Meeting place near Delhi International airport

We have a layover of 7 hours at Delhi international airport before we board Air India flight to Hyderabad from Terminal 3. We are arriving by China Airlines from Taipeh (I believe that all international arrivals are on Terminal 3).

We want to meet a friend who is presently in Delhi. Since non-passengers are not allowed inside the airport, we are looking for a convenient place to meet and have a snack/lunch near the international airport. If this place is accessible to the airport within 30 minutes, there will not be any hassle to return back for our flight in time.

Can anyone suggest a convenient place near the international airport?

Does Air India accept checkin baggage 7 hours before the flight?
If so, we can avoid going to the Left Luggage room for depositing our checkin baggage when we leave the airport.

We do not have a combined international/domestic air ticket. We are buying the domestic ticket separately.

Thanks in advance

unless there is a security restriction in place at that point, the airport folks are happy to let your friend in for 80 rs!!!