Cheap, Secret & Delicious – Where to Eat on a Budget in Delhi
Like most capital cities, Delhi tends to be more expensive than the rest of the country, but it’s still possible visit Delhi on a budget and eat very well.
The freshest and tastiest meals I’ve had in Delhi have been in the most unexpected places, and they have been super cheap! I’m going to give you all my secret tips on where to eat on a budget in Delhi.
Cheap, Secret & Delicious Places to Eat on a Budget in Delhi
Almost of all these places were introduced to me by locals. I almost never see tourists or expats dining in them, even though they’re popular with Delhiites. Some are hidden gems, but others are places you’ll see everywhere but might not think to try.
Here are my favourite places to eat on a budget in Delhi:
1. State Bhawans
State bhawans are the best place to find delicious food at budget prices in Delhi. Bhawans are government buildings, and Delhi has bhawans from every state in India.
Most state bhawans have canteens that are open to the public. They prepare and serve food from their home state at very affordable prices.
Bhawans are very popular with government workers, but not many tourists know about them. The food is usually fantastic, and very cheap.
Most bhawans serve 3 meals a day and are closed in between meal times. Typical hours are breakfast: 8-10:00 am, lunch: 12:30-3:00 pm and dinner: 7:30-10:00 pm, but this varies.
If there is a thali tray on the menu, order that. You will get a variety of regional specialties, rice and Indian bread. It’s basically a buffet on a plate, and they are often all you can eat.
My favourite bhawans are Andhra Pradesh Bhawan, Gujarat Bhawan and New Sikkim House (really good for momos).
2. India’s ‘Fast Food’ Giants: Halidram’s or Bikanervala
Haldiram’s and Bikanervala are the two largest cafeteria style food chains in India. You will see them all over Delhi. They’re hugely popular with locals, but most tourists never think to eat here.
Both serve a variety of Indian meals and street style snacks in casual restaurants. Haldiram’s has more locations across Delhi, so you’ll see them more often, but I’ve noticed Bikanervala catching up.
Everyone has their favourite (I’m a die-hard Haldiram’s fan), but try them both.
3. Street Food
You don’t need to go to Old Delhi to eat street food. There is literally street food everywhere in Delhi.
I’m not knocking Old Delhi, it’s a very historic part of the city and considered ground zero for street food. But Delhi has other spots that aren’t as chaotic, with street food that is just as good.
There are 3 markets that I prefer to Old Delhi for street food: Connaught Place, Central Market Lajpat Nagar and Amar Colony Market.
Both Amar Colony Market and Central Market Lajpat Nagar are pretty compact, and the street food joints are close together.
Connaught Place is a bit more spread out, but very central. Even if you don’t go for street food, you’ll probably end up in Connaught Place anyway. Many of Delhi’s most amazing sites are around there.
Is Street Food Safe to Eat?
Sometimes street food is safer to eat than restaurant food. Street food is super fresh, and cooked to order in front of you.
Choose a stall that looks busy, be extra cautious about meat, and avoid all street food during summer and monsoon (May to August). Food spoils quickly during these seasons. And most importantly: wash your hands before eating or use sanitizer wipes!
Here’s my curated DIY Old Delhi Street Food Tour.
4. Dhabas
Technically dhabas are roadside food stalls, located on highways and at gas stations. But now dhabas are an essential part of the Delhi food scene, located in many middle class neighbourhoods. They offer fresh, home style food in a casual setting.
You may have to wait or share a table at these dhabas, but the food is top notch and at super budget prices. These are humble establishments – rustic wooden seats and tables, open style kitchens, often no toilets (but always a sink to wash hands).
Some dhabas refill your plate at no extra charge. They serve local, Indian food. These are some of the dhabas I regularly eat at:
- Kake da Hotel: Located in Connaught Place, it serves North Indian food (a bit spicy), and is an iconic Delhi establishment.
- Rajinder da Dhaba: Famous South Delhi dhaba. Go in the evening when the take out window is open and eat chicken curry with roti in the parking lot like the locals. The take out window is the cheapest option, but there are sit down restaurants too – the downstairs one is the most budget friendly.
- Karim’s: Old Delhi’s most famous eatery. It was the very first dhaba I ate at – very casual, but they serve delicious Mughal style food.
5. University of Delhi North Campus & St. Stephen’s College Cafeterias
I can’t remember how I found out that anyone could eat here, but when I was exploring the British monuments in North Delhi, my friend and I went to the cafeteria at University of Delhi. We just walked in like we knew where we were going and nobody questioned us.
The cafeteria is basic and the food was simple, but we both got large veg thali trays that included gulab jamun for dessert, and it was very, very cheap.
An even better option is the Cafe in St. Stephen’s College. St. Stephen’s is a very respected college associated with the University of Delhi. This is where the upper crust send their kids.
The St. Stephen’s cafeteria is nicer, with a large outdoor seating area. Food is fresh, good and very budget friendly. A St. Stephen’s alum told me about this one!
6. Evergreen Sweet House
If you are in South Delhi, this is an excellent place to stop for lunch or dinner. It’s located in Green Park Market, an upscale residential area.
I have eaten at Evergreen numerous times, and everything it always good. The restaurant is upstairs, above the sweet shop. It’s sit down service, and they have clean washrooms.
Several knock-off Evergreen restaurants have opened up around Delhi, but this is the authentic one.
Incidentally, this is one of the best sweet shops in Delhi for traditional Indian sweets. I often pick up some after my meal to bring home.
7. Mysore Cafe
Mysore Cafe is the perfect place for breakfast or lunch if you are sightseeing in New Delhi. It’s popular with local office workers for breakfast.
The food is South Indian (dosas, uttapam and South Indian style coffee). I had uttapam here. It’s India’s version of a savoury pancake, and made with rice or lentil batter. Sounds weird, but it tastes good and is healthy.
Mysore Cafe opens early, so if you’re jet lagged and looking for somewhere to have breakfast other than the hotel, this is an excellent option.
8. Kaleva
My landlady introduced me to Kaleva. She thinks they have one of the best chole kulchas in Delhi (chick peas in gravy with fluffy breads), and she’s right!
It’s close to Connaught Place and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, so we would often stop here on the way home from the gurudwara.
It’s a well known sweet shop, but they sell meals as well. I highly recommend the chole kulcha, it really is terrific.
9. Bengali Sweet House
This local sweet shop serves North and South Indian food, like chole, dhal and dosa. I ended up here while on a Delhi cycling tour one morning. The local guide took my group here for breakfast.
It’s located very near Connaught Place, and is a wonderful place to eat on a budget if you are in Central Delhi. I fell in love with the area. It’s in the middle of everything, but feels like a secret neighbourhood – something rare in a mega city like Delhi.
There’s a few sweet shops and restaurants here, all located around the roundabout in the Bengali Market.
Last Words on Cheap, Secret & Delicious – Where to Eat on a Budget in Delhi
Delhi is full of places to eat on a budget – you don’t have to stick to this list. Just look for spots that are busy with locals.
Delhiites love food, and they won’t eat somewhere if the food is sub-par. I have found a few hidden gems that way. If the place is busy, you know it’s going to be good.
