20 Best Restaurants in Delhi, India

Served amid stone walls, rough-hewn dark-wood beams, copper urns, and blood-red rugs, Bukhara's menu hasn't changed in years, and its loyal clientele wouldn't have it any other way. The cuisine of the Northwest Frontier, now the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, is heavy on meats, marinated and grilled in a tandoor (clay oven).

Like the nawabi (princely) culture from which it's drawn, this restaurant has a food selection and style that are subtle and refined. Chef Imtiaz Qureshi, descended from court cooks in Avadh (Lucknow), creates delicately spiced meals packed with flavor: dum ki khumb (button mushrooms in gravy, fennel, and dried ginger), kakori kabab (finely minced mutton, cloves, and cinnamon, drizzled with saffron), and the special raan-e-dumpukht (a leg of mutton marinated in dark rum and stuffed with onions, cheese, and mint).

At this beautifully designed Thai restaurant, you can dine on zingy salads, delicious stir-fries, and velvety curries, surrounded by fine tapestries and traditional paintings.

At this internationally acclaimed Modern Indian restaurant, Chef Shantanu Mehrotra seamlessly blends Indian and global flavors and preparation methods, creating innovative offerings such as the pork belly tikka. Choose the chef's tasting menu for six wildly modern dishes created with typically Indian ingredients and paired with complementing wines.

This Japanese restaurant at The Leela Palace offers excellent fish and impeccable service in a luxe ambience. Look for its signature Crystal Buddha elevated over a pool of rose-petal water, with a beautiful 800-pound Japanese Bonsho bell suspended from the ceiling.

This is a classic spot for evening golgappa outings. Also on offer are other Delhi snack staples: chole bhatura (also known as chana bhatura—spicy chickpeas with fried, airy puri bread), stuffed parathas, paneer fritters, and raj kachori (spicy chaat bowl with assorted fillings).

This is a reliable place for typical street food in an indoor, seated setting. Apart from chaat and snacks like kachori and dhokla, options include North Indian thali meals and South Indian food. There are many outlets all across the city and most of them are consistently good.

This all-day café opens at 8 am for breakfast and offers fluffy omelets, rich coffee, and delicious protein bowls. With several locations throughout Delhi, Caara is well known for using fresh, chemical-free ingredients from their farms.

Since it was conceptualized with the inauguration of the Taj Mahal New Delhi in 1978, House of Ming has been the preferred Chinese restaurant of many Delhiites for elaborate family meals, cozy date nights, and high-profile corporate lunches. With more than 120 dishes on the menu, there’s adequate representation from Sichuan, Hunan, and Cantonese cuisines.

After an extensive renovation and expansion project, Jade at The Claridges New Delhi reemerged with a fresh look that offers a symphony of colors reminiscent of old Chinese towns, with brass accents, malachite pillars, and dancing dragons on the ceiling. The food is even better than before---try any one of their dim sum offerings.

Hot-off-the-grill kebabs are the specialty at this small, self-service eatery tucked into an upper level in Khan Market's busy lanes. Expect melt-in-the-mouth mutton, chicken, and paneer tikka roomali rolls in a no-frills setting.

One of Delhi's prettiest, hippest cafés, Latitude 28 is the place to go if you want to relax over a thoughtful meal, cold beer, or specialty tea. Chef Ritu Dalmia has put together a playful mix of comfort food from around the world and quirky takes on regional staples from around India.

A favorite amongst the city's fashionable set and couples celebrating special occasions, this rooftop restaurant at The Leela Palace serves delicious Franco-Italian fare with a twist. The menu celebrates some of the freshest and finest produce of the season from Italy and France---try any of their handmade pastas.

Japanese for "play with your food," cheery Mamagoto, hidden behind a yellow door in the middle lane of Khan Market, is indeed a fun place for a low-key meal. This is a great spot to have a couple of cocktails and share several Pan-Asian dishes.

This city institution with several branches offers quick-service vegetarian snacks and meals in a clean, fuss-free setting. There's a very wide selection of breads and sweets, with more than a dozen options in parathas alone; go for the ones filled with mint or cauliflower.

Delhi's most rarefied Italian restaurant is known for its playful, sensuous dishes, relying heavily on black olives, Parmesan cheese, and fresh local produce, and for its excellent service. The small wood-panel rooms are inviting; in winter you can dine on a terra-cotta patio in the fabulous garden.

Although a fine-dining restaurant, Sorrento has an easygoing vibe that will instantly transport you to a trattoria in Italy. It offers an extensive menu of antipasti, handmade pastas, pizzas, and succulently grilled meats, and may just be the top choice for your Italian craving in Delhi. The charming al fresco seating overlooking the spacious lawn is ideal for enjoying balmy evenings or sunny lunches.

This gorgeous restaurant at The Imperial New Delhi offers Southeast Asian dining at its finest, with authentic Thai and coastal Indian dishes. The opulent decor represents the journey from Kerala to Thailand, with elaborate hand-painted murals from South India to a beautiful Thai-style pagoda in the alfresco area.

This contemporary Indian restaurant at Taj Mahal New Delhi churns out traditional dishes presented with a classic fine-dining spin. The white-tablecloth setting is cozy, but luxurious, serviced by attentive staff.

Delhi's insomniacs love this super-bright, tiny 24-hour coffee shop with blinding-yellow striped wallpaper, vintage French-colonial posters, and distressed-yellow tables. The extensive menu features everything from tandoori to Thai, along with several vegetarian choices and a decent bar menu.