Where to eat in Delhi

johnrxx99 · Sep 2nd, 2006, 18:35

Hi,

I'm off again to India in Mid September, arriving in Delhi. Before I go to Manali for a months I'll be spending a couple of days there.

I've noticed a few comments by people about food in Delhi. My passion is Indian food so some recommendations would be much appreciated. Personally, I could eat Masala Dosa all the time - the best place I know is a street cafe on a corner in a Karolbagh side street. Heaven.

Looking forward to your tips.

peter_edward · Sep 2nd, 2006, 19:08

hi there

greetings

better to go to the madras cafe and the Karnataka resturant both are in the south part of delhi and serve best south-Indian foods hope you enjoy there.

cheers

pete...

Vibhu Jindal · Sep 2nd, 2006, 20:20

Best veg- South Indian food will be at Sarwana Bhavan, on Janpath in Connaught Place...for non-veg South Indian goto Kairali at Dear Park, Green Park .

For North Indian snacks & desserts type do go to Haldirams at Lajpat Nagar.

tell us the kind of food you wanna have, then we can help you out in a better way

akshay2101 · Sep 2nd, 2006, 21:34

Hi

I would suggest Swagath and Sagar in Defence Colony market for South Indian food. I have been going to all these places for over a decade now.

Sagar has the best vegetarian south indian food in town, is clean and is famous for efficient service. Must go there for a special red tomato chutney which started a trend amonst others in their field. My pick is the butter masala dosa with a dahi vada and sweet lime soda.

Swagath is for brilliant Chettanad food. Their veg/chicken stew combined with appams and malabari paranthas is a must have. Also do try their achari paneer tikka. They serve alcohol too and are not very expensive. (avg meal for 2 with a beer and starters will cost around Rs.750/- and it will be a meal you'll remember for a long time.)

A cheap value-for-money meal will be a thali or an all you can eat at The Canteen at Andhra Bhawan for rs.50/- This includes papad, 4 dishes, sambhar, rasam, dahi or yogurt, a sweet dish, rice AND roti. With their menu changing daily, you're never bored. Tip: Another 50 ruppees gets you a small but very filling plate of life-altering spicy hot, deep fried mutton. Its really spicy food but you can balance it out with enough rasam and dahi.

I would suggest it to anyone with a fondness for lesser known south indian fare. Located near India Gate (Ashoka Road) its easy to get to if you're in paharganj and is frequented by a lot of media people. Tip: If you like pickles, there is a lady who sells homemade pickles and munchies at the gate. Do pick up the gunpowder if you like things super hot!

Marte · Sep 3rd, 2006, 19:44

If you are not a vegetarian try Karims in old Delhi

johnrxx99 · Sep 3rd, 2006, 20:37

Thanks so much, especially Akshay. I'm sure I've been to Sagar before and will look back at my old notes.

I am an omnivore and eat anything - apart from a few Thai/SE Asian bugs which are not my thing!

Southern Indian food is my favourite

while in India as it is not easy to find in the UK, where most of the restaurants are run by North Indian/Pakistani expats, and fresh ingredients entail a hundred mile journey to source fresh curry leaves etc.

I tend to cook myself as you only find good places in the cities and even most of those use "cook in a bag sauces" made by a factory in Salford would you believe. There are a few good recipe websites run by Indian families that are excellent.

However, there are areas I'd love to sample food from - in particular Gujarat, Orissa and the far eastern area Manipur/Assam although I appreciate that they may not be commercial enough to have a restaurant dedicated to them.

But let me not digress too much - any place that has good cooks and is honest, rather than a tourist type posh place, will do me fine, and I've got a few above to see already.

Indeed, I could extend my stay when I get back from the north if India Mike fans give me too much to cope with!!

PS: Akshay, love the dog.

Eve68 · Sep 3rd, 2006, 21:03

I haven't been there because I'm going first time in Dec but I've been reading a lot and comparing some of the information with people who have actually been there. Karim's is supposed to be really good on Jami Masjid. I intend to go there myself when I'm in Delhi. And then for South Indian Sagar of course and not as costly.

maddog · Sep 3rd, 2006, 21:43

Sarawan Bhavan is excellent for South Indian food, I promise you'll like the dosas!
The Banana Leaf is also good just up the road.

The Maholtra just off the main Bazaar does good North Indian and Punjabi food, the Malai Kebab is delicious, though perhaps not for beginners much of the foodstall along the main drag on Paharganj are wonderful. The Sonu Chathouse does fairly good dosas, idlis and the like, also on Paharganj

Baba · Sep 3rd, 2006, 21:59

Hi all,

could you please supply street addresses for these temples of gastronomic delight? Or at least directions suitable for the auto-rickshaw wallah?

Serious foodie who's planning a trip

gautam · Sep 3rd, 2006, 22:52

Can also try shawarma [ i guess this is how its spelled ][ non-veg ] at NFC.
Awsome

maddog · Sep 3rd, 2006, 22:58

Sarvan Bhavan is on Janpath, pretty close to McD's actually, the Banana leaf is on the inner circle Connaught Place, just around the corner from Wimpy!! Barista is nearbye, which does a pretty good South Indian coffee!
The Maholtra can be found at the top of Main Bazaar right at the Metropol Hotel and first left, its on the left second floor!!

Haldiram's is on the main drag Chandichowk and Karim's is near the Jama Mashid Mosque Old Delhi whilst on Chandichowk try the Parathi Wali awesome parothas, it's the third close on the left up from the Sikh Temple

Sensi · Sep 4th, 2006, 03:27

" My passion is Indian food so some recommendations would be much appreciated."

your lucky, becasue some of the best north indian food is in manali, go figure. You can stop in Bhuntar, there are some upscale hotel there with excellent chiefs and very cheap! also i remeber a great place in manikaran. i'm sure there many more.

The locally grown vegs in the himalayas are of excellent quality. so enjoy~

vinayverma · Sep 4th, 2006, 04:33

There was a thread somewhere on IM, on places to eat in delhi.
but trust me we all find 'our own best place' which you would also do with-in 24hrs from landing in delhi.

Karan321 · Sep 4th, 2006, 16:54

Some of the better eating joints are:

South India veg:
Sagar, Defence Colony
Saravana Bhavan, CP
Banana Leaf

South Indian Non-veg:
Swagath, Defence colony
Royal Dakshin, Picnic Huts, Mehrauli road
Dakshin, Marriot Hotel
Andhra Bhavan, CP

North Indian Mughlai:
Karims
Punjabi by nature, Vasant vihar and noida
Moti Mahal Deluxe, Greater Kailash: though standard seems to have gone down in the recent past.
Bukhara, Maurya sheraton if you want to splurge
Great Kabab Factory, Radisson

johnrxx99 · Sep 4th, 2006, 18:56

Having read the latest posts I'm virtually shivering with excitement.

14 DAYS TO GO.

What do they do if you over stay your visa?

Sep 2nd, 2006, 18:35	#1
johnrxx99 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 110	Where to eat in Delhi Hi, I'm off again to India in Mid September, arriving in Delhi. Before I go to Manali for a months I'll be spending a couple of days there. I've noticed a few comments by people about food in Delhi. My passion is Indian food so some recommendations would be much appreciated. Personally, I could eat Masala Dosa all the time - the best place I know is a street cafe on a corner in a Karolbagh side street. Heaven. Looking forward to your tips.

Sep 2nd, 2006, 21:34	#4
akshay2101 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 15	Defence Colony & Andhra Bhavan Hi I would suggest Swagath and Sagar in Defence Colony market for South Indian food. I have been going to all these places for over a decade now. Sagar has the best vegetarian south indian food in town, is clean and is famous for efficient service. Must go there for a special red tomato chutney which started a trend amonst others in their field. My pick is the butter masala dosa with a dahi vada and sweet lime soda. Swagath is for brilliant Chettanad food. Their veg/chicken stew combined with appams and malabari paranthas is a must have. Also do try their achari paneer tikka. They serve alcohol too and are not very expensive. (avg meal for 2 with a beer and starters will cost around Rs.750/- and it will be a meal you'll remember for a long time.) A cheap value-for-money meal will be a thali or an all you can eat at The Canteen at Andhra Bhawan for rs.50/- This includes papad, 4 dishes, sambhar, rasam, dahi or yogurt, a sweet dish, rice AND roti. With their menu changing daily, you're never bored. Tip: Another 50 ruppees gets you a small but very filling plate of life-altering spicy hot, deep fried mutton. Its really spicy food but you can balance it out with enough rasam and dahi. I would suggest it to anyone with a fondness for lesser known south indian fare. Located near India Gate (Ashoka Road) its easy to get to if you're in paharganj and is frequented by a lot of media people. Tip: If you like pickles, there is a lady who sells homemade pickles and munchies at the gate. Do pick up the gunpowder if you like things super hot!

Sep 3rd, 2006, 21:59	#9
Baba Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 349	Hi all, could you please supply street addresses for these temples of gastronomic delight? Or at least directions suitable for the auto-rickshaw wallah? Serious foodie who's planning a trip __________________ Baba

Sep 3rd, 2006, 22:52	#10
gautam Super Mode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chandigarh - Blore NON-STOP Posts: 724	Can also try shawarma [ i guess this is how its spelled ][ non-veg ] at NFC. Awsome __________________ "Your thoughts could be your prison" My pics on flickr Kerela backwaters - by beach

Sep 4th, 2006, 04:33	#13
vinayverma Maha Infrequent Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,302	There was a thread somewhere on IM, on places to eat in delhi. but trust me we all find 'our own best place' which you would also do with-in 24hrs from landing in delhi. __________________ If Life is a journey....travel on...and on..on..on..... Last edited by vinayverma : Sep 4th, 2006 at 13:05.

Sep 2nd, 2006, 19:08	#2
peter_edward Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: UK Posts: 23	hi there greetings better to go to the madras cafe and the Karnataka resturant both are in the south part of delhi and serve best south-Indian foods hope you enjoy there. cheers pete...

Sep 2nd, 2006, 20:20	#3
Vibhu Jindal Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 423	Best veg- South Indian food will be at Sarwana Bhavan, on Janpath in Connaught Place...for non-veg South Indian goto Kairali at Dear Park, Green Park . For North Indian snacks & desserts type do go to Haldirams at Lajpat Nagar. tell us the kind of food you wanna have, then we can help you out in a better way

Sep 3rd, 2006, 19:44	#5
Marte Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 55	If you are not a vegetarian try Karims in old Delhi

Sep 3rd, 2006, 20:37	#6
johnrxx99 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 110	Thanks so much, especially Akshay. I'm sure I've been to Sagar before and will look back at my old notes. I am an omnivore and eat anything - apart from a few Thai/SE Asian bugs which are not my thing! Southern Indian food is my favourite while in India as it is not easy to find in the UK, where most of the restaurants are run by North Indian/Pakistani expats, and fresh ingredients entail a hundred mile journey to source fresh curry leaves etc. I tend to cook myself as you only find good places in the cities and even most of those use "cook in a bag sauces" made by a factory in Salford would you believe. There are a few good recipe websites run by Indian families that are excellent. However, there are areas I'd love to sample food from - in particular Gujarat, Orissa and the far eastern area Manipur/Assam although I appreciate that they may not be commercial enough to have a restaurant dedicated to them. But let me not digress too much - any place that has good cooks and is honest, rather than a tourist type posh place, will do me fine, and I've got a few above to see already. Indeed, I could extend my stay when I get back from the north if India Mike fans give me too much to cope with!! PS: Akshay, love the dog.

Sep 3rd, 2006, 21:03	#7
Eve68 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA Posts: 105	I haven't been there because I'm going first time in Dec but I've been reading a lot and comparing some of the information with people who have actually been there. Karim's is supposed to be really good on Jami Masjid. I intend to go there myself when I'm in Delhi. And then for South Indian Sagar of course and not as costly.

Sep 3rd, 2006, 21:43	#8
maddog Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: India Posts: 31	Sarawan Bhavan is excellent for South Indian food, I promise you'll like the dosas! The Banana Leaf is also good just up the road. The Maholtra just off the main Bazaar does good North Indian and Punjabi food, the Malai Kebab is delicious, though perhaps not for beginners much of the foodstall along the main drag on Paharganj are wonderful. The Sonu Chathouse does fairly good dosas, idlis and the like, also on Paharganj

Sep 3rd, 2006, 22:58	#11
maddog Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: India Posts: 31	Sarvan Bhavan is on Janpath, pretty close to McD's actually, the Banana leaf is on the inner circle Connaught Place, just around the corner from Wimpy!! Barista is nearbye, which does a pretty good South Indian coffee! The Maholtra can be found at the top of Main Bazaar right at the Metropol Hotel and first left, its on the left second floor!! Haldiram's is on the main drag Chandichowk and Karim's is near the Jama Mashid Mosque Old Delhi whilst on Chandichowk try the Parathi Wali awesome parothas, it's the third close on the left up from the Sikh Temple

Sep 4th, 2006, 03:27	#12
Sensi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in a bungalow Posts: 120	" My passion is Indian food so some recommendations would be much appreciated." your lucky, becasue some of the best north indian food is in manali, go figure. You can stop in Bhuntar, there are some upscale hotel there with excellent chiefs and very cheap! also i remeber a great place in manikaran. i'm sure there many more. The locally grown vegs in the himalayas are of excellent quality. so enjoy~

Sep 4th, 2006, 16:54	#14
Karan321 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 232	Some of the better eating joints are: South India veg: Sagar, Defence Colony Saravana Bhavan, CP Banana Leaf South Indian Non-veg: Swagath, Defence colony Royal Dakshin, Picnic Huts, Mehrauli road Dakshin, Marriot Hotel Andhra Bhavan, CP North Indian Mughlai: Karims Punjabi by nature, Vasant vihar and noida Moti Mahal Deluxe, Greater Kailash: though standard seems to have gone down in the recent past. Bukhara, Maurya sheraton if you want to splurge Great Kabab Factory, Radisson

Sep 4th, 2006, 18:56	#15
johnrxx99 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 110	Having read the latest posts I'm virtually shivering with excitement. 14 DAYS TO GO. What do they do if you over stay your visa?

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode