Delhi, the capital of India, is hosting the coveted G-20 Summit, and there will be dignitaries from all over the world visiting it. Dilwaalon ki Dilli is not just known for its rich history and for the city being a melting pot of culture, but also for its incredibly diverse and mouthwatering street food scene. From spicy and tangy chaats to indulgent sweets and Mughlai delicacies, Delhi offers a culinary experience like no other.
So, we thought, why not compile a list of 20 must-try street foods that you absolutely must try when visiting Delhi? After all, we do not believe in gatekeeping of any sort when it comes to food, so here are 20 delicious street food varieties from the capital of India:
Chole Bhature:
Recipe - CookingShooking Hindi
This dish is, at this point, synonymous with Delhi. Chole bhature is a combination of spicy chickpea curry (chole) and deep-fried bread (bhature). It's a hearty and satisfying dish that's perfect for breakfast or brunch. Our very own star cricketer, Virat Kohli, also has a special suggestion in case you want to try the dish: Rama ke Chole Bhature on Jail Road.
Parathas:
Delhi is famous for its stuffed parathas. These flatbreads come with a variety of fillings, including potato, paneer, cauliflower, and even meat. Served with curd and a variety of pickles, they make for a filling meal. Do try out Parathe Waali Gali for a great experience. Popular places would be Pt. Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan Paranthewala or Pt. Baburam Devidayal Paranthewala.
Aloo Tikki:
These golden potato patties are seasoned with spices and shallow-fried until crispy. They're typically served with tangy tamarind and dhaniya chutney and cool curd, making them a popular street snack. Janpath has delicious aloo tikki spots right near the market. Another famous spot is Bittu Tikki Wala.
Dahi Bhalle:
A burst of flavour in every bite, dahi bhalle consists of spongy bhalle or vade made with urad and moong dal, served with curd, tamarind chutney, spices like roasted jeera, dhaniya, and chaat masala, and chickpeas. It's a refreshing and cooling snack, especially on a hot Delhi day. Most chaat stalls in Delhi serve dahi puri as well. You can try out the iconic Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala in Chandni Chowk.
Pani Puri:
A beloved Indian street food, pani puri in Delhi features spicy tamarind water, potatoes, and chickpeas. They can be super spicy, tangy, or sweet, and they can also be all three at once! CR Park in South Delhi has great pani puri, also called phuchka and golgappa. You can visit market number 1 and try them out at the stall near the Wow Momos outlet.
Kathi Rolls:
Recipe - NishaMadhulika
These wraps are a fusion of Indian and Mughlai flavours. Spiced fillings like kebabs, chaap, paneer, or chicken are wrapped in soft flatbreads and served with chutney. They're a convenient and delicious on-the-go snack. The market near Jama Masjid has amazing kathi roll shops like Haji Mohd Hussain. You can also try Chowringhee in Satya Niketan.
Chaat:
Delhi is famous for its chaat, which is a medley of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavours. The dish typically includes crispy papdi or pooris, potatoes, chickpeas, and a variety of chutneys. You can enjoy aloo chaat, papdi chaat, samosa chaat, and kachori chaat. Some of the popular places for chaat are Vaishno Chat Bhandar in Kamalanagar, Hiralal Chaat Corner, Ashok Chaat Corner in Chawri Bazaar, and more.
Biryani:
Delhi offers a range of biryani styles, each with its own unique flavour. From Muradabadi Biryani at street stalls, priced at Rs 60 per plate, to Lucknowi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata biryani, there are limitless options to choose from. While biryani stalls are everywhere, be it chicken or mutton, we recommend visiting the Jama Masjid Gali for an authentic biryani experience. Some of the popular places for biryani at Jama Masjid Gali are Dilpasand Biryani Point, Al-Jawahar, or Karim's.
Tandoori Momo:
A fusion of Tibetan momo (dumplings) and Indian tandoori flavours, these dumplings are marinated in tandoori spices and cooked in a clay oven. They're a popular street food option, especially in the bustling markets of Delhi. Netaji Subash Place and Amar Colony’s Hunger Strike are hotspots for tandoori momo.
Kulfi:
Recipe - Ajay Chopra
A traditional Indian ice cream, kulfi is known for its dense and creamy texture. It comes in various flavours such as cardamom, saffron, rose, and pistachio and is often served on a stick, making it a perfect dessert on a hot afternoon in Delhi. Try the fresh fruit kulfis from Kuremal to taste their richness.
Jalebi-Rabri:
Known for their crispy exterior and syrupy, sweet interior, jalebi is a popular dessert and street food across India. In Delhi, you can find the best jalebis served with rabri at the Old Famous Jalebiwala in Chandni Chowk.
Rajma Chawal:
A comforting and wholesome meal, rajma chawal consists of red kidney bean curry served with steamed rice. It's a favourite among Delhiites, and you can find it for as little as Rs 30 a plate. Try the famous rajma-chawal from Jain Chawal Wala in CP.
Banta:
There is nothing that a bottle of lemony Banta cannot solve in the bustling markets of Delhi. Paired with any and every food, this soda-based lemon drink cools you down instantly! You can find vendors selling banta in every market area.
Kebabs:
Delhi is renowned for its succulent and flavourful kebabs. As the capital of the Mughal Empire for years at a stretch, Delhi’s cuisine is influenced by it, and kebabs are very popular in the city. These skewered and grilled meat or paneer dishes are often served with naan or khameeri roti and accompanied by mint chutney. Masjid Gali is the best place to go on a kebab hunt, and Karim's or Qureshi Kebabs is one place to try.
Pakoras:
Pakoras are deep-fried fritters made from a variety of ingredients, including potatoes, onions, spinach, and eggplant. They are coated in a gram flour batter and are perfect for evening time snacking. A couple of shops outside Bangla Sahib Gurudwara make the best pakoras.
Chole Kulche:
This iconic Delhi dish pairs spicy chickpea curry with soft kulcha bread. The kulche are lathered with butter and served with pickles and green chillies, along with sliced onions. There are too many spots in Delhi to try out this delicacy, but your best bet might be any small vendor selling chole kulche near your accommodation. It does not get more authentic than that.
Bedmi Poori:
These deep-fried pooris are served with a spicy aloo tamatar curry. It's a popular breakfast item in Delhi and is paired with crispy, sweet jalebis. Hanuman Mandir in CP has several shops nearby that sell bedmi poori. You can also taste the dish at Ram Swaroop Halwai in Chawri Bazaar.
Ram Laddu:
These dal fritters, served with a topping of grated radish and spicy mint chutney, are a famous street food in Delhi. Try it out at Central Market in Lajpat for the best experience. The super popular Ram Laddu Food Corner there also has mirchi pakoda and chaat.
Nihari:
Nihari, a slow-cooked stew made from mutton, is traditionally enjoyed as a hearty breakfast option. It's simmered with spices overnight to form a comforting gravy. Kareem’s and Kallu Nihari are two of the best places to try this dish.
Gola:
To beat the heat in Delhi, there is nothing better than an ice gola or chuski. Made with ice shavings and sweet syrups of your choice like kala khatta, mango, cola, or strawberry, sucking on cool golas is a fun experience. Shikara Chuski near India Gate and Shukla Paan in CP are very popular among many other chuski shops.