Traditionally, all the best restaurants in Delhi were to be found in the 5-star international hotels. To an extent, this is still the case, although beyond the confines of the big hotels, the prosperity of Delhi’s enormous middle class has ensured that a huge number of excellent restaurants have sprung up where you can be assured of delicious food at a fraction of the price charged in the big hotel dining rooms.
Alcohol (domestic and foreign) is widely available at most places, except budget eateries which often lack the requisite liquor license. The price of alcohol is variable, with
the fancy places charging as much as triple the price of a mid-range eatery. Indian wine does exist and although it has come a long way in recent times, it is still not on par with most international labels. Indian beer is excellent, with
Kingfisher long being lauded as the national favorite.
When it comes to food, you can find everything from traditional Indian curries to a commendable assortment of international fare. There are also a large number of restaurants in Delhi that are wholly vegetarian. Indeed, the city is a culinary paradise for the non-meat-eater, as even the categorization of eating houses (‘veg’ and ‘non-veg’) suggests a presumption in favor of vegetarianism. Most ‘non-veg’ restaurants offer a wide variety of ‘veg’ dishes.
We have selected 12 restaurants, which we have divided into five categories: Gourmet, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. For each establishment we have indicated the approximate cost of a meal for two with alcoholic beverages (where sold), including taxes, by reference to the following scale:
$$$$ (over Rs8,000)
$$$ (Rs3,000 to Rs8,000)
$$ (Rs1,000 to Rs3,000)
$ (up to Rs1,000)
TrendyLa Piazza
An old favorite, located in the plush Hyatt Regency hotel, La Piazza is the place to come for authentic Italian food, prepared with the finest ingredients and following traditional recipes. Menu items range from crisp wood-fired pizzas to tender (imported) lamb chops and an enticing range of magnificent pasta dishes. The fresh salads and wickedly rich desserts should not be missed.
Hyatt Regency, Bhikaiji Cama Place, Ring Road
Tel: (011) 2679 1234.
Website:
www.delhi.regency.hyatt.comPrice: $$
Ego Thai
Serving very commendable Thai food in a smart-casual setting, Ego Thai attracts Delhi’s fashionable crowd who come here after quaffing cocktails at the adjoining lounge-bar. The food gets a round of applause for authenticity, particularly the traditional Thai curries, and there are some positively sublime Thai soups that are so satiating they can replace a meal.
53 Community Center, New Friends Colony
Tel: (011) 2633 1181.
Price: $$
BudgetKarim’s
Established in 1913, Karim’s is something of a Delhi institution. It serves robust Mughal food in rudimentary but clean surroundings off a courtyard that is close behind Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. The tandoori chicken and tandoori burra (mutton) are both highly recommended, as are the succulent kebabs. There is an interesting selection of traditional Indian breads, from stuffed naan to paper-thin
romali roti, which are perfect for mopping up every last drop of the lip-smacking curry sauces. Unlicensed.
16 Jama Masjid
Tel: (011) 2326 9880.
Website:
www.karimhoteldelhi.comPrice: $
Saravana BhavanSaravana Bhavan is arguably the best place in town for flavor-packed inexpensive (vegetarian) South Indian fare. It does a tremendous job of
dosas,
idlis and
uttapams and also prepares awesome
thalis. There is a range of excellent take-away
namkin (savoury snacks) and
mithai (Indian sweets) at low prices. So popular is this restaurant that you may have to queue for a table. Unlicensed.
46 Janpath (smaller branch at 15 P-Block, Connaught Place)
Tel: (011) 2334 7755.
Website:
www.saravanabhavan.comPrice: $
Kwality
This iconic restaurant has been going strong for around 70 years thanks to its consistently good, primarily North Indian food. Attracting a predominantly middle-class crowd, Kwality deserves kudos for its variety of dishes, from chunky meat curries to delicate paneer creations. There is a pleasing variety of veg and non-veg dishes to choose from.
7 Regal Building, Connaught Place
Tel: (011) 2374 2352.
Website:
www.kwalitygroup.comPrice: $$
Personal RecommendationsUnited Coffee House
Retaining much of its 1940s interior design flourishes, the unpretentious United Coffee House has an upbeat yet easygoing ambience and is a wonderful spot to recharge your batteries. The menu is incredibly long with a mishmash of Indian, Western and Chinese offerings, as well as light bites such as grilled sandwiches and soups. The food is reliable and the service is courteous.
15 E-Block, Connaught Place
Tel: (011) 2341 1697.
Price:$$
SwagathThis popular chain specializes in Indian cuisine (veg and non-veg) and has a particularly glowing reputation for its Mangalorean and Chettinad offerings. It also does a fine job of Mughlai cuisine, with Chinese food making a cameo appearance. The seafood dishes (fish, prawns, crab, squid and lobster) are rewarding, most prepared in flavorsome spice marinades. This convivial multi-level restaurant attracts an endless stream of hungry diners, making advance reservations wise.
14 Defence Colony Market
Tel: (011) 2433 7538.
Website:
www.swagath.inPrice: $$
Big Chill
A hip and happening cafe-style eatery, the Big Chill is highly recommended for its cheerful, laid-back ambience as much as for its fabulous food. The menu is predominantly Continental, with an admirable selection of inventive pastas, salads, baked potatoes and much more. The creamy smoothies, milkshakes and ice creams are a veritable treat, as are the freshly baked cakes and slices.
Khan Market
Tel: (011) 2648 1020.
Price: $
Nightlife:Although its bar scene has grown rapidly in recent years, Delhi still has a long way to go to compete with Mumbai as the capital of Indian nightlife. Apart from 5-star hotels, the watering holes of Delhi are concentrated around Connaught Place, with a growing number in the more prosperous southern suburbs. Legally, alcohol can only be consumed and purchased from the age of 18. The price of a beer while out and about in Delhi can vary considerably, depending on the venue, with the fancier spots often charging around triple that of the more basic bars.
Newspapers including the
Hindustan Times (website:
www.hindustantimes.com) and
The Times of India (website:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com) carry daily and weekly listings and information on nightlife in Delhi. Listings can also be found in magazines such as
First City and
Delhi Diary.
Bars & Live Music: More and more bars stage live music at least once a week (usually on weekends), which ranges from jazz and latin to hip hop and 1980s disco. The
Maurya Sheraton, Diplomatic Enclave, has the lively Dublin bar, with an Irish theme, while
Rick’s, situated in the Taj Mahal Hotel, 1 Mansingh Road, offers a swish modernist style. Outside the 5-star hotels there are a mushrooming number of commendable bars, the pick of the bunch in Connaught Place being
Q’BA, 42 E-Block, which sometimes has live music. Another good choice here is
DV8, 13 Regal Building, which has comfortable leather chairs, a big-screen television and a top range of domestic and imported beverages.
In Greater Kailash I’s N-Block Market is the trendy
Shalom Med Lounge Bar, which sports an inventive drinks menu and tasty Lebanese food. Meanwhile, in Vasant Vihar’s Basant Lok Complex, there are two excellent watering holes: ultra-stylish
Kylin and the more informal
Hookah Bar & Lounge. Expresso bars are becoming increasingly popular and can be found in many areas of the city. The two most prolific chains are
Barista and
Cafe Coffee Day.
Clubs: Most discos are in the luxury hotels and many of them operate a couples-only policy, as well as a dress code. Places tend to come and go rather frequently, so to find out the in-vogue discos during the time of your visit quiz locals and peruse
First City magazine.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Delhi Content
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related India Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
India Airport Guides:
|
India City Guides:
|
| India Attraction Guides: |
|
|
|
|
