9 Best Restaurants in Delhi, India

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.

A large and fuss-free air-conditioned space with quick service, this is a well-known stop in south Delhi for street food like chole bhatura (spicy chickpeas and puffy fried bread) and vegetarian thalis (combination platters). Plastic tables are always crammed with office goers, expats, tourists, and students looking for a tasty and pocket-friendly meal.

This is an Old Delhi institution dating to 1913, and here, mutton (which generally means goat in India) is king, especially in thick, rich gravies, accompanied by tandoor breads. The no-frills decor belies its atmospheric charm, highlighted by the large cauldrons of meaty concoctions and smoking kebabs on spits that are on display in an open kitchen.

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.

This dark, soothing restaurant, with South Indian decor and gold-embossed paintings designed by artisans from the Tamil Nadu town of Thanjavur, specializes in Udupi food, a vegetarian cuisine from a town near Mangalore. South Indian staples like uthappams and idlis are served in traditional style, on a banana leaf.

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.

This no-frills vegetarian family joint bustles nonstop, serving up South Indian dishes like crispy dosas (rice-batter crepes) and fluffy idlis (rice cakes) with fresh coconut chutney and hot sambar (lentil soup). A long-standing favorite since the '80s, this neighborhood market delivers quick service and attracts a steady stream of locals looking for a pocket-friendly bite.

In Khan Market, this café serves light Western salads, pastas, and desserts and refreshing cold drinks in an airy contemporary setting.