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If you are a lover of food, you will adore India’s capital city. Delhi has one of the most diverse street food cultures anywhere in the world. Enjoying street food is one of the most iconic and authentic experiences a traveler can have in Delhi. Why listen to me? Well, I live in Delhi and eating street food is one of my most favourite things to do. I basically eat it every chance I have!
Delhi’s food is heavily influenced by Punjabi and Mughal cuisines, but the large immigrant population added their own flavour to make the city’s street food some of the best in the world.
Famous Delhi Street Foods
Golgappa (aka Pani-Puri)
Stacks of these bite size dough balls can be seen all over Delhi. Filled with a mixture of onion, potato, chickpeas and spiced water, they are a favourite of Delhiites. The proper way to eat these is to pop the whole golgappa in your mouth.
Make sure bottled water is used to make these, otherwise stick to a restaurant like Haldiram’s to try golgappa. Tap water is not safe to drink in Delhi.
- Best place to try golgappa: Vaishnav Chaat Bhandar in Kamla Nagar Market
- Vegetarian
Dahi Puri
Dahi puri is made from the same hollow dough balls as golgappa, but instead of being filled with a spicy water mixture, they are filled with potato, yogurt and spicy chutneys. It’s all topped off with more yogurt, tamarind sauce, sev (fine, crunchy noodles made from chick pea flour) and cilantro.
This is a popular chaat (snack) that originated in Mumbai. Like most chaats, it’s a mix of sweet, sour, soft and crispy.
- Best place to try dahi puri: Bombay Bhel Puri, Brahmaputra Market
- Vegetarian
Chole Bhature
Chole Bhature is a spicy chick pea curry served with puffy fried bread. Believe it or not, this is an extremely popular breakfast dish in Delhi. Chole is the chick pea curry and bhature is the puffy bread.
I find it a bit heavy for breakfast, but I always grab a plate every time I’m in Chandni Chowk from Kanwarji Raj Kumar for lunch. This place is well known to Delhiites and the chole bhature is amazing!
- Best place to try chole bhature: Kanwarji Raj Kumar on Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi
- Vegetarian
Aloo Tikki
This is another street food you’ll find everywhere. It’s basically the Indian version of a giant hash brown.
A patty made of mashed potato, lentils and spices is fried, then smushed and smothered in yogurt, tamarind sauce and raw vegetables. It’s one of the most popular street foods all over northern India.
- Best place to try aloo tikki: Shiv Tikki, Anand Vihar
- Vegetarian, gluten free
Kathi Rolls
Kathi roll is India’s version of a wrap, made with a layered parantha instead of a tortilla. Thankfully this famous Kolkata street snack can now be found all over Delhi.
Traditionally kathi rolls were served stuffed with skewers of meat, but now the popular street food is also made with egg, chicken and vegetables. It’s a delicious and filling street snack. Pair it with a cup of chai and you have a full meal.
I’ve been lucky enough to eat kathi rolls from the original Nizam’s in Kolkata, but now Nizam’s have locations all across Delhi.
- Best place to try kathi roll: Nizam’s Kathi Kabab (several locations in Delhi, including Connaught Place)
- Vegetarian and non-veg options
Samosa
India’s most famous snack is sold everywhere in Delhi. The common samosa has been the ruin of many diets, and it’s almost impossible to stop at one.
Most street stands sell the traditional potato and vegetable version, but some shops like Kumar Samosa Wala have multiple varieties including meat and chocolate. Samosas are usually served with mint chutney and make a great portable snack.
- Best place to try samosa: Kumar Samosa Wala, New Moti Nagar
- Vegetarian and non-veg options
Ram Laddu
Ram laddus are crispy little dumplings made from mung dal and chana dal (lentils). Of all the fried Delhi street foods, this is probably the healthiest. The laddus are smothered in grated radish and topped with tamarind and mint chutneys; it’s the perfect sweet, sour, crunchy and soft combination.
- Best place to try ram laddu: Ram Laddu Food Corner, Central Market Lajpat Nagar
- Vegetarian, gluten free
Kachori
Kachori is a deep-fried, pastry disc that you will see at many street foods stands. The most common ones in Delhi are aloo kachori (kachori with potato) and kachori chole (kachori with chick pea curry). Many of the kachoris sold in Delhi are filled with lentils and spices.
Delhi’s most famous kachori is at Fateh Chand ki Kachori. The stand (which is actually a bicycle) has been in the family for over 80 years and their kachori chole is legendary.
- Best place to try kachori chole: Fateh Chand Ki Kachori, by St. Xavier School in Civil Lines
- Vegetarian
Papdi Chaat
You’ll find papdi chaat everywhere in Delhi: on the streets, in restaurants and most Indian buffets. Papdi are thin cracker like wafers made from wheat flour. They are then topped with potato, chick peas, yogurt, sev (thin, crunchy noodles made from chick pea flour), mint chutney and garnished with raw radish, onion, cilantro and pomegranate seeds.
For a gluten free option, request the chaat be made with potato instead of the papdi.
- Best place to try papdi chaat: Prabhu Chaat Bhandar (aka UPSC Chaat Wala), in a lane beside the UPSC building near India Gate
- Vegetarian
Momos
Momos are delicious little steamed or fried dumplings filled with meat or vegetables. The momo is a staple snack of Himalayan countries, like Nepal and Tibet, but found its way to Delhi in the 1960s when so many Tibetans followed the Dalai Lama in exile to India.
You’ll find momos all over Delhi – you can recognize a momo stand by the huge, round metal steamers. Most common varieties are veg or chicken and if you get the steamed version, they’re actually pretty healthy.
- Best place to try momos: Hunger Strike, Amar Colony
- Vegetarian and non-veg options
Stuffed Parantha
You’ll find these stuffed flatbreads being served all over Delhi, especially in the morning. They are a popular breakfast food. Paranthas can be filled with just about anything, but the most common are potato, cauliflower and onion or a combination of these.
They are most often cooked on a hot griddle but in Old Delhi they are usually deep fried.
- Best place to try paranthas: Moolchand Parantha, Lajpat Nagar
- Vegetarian and non-veg options
Kebab
If you walk the lanes of Old Delhi around Jama Masjid you will undoubtedly smell the kebabs grilling at little shops on the street. Kebab is available all over Delhi, but since so many Hindus are vegetarian, they are mostly found in Islamic neighbourhoods.
Meat eaters will love the kebabs of Old Delhi. Most kebab stands have been in the same family for generations (like Qureshi Kabab Corner near Jama Masjid) and have their own secret spice blends. Minced mutton and chicken are the most common, but some shops may sell paneer kebab as a vegetarian option.
- Best place to try kebab: Qureshi Kabab Corner, Jama Masjid
- Non-veg (paneer kebab is sometimes available, you will have to ask)
Laphing
This Tibetan snack made its way to Delhi with the Tibetan refugees that followed the Dalai Lama in exile to India. Laphing is a cold, marinated noodle made from mung dal, potato starch and flour. It’s rolled up around a filling of chili paste or vegetables and sliced into bite size pieces. It comes in two version: wet (in broth) and dry (without broth).
If you like momos, you will probably love laphing, and as far as street foods go, this is one of the healthiest options.
You can find laphing in the Tibetan areas of Delhi, like Majnu ka Tilla, but my favourite spot is Aunty Momo in Amar Colony Market.
- Best place to try laphing: Aunty Momo, Amar Colony Market
- Vegetarian and non-veg
Bhel Puri
This is one of the most popular Indian street foods. It’s a savoury mix of puffed rice, raw vegetables, tangy chutneys, peanuts, coriander and sev. Of all the Indian chaats, this is my favourite. It’s a perfect mix of crunchy, soft, sweet and sour, and simply delicious.
Originally this snack came from the beaches of Chowpatty in Mumbai, but thankfully it made its way to the nation’s capital and can be found at stands all over Delhi.
- Best place to try bhel puri: Bombay Bhel Puri, South Extension 1
- Vegetarian (for a gluten free option, ask for no papdi)
Shakarkandi ki Chaat
You know winter is approaching when these portable stands pop up all over the Delhi streets. This is one of the best winter street foods you’ll ever try, and it’s also super healthy.
Sweet potatoes are slow roasted over coals or wood, then peeled, chopped up and tossed with masala spices and lemon juice . It’s often served with roasted star fruit.
The recipe is pretty basic, and there are literally hundreds of these stands over the city so feel free to try it anywhere.
- Best place to try shakarkandi ki chaat: any stand in Delhi
- Vegetarian and gluten free
Fruit Chaat (Kuliya Chaat)
This is absolutely one of my all time favourite chaats. Fresh chunks of seasonal fruit are filled with a spicy mixture of black salt, cumin, lemon juice, chaat masala, chick peas and pomegranate seeds. What is not to love? It’s also a super healthy chaat.
Fruit chaat is also made with cucumber, sweet potato and tomato. Every time I’ve ordered it, the plate always includes one or two of these.
The best place to get fruit chaat is Old Delhi. My go to spot is Hira Laal Chaat Corner in Chawri Bazaar. Don’t let the non-descript appearance fool you – this shop has been making fruit chaat for generations and is famous.
- Best place to try fruit chaat: Hira Laal Chaat Corner, Chawri Bazaar
- Vegetarian and gluten free
Dahi Bhalla and Dahi Vada
Dahi Bhalla is the perfect chilled and savory food during summer. Lentil fritters are soaked in yogurt and topped with sweet and tangy chutneys and spices. It’s often served at festivals, weddings and parties.
Dahi vada is basically the same, but made with urad dal while dahi bhalla has some mung dal added to the batter. Both versions are delicious and refreshing.
- Best place to try dahi bhalla and dahi vada: Shahi Dahi Bhalle, Sarojini Nagar
- Vegetarian and gluten free
Sweet Delhi Street Foods
Rabri Faluda
Rabri faluda is a cold Indian dessert made from rabri (a cream based pudding), kulfi (Indian ice cream) and faluda (sweet vermicelli noodles). It’s a favourite summer time sweet in Delhi.
It is served two ways: either on a plate or in a tall glass, like an ice cream sundae. Simple versions will have crushed ice and rose syrup, while the more elaborate ones will be layered concoctions including dried fruit. Make sure the crushed ice was made with filtered water or ask them not to use it.
- Best place to try rabri faluda: Giani’s, locations across Delhi and Famous Rabri Faluda Wala in Amar Colony Market
- Vegetarian
Daulat ki Chaat
Daulat ki chaat is a sweet that appears in the lanes of Old Delhi once the temperatures drop in winter. You’ll recognize it from the mesh covers used to cover the big bowls of the sweet which are garnished with edible silver and finely ground pistachios.
This frothy dessert is made from whipping full fat milk at cool temperatures for hours until it becomes light and airy. Powdered sugar and saffron are added for sweetness and its golden colour.
- Best place to try daulat ki chaat: any stand in Old Delhi
- Vegetarian and gluten free
Jalebi
Perhaps the most famous of Indian sweets, jalebis are sold all over Delhi. These crispy spiral treats are soaked in a saffron infused sugar syrup which gives them their iconic orange colour. You’ll see them cooking in huge vats all over Old Delhi.
My favourite are black jalebis – they’re not quite as sweet as the orange ones and a little thicker. The orange ones are made from wheat flour, but the black ones are made from a mixture of thickened milk and potato starch – this is what gives them their dark colour. You’ll find black jalebis in Old Delhi in the lanes near Jama Masjid.
- Best place to try jalebi: Old Famous Jalebi Wala, Chandni Chowk
- Vegetarian
Halwa
There are many kinds of halwa, but in Delhi the most common ones are semolina, gajar (carrot) and mung dal. Halwa is available all year round, but gajar halwa and mung dal halwa only appear in winter.
Halwa is a heavy dessert made from slow cooking the ingredients with sugar and milk. It’s not hard to make, but takes hours and it’s hard to match the taste of the halwa at the sweet shops in Delhi.
- Best place to try halwa: Shyam Sweets, Chandni Chowk
- Vegetarian and some types like gajar and mung dal halwa are gluten free
Shahi Tudka
Shahi tudka is the Indian version of bread pudding. The dessert is from the Mughal period of Delhi history and literally translates to ‘royal bite.’
Slices of bread are fried in ghee (clarified butter) and then layered in huge vats with rabri (a sweet, thick milk custard), saffron, nuts and dried fruits. It’s a wonderfully rich and creamy dessert. If you’re having it in summer, I recommend topping it off with ice cream.
- Best place to try shahi tudka: Cool Point, Old Delhi near Jama Masjid
- Vegetarian
Kulfi
India’s version of ice cream is immediately identifiable by its long, conical shape. Kulfi is served on a stick and has a rich texture and flavour due to the long cooking process, and is more dense than ice cream.
In summer kulfi walas ply their metal carts on Delhi streets, and serve kulfi directly from the conical molds. Traditional flavours are pistachio, kesar (saffron), rose, cardamom and mango.
If kulfi isn’t your thing and you’re craving traditional ice cream, these are the best ice cream shops in Delhi.
- Best place to try kulfi: King’s Kulfi or Krishna di Kulfi, both in South Delhi
- Vegetarian, gluten free
Best Places in Delhi for Street Food
Street food is practically on every corner in Delhi, but there are some areas which are famous for their many street food options.
Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazaar (Old Delhi)
This part of Delhi is extremely congested and generally bonkers, but the street food scene is absolutely legendary. Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazaar are next to each other, it’s easy to walk from one to the other.
Historically speaking, Old Delhi is the most significant part of the city. It was built by Shah Jahan between 1637 and 1648 as the walled city of Shahjahanabad. The original wall and several enormous gates are still standing. This is the area of the Red Fort, Purana Qila, Jama Masjid and many other Mughal era monuments. If you’re coming to Old Delhi for the street food, I recommend you spend the better part of the day here and explore the historic side of the area at the same time.
Most of the food stands have been in the same family for generations and foods are heavily influenced by Mughlai and Punjabi cuisines. Some of the best food stands are off the main roads, so don’t be afraid to wander the lanes. Even without the food, it’s an eye opening experience. Some of my favourite stands are:
- Ashok Chaat Corner (papdi chaat & aloo chaat), Chawri Bazaar
- Hira Laal Chaat Corner (fruit chaat), Chawri Bazaar
- Shyam Sweets (halva, gulab jamun, laddu), Chawri Bazaar
- Qureshi Kabab Corner (kebab), Jama Masjid
- Natraj Dahi Bhalla Corner (dahi bhalla), Chandni Chowk
- Khanwarji Raj Kumar (chole bhature), Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chow and Chawri Bazaar markets are closed on Sunday.
Central Market Lajpat Nagar
This is one of the best known and oldest markets in Delhi. The market sprang up when the area was developed in the 1950s, primarily for Hindus and Sikhs moving to Delhi from Pakistan after Partition in 1947. It’s actually one of the best markets to shop for local clothing on a moderate budget as well as street food. My favourite street food spots are:
- Ram Laddu Food Corner (ram laddu)
- Vinod Snacks (kachori aloo sabzi)
- Chat Corner (aloo tikki)
- Dolma Aunty Momos (momos)
- Jhakkas Bombay Pav Bahji (pav bhaji dabeli)
Central Market Lajpat Nagar is closed on Monday.
Amar Colony Market
This is my favourite market in Delhi for street food. You can eat delicious food from India, Afghanistan, Tibet and Pakistan in this compact market area, without the mayhem of Old Delhi.
Amar Colony was mostly settled by refugees and immigrants after Partition in 1947 and the food in the market reflects the diverse cultures. The market is also famous for Indian suits, so if you need something special for a wedding, this is a great place to shop on a budget. There’s also a fabulous and eclectic furniture market in Amar Colony with unique and vintage pieces you won’t find anywhere else in Delhi. My favourite food spots are:
- Hunger Strike (chicken tandoori momos)
- Tunday Kababi (mutton galouti kebab)
- Aunty Momo (veg dry laphing)
- 34, Chowringhee Lane (kathi rolls)
- Famous Rabri Faluda Wala (rabri faluda) – the cart is set up in front of Lenskart.com, across the lane from Hunger Strike
Amar Colony Market is closed on Monday.
Cost of Delhi Street Food
Eating street food in Delhi is not only a valuable cultural experience, it is super cheap! Most chaats (snacks) cost between INR 40 and INR 80 and full plates of food, such as chole bhature, are about INR 100. The cost of one meat kebabs is about INR 60, depending if it’s chicken or mutton. Kulfi is aproximately INR 70 per stick.
If you’re traveling on a budget eating Delhi street food is a great way to keep costs down. But even if you’re not on a strict budget, eating Delhi street food should not be missed.
How to Eat Delhi Street Food Safely
Typical Delhi street foods at Haldiram’s: raj kachori, papdi chaat and golgappa
Thousands of locals and visitors eat street food with no problems at all, and while there’s no guarantee you won’t experience a tummy upset, there is a lot you can do to reduce the risk and eat street food safely.
I eat street food every chance I get, and have only been sick a few times, usually because of something stupid I did (like eating a yogurt soaked chaat in the middle of a Delhi summer heat wave). These are my tips on keeping safe:
- avoid street food in the hot summer months when food spoils quickly
- eat from busy stalls with high turnover; food will be fresh
- don’t eat street meat, unless it’s from a very busy kebab stand
- do not eat or drink anything with water (except chai which is boiled) unless you are sure it came from a sealed bottle
- go easy on the sauces, they may or may not have been made with filtered water
- wash hands with sanitizer before eating
Still not convinced? If you want to experience Delhi chaat, you can safely eat it at Haldiram’s, a casual Indian food franchise well known for high sanitary standards. Haldiram’s sells a good variety of typical street foods and there are numerous locations across Delhi.
Another great way to experience the street food of Delhi is to take a street food tour. A tour will bring you to the best places, and you’ll not only learn about the foods, but the stories behind them.
How to Get Around Delhi to Try the Street Food
The best way to move around Delhi is by metro. Surprisingly, it’s one of the best metro systems in the world. It’s modern, clean, efficient, cheap and very easy to use. It goes all over the city and is much faster than taking an Uber in most cases. The first coach in the moving direction is reserved for ladies. See my step by step guide on using the Delhi metro.
The Wrap-Up on Delhi’s Famous Street Food: A Guide for Beginner’s
One of the very best things about Delhi is the street food. It’s delicious, fresh, and super cheap. Keep in mind the safety tips and get out there and have your own authentic Delhiite food experience.
Still looking for more? Let these articles guide you…
- 26 Places for the Best Food in Old Delhi
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: An Insider’s Food Walk
- Is India’s Street Food Safe for Tourists to Eat?
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
