7 Must-Try Local Dishes in Delhi: The Foodie’s Guide

People call Delhi the capital city of India. But, for foodies, it won’t be wrong to call it the ‘food hub of India’. It’s due to its variety of flavours and cuisines. This city is famous for yummy local food items. Here, Things2Do mentions the top seven must-try local dishes in Delhi that can make you drool.  

1Chole Bhature

Chole bhature is the most popular dish in North India. Its origin is in Punjab. It’s a local dish in Delhi, the capital city. This dish has two prime elements: chickpea curry, which has spices like turmeric salt, cumin, coriander, and garam masala. The cardi includes a rich blend of vegetables like onion, tomatoes, garlic, etc. On the other hand, bhaturas are deep-fried pieces of bread formed from a dough of white flour after proper fermentation. 

This yummy combination fills the tummies of locals, as it is quite heavy. The spicy flavours of chole (dip) and the crunchiness of oil-soaked bhatura (bread) leave you craving it for more. It is easily available in every restaurant in Delhi. 

The best place to eat chole bhature in Delhi is Sita Ram Diwan Chand, Paharganj. 

📍 2243, Rajguru Marg, Chuna Mandi, Paharganj, New Delhi, Delhi 110055

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Monday to Saturday)

          7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Sunday)

2Butter Chicken

Butter chicken is an amalgamation of Indian, Punjabi, and Mughlai tastes on a single plate. It’s the most famous non-vegetarian item for most Punjabis and is like a local dish in Delhi. Butter chicken seems like an easy recipe but the real flavours lie in the marinating mixture and dip. The marination of chicken is carried out with a variety of spices, like coriander, salt, pepper, and cumin, and then put inside a clay oven to give a smokey taste. 

The dip is a creamy element that increases the tenderness of the chicken on your tongue. Butter chicken is the heart and soul of Indian non-vegetarian cuisine. Many international restaurants also acknowledge this local dish from Delhi. It’s available at plenty of Indian restaurants.

To have the best butter chicken in Delhi, you can head over to Have More Restaurant, Pandara. 

📍 Pandara Market, 11-12, Barda Ukil Marg, India Gate, New Delhi, Delhi 110003

Time: 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. 

3Momos

Momos are handmade dumplings that originated in Tibet. Over time, their popularity grew in East India. Now, they are a well-known comfort food for localities in Delhi. There are many varieties of momos, like tandoori momos, steamed momos, fried momos, kurkure momos, paneer momos, and malai momos. 

This versatile dish is easy to make if one cracks the code to understand its folding technique. It resides in the hearts of Delhi people due to the delicious fillings of cabbage, cheese, and meat (optional). I

In Delhi, you can find the best finger-licking momos at the Hunger Strike. 

📍 Shop Number C 9, Amar Colony-Lajpat Nagar, Delhi – 110024 (Opposite Cafe Coffee Day, Amar Colony Market)

Time: 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

          10:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

4Kebabs

Kebab is another top local dish in Delhi. It originated in the Middle East but is a culinary feast for many other countries at present. In Delhi, you can find a variety of kebabs like sheesh kabab, seek kabab, galouti kabab, and whatnot. 

The literal sense of ‘kabab’ is grilled meat. But over time, it has seen extreme modifications and vegetarian kebabs are also a thing now. The marination of kebabs gives them an aromatic taste of spices and sauces. 

The best kebabs in Delhi are at Qureshi Kabab.

📍 3943, Kasturba Hospital Marg, Kalan Mahal, Daryaganj, New Delhi, Delhi, 110002

Time: 2:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. 

5Chaat

Chat is the most comforting street food in Delhi. Like other dishes, it comes in different variations, like papdi chaat, samosa chaat, and sev puri chaat. In Delhi, the most common one is papdi chaat. It is a fusion of different flavours: sweet, spicy, tangy, and savoury. 

The ‘papdi’ refers to fried pieces of wheat flour that look like tiny wafers. The sauces and dips include tamarind chutney (sauce), mint chutney (sauce), or yoghurt. This is an actual blend of every possible taste in one bite. In Delhi, people crave this flavoursome snack due to the cooling sensations they feel on their palette. 

The best papdi chaat is found at Odeon Sweets. 

📍 22, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg, Bhagat Singh Market, Sector 4, Gole Market, New Delhi, Delhi 110001

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

6Paratha

Paratha is hands down the best local dish in Delhi and the whole of North India. People eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner due to its captivating taste and high nutritional value. 

In Delhi, you can see a variety of parathas like aloo paratha, gobi paratha, paneer paratha, mooli paratha, Chini paratha, and so many more. It’s easy to cook but the way Delhi makes it, it’s hard to crack. It’s eaten with pickles, chutneys (sauces), and yogurt. 

To have the best paratha experience in Delhi, you can go to Moolchand Paratha. 

📍 4, 5, 6 Lala Lajpat Rai Marg Moolchand Metro Station, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110024

Time: 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 

7Nihari

Nihari is an underrated but must-try local dish in Delhi. It’s a non-vegetarian item that originated during the Mughal rule in India. Nihari is a slow-cooking stew that includes leaving cuts on meat and placing it overnight. 

The showstopper is its thick gravy, which consists of spices and roasted flour. This particular step adds all the necessary flavours to nihari. It’s an enriching, non-vegetarian food item that reflects the amalgamation of different culinary cultures. 

You can find the best nihari at Kallu Nihari. 

📍 180, Chatta Lal Main Rd, behind Delite Cinema, Bazar Chitli Qabar, Chatta lal Miya, Chandni Mahal, Daryaganj, New Delhi, Delhi, 110002

Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  

All Images Credit: https://www.vogue.in

Conclusion: 

Delhi’s colourful food is a cherishable delight for its residents. Here, some food corners remain active throughout the day and night. This city keeps adding new restaurants and cuisines to its list. You can follow @things2doindelhi on Instagram to stay updated with all the new additions. 

by Saanchi Gupta

Content Writer at Things2do