Best Restaurants in New Delhi: A No-Nonsense Guide to India’s Food Capital
New Delhi is the heavy hitter of Indian gastronomy. It is a city defined by conquest and migration, which reflected in its kitchens. You will find high-test Punjabi flavors, refined Mughlai legacies, and a rapidly evolving international scene. The food here is aggressive with spices and generous with fats. Whether you are eating off a plastic plate in a crowded alley or sitting in a five-star dining room in Chanakyapuri, the standard is high. This guide cuts through the noise to tell you exactly where to eat in New Delhi to experience the best of the city.
Must-try dishes in New Delhi
Before you book a table, know what to order. These are the non-negotiables of the Delhi food circuit.
- Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani): The city’s most famous export, featuring grilled chicken simmered in a velvet-smooth tomato, butter, and cream gravy.
- Chole Bhature: A heavy-hitting North Indian breakfast of spicy chickpeas paired with deep-fried, leavened sourdough bread.
- Nihari: A slow-cooked beef or lamb stew, traditional to Old Delhi, simmered overnight and served with khamiri roti.
- Golgappas: Known elsewhere as Pani Puri; crisp semolina spheres filled with spiced water, potatoes, and chickpeas.
- Daal Bukhara: A legendary black lentil preparation cooked for 18 hours over charcoal, resulting in a creamy, smoky finish.
- Seekh Kebabs: Minced meat blended with spices, skewered and grilled over open flames, served with mint chutney and onions.
Best restaurants for a splurge
If you have the budget, New Delhi offers world-class fine dining that justifies the price tag. These are the best restaurants in New Delhi for a high-end experience.
Indian Accent, Lodhi Road
Consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world, Indian Accent reimagines Indian flavors with global techniques. Chef Manish Mehrotra’s menu is inventive without being gimmick-heavy. Try the blue cheese naan or the soy keema. The setting is sleek and sophisticated. You need to book weeks in advance.
Bukhara, ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri
Bukhara is a global institution. It hasn’t changed its menu or its rustic, stone-walled decor in decades. There are no cutlery sets here—you eat with your hands. The Daal Bukhara and the massive family-sized naan are the main draws. It is expensive, busy, and completely essential for meat lovers.
Dum Pukht, ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri
While Bukhara is about rugged grilling, Dum Pukht is about royal refinement. This restaurant focuses on the "Awadhi" style of slow-cooking in sealed pots. The Biryanis here are arguably the best in the city—aromatic, subtle, and light. The silver-and-blue decor reflects the Nawabi heritage of the food.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
These spots are where locals go when they want a reliable, high-quality meal without the white tablecloths. This is where to eat in New Delhi for authentic everyday flavors.
Kwality, Connaught Place
A legendary spot that has served Delhi’s elite since the 1940s. It recently underwent a renovation that restored its polo-club aesthetic. Their Chole Bhature is the most famous version in the city, served in a refined setting. It’s consistent, nostalgic, and always packed for lunch.
Carnatic Cafe, Greater Kailash II
For South Indian food that isn't just a generic dosa, come here. Carnatic Cafe specializes in Karnataka-style cuisine. The "Malli Rege" dosa, packed with coriander and chilies, is the standout. It is clean, bright, and serves some of the best filter coffee in North India.
Gulati, Pandara Road
Pandara Road is a late-night hub, and Gulati is its crown jewel. It is famous for North Indian staples done perfectly. The Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani are standard-bearers. It is loud, crowded, and efficient. Avoid going on weekend evenings unless you enjoy waiting on the sidewalk.
Leo’s Pizzeria, Vasant Vihar
If you need a break from Indian spices, Leo’s serves the best Neapolitan pizza in the city. The crust is thin, charred, and chewy. It is a minimalist space that focuses entirely on the wood-fired oven. It’s casual, trendy, and popular with the city’s younger demographic.
Best cheap eats and street food
Delhi’s street food is its soul. You can eat like a king for less than five dollars if you know where to look.
Karim’s, Old Delhi
Located near Jama Masjid, Karim’s is a pilgrimage site for meat eaters. It is not fancy. You sit on shared benches and eat historic Mughlai dishes like Mutton Stew and Burra Kebabs. It’s intense, greasy, and provides a direct link to the city’s 16th-century culinary roots.
Sita Ram Diwan Chand, Paharganj
This is the gold standard for Chole Bhature. They only do one thing, and they do it better than anyone else. The chickpeas are dark and heavily spiced, paired with paneer-stuffed bhature. It is a breakfast spot that usually sells out by mid-afternoon.
Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale, Chawri Bazar
A century-old shop in the heart of Old Delhi. They are famous for "stuffed kulfi"—fruit like mango or orange where the pulp is removed, replaced with frozen milk cream, and then sliced. It is the most unique dessert experience in the city.
Al-Jawahar, Old Delhi
Located right next to Karim’s, many locals actually prefer Al-Jawahar for its richer Nihari and softer rotis. The Kaleji (liver) and the chicken Jahangiri are standout dishes. It offers a slightly more comfortable seating area than its neighbor while maintaining the same flavor profile.
Best breakfast and brunch
Delhiites take breakfast seriously, ranging from heavy traditional meals to modern European brunches.
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Various Locations
Blue Tokai sparked the specialty coffee movement in India. Their cafes are great for a quiet morning with a pour-over and a croissant. The Champa Galli location in Saket is tucked away in an artisanal alley, offering a peaceful start to the day away from the city noise.
Saravana Bhavan, Connaught Place
This is a high-volume, high-speed South Indian breakfast machine. The Ghee Roast Dosa and the Mini Tiffin (a sampler of idli, vada, and khichdi) are the items to order. Expect a queue at the door and quick service once you are seated.
AMA Cafe, Majnu ka Tilla
Located in the Tibetan colony, AMA Cafe is a cozy spot famous for its pancakes, cereal bowls, and Himalayan coffee. It feels completely removed from the rest of Delhi. It is an excellent place for a slow brunch before exploring the nearby monastery and markets.
Best rooftop or view dining
New Delhi’s skyline is flat, but its greenery and historic monuments make for excellent backdrops.
Thai High, Mehrauli
This restaurant offers some of the best views in the city, looking directly at the Qutub Minar. The food is standard Thai fare, but you come here for the terrace at sunset. It is one of the most romantic spots in South Delhi.
Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mehrauli
Set in a white-walled haveli with a massive banyan tree in the courtyard, Olive is a Delhi institution. The outdoor Mediterranean vibe is unmatched. While not a high-rise rooftop, its open-air Mediterranean garden feel provides the best atmosphere for a long Sunday brunch.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
If you want to skip the reservations and just explore, head to these three areas.
- Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk): The undisputed heavyweight. Navigate the narrow lanes for parathas, kebabs, and jalebis. It is chaotic but essential. Focus on the area around Jama Masjid and Gali Paranthe Wali.
- Majnu ka Tilla: The "Little Tibet" of Delhi. Come here for Laphing (spicy cold mung bean noodles), steamed momos, and traditional Tibetan butter tea. It is a pedestrian-friendly break from the city's madness.
- Hauz Khas Village: Once a quiet artistic enclave, it is now a dense cluster of bars, cafes, and restaurants overlooking a 14th-century reservoir and tomb complex. It’s best for evening drinks and casual international food.
Note: Restaurant operating hours and reservation policies in New Delhi are subject to change.