1. Dum Pukht, Delhi
A fundamental component of the Awadhi cuisine that is served in Lucknow is called Dum Pukht. In this dish, meat, spices, and herbs are combined within a pot and then wrapped with dough. Because the meat is left to simmer while it also absorbs the flavor of the spice, the end product is a scrumptious meal that is the house specialty at the eatery with the same name. In the 2014 edition of S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna’s ranking of Asia’s Fifty Finest Restaurants, Dum Pukht was recognized as the establishment that provided the best dining experience in India. The restaurant’s biryanis and slow-cooked kebabs are served in a spectacular silver and blue dining room that is embellished with crystal chandeliers. Because of this, the restaurant is considered to be one of the greatest restaurants in Delhi for couples. While here, do not forget to order Dum Pukht biryani, shahi nihari, dudiya kabab and Kakori kabab. A fundamental component of the Awadhi cuisine that is served in Lucknow is called Dum Pukht. In this dish, meat, spices, and herbs are combined within a pot and then wrapped with dough. Because the meat is left to simmer while it also absorbs the flavor of the spice, the end product is a scrumptious meal that is the house specialty at the eatery with the same name. In the 2014 edition of S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna’s ranking of Asia’s Fifty Finest Restaurants, Dum Pukht was recognized as the establishment that provided the best dining experience in India. The restaurant’s biryanis and slow-cooked kebabs are served in a spectacular silver and blue dining room that is embellished with crystal chandeliers. Because of this, the restaurant is considered to be one of the greatest restaurants in Delhi for couples. While here, do not forget to order Dum Pukht biryani, shahi nihari, dudiya kabab and Kakori kabab.
- Location: ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri, Delhi
- Timings: 7 pm to 11:45 pm (Mon-Sa); 12:30 pm to 2:45 pm and 7 pm to 11:45 pm (Sunday)
- Cost for two: ₹ 4000
2. Indian Accent, Delhi
Indian Accent Delhi is a restaurant run by Chef Manish Mehrotra, who is known for innovating creative takes on traditional Indian fare by using modern Western ingredients and techniques. The restaurant is housed within a quaint boutique hotel in Delhi. The restaurant Indian Accent has developed a number of novel concepts, some of which include: crabs served with tomato pickle and roasted coconut, foie gras-stuffed galawati kebabs served with strawberries and green chilli chutney, butter chicken modified with peanut butter and roasted peanuts, and so on and so forth. Indian Accent Delhi is a restaurant run by Chef Manish Mehrotra, who is known for innovating creative takes on traditional Indian fare by using modern Western ingredients and techniques. The restaurant is housed within a quaint boutique hotel in Delhi. The restaurant Indian Accent has developed a number of novel concepts, some of which include: crabs served with tomato pickle and roasted coconut, foie gras-stuffed galawati kebabs served with strawberries and green chilli chutney, butter chicken modified with peanut butter and roasted peanuts, and so on and so forth.
- Location: The Lodhi, Lodhi Road, Delhi
- Timings: 12 pm to 2:30 pm and 7 pm to 10:30 pm
- Cost for two: ₹ 5000
3. Bukhara, Delhi
Bukhara is one of the restaurants that made it onto the list of the top fifty restaurants in Asia compiled by S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. It can be found in the same building as Dum Pukht. It has an atmosphere that is quite different from that of Dum Pukht in terms of its decoration, as it has a more rustic, dark brown tone to it. This is because it is located just next door to Dum Pukht. The restaurant first opened in 1978, however it has not undergone significant transformations since then. In addition to an abundance of breads and curries, the menu has meat that has been marinated and then grilled in a tandoor. The Daal Bukhara, in which lentils are cooked slowly for approximately 24 hours, is the restaurant’s trademark dish.
- Location: ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri, Delhi
- Timings: 12:30 pm to 2:45 pm and 7 pm to 11:45 pm
- Cost for two: ₹ 6500
Also check hotels in Delhi for couples
4. Spice Route, Delhi
The voyage of spices via the Spice Route is chronicled, beginning on the Malabar Coast of Kerala and continuing all the way to Vietnam via Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. Its interiors are truly works of art, with dining halls adorned with priceless antiques and paintings that show scenes from a variety of nations that were visited along the spice route. Classic dishes from around Asia may be found on the menu at Spice Route, which also offers a wide variety of vegetarian and meat-eating alternatives. The lobster prepared in the manner of Thai cooking, which is stir fried with mushrooms and ginger, and the vermicelli payasam, which is loaded with cashew nuts and raisins, are two of the most delicious selections here.
- Location: The Imperial Hotel, Janpath, Delhi
- Timings: 12:30 pm to 2:45 pm, 7 pm to 11:45 pm
- Cost for two: ₹ 6000
5. Dakshin, Delhi
Southern Indian cuisine is represented at Dakshin, a restaurant whose name gives the region’s cuisine away. Dakshin dispels the impression that most people have that South Indian food is vegetarian by covering the cuisines of all of the South Indian states, from Kerala and Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It serves a wide variety of foods, such as prawns deep-fried in batter and a dish called veinchina mamsam, which is lamb cooked with coriander, chilies, onions, and garam masala. Other dishes that you absolutely have to sample here are Meen Moilee, Chicken Chettinad, and Tomato Pappu.
- Location: Welcome Hotel Sheraton, Saket, Delhi
- Timings: 12:30 pm to 2:45 pm, 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm, Monday (Closed)
- Cost for two: ₹ 4000
6. Varq, Delhi
Another one of S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna’s top fifty restaurants in Asia, Varq combines the best of street food with fine dining, both in its dishes and interiors. The chef’s modern take on old dishes is a treat to experience with many new dishes being born, such as jalebis served with silver leaves and pistachio dip. Other famous dishes are the ganderi chicken kebabs as well as the atta raan, which is a roast leg of lamb.
- Location: Taj Mahal Hotel, Mansingh Road, Delhi
- Timings: 12:30 pm to 2:45 pm and 7 pm to 11:30 pm
- Cost for two: ₹ 4500
Top Affordable Restaurants in Delhi
Karim’s | Jama Masjid |
Moti Mahal | Daryaganj |
Punjabi by Nature | Multiple |
Pind Balluchi | Multiple |
Kwality Restaurant | Connaught Place |
Indian Coffee House | Connaught Place |
Rajinder Da Dhaba | Safdarjung Enclave Market |
Wenger’s | Connaught Place |
Kake Da Hotel | Connaught Place |
7. Karim’s, Delhi
Karim’s is one of the best restaurants in New Delhi, one where commoners as well as the rich and famous come to get their fill. This restaurant has been serving the cuisine of the kitchens of the Mughal Empire since 1913. It has its original premises next to the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi which is still the most popular outlet. Its renowned dishes include the mutton burra kebabs and the famous tandoori chicken. The restaurant is a crowd favourite with its no-frills and authentic dining experience.
- Location: Gali Kababian, Jama Masjid, Delhi
- Timings: 9 am to 12:30 am
- Cost for two: ₹ 800
8. Moti Mahal, Delhi
Moti Mahal is one of the oldest restaurants in Delhi. It was founded in Daryaganj shortly after we, as a nation, obtained independence. It takes credit for having introduced the recipes for burra kebabs, butter chicken and tandoori chicken to the culinary world. Moti Mahal has over the years expanded to form a chain, with outlets in multiple cities across India.
- Location: Netaji Subhash Marg, Daryaganj, and others, Delhi
- Timings: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Cost for two: ₹ 1000
9. Punjabi by Nature, Delhi
Punjabi by Nature is yet another popular restaurant in Delhi that has been expanding to various locations around the city. It specialises in Punjabi cuisine, which the name suggests. Some of the signature dishes include raan-e-Punjab (slow-roasted lamb leg served with black lentils with cream and butter) and vodka golgappa, wherein the spiced vodka is the liquid in place of flavoured water.
- Location: Multiple, Delhi
- Timings: 12 pm to 11 am
- Cost for two: ₹ 1400
10. Pind Balluchi, Delhi
With a figurine of a Sikh man, durbans in ethnic Punjabi attire, woven cots, wooden furniture, jharokhas and mud-plastered walls, Pind Balluchi outlets typically recreate the Rajasthani and Punjabi rural setting. Pind Balluchi’s menu features a wide variety of Afghan and Mughlai barbeque dishes along with global Punjabi favourites. It includes murg potli, which is minced chicken wrapped in marinated chicken breasts. Vegetarians can also find good dishes here, with the mewa paneer tukra being one of those. It is an exquisite dish of paneer stuffed with dates, nuts and raisins. May be you will like to read – Late night restaurants in Delhi
- Location: Multiple, Delhi
- Timings: 12 pm to 12 am
- Cost for two: ₹ 1300
11. Kwality Restaurant, Delhi
Mention the name to your grandparents, and they will surely have childhood memories of eating at this restaurant. It has been serving up some amazing dishes in terms of flavour, aroma and presentation for a good 70 years now. Chole bhature is the classic dish to order here while the tandoori pomfret, Kakori kebabs and the mouth-watering taar gosht are the other favourites.
- Location: Regal Building, Connaught Place, Delhi
- Timings: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Cost for two: ₹ 1250
12. Indian Coffee House, Delhi
A staple of the city as well as the entire country, the Indian Coffee House has been going strong since 1957. Located on the terrace, this joint has both an outdoor and indoor eating area. The masala dosa and puri bhaji are some of the noteworthy items to try when you visit. On days with good weather, you will find this place jam packed without a square inch to spare. The quality and taste of the food are still immaculate, regardless of the pricing, making it one of the best family restaurants in Delhi.
- Location: Mohan Singh Place, Connaught Place, Delhi
- Timings: 9 am to 9 pm
- Cost for two: ₹ 200
13. Rajinder Da Dhaba, Delhi
Don’t be fooled by its unassuming décor for the food served here is just yum! Delighting foodies around Delhi for over 50 years now, this joint is a legend. It is a paradise for meat lovers as the galawati kebabs here are simply amazing as are butter chicken and tangri kebabs.
- Location: Safdarjung Enclave Market, Delhi
- Timings: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Cost for two: ₹ 800
14. Wenger’s, Delhi
Wenger’s is one Delhi oldest and best bakeries, and locals agree. The mutton puffs and chicken patties that come out of the kitchen are definitely worth their weight in gold. Another one of their specialities is the Nutella waffles. If you are ever strolling in Connaught Place and want a quick bite to fill your tummy, then this is the place to go to.
- Location: A Block, Connaught Place, Delhi
- Timings: 10:45 AM to 6:30 PM
- Cost for two: ₹ 400
15. Kake Da Hotel, Delhi
Kake Da Hotel is one of Delhi’s most famous restaurants, and it has been there for around 80 years. The dal makhani, butter chicken and tandoori chicken are some of the dishes you should go for. If you are looking to stuff yourself, then this is the place to be as they will feed you unimaginable quantities of food till the point you can’t move. With a nice and casual ambience, it can really leave a mark on your heart, especially if that heart is a stickler for Mughlai and Punjabi food! They bring the best of both affordable pricing and taste into one big heap of food.
- Location: Municipal Market, Connaught Place, Delhi
- Timings: 12:00 PM to 12:00 PM
- Cost for two: ₹ 600
From fine dining to street food, the national capital has it all when it comes to gastronomy. Do check these places whenever you are staying at a hotel in Delhi, and you’re bound to come back wanting more!