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Known as the food capital of India, Delhi is a paradise for foodies. From the most humble dhaba to exquisite fine dining, there are many famous restaurants in Delhi.
After years of living and eating in Delhi, these are my top picks of famous restaurants. Some are famous because of the chef, or because they were featured in a movie. Most are famous because the food is exceptional, and they are iconic culinary symbols of Delhi.
Famous Restaurants In Delhi
Many of these restaurants are legendary. Not only are they famous with Delhiites, they are famous across India. Most are Indian cuisine, but there’s a few international restaurants in here too.
I’ve listed the restaurants according to price point. The budget ones are first, and the fine dining restaurants last.
1. Halidram’s
India’s number one fast-food chain restaurant, Haldiram’s is famous for its delicious food at budget prices. By fast food, I mean Indian fast food: lassi, dhal, chole, chaat. Haldiram’s is sort of the McDonalds of India, but better.
- Location: numerous restaurants across Delhi
- Hours: 8:30 am – 10:30 pm generally, but hours can vary depending on location
- Cost: $
2. Evergreen Sweet House
A casual neighbourhood eatery that is really well known with Delhiites. It became even more famous when it was discovered that India’s biggest star, Shah Rukh Khan used to eat here. I often eat at Evergreen when in the area. The food is good and budget friendly. Downstairs is the sweet shop, head upstairs for the restaurant.
- Location: S29 & 30, Green Park Market, Delhi
- Hours: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Cost: $
3. Rajinder da Dhaba
Rajinder da Dhaba is a Delhi legend, and one of the most famous restaurants in the city. People queue up to buy chicken curry and eat it in the parking lot, using their motorcycles seats as dining tables.
It started years ago as a food stand, but now takes up most of the block. Either get take out and enjoy it in the parking lot like the locals, or eat in the restaurant on the right side, downstairs for best prices.
- Location: AB-14B, Nauroji Nagar Marg, Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 11:30 pm
- Cost: $
4. Kake da Hotel
This iconic Delhi eatery may be humble, but it has served many famous politicians and Bollywood stars. The food is famous, especially the chicken and lamb dishes. It gets very crowded at night, but it’s fun and a truly iconic Delhi experience.
- Location: Shop 67, Connaught Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Cost: $
5. Kake di Hatti
This super casual restaurant in Old Delhi became famous internationally when Jamie Oliver visited and ate there. Kake di Hatti is known for its giant naan bread, and calls itself the ‘King of Naan.’ The winter specialty, sarson ka saag is especially good here.
- Location: Church Mission Road, Khari Baoli, Old Delhi
- Hours: 8:00 am – 1:00 am
- Cost: $
7. Karim’s
Karim’s is Old Delhi’s most famous restaurant. It has served Mughal specialties since 1913. The original proprietor was a chef in the royal household and Karim’s still uses those Mughal recipes. Their most famous dishes are chicken jahangir, seekh kebabs and nihari, the Old Delhi specialty.
Karim’s has different locations now, but the original and most authentic one is in Old Delhi.
- Location: No. 16 Gali Kababian, Bazar Matia Mahal, Old Delhi
- Hours: 9:00 am – 1:00 am
- Cost: $
8. Roshan di Kulfi
Originally a kulfi stand in the 1950s, Roshan di Kulfi has grown into the most famous restaurant in the bustling Karol Bagh area of Delhi. The chole bhature, Navratra specialties and of course the kulfi faluda are all delicious.
There’s a few locations, but make sure you go the original shop in Karol Bagh.
- Location: No. 816, Ajmal Khan Rd, Karol Bagh Market, New Delhi
- Hours: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Cost: $
9. Mysore Cafe
One of the most famous breakfast restaurants in Delhi, Mysore Cafe is not to be missed. It’s located near many famous sites likes India Gate in the VIP section of South Delhi. This was Indira Gandhi’s favourite breakfast joint, India’s most notorious Prime Minister.
What Indians eat for breakfast is what North Americans eat for lunch or dinner, so come any time!
- Location: Teen Murti Marg Area, New Delhi
- Hours: 7:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Cost: $
10. Andhra Pradesh Bhawan
Bhawans are state run canteens, and the most famous of these is Andhra Pradesh Bhawan. The best item on the menu is the veg thali tray – a selection of 8 different specialties. Servers roam the aisles with metal vats of food, and refill your tray as many times as you want. This is one of the best local places to eat in all of Delhi.
- Location: Ashoka Road, New Delhi
- Hours: 8:00 am – 10:00 am, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
- Cost: $
11. Gulati
Gulati is one of Delhi’s most popular and famous North Indian restaurants. It’s a long standing favourite of Delhiites, and you’ll have to wait for a table if you go at night or on the weekend. I’ve eaten here several times and it’s always delicious.
Plus Krishna di Kulfi is next door – one of the best places in Delhi for kulfi (Indian ice cream). It’s a match made in gastronomic heaven.
- Location: Pandara Road Market, New Delhi
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Cost: $$
12. Chor Bizarre
Chor Bizarre is a wonderful Delhi restaurant, famously located in the former palace of the Maharaja of Bikaner. It was built by the British Raj in 1929 as one of the palaces in Prince’s Park, the coveted area around India Gate. How many people can say they’ve eaten in a prince’s palace? And the food is really good too.
- Location: Bikaner House, Pandara Road, New Delhi
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm & 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Cost: $$
13. Moti Mahal (in Daryaganj)
One of the oldest and most famous Delhi restaurants is Moti Mahal. Many politicians, Bollywood biggest stars and international celebrities, including Chef Gordon Ramsay, have visited this Moti Mahal. The original owner invented two of India’s iconic dishes, butter chicken and dahl makhani when he came to Delhi from Pakistan after Partition.
- Location: 3704 Netaji Subhash Marg, Daryaganj, Delhi
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 12:30 am
- Cost: $$
14. Social (Hauz Khas)
Hauz Khas Social shot to fame when scenes from the Bollywood blockbuster Tamasha were filmed here. Movie fans from all over India still visit the restaurant to see where the emotional scenes took place. Food and views of Hauz Khas Fort from the outdoor terrace are great too. It’s my favourite Hauz Khas Village eatery.
- Location: Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
- Hours: 11:00 am – 1:00 am
- Cost: $$
15. Leo’s Artisan Pizza
Leo’s is one of the two pizzerias in India to make the top 50 list of pizzerias in Asia Pacific. I’ve had their Margherita and it was definitely the best pizza I’ve had in India. Plus the proprietor named the joint after his dog, whose photos are everywhere. Delhi has several locations, but I always go to the original in Vasant Vihar.
- Location: 20 Basant Lok Market, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Cost: $$
16. Lavonne Cafe
Bangalore’s most famous pastry shop finally opened a restaurant and patisserie in Delhi. Everything is prepared at the Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts, one of the most respected baking schools in India. Lavonne is famous for French pastry, so skip lunch and just order dessert.
- Location: D16, Upper Ground Floor, Defence Colony, New Delhi
- Hours: 8:30 am – 10:30 pm
- Cost: $$
17. Guppy
Consistently voted one of the best restaurants in India, Guppy is the go-to place for Japanese food in Delhi. With its playful decor, anime sculpture, poke bar and commitment to the freshest food, it will win your heart. The restaurant is located in Lodhi Colony, Delhi’s most famous outdoor art district. Check it out while you’re there.
- Location: No 28 Main Market, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Cost: $$
18. Olive Bar and Kitchen
This restaurant has won numerous awards for best Mediterranean and European food, including being listed in the World’s Best 50 Restaurants. Set in a restored Mughal mansion, the restaurant is beautiful, especially the patio with a huge banyan tree. But the real star is the food, which is excellent.
- Location: One Style Mile, 6-8, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli, Delhi
- Hours: 12:30 pm – 12:30 am
- Cost: $$$
19. Lakhori
This restaurant is famously located in a haveli built in the 1800s, and has earned UNESCO status for cultural heritage preservation, the only one in Delhi. Dining at Lakhori is like stepping back in time, and it’s exquisite.
Almost all of Old Delhi’s havelis have either been demolished, or are in a deplorable state, so this is a unique opportunity to glimpse how grand Old Delhi used to be.
- Location: Haveli Dharampura, No. 2293 Gali Anar, Dharam Pura, Old Delhi
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Cost: $$$
20. Bukhara
Delhi’s most famous restaurant is Bukhara. It is regularly recognized as one of the 50 best restaurants in the world and numerous celebrities have eaten here, including Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen. The decor at Bukhara is intentionally rustic, and there is no cutlery.
- Location: ITC Maurya, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
- Hours: 12:30 pm – 2:45 pm & 7:00 pm – 11:45 pm
- Cost: $$$
21. Indian Accent
Indian Accent’s top chef, Manish Mehrota, is regularly named one of the best chefs in Asia. He’s a celebrity in the culinary world, and has restaurants in New York City and London. Famous for creating inventive and ever changing tasting menus, this is what you should eat at Indian Accent. If that’s too much, try the 4 course lunch.
- Location: The Lodhi, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm & 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
- Cost: $$$
22. The Spice Route
Perhaps even more famous than the food at the Spice Route, is the decor. It resembles a colourful, beautiful temple. True to its name, the cuisine takes guests on a culinary journey through the ancient spice route with dishes from Indonesia, China, India, and Thailand. The Spice Route is so magical, Condé Nast called it one of the top 10 restaurants in the world.
- Location: The Imperial, Janpath Road, New Delhi
- Hours: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Cost: $$$
23. Dum Pukht
Named one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Dum Pukht is famous for being one of Delhi’s very best restaurants. This is a fine dining restaurant that specializes in dum cooking, the method of slow cooking in a sealed pot. They serve the best biryanis, tundey kebabs (melt in your mouth) and pulaos in Delhi.
- Location: ITC Maurya, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
- Hours: 12:30 pm – 2:45 pm & 7:00 pm – 11:45 pm
- Cost: $$$
Where To Stay In Delhi
South Delhi is the best part of the city to stay in. Not only is it a safer and greener area, it is also where many of Delhi’s sites and attractions are located. These are my top picks for South Delhi. They are all very well located and exceptional properties.
📍Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast (Budget)
📍Lutyens Bungalow (Mid-range)
📍Taj Mahal New Delhi (Luxury)
FAQs
These are questions I often hear about eating out in Delhi:
Which is No. 1 restaurant in India?
Indian Accent in Delhi has been named by a number of highly regarded sources, including Condé Nast Traveler as the No. 1 restaurant in India for 2023.
Which street food is famous in Delhi?
Golgappa are the most famous street food in Delhi. Stacks of the hollow bite size balls can be seen all over the city. Delhiites adore them. Visitors should avoid eating them on the streets though, because they are filled with spiced water which may not be filtered. Eat them at a Haldiram’s instead.
Which area is best for food in Delhi?
Central Delhi which includes Connaught Place is the best area for food in Delhi. Not only are many of the most famous restaurants in Delhi located here, there is an excellent street food scene in Connaught Place.
What is Delhi’s famous sweet?
Gulab Jamun is the most famous sweet in Delhi. The little dough balls that are soaked in sweet syrup are found all over Delhi, and in just about every single restaurant. Best served hot, it is the iconic dessert of India.
The Wrap-up on the Famous Restaurants in Delhi
This turned out be a much longer list than I originally planned. As I started to think about the most famous restaurants and the ones every visitor to Delhi should eat at, the list just kept growing. Indians are passionate about food, and Delhi is the food capital of India, so there are many famous restaurants!
Looking for More? You Might Also Like…
- 3 Markets for Street Food that Aren’t in Old Delhi
- 26 Places for the Best Food in Old Delhi
- How to Eat Local and Stay Healthy
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
