Delhi Street Food: What to Eat and Where
1. Chole Bhature
What: Fluffy deep-fried bhature served with spicy chole, often accompanied by pickles and onions.
Where:
Sita Ram Diwan Chand, Paharganj – Known for perfectly cooked chole with tangy chutney.
Nagpal Chole Bhature, Lajpat Nagar – Famous for its buttery bhature.
2. Parathas
What: Stuffed parathas (potato, paneer, radish, etc.) served with pickles and yogurt.
Where:
Paranthe Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk – Legendary for its wide variety, including exotic fillings like banana and rabri.
Moolchand Paratha, near Moolchand Metro – Popular among night owls for its buttery stuffed parathas.
3. Aloo Tikki
What: Crispy potato patties topped with tamarind chutney, yogurt, and spices.
Where:
Natraj Dahi Bhalla, Chandni Chowk – Also famous for Dahi Bhalla.
Bittoo Tikki Wala, multiple outlets – Known for perfectly crisp and flavorful tikki.
4. Golgappa (Pani Puri)
What: Crispy puris filled with spicy tangy water, potatoes, and chickpeas.
Where:
Vaishno Chaat Bhandar, Kamla Nagar – Offers flavorful, spicy golgappas.
Bengali Sweet House, Connaught Place – Known for hygienic preparation.
5. Kebab
What: Juicy, spiced, and perfectly grilled kebabs (seekh, galouti, and more).
Where:
Karim’s, Jama Masjid – A heritage spot for melt-in-the-mouth kebabs.
Khan Chacha, Khan Market – Famous for its chicken and mutton kebabs.
6. Kachori with Aloo Sabzi
What: Crisp, flaky kachoris paired with spicy potato curry.
Where:
Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala, Chandni Chowk – Over 80 years of serving iconic kachoris.
Hanuman Mandir Kachori Wala, Connaught Place – Known for its spicy aloo sabzi.
7. Momos
What: Steamed or fried dumplings served with spicy red chutney.
Where:
Dolma Aunty Momos, Lajpat Nagar – Iconic for classic chicken and vegetarian momos.
QD’s, Hudson Lane – Known for its Tandoori Momos.
8. Dilli-Style Chaat
What: Tangy, spicy combinations like papdi chaat, aloo chaat, and bhalla.
Where:
Prince’s Chaat Corner, Greater Kailash – Famous for papdi chaat.
Shree Balaji Chaat Bhandar, Chandni Chowk – Crisp and flavorful chaat varieties.
9. Ram Ladoo
What: Fried moong dal fritters topped with grated radish, green chutney, and tangy spices.
Where:
Tilak Nagar Market – A hub for authentic and delicious ram ladoos.
Janpath Market – Perfect for a quick snack while shopping.
10. Nihari
What: Slow-cooked mutton stew with rich spices, served with khamiri roti.
Where:
Karim’s, Jama Masjid – Known for its authentic flavors.
Al-Jawahar, Jama Masjid – Another favorite for tender, flavorful nihari.
11. Chole Kulche
What: Soft kulche paired with tangy, spicy chole.
Where:
Lotan Kulche Wala, Chawri Bazaar – Famous for spicy chole with a tangy kick.
Baba Nagpal Corner, Lajpat Nagar – A favorite for fluffy kulche.
12. Jalebi
What: Crispy, syrup-soaked sweet spirals.
Where:
Old Famous Jalebi Wala, Chandni Chowk – Iconic for its massive jalebis.
Jalebi Wala, Dariba Kalan – Offers freshly made, hot jalebis.
13. Kulfi Falooda
What: Creamy kulfi topped with chilled falooda noodles.
Where:
Roshan Di Kulfi, Karol Bagh – A perfect sweet treat after shopping.
Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfi Wala, Chawri Bazaar – Known for innovative flavors like paan and mango.
14. Butter Chicken Roll and Kathi Roll
What: Succulent chicken or paneer rolls stuffed in flaky parathas.
Where:
Rajinder Da Dhaba, Safdarjung – Their butter chicken rolls are legendary.
Nizam’s Kathi Kabab, Connaught Place – Pioneers of the original Kathi roll.
15. Daulat Ki Chaat
What: A winter delicacy, this fluffy, creamy dessert is topped with saffron and nuts.
Where:
Chandni Chowk (seasonal vendors) – Found only during winters, near Paranthe Wali Gali.
Jama Masjid area – Freshly made by street vendors.
Expert Tips
Visit Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid) for authentic, traditional street food.
Try hygienic street food options in Connaught Place or upscale areas like Khan Market.
Explore food walks in Delhi for a curated experience of the city’s culinary heritage.
Delhi is renowned for its vibrant street food scene, offering a plethora of dishes that reflect the city’s rich culinary heritage. Here’s a guide based on popular recommendations:
Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk Area)
- Paranthe Wali Gali: If you’re in for parathas, this lane near Chandni Chowk is famous for offering over 30 types of stuffed parathas. Try out different varieties like aloo, paneer, or even chocolate.
- Daulat Ki Chaat: A unique, seasonal (winter) dessert made from whipped milk, available near Chandni Chowk. It’s like eating clouds with a hint of sweetness.
- Natraj Dahi Bhalla Corner: Near Bhai Mati Das Chowk in Chandni Chowk, this spot is known for its dahi bhalla and aloo tikki.
- Bishan Swaroop: Hidden in the side streets of Chandni Chowk, it’s famous for its fruit chaat and aloo ke kulle.
South Delhi
- Prince Chaat Corner in Greater Kailash I: Offers a variety of chaats in a relatively hygienic environment. Known for palak patta chaat, bhalla papri, and sev puri.
- Dolma Aunty Momos in Lajpat Nagar: A go-to place for momos with an amazing chili chutney.
Central Delhi
- Connaught Place (CP):
- Pappu Chat Bhandar for zingy aloo chaat.
- Jain Chawal Wale for North Indian dishes like rajma chawal and shahi paneer chawal.
- Karol Bagh:
- Roshan Di Kulfi for traditional Indian ice cream or kulfi-falooda.
Other Notable Spots
- Majnu ka Tila: If you’re interested in Tibetan food, this area has several joints offering momos, laphing, and more.
- Jama Masjid Area:
- Aslam Chicken Corner for the renowned butter chicken.
- Karim’s for Mughlai delicacies like kebabs and biryani, though it’s more of a restaurant than street food.
- Khan Market: For a more upscale street food experience, try Azam’s Mughlai for galauti and kakori kebabs.
- Nizamuddin: Visit for late-night food adventures, especially for kebabs near Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.
General Tips:
- Hygiene: Look for places where you see a lot of locals eating, as it’s often a sign of good, safe food.
- Seasonal Specials: Some items like Daulat Ki Chaat are seasonal, so check if they’re available during your visit.
- Diversity: Delhi’s street food is diverse, encompassing Mughlai, Punjabi, and even international influences, so don’t hesitate to try different stalls for a varied experience.
Remember, the best experience comes from exploring these areas, tasting a little here and there, and enjoying the chaotic, yet delicious, atmosphere of Delhi’s street food culture.