Delhi for Foodies – 13 Unique Food Experiences
Delhi is a city made for foodies. The city has many hidden culinary gems and unique eating experiences most visitors never try.
I lived in Delhi for several years, and am excited to share some of the most unforgettable and unique food experiences Delhi has to offer.
Delhi for Foodies – Unique Food Experiences
Delhi has a unique food culture. It’s a melting pot of Mughal influenced cuisine and street food, with refugees and the expat communities adding their own twists. Delhi is a culinary paradise for foodies.
Here are my favourite Delhi experience for foodies:
1. Indulge in a high tea buffet at the Imperial
The Imperial New Delhi has the best high tea in Delhi. It’s buffet style so you can help yourself to as many pastries, sandwiches and savoury snacks as you want. And they are amazing. Tea is still served at the table.
I was skeptical at first (I was a fan of Imperial’s traditional three tiered service), but after experiencing it I can honestly say it’s fabulous.
With its amazing location right in the centre of Delhi, the Imperial is a welcome sanctuary from sight-seeing. It’s a stunning heritage hotel, the best hotel in Connaught Place, and has a famous art collection. After high tea, stroll the public spaces and enjoy the ambience.
2. Sample street food in Amar Colony
This is one of the very best markets for foodies in Delhi. I enjoy it more than Old Delhi for street food.
Because so many immigrants and refugees migrated here, the food is very diverse. It’s also a compact market and quite walkable. But most importantly, the street food is amazing.
Try the chicken tandoori momos at Hunger Strike, the dry veg laphing at Aunty Momo, and the rabri faluda from the cart outside of the Lenskart shop. The best time to go is in the afternoon and early evening.
3. Eat like a local at dhaba Kake da Hotel
Dhabas are casual eateries that are very popular with locals. They serve simple but fresh food, and it’s usually delicious. One of the most famous dhabas in Delhi is Kake da Hotel.
The food is amazing and super cheap. There’s usually a line up in the evenings and on the weekend, but it’s worth it. This place gets crowded and hectic, but it’s a fun and very authentic Delhi foodie experience.
It’s on the outer circle of Connaught Place.
4. Get cultural at Habiteria, Delhi’s nicest food court
Habiteria is a small, upscale food court in India Habitat Centre, Delhi’s premier cultural centre.
India Habitat Centre is membership based, but the food court, two art galleries and the outdoor space with sculptures are open to the public.
The food at Habiteria is mostly Indian and Asian, but there’s a good bakery section also. The outdoor space is nice and has a koi pond.
5. Dine in a prince’s palace at Bikaner House
Here’s your chance to eat in a real prince’s palace without it costing a small fortune. Bikaner House was the palace of the prince of Bikaner. It was restored in 2015 as an arts centre, and has 4 excellent restaurants:
- Haldiram’s: budget friendly, cafeteria style, Indian food
- Diggin Cafe: nice cafe, international food, great terrace
- L’Opera: Parisian style pastry and light food
- Havemore: Indian food in a contemporary setting
There are always free art exhibits, and the building and grounds are lovely for exploring. There’s no entry fee.
6. Eat all you want at the state run canteen Andhra Pradesh Bhawan
Government workers and locals love eating at canteens in state bhawans (government buildings). Not only is the food fresh and tasty, it’s budget friendly. There are quite a few bhawans in Delhi, but one of the best is Andhra Pradesh Bhawan.
I highly recommend the veg thali tray. Servers walk around the room, refilling your thali tray as many times as you want.
This is one of my very favourite spots to eat in Delhi, perfect for foodies – and no tourists.
7. Le Petit Chef at Shangri-la Eros Hotel
The world-wide dining phenomena is in Delhi. Le Petit Chef is only 6 cm tall, and he prepares a 5 course meal at your table using 3D projection mapping. It’s a fusion of fine dining and computer generated theatre, all at the table.
It’s an immersive dining experience that will please even the most discriminating foodie in Delhi. And the meal? Like all food at the Shangri-la Eros Hotel, it’s top notch.
8. Enjoy endless dim sum lunch at Shang Palace
Every day the Shang Palace restaurant in the Shangri-la Eros Hotel hosts Shangtastic Dimsum Lunch. It’s an all you can eat extravaganza of exceptional Asian food.
For lunch it’s a little pricey, but you will be so stuffed after you won’t want to eat dinner.
I can eat a lot, especially dim sum, and this lunch even defeated me. It was an endless procession of fresh dim sum, salads, hearty clay pot dishes, dessert and tea. One of the best meals I’ve ever had in Delhi.
9. Try Indian fine dining with your hands at Bukhara
Bukhara is one of India’s most famous fine dining restaurants, and guests have to eat with their hands. In keeping with the northern Indian cuisine and theme, there is no cutlery.
Having lived in the lower Himalayas for 18 months, I can attest this is very common there. In fact, food taste better when you eat with your hands.
The food here is exceptionally good, Bukhara is regularly rated one of the best restaurants in the world. The foodie in you will appreciate this memorable Delhi restaurant.
10. Have langar at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Langar is the free, vegetarian meal served at Sikh gurudwaras. And the best place to have langar is Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. This is Delhi’s most prominent Sikh gurudwara. It serves 40,000 meals daily, and up to 100,000 during religious festivals.
Having langar is a special experience. The food is blessed and prepared by volunteers in the massive kitchen. Everybody sits on the floor together while servers walk up the aisles and dish out food.
I visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib regularly and love having langar there. Everyone is welcome regardless of religion or nationality.
11. Eat Korean food at the Korean Cultural Centre
Delhi has many cultural centres and embassies with restaurants. Almost all require diplomatic ID or membership to get in, but Dalgrak at the Korean Cultural Centre is open to everyone.
Most visitors don’t know about the restaurants at the cultural centres, but Delhi foodies take advantage of them often.
Dalgrak is a bright and cheerful restaurant with a great variety of traditional Korean foods like gimbap, ramyeon, deopbap and Korean fried chicken.
12. Dine with a historic view from the terrace of Hauz Khas Social
If you want to dine with a splendid view of one of Delhi’s most lovely historic sites, head to Hauz Khas Social and eat outside on their terrace.
Delhi foodies love this restaurant, it has an eclectic menu and a fun vibe. But not even all the regulars know about the magnificent views of the 14th century Hauz Khas Complex.
Go in the evening, the terrace isn’t always open during the day. It’s also a nice spot for drinks at night.
13. Picnic among the ruins in Lodhi Garden
Grab some food at one of the small super markets like Krishna Supermarche 37 or Nature’s Basket (you can order online too) and head to Lodhi Garden for a picnic.
Lodhi Garden is a gorgeous heritage park with monuments from the 15th century, lovely gardens and plenty of green space. This is every Delhiites favourite park, and I’m sure it will captivate you too. It’s one of Delhi’s most beautiful green spaces.
Last Words on Delhi for Foodies – 13 Unique Food Experiences
Delhi really is a city for foodies. Food is a huge part of the culture – there is food everywhere! And because of the large diplomatic community, as well as migrants and immigrants from all over the world, the diversity of the cuisine is outstanding.
