Though Delhi is known for it’s food (and foodies), there are hardly any good websites for finding out what the most popular and famous restaurants in Delhi are. Here is my list of recommendations (in no particular order). All of them are totally worth it.
1. Yum Yum Tree – Located at NFC and has a beautiful ambiance as well.
2. Big Chill – Extremely popular fast food joint in Khan Market
3. Haldirams – The first “branded” mithai shop. Famous for chat, snacks and sweets. Infact, just pickup anything from the menu and you won’t be disappointed.
4. Great Kebab Factory – Unlimited Kebab’s followed by main course.
5. Bukhara – Rated one of the best restaurants in Asia
6. Punjabi by Nature – Amazing butter chicken, kebabs and vodka golgappas. Watch out for the super sized paranthas. They are HUGE!
7. Wengers – Located in CP, best known for it’s cakes and pastries. Even the patties and biscuits are amazing.
8. Varq
9. Nizam’s Kathi Kebab – Located at CP. Usually packed, so need to wait before getting seated.
10. Khan Chacha
11. Kwality – Popular among tourists and foreigners, especially for it’s chole bhature.
12. Pind Baluchi – Great food in a typical village setting but small helpings.
13. Sagar Ratna – Good south Indian food. Don’t miss the Basundi in desserts followed by filter coffee!
14. Saravana Bhawan – Die hard south Indian fans prefer this one over Sagar Ratna.
15. Barbeque Nation – Awesome buffet at amazingly low rates. Includes unlimited starters, main course and desserts. Unbeatable service. One of my all time personal favorites.
16. All American Diner – Located at IHC. Tries to recreate that ambiance of an “American” cafe, typically seen in Hollywood movies, and does it quite well. The prices are on the higher side, though.
17. Al Bake – Famous for Shawarma rolls. Best served with mayonnaise. They even home deliver to nearby areas.
18. Indian Accent
19. Moti Mahal – One of the oldest restaurants in Delhi, located at Daryaganj.
20. Moti Mahal Deluxe – Originally at GK, but now has several franchisee outlets all over Delhi.
21. Swagath – Probably the only fine dine restaurant serving south Indian non-veg cuisine in Delhi. Some love it. Some hate it.
22. Mainland China
23. Pebble Street
24. Masala Art – Located in Taj Palace. Great food.
25. Park Baluchi – Located in the middle of Deer Park. Best visited in lunch hours.
26. Gulati’s – Offers buffet lunch. The Kulfi shop just outside the restaurant is a must have.
27. TGIF
28. Nathu Sweets – An old restaurant and sweet shop in India.
29. Colonel Kebabz – Carry out kebabs or have it in your car.
30. Bengali sweet house, Bengali Market
31. Bercos – Good chinese food.
32. Chor Bizarre – Awesome buffet which includes chat with an interesting style of serving.
33. BTW – Bittoo Tikki Wala Private Ltd. Best known for it’s tikki chat.
34. United Coffee House – One of the oldest restaurants located in CP. Known for it’s Cona Coffee.
35. Parikrama – The revolving restaurant. Serves good kebabs and butter chicken.
36. Not Just Paranthas – A “high end” paranthe wali gali. I love the pocket parantha’s there.
38. Vedas – Superb ambiance, especially during dinner to enjoy a good candle light dinner.
39. Mochas – Great place to hang out and smoke hookah.
40. Kake Da Hotel – Hyped and hence leads a lot of people disappointed. Before you pay a visit, do keep in mind that it’s a “dhaba” after all!
41. Nirulas – Nirula’s gave dilli walla’s their first taste of Pizza. Love their ice cream too, especially Zafrani Badaam Pista and Banana Split.
42. Paranthe wali Gali – Fried parantha’s with every stuffing you can imagine. Don’t miss the “Daulat Ki Chat” served just outside and the nearby “Ghantewala” sweet shop.
43. Cafe Morisson
44. Rajdhani thali – It’s like a race of you eating and them serving.
45. Aka Saka
46. Deez Biryani – Best delivered at home. They deliver throughout Delhi.
47. Eatopia – Located at IHC, it is one of the most popular food courts in Delhi. Nominal rates and good quality food at all food stalls.
48. Piccadelhi
49. Moet’s curry leaf – Good food and peaceful ambiance. Do not miss the Kulfi served just outside Moet’s.
50. Karnataka food centre
51. Cha Bar – Awkwardly located inside a bookstore, but serves good tea and muffins.
52. Govinda’s – Located inside ISKCON temple. Good vegetarian food in a religious setting.
53. Coffee bean and tea leaf – Similar to Barista, Cafe Coffee Day and Costa’s, but definitely much better.
54. Ruby Tuesdays
55. Yo China – Budget chinese food.
56. Geoffrey’s
57. Kaventer’s – Best known for it’s flavoured milk. You will need to stand in a queue before you are served.
58. The Hosts – Good Indian and tandoori cuisine. Good place to relax with friends and colleagues after a hard day at work.
59. Bennigans – Amazing food. They serve liquor too, so a great place to hang out with friends.
60. Udupi – Very popular, especially because of it’s attractive rates.
61. Country Inn and Suites, Ghaziabad – The most comprehensive pure vegetarian buffet you can find. But expensive too.
62. Bengal Sweets, South Extension – Awesome chat and probably the best chole bhature you can find.
If you know any other good places worth going to, add them as a comment!
Update: Restaurants in Delhi to avoid
1. Punjab Grill – Popular, but the food quality is definitely not worth the exorbitant rates they charge.
2. Lazeez Affaire at Malcha Marg – Absolute No-No. Average food and pathetic service.