It is often said that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. So to no one’s surprise, the heart of India – Delhi, is known to have some of the best food in the country. Being the capital of this multicultural nation, Delhi is a melting pot of various flavours all over. So be it Samosas, Vade, Kebabs or the famous Panipuri…….or Gol Gappe, no matter what you prefer to call it, we can all agree that it’s delicious!
This delicious food can be found in every corner of Delhi, with some areas like Cannaught Place, Chawri Bazaar, Chandni Chowk and Jawa Masjid emerging as popular street food hubs. Food tourism is all the rage now, and if you decide to follow your heart….or stomach down to Delhi, here are the top 10 things you have to try out!
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Milk Cake at Hemchand Ladli Prasad
Unlike a traditional sweet store, Hemchand Ladii Prasad, a 3rd generation run 80-year-old shop, has no sweets on display. All you will see around you are pots and pans filled with milk, curd and sweeteners. That’s because their speciality, the Milk cake, has undergone 80 years of perfection, making it the best milk cake you will taste in all of Delhi!
Milk cake, also known as Dodha barfi or palangtor, Is a simple dessert made with just milk and sugar. However, it will taste like nothing you’ve ever tasted before. The dense, granular, optimally sweet and slightly caramelised fudge-like flavour will water your mouth for more. The Rabri from this place is also said to be mind-blowing, so don’t forget to give it a try.
Price: Milk cake – Rs 500 per kg
Location: 336, Kucha Ghasi Ram, Chandni Chowk, Delhi 110006.
Jalebis and Bedmi Puri at Shiv Mishran Bhandar
This legendary shop that serves a wide variety of sweets and snacks has been around since 1910. The food here is made in the traditional Rajasthani style, doused in pure desi ghee! It’s a no brainer that this place is not for the calorie-conscious, but every single bite of their delicious food is well worth every pound!
While they sell all the famous Indian snacks from Chole Bhature to Samosas, the Jalebis and Bedmi Puri are simply to die for! Many have lost their heart, souls and diets to the crispness of these fresh Jalebis. The soft Bedmi Pooris will simply melt in your mouth, just one plate of either of these dishes won’t be enough, and you will catch yourself coming back for more!
Price: Jalebi – Rs 350 per plate, Bedmi Poori – Rs 140 per plate
Location: 375, Kucha Ghasi Ram, Chandni Chowk, Delhi 110006.
Dahi Bhalle at Natraj Dahi Bhalle
Established in 1940, this food outlet, known by name across the city, has been selling Dahi Bhalle for generations. Also known as Dahi Vade in other parts of the country, Dahi Bhalle are deep-friend lentil fritters drenched in dahi (yoghurt) and usually enjoyed with sweet and spicy chutneys.
Moreover, this North Indian snack is completely vegetarian and gluten-free! So you can feel a little less guilty while heading over to Natraj for a snack break. So while you’re there, don’t forget to taste their Aloo Tikki as well!
Price: Dahi Bhalle – Rs 70
Location: 1396, Kucha Mahajani, Chandni Chowk, Delhi 110006.
Butter Chicken at Aslam Chicken
The entire area around Jama Masjid is known across this side of the town for having the fest non-veg food. But even among the countless food outlets, Aslam Chicken stands out with its signature recipes. The Butter Chicken at Aslam Chicken is as traditional as traditional can get.
You may be familiar with the orange gravy and sweet aftertaste of butter chicken you may have eaten at other establishments. Still, the look and feel of the dish here are entirely different and so much better! The grilled chicken is iconically served dipped in green chutney and a whole serving spoon of butter. You can try their other dishes ranging from fish tikka to seekh kababs here as well.
Price: Butter Chicken – Rs. 370
Location: 982, Matia Mahal Road, Jama Masjid, Delhi 110006.
Shahi Tukda at Cool Point
Serving one of Delhi’s most beloved desserts, Cool Point has been known in Old Delhi for its Shahi Tukda since 1980. Shahi Tukda is a rich Mughal dessert similar to bread pudding but loaded with dry fruits. What started as a small shop on Matia Mahal road is now a well-known name that has people from all over the country coming over just to have a taste.
It is usually served with an ice cream accompaniment. You should also try the Kheer, Badam Milk and Rabri here. Everything is prepared fresh, and if you need a bit of an extra kick with your Shahi Tukda, order it with Mango ice cream that is freshly prepared from local mangoes.
Price: Rs 30 per 100 gm
Location: 972, Main Market, Matia Mahal Road, Jama Masjid, Delhi 110006.
Karachi Halwa and other Indian sweets at Chaina Ram Sindhi Halwai
Fatehpuri’s famous Chaina Ram Sindhi Halwai is so well known in Delhi that it is often used as a landmark. It is one of the oldest sweet shops in the entire country. Their menu has a wide variety of Indian sweets, the Malai Ghewar, Kaju Barfi and Sev Badam Barfi being especially popular.
However, even among the popular desserts, its Special Karachi Halva stands out. It is a much loved Indian dessert made out of cornflour and ghee with saffron giving it its signature colour. Their dish is even more elevated here, having a bunch of dried fruits mixed in to make the flavour even more decadent. The sweets have become so popular in recent years that you can now buy a selection of them prepackaged from Amazon as well.
Price: Rs 280 per 250 gm
Location: 6499, Katra Bariyan, Fatehpuri, Delhi 110006.
Different Paranthas at Paranthe Wali Gali
Directly translating to The Parantha Street, you can find every variation of this delicious Indian flatbread here. The first Parantha stall here was said to have started in the 1870s, followed by many other stalls.
The unique thing about this place is that the paranthas sold at these shops are very different from the traditional Punjabi paranthas that are usually stuffed and then roasted on the ‘Tawa’. The paranthas at Gali Paranthe Wali are a mix of the traditional Punjabi parantha and the Bedmi poori, which is cooked not on the Tawa but deep-fried in a ‘kadhai’. It is then served with either a chutney, bhaji or curry. Some of the one-of-a-kind Paranthe found here are the Rabri Paranthe, Banana Paranthe, Pumpkin Paranthe and even some sweeter dessert options like Cashew Paranthe!
Price: Ranges from Rs 50 – Rs 150
Location: Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk, Delhi 110006.
Biryani at Taufeeq Biryani Point
Lovingly known as Dil Pasand Biryani Point, the eatery holds up to the name as it is a beloved Biryani stall in the region. This 20-year-old eatery is known for its Chicken, Mutton and Beef Biryani, which is not only delicious but also extremely affordable.
The sales are incredibly high during Ramzan, as you will see the little stall surrounded by customers. They prepared their Biryani by well marinating the pieces of meat and gently layering and tossing them with flavoured rice. Unlike other restaurants, their Biryani isn’t greasy but light and hearty. They often serve it with their signature raita. People from all over the country travel here just for a taste of this delicious rice dish.
Price: Rs 160 per kilo
Location: 735, Bazar Chitli Qabar, Jama Masjid, Delhi 110006.
Momos at Dolma aunty ke momos
Momos are one of the most-loved street foods in Delhi today. But a couple of years ago, that wasn’t the case as the white outer covering of the dumpling appeared raw and unappetising to most Indians who were familiar with the golden brown hue of most street snacks. Despite the odds, Dolma Tsering, now lovingly known as Dolma aunty, started the first Momo stand and Delhi, and the rest is history.
Dolma aunty’s momos have been uncontestedly voted as the Best momos in Delhi for decades. What makes these momos especially delicious is the fact that they are still prepared in the traditional Tibetan style. The best-selling item here is the steamed Chicken Momos that you definitely should try along with all the other non-traditional options.
Price: Rs 60
Location: D-1, Alankar Cinema Road, Lajpat Nagar, Delhi 110024.
Fruit Kulfi at Kuremal Mohan Lal ice cream shop
When packaged Kulfis can be found in every second shop, one may wonder what is it about this eatery that has people travelling from all over the country in the scorching Delhi summers. Kure mal Mohan Lol ice cream shop has been around for over 100 years, making it one of the oldest I’ve cream shops in Delhi. Moreover, all of their kulfis use 100% natural ingredients.
The best selling item here and also a unique one is the stuffed kulfi. The stuffed kulfi is made from real fruit, the pulp of which is used to make the kulfi. The content is then added back into the fruit and set. You can take your pick from a range of choices like apple, pomegranate, orange and mango. The server then cuts open the fruit and plates out slices of the delicious fruit kulfi. They also have milk-free options called Kulfi Julpeps with a wide variety of flavours that have a cool sorbet-like taste, but you can enjoy them guilt-free as they have no added sugar!
Price: Rs 95
Location: 526, Sitaram Bazaar Road, Chawri Bazaar, Delhi 110006
With Delhi’s newly emerging food tourism scene, there are many food tours organized by Delhifoodwalks. You can check out their site and Instagram page to find the best culinary journey for your tastebuds. And if you’re travelling to Delhi or any other destination in search of your next foodie adventure, let Aertrip be of assistance. We have the best deals on hotels, flights and packages, so you can focus on your food while we take care of the rest. Bon Apetite!
