01MustJama Masjid
Karim's
ORDER
Mutton burra, mutton korma
Since 1913, in the lanes behind Jama Masjid. The mutton korma and burra are the point. Ignore the crowds, order big.
vouch
vouchforit.club/delhi
Smoke Chaser
Eating your way through Old Delhi and beyond
15 spots · Delhi
Mughlai
4 spots02Jama Masjid
Al Jawahar
ORDER
Mutton nihari, sheermal
Karim's neighbour and honest rival. The nihari with sheermal is the quiet pick. Same lane, shorter wait, no drop-off.
03MustDaryaganj
Moti Mahal
ORDER
Butter chicken, dal makhani
Where butter chicken and dal makhani were invented, full stop. Touristy now, still the original. Order both.
04Pandara Road
Gulati
ORDER
Butter chicken, dal Gulati
Pandara Road's reliable star since 1959. Butter chicken and the dal done right, no surprises, always packed.
Street
2 spots01MustChandni Chowk
Paranthe Wali Gali
ORDER
Any stuffed paratha, fried fresh
A whole lane frying stuffed parathas since the 1870s. Point at one, eat it hot with the pickles. Pure Old Delhi.
02MustPaharganj
Sita Ram Diwan Chand
ORDER
Chole bhature
The chole bhature Delhi argues about, since 1950. Two fat bhature, that spiced chole, before noon or they run out.
Chaat
1 spot01Chandni Chowk
Natraj Dahi Bhalle
ORDER
Dahi bhalla and aloo tikki
A tiny counter that's done two things since 1940: dahi bhalle and aloo tikki. Both perfect. Eat standing, no seats.
Sweets
3 spots01Dariba Kalan
Old Famous Jalebi Wala
ORDER
Hot desi-ghee jalebi
At the Dariba corner since 1884. Fat jalebis fried in desi ghee, handed over warm. Split one, you'll still want more.
02Chawri Bazaar
Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfi
ORDER
Stuffed fruit kulfi
The stuffed-fruit kulfi is a Delhi summer rite: a whole frozen mango, filled with kulfi. Worth the detour.
03Connaught Place
Wenger's
ORDER
Chicken patties and pastries
A 1926 deli counter that never modernised, thank god. Chicken patties, old-school pastries. Get a boxful to go.
Thali
1 spot01MustIndia Gate
Andhra Bhavan Canteen
ORDER
The unlimited Andhra meals
The state canteen with a fiery unlimited Andhra thali, best value in Delhi. Queue at lunch, worth every minute.
Kebabs
3 spots01Khan Market
Khan Chacha
ORDER
Mutton tikka roll
The mutton tikka roll wrapped in warm rumali that Khan Market grew up on. Grab it, eat it walking, pay cash.
02Connaught Place
Nizam's
ORDER
Mutton kathi kebab roll
The kathi kebab roll, invented here, still the CP standby. Flaky paratha, egg, spiced mutton. Fast and right.
03Safdarjung
Rajinder Da Dhaba
ORDER
Chicken tikka, fish fry
The tikka joint South Delhi runs on. Smoky chicken tikka and fish fry, packed in foil. No frills, all flavour.
Splurge
1 spot01ITC Maurya
Bukhara
ORDER
Dal Bukhara, sikandari raan
The one splurge, and it earns it. Dal Bukhara slow-cooked overnight, the raan for the table. Book well ahead.
That's vouch's taste. Yours is worth a home too.
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