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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 licence. 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 favourite.
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 categorisation of eating houses (‘veg' and ‘non-veg') suggests a presumption in favour 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: Gastronomic, 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)
$$ (Rs1,000 to Rs3,000)
$ (up to Rs1,000)
Alcohol (domestic and foreign) is widely available at most places, except budget eateries which often lack the requisite liquor licence. The price of alcohol is variable, with the fancy places charging as much as triple the price of a mid-range eatery. Indian wine does exist and although it has come a long way in recent times, it is still not on par with most international labels. Indian beer is excellent, with Kingfisher long being lauded as the national favourite.
When it comes to food, you can find everything from traditional Indian curries to a commendable assortment of international fare. There are also a large number of restaurants in Delhi that are wholly vegetarian. Indeed, the city is a culinary paradise for the non-meat-eater, as even the categorisation of eating houses (‘veg' and ‘non-veg') suggests a presumption in favour of vegetarianism. Most ‘non-veg' restaurants offer a wide variety of ‘veg' dishes.
We have selected 12 restaurants, which we have divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. For each establishment we have indicated the approximate cost of a meal for two with alcoholic beverages (where sold), including taxes, by reference to the following scale:
$$$$ (over Rs8,000)
$$$ (Rs3,000 to Rs8,000)
$$ (Rs1,000 to Rs3,000)
$ (up to Rs1,000)
Trendy
La Piazza
An old favourite, located in the plush Hyatt Regency hotel, La Piazza is the place to come for authentic Italian food, prepared with the finest ingredients and following traditional recipes. Menu items range from crisp wood-fired pizzas to tender (imported) lamb chops and an enticing range of magnificent pasta dishes. The fresh salads and wickedly rich desserts should not be missed.
Hyatt Regency, Bhikaiji Cama Place, Ring Road
Tel: (011) 2679 1234.
Website: www.delhi.regency.hyatt.com
Price: $$
An old favourite, 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.com
Price: $$
Ego Thai
Serving very commendable Thai food in a smart-casual setting, Ego Thai attracts Delhi's fashionable crowd who come here after quaffing cocktails at the adjoining lounge-bar. The food gets a round of applause for authenticity, particularly the traditional Thai curries, and there are some positively sublime Thai soups that are so satiating they can replace a meal.
53 Community Centre, New Friends Colony
Tel: (011) 2633 1181.
Price: $$
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 Centre, New Friends Colony
Tel: (011) 2633 1181.
Price: $$
Budget
Karim'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.com
Price: $
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.com
Price: $
Saravana Bhavan
Saravana Bhavan is arguably the best place in town for flavour-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.com
Price: $
Saravana Bhavan is arguably the best place in town for flavour-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.com
Price: $
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.com
Price: $$
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.com
Price: $$
Personal Recommendations
United Coffee House
Retaining much of its 1940s interior design flourishes, the unpretentious United Coffee House has an upbeat yet easygoing ambience and is a wonderful spot to recharge your batteries. The menu is incredibly long with a mishmash of Indian, Western and Chinese offerings, as well as light bites such as grilled sandwiches and soups. The food is reliable and the service is courteous.
15 E-Block, Connaught Place
Tel: (011) 2341 1697.
Price:$$
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:$$
Swagath
This popular chain specialises in Indian cuisine (veg and non-veg) and has a particularly glowing reputation for its Mangalorean and Chettinad offerings. It also does a fine job of Mughlai cuisine, with Chinese food making a cameo appearance. The seafood dishes (fish, prawns, crab, squid and lobster) are rewarding, most prepared in flavoursome spice marinades. This convivial multi-level restaurant attracts an endless stream of hungry diners, making advance reservations wise.
14 Defence Colony Market
Tel: (011) 2433 7538.
Website: www.swagath.in
Price: $$
This popular chain specialises 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 flavoursome 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.in
Price: $$
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: $
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: $
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