The Top 10 Restaurants in Delhi

The canteen inside the Andhra Pradesh state bhawan serves one of the most authentic and fiery Andhra thalis in all of Delhi at an almost absurdly low price. The unlimited meal includes rice, sambar, rasam, curries, and papads that are genuinely home-style. It is only open for lunch on weekdays and you must arrive by noon or the food runs out. Bring cash and be prepared for a no-frills canteen setting.

A legendary no-frills dhaba-style restaurant near Connaught Place that has been serving honest Punjabi food to generations of Delhiites since 1931. The mutton curry, dal, and rotis are cooked with remarkable consistency and soul. The setting is utterly basic but that is entirely the point. Arrive before the lunch rush or you will be eating standing up.

A narrow lane in the heart of Old Delhi lined with shops that have been frying stuffed parathas since the 1870s, making it one of the most historically significant food streets in India. The parathas come stuffed with everything from potato and paneer to more unusual fillings like rabri and dry fruits, served with pickles and curd. The experience is as much about the atmosphere and history as the food itself. It is crowded, oily, and chaotic — which is entirely the point.

A Karol Bagh institution since 1943, this beloved spot is famous for its creamy, dense kulfi and also serves excellent chole bhature that locals swear by. The kulfi on a stick, especially the malai and pista varieties, is among the best in the city. The setting is a simple street-side shop with minimal seating. It is cash only and closes early so plan accordingly.

A small, beloved South Indian café run with genuine passion, serving authentic Karnataka and Tamil Nadu breakfast and tiffin items that are hard to find this good in Delhi. The filter coffee, masala dosa, and idli sambar are exceptional. The space is tiny with limited seating so expect a short wait during mornings. A rare gem for South Indian food lovers in the capital.

One of Delhi's most celebrated fine-dining institutions inside the ITC Maurya, specializing in slow-cooked Awadhi cuisine sealed in dough-lidded vessels. The biryani, nihari, and kakori kebabs are legendary and worth every rupee. Service is impeccable and the setting is regal. Reservations are essential and it is one of the pricier meals in the city.

The original home of butter chicken and dal makhani, this Old Delhi institution has been feeding Delhiites since the 1950s. The smoky, creamy butter chicken here is the benchmark against which all others are judged. The interiors are dated but that is part of the charm. Go for the classics and skip the newer menu additions.

A Pandara Road institution that has been serving robust Punjabi food since 1959 and remains a go-to for locals craving rich, unapologetic North Indian cooking. The butter chicken, paneer dishes, and dal makhani are reliably excellent. It gets very crowded on weekends so arrive early or expect a wait. Cash is preferred though cards are accepted.

The Mughlai institution beside Jama Masjid, serving since 1913. Open daily about 9 AM to 12:30 AM (shorter, packed hours during Ramadan). Famed for mutton nihari, seekh kebabs, and tandoori roti. Around Rs 900 for two. Cramped, chaotic, historic, and still the real deal.

The legendary North-West Frontier grill at ITC Maurya, going 45+ years. Lunch 12:30-2:30 PM, dinner 7-11:30 PM daily. No menu changes, no cutlery hang-ups, iconic Dal Bukhara and Sikandari Raan. Around Rs 8,500 for two. Expensive and worth it once; book well ahead.

Delhi's flagship modern-Indian fine dining, at The Lodhi. Lunch 12-2:30 PM, dinner 7-10:30 PM. Inventive tasting menus (think Rs 7,000-10,000+ with pairings) that reinvent Indian flavors with real skill. Book weeks ahead. A special-occasion splurge, not everyday food.

A tiny Chandni Chowk street stall serving dahi bhalle and aloo tikki since 1940. Open daily about 10:30 AM to 11 PM. A plate is Rs 60-80 of soft lentil dumplings in cool yogurt with chutneys. Cash only, no seating. Cheap, iconic, and worth the queue.

Set in a whitewashed colonial-era bungalow with views of the Qutub Minar, Olive is one of Delhi's most atmospheric restaurants serving Mediterranean and European cuisine. The wood-fired pizzas, grilled meats, and weekend brunch are consistently excellent. The Sunday brunch is a Delhi institution among the city's well-heeled crowd. It is pricey and reservations are strongly advised on weekends.

A stunning open-air restaurant set within a lush garden near the Lodi Garden monuments, offering a wide menu spanning Indian, Mediterranean, and continental dishes. The ambience at sunset or under fairy lights at night is genuinely magical. Food quality is consistently good though the experience is as much about the setting as the cuisine. Parking can be tricky on busy evenings.

The reliable South Indian pure-veg chain outlet in Connaught Place / Janpath, serving dosas, idlis and filter coffee since the 1980s. Open until about 11 PM; ~Rs 600 for two. A global chain, not a hidden gem, but consistent, clean, and central. Great for a quick, satisfying veg meal.

A charming garden café and restaurant that has earned a devoted following for its relaxed all-day dining, excellent pastas, sandwiches, and baked goods. The outdoor seating under trees makes it one of the most pleasant casual dining spots in South Delhi. The food is consistently good rather than spectacular but the overall experience is genuinely lovely. It gets very busy on weekends so a weekday visit is recommended.

The kebab-roll landmark of Khan Market, going since 1972. Open roughly 10 AM to midnight; market closed Sundays. Famous mutton seekh and chicken tikka rolls in warm rumali roti. About Rs 550 for two. Now a tidy counter joint, but the rolls still deliver.

A flagship of the modern Indian bistro movement, Farzi Café delivers inventive molecular-influenced takes on Indian street food and classics in a stylish, buzzy setting. The pani puri shots, dal chawal arancini, and whisky sour jalebi are crowd favourites. It is more about the experience and creativity than deep authenticity. Loud music and a party atmosphere mean it is not for quiet conversation.

A fun and reliably good pan-Asian restaurant with multiple Delhi outlets that has become a go-to for approachable Japanese, Thai, and Chinese food done well. The ramen, dim sum, and pad thai are crowd favourites and the cocktails are well-priced. It is not trying to be a serious fine-dining Asian restaurant but it delivers consistent quality and good vibes. The Vasant Kunj branch is the most spacious and easiest to get a table at.

A stylish European-inspired deli and restaurant that does some of the best brunch and all-day dining in Delhi with a strong focus on quality ingredients and thoughtful cooking. The eggs Benedict, smoked meats, and wood-fired dishes are highlights. The Khan Market branch has a lovely terrace that is perfect for a leisurely weekend meal. It can be expensive for what it is but the quality and setting justify the price for most occasions.