popular stands.

I know you’re here for the food, but if you need any Indian clothing this is a great place to get it at budget prices. Kurtas are literally stacked to the ceiling in some shops. Some clothes are ready to wear, some are still on fabric, ready to be cut and stitched. There are tailors right in the market that will quickly stitch them up while you continue shopping… or eating.

Ram Laddu Food Corner – ram laddu

On a prominent corner in the market sits Ram Laddu Food Corner. This stall is famous in Delhi for its large and delicious laddus (puffy fried balls made from mung dal).

They serve them smothered in cilantro and tamarind chutneys, julienned radish and masala. One bite and you will know why this place is so popular.

I never go to Lajpat Nagar Market without stopping here – never!

Vinod Snacks – kachori with aloo sabzi, pakoras, samosas

Vinod Snacks is another very popular stall. It is known for samosas, pakoras (fried, breaded snacks) and lassi (yogurt drink), but they also sell kachori with aloo sabzi (fried bread with potato and vegetable curry) which is delicious.

Chat Corner – aloo tikki

I always get aloo tikki (fried potato patties smothered in chutneys, radish and masalas) from Chat Corner. It is one of the best aloo tikkis I have ever had in Delhi. It has a perfect blend of spice without going overboard.

Dolma Aunty Momo’s – momos

Another great place is Dolma Aunty Momo’s which may be the best momos (filled dumplings) in the city. They make veg, chicken and paneer momos and serve them with a spicy tomato sauce.

This momo shop has been in Lajpat Nagar Market since 1994. Dolma Aunty (yes, there is a Dolma Aunty and she still serves momos) started with just a single propane burner and no proper stall. At the time nobody in Delhi knew what momos were, but now they are a favourite snack.

Dolma Aunty Momo’s also serves desi style (Indian style) Chinese food and their veg and non-veg platters are a bargain. They are located beside the main entrance to the market.

Siyaram Matar Kulche – matar kulche

Don’t let the very simple set up of Siyaram Matar Kulche put you off.

The eatery is right on the curb side (literally, they sit and cook on the curb side) but the matar kulche (flat bread with chickpea curry) is delicious. The masala mix is a 60 year old family recipe.

Siyaram Matar Kulche is right beside the parkette and gets a steady flow of customers. There is no seating or counters, but you can sit on the park benches.

Jhakkas Bombay Pav Bhaji – pav bhaji

Across the street from Ram Laddu is Jhakkas Bombay Pav Bahji. They serve the best Bombay dabeli I have ever had.

Dabeli is a sweet and spicy potato vegetable mixture served on a soft roll with pomegranate seeds and peanuts. It’s a perfect blend of sweet, sour, soft and crunchy.

Amar Colony Market

This colony is a mix of immigrants, refugees and Indians, which is why it is one of the best markets in Delhi to get street food. Afghani style shawarma, mutton kababs, sweet faluda, traditional Indian chaats – it’s all here in this compact market.

Amar Colony Market is famous for two things: Indian suits and street food. What is an Indian suit? It’s a two piece outfit worn by women, generally quite fancy and meant for a wedding or special occasion. If you need something fancy for an Indian wedding, this market is a great place to shop. But shop first and eat after.

I usually warn against eating meat from street stalls, but in this case use your discretion. These places have such a high turnover and are so popular the meat is fresh. Of course, avoid it on really hot or humid days when meat can spoil quickly.

Hunger Strike – chicken tandoori momos

Hunger Strike is practically an institution – a trip to Amar Colony is not complete without stopping for their chicken tandoori momos. They made this snack famous and serve them with creamy raita, mint and spicy tamarind sauces. They are absolutely delicious and the one thing you cannot miss.

Hunger Strike also makes a great meeting point if you are joining friends. It has a very visible and prominent spot in the market – everyone knows this place.

Tunday Kababi – mutton galouti

Tunday Kababi is famous for its mutton galouti (soft) kababs. These kababs melt in your mouth.

They serve them with mint chutney and a fresh rumali roti (thin like a handkerchief) cooked in the traditional method on a giant round tava (cooking stone).

Tunday Kababi is down the lane from Hunger Strike.

Suhani’s Foods – chicken shawarma

This stall sells delicious chicken shawarma and a great soya chaap with cream sauce as a veg option. Soya chaap is a popular meat substitute used in India made from soya bean. It’s a good source of protein.

The shawarma is wrapped in a roti cooked on the flame behind the spit. It’s not overly spicy and served with raita (yogurt sauce) which balances the spices in the meat perfectly.

Aunty Momo – veg dry laphing

Aunty Momo sells momos of course, but what I like here is the veg dry laphing, the Tibetan snack. Laphing is made from potato starch, mung bean or wheat flour and has a soft, noodle like consistency. Aunty Momo rolls up the laphing with a spicy veg mixture – it’s a tasty and healthy snack.

There really is an Aunty Momo – I met her the last time I was there.

Do not confuse this place with Dolma Aunty Momo which is just across the lane from Tunday Kababi and Suhani’s Foods. Aunty Momo is at the end of the lane on the same side as Tunday Kababi and Suhani’s Foods.

34, Chowringhee Lane – kathi rolls

Outside of Kolkata, this place has the best kathi rolls. I really like their veggie roll and chicken keema (minced) roll, and I always add an egg. Their paranthas are fresh and crispy and make the perfect wrap for the soft filling.

It’s a franchise and there are locations across Delhi but if you have room, you should try one in Amar Colony Market so you don’t miss out.

Famous Rabri Faluda Wala – rabri faluda

Faluda…. the famous Indian dessert. Soft vermicelli and saffron noodles with kulfi (Indian ice cream) and rose syrup – it sounds strange but it works. And Famous Rabri Faluda Wala serves an amazing faluda with rabri, the north Indian pudding-like milk dessert. It’s delicious and refreshing, the perfect way to end a meal.

Famous Rabri Faluda Wala has been here for 15 years, and lots of locals come and get it packed to take home to their families.

There is no stall, it’s just a nondescript cart in front of Lenskart.com in the market, just across the lane from Hunger Strike.

Standard Namkeen Corner – namkeen

This isn’t a food stall, it’s a snack shop that specializes in namkeen. They have one of the biggest selections I have ever seen and the namkeen are excellent. It’s one of the oldest shops in Amar Colony Market and very popular with locals.

Namkeen are crunchy, savoury snacks, often served with chai during the mid afternoon chai break. Namkeen also make a great souvenir or gift for any foodies back home.

As well as namkeen, Standard Namkeen Corner has a huge variety of cookies, and a selection of other snacks like potato chips and nuts.

This is also a great pick up spot for Uber or Ola as it has a very prominent corner location with big signage.

What is Veg, Non-Veg and Vegetarian?

In India, food is often referred to as veg or non-veg, especially on the streets and in the dhabas (roadside eateries).

Veg is without meat; but not necessarily with vegetables. Non-veg means with meat. And in India, that will mostly be chicken or mutton since Hindus do not eat beef.

Vegetarian, on the other hand, often means no meat and no eggs. Many Indians who don’t eat meat, also don’t eat eggs. You’ll notice this at the bakeries – there are always baked goods specifically advertised as eggless. It’s for the Indian vegetarians.

Want to know what all the different street foods are and where to find them? Read my beginner’s guide to the famous street food of Delhi.

How to Eat Street Food Safely

• Choose places that are busy with a steady flow of customers – food will be fresh
• Don’t eat street meat if it’s really hot or humid – food spoils quickly in these conditions
• No ice, no water that didn’t come in a properly sealed bottle
• Easy on the sauces – they may be water based (a little should be okay, but don’t slurp up every last bit on the plate)
• try to wash your hands or use disinfectant wipes before eating (your hands have a lot of germs and you’ll be using them to eat with)

Read more about how to eat local and stay healthy and combat an upset digestive system. It’s generally expected that if you eat from dhabas (roadside eateries) and street vendors you’ll eventually get Delhi Belly, but you can reduce the frequency and severity drastically. I eat street food several times a week and have only been sick a small number of times (5 or less).

Never Eat or Drink These from Street Vendors in the Markets

Most street vendors do not use bottled or filtered water to make snacks and drinks. A lot of Indians are used to the water and can stomach it, but most foreigners cannot. These are water based items you should avoid.

The Wrap-up on 3 Markets for Street Food that Aren’t In Old Delhi

Now that you know all about the best markets for street food that aren’t in Old Delhi, it’s time to go out and eat! All of these markets have many more food stalls; I’ve only listed my favourites and the most popular ones.

Feel free to explore the by-lanes and try more options. Just keep in mind the tips on eating street food safely. Pretty soon you’ll have your own list of favourites.

Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing

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