In comparison with different capital cities on this planet, Delhi’s restaurant scene adjustments slowly. That is partly as a result of consuming in eating places has solely lately change into a supply of recreation for anybody outdoors the elite courses; even as we speak, generations of working class residents depend on the town’s beloved street-vendors and outdated, family-run candy and snack outlets throughout the town’s huge, throttling expanse. Nonetheless, meals is all over the place in Delhi — like in different Indian cities — together with some surprising locations.
Nowadays, Delhi’s powerhouse of Punjabi or Mughlai delicacies — the kind of meals finest identified within the West — is being challenged. Younger individuals from India’s Northeast are making their names as a few of the metropolis’s finest cooks, and the puritanism that after outlined consuming in India’s capital is giving technique to artistic impulses befitting this contemporary, rising metropolis. Along with the distributors of the outdated metropolis, the place locals and vacationers stream previous stacks of rotis contemporary from tandoors, cooks from each a part of the nation showcase the numerous cuisines of their communities in small-scale, unbiased, and dynamic eating places in style with the town’s youthful generations.
It’s not possible in a single record to utterly summarize a metropolis that defies linearity, however these 38 important eating places ought to get you began — but when a scent beckons from a aspect avenue or small storefront, abandon your plans and observe your instincts. You can even ask locals for ideas and help, however don’t at all times anticipate a straight reply. Within the historic elements of the town, like Previous Delhi, merely following crowds will take you to nice meals.
On this newest refresh, we’ve revamped our write-ups to incorporate much more related data for diners, together with a tough vary of pricing for every vacation spot — starting from $ for fast, cheap meals with dishes largely below $10 (or the equal in rupees), to $$$$ for locations the place entrees exceed $30.
New to the map in March 2025: Gulati, a well-liked Punjabi dhaba that nails the classics; Fujiya, an old-timey banquet model Punjabi Chinese language restaurant in an upscale neighborhood; Delhi’s first Korean restaurant, Seoul, which simply acquired a contemporary facelift; Impolite Chef, an off-the-cuff and trendy restaurant from an achieved chef serving fascinating international delicacies; Nepalese momo specialist Lha Kitchen, which has change into in style with influencer sorts; trendy California-esque vegan meals at Greenr Cafe; all-day nihari from Ballimaran Nahari; Nagaland’s Kitchen, a restaurant in an outdated Delhi market that seems like a neighborhood bar; in style Nagaland delicacies from Dzukou Tribal Kitchen in far south Delhi; and Bhawan, a flexible canteen-inspired restaurant in Gurgaon.
A word on getting round: It’s a mistake to take a taxi into Previous Delhi. As a substitute, use the metro, then stroll or take a rickshaw the remainder of the best way. Use Uber to achieve locations in Delhi’s Central, East, South, and West districts.
Sharanya Deepak is a author and editor from New Delhi, who has been overlaying Indian eating for Eater since 2019. She can also be an editor at Vittles, and her work has appeared in Roads and Kingdoms, The Believer, and The Baffler, amongst others.
