Discover the Famous Food of Delhi

People from all over the world visit Delhi for its historical monuments and proximity to the Himalayas, but the trip is incomplete without eating famous food of Delhi. Delhi offers lip-smacking flavours that will blow every foodie’s mind! 

Whether you decide to go to a fine dining restaurant or try famous street food of delhi, you are in for a treat. Since Delhi is a melting pot of different cultures, you will find a variety of food here. The flavourful chaat, delicious meat specialties, vegetarian delights, and mouth-watering desserts–there’s so much to try!

Here are famous dishes of delhi you must try on your next trip to the capital.

1. Chhole Bhature
2. Butter Chicken
3. Momo
4. Rolls
5. Kebabs
6. Jalebis
7. Chaat
8. Nihari
9. Rabri Falooda
10. Paranthe

 Also Read: Best Time to Visit Delhi: A Complete Season Travel Guide

Famous Food of Delhi

• Chole Bhature

One of the best food in Delhi has to be Chole Bhature! Spicy, heavy, and rich in flavours–Chole Bhature is best enjoyed on an empty stomach. There are many outlets that serve the best Chole Bhature in Delhi. This vegetarian delight is a popular breakfast item in Delhi. You can pair your Chole Bhature with a glass of cold and delicious Lassi and enjoy the medley of sweet and spicy flavours in your mouth!

Best places to try Chole Bhature in Delhi - Sita Ram at Paharganj, Chache Di Hatti at Kamala Nagar, Baba Nagpal Corner in Lajpat Nagar, Roshan’s at Karol Bagh, and Bikanervala at Rajouri Garden.

• Butter Chicken

Did you know that butter chicken was invented by accident? The dish originated in the capital city in the 1950s at a restaurant called Moti Mahal. The cooks at Moti Mahal mixed the marinated juice with butter and tomato and tossed some tandoori chicken in to create the best food in Delhi! Butter chicken is one of the most popular dishes not only in India but in the entire world! The blend of spicy and succulent chicken with the tangy gravy is a combination made in heaven. If you really like meat, make sure to have the "best butter chicken in Delhi" for one of your meals while you're here.

Best places to try Butter Chicken in Delhi - Aslam’s Chicken Corner at Jama Masjid, Moti Mahal at Daryaganj, and Havemore at Pandara Road.

• Momo

Momo is the most popular snack in Delhi. There are various vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available for the stuffing. They are served with spicy red chutney which compliments the stuffing of the momo really well. It’s something you can grab on a busy day for a delicious and satisfying snack. Momo is a must-try food in Delhi and you will find momo stalls in every nook and cranny of the city.  

Best places to try Momo in Delhi – Yeti at Connaught Place, QD’s Restaurant at Lajpat Nagar 2, Darjeeling Steemers at Shahpur Jat. 

• Rolls

Although Kathi rolls originated in Kolkata, Delhi has also come up with some delicious variants. This is another favourite of the Delhiites. It’s a quick snack offering a variety of stuffings with both veg and non-vegetarian variants. Just like momo stalls, there are many Kathi Roll stalls available on every busy corner of Delhi.

Best places to try Rolls in Delhi - Khan Chacha at Khan Market, Qureshi Kebab Corner, Taste Drive at Rajouri Gardens, High on Rolls in Defense Colony.

• Kebabs

Kebabs are one of the best things the Mughals left behind for the Delhiites. Delhi has the most varieties of kebabs in India. From seekh to shami, galouti to kakori, there’s one for every type of foodie. 

Succulent pieces of meat marinated in aromatic Indian spices and grilled to perfection–just the thought of them will make your mouth water! One of the most famous dishes of delhi, this juicy and delightful delicacy is available at street stalls as well as fine dining restaurants and there are many varieties to choose from.

Best places to try Kebabs in Delhi – Abdul Malik Chicken Corner at Jama Masjid, Sangam Kabab, Bhaijaan Kababs, and Karim’s – all at Chandini Chowk.

• Jalebis

A food haul is incomplete without this sugary delight! Jalebis are an integral part of Delhi cuisine and the best way to end a hearty meal. Piping hot jalebis with a dollop of rabri is a must-try when in Delhi. There are many places in Delhi that serve giant jalebis the size of your palm! If you have a sweet tooth that’s hard to satisfy, the jalebis at some of the oldest eateries in Delhi will take up that challenge gladly.

Best places to try Jalebi in Delhi - Bangla Sweets in CP, Jalebi Wala in Chandni Chowk, and Jaleba Store in Chandni Chowk.

• Chaat

Delhi's chaat dishes are widely popular for their rich and tangy flavours. Renowned across India and beyond, these savoury snacks, including golgappe, aloo tikki, papdi chaat, dahi bhalla, and more, tantalize taste buds with their explosion of sweet, spicy, and tangy tastes. Served at bustling street-side stalls, Delhi chaat has become an iconic part of the city's food culture, attracting food lovers from all walks of life. Its popularity continues to grow, making it a must-try experience for anyone exploring Delhi's vibrant culinary scene.

Best places to try Chaat in Delhi – Bittoo Tikki Wala, Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala at Chandni Chowk, Vaishno Chaat Bhandar at Kamla Nagar, UPSC Chaat Wala, Padam Chaat Corner at Chandni Chowk

• Nihari 

As you step into the enchanting alleys of Old Delhi, an irresistible aroma leads you to one of the area's prized treasures - Nihari. This signature delicacy boasts a rich, spicy broth, crafted from slow-cooked tender meat. The ideal accompaniment is hot tandoori or, better yet, khameeri rotis. Its captivating flavuors and history make it a cherished culinary gem in the bustling streets of Delhi.

Best places to try Nihari in Delhi – Karim’s and Kallu Nihari near Jama Masjid, Bara Hindu Rao Nihariwale in the Bara Hindu Rao area

•  Rabri Falooda

Rabri Falooda is a popular and delightful dessert that you can find in many places across Delhi. This delectable treat is a fusion of rabri (a sweet, condensed milk-based dessert) and falooda (vermicelli noodles), typically served with rose syrup, sabza seeds, and chopped nuts. When exploring Delhi's culinary scene, you can find Rabri Falooda at various sweet shops, ice cream parlours, and even some restaurants.

Best places to try Rabri Falooda in Delhi – Giani’s Di Hatti at Chandni Chowk, Prince Paan & Chaat Corner at Kamla Nagar, Ameer Sweet House in South Delhi

• Paranthe

Paranthe, or stuffed flatbreads, is a beloved and iconic part of Delhi's culinary heritage. Paranthe Wali Gali, a narrow lane in the heart of Chandni Chowk, is renowned for its variety of stuffed paranthas and has become synonymous with this delectable treat. Traditionally, the paranthas are made with unleavened wheat dough and stuffed with a variety of fillings like potatoes, paneer, mixed vegetables, lentils, and more.

Best places to try Paranthe in Delhi - Babu Ram Paranthe Wale in Paranthe Wali Gali, Moolchand Paranthe Wala in South Delhi, Pandit Babu Ram Paranthe Wala in Chandni Chowk

Food in Delhi will truly make your trip to the capital worthwhile. Apart from the dishes mentioned above, there are so many other Delhi famous food items you can try that you can plan a trip just for the food.

Don’t forget to relish on piping hot parathas, mouth-watering chaat, delicious chhole kulche, and the tempting kulfi falooda. It will be a Delhi-ciuos holiday for sure!