A Taste Of Karnataka In Delhi: Tried This Decades-Old Place Yet?

Karnataka Food Centre is located in RK Puram Sector 12, near Gupta service station in New Delhi. You can easily find out on Google Maps. This hidden gem is famous among generations. People who visit the Karnataka Food Centre aren’t just looking for a meal; they are seeking a slice of home, a taste that evokes cherished memories.

This beloved establishment has become a heaven for those who love the familiar flavours of Karnataka, offering not just food but a nostalgic journey too. For many, the Karnataka Food Centre is more than a restaurant—it’s a reminder of childhood days spent in their hometowns, savouring the traditional dishes prepared by their grandmothers and mothers.

The authenticity of the recipes passed down through generations is what makes this place special. Each bite is infused with love and tradition, bringing back memories, whether it's the tangy bisi bele bath or the crispy vadas. The décor often features traditional elements, and the warm hospitality mirrors the welcoming nature of Karnataka households. Inside, the restaurant is decorated with South Indian-style decor, including wooden furniture and beautiful artwork. Known for its authentic South Indian dishes, Karnataka Food Centre is a popular spot for people who love traditional Karnataka flavours. 

For nearly five decades, Karnataka Food Centre has been a popular destination for Delhi residents seeking authentic South Indian cuisine. Nestled in the bustling heart of the capital, this restaurant has not only experienced the test of time but has also constantly provided a gastronomic experience that has customers coming back for more. From morning till night, the aroma of freshly made dosas, idlis, and other South Indian delights runs through the air, attracting foodies from all over the city.

The Ambiance:

The restaurant is very old and was decorated simply, but recently it was renovated to enhance its authentic South Indian charm. Karnataka Food Centre now boasts a decor that transports you straight to the southern states of India. With traditional paintings, warm lighting, and courteous staff dressed in uniform, the restaurant offers an inviting and homely atmosphere.

The entrance is full of greenery, with a waiting area with comfortable chairs, water and coolers. In summer, people wait for hours to eat inside the restaurant, as the waiting time is high. This restaurant is always full, whether it be morning or evening. It serves fresh food to each and every customer. This waiting area has become a social hub where people chat, share food stories, and click beautiful pictures with the greenery. 

The Menu

Karnataka Food Centre's food reflects South India's rich culinary tradition. With over 25 different types of dosas, most of them made with ghee, the options might be deliciously overwhelming. Signature dishes such as Mysore Masala Dosa, Rava Dosa, Coconut Dosa, and the magnificent Maharaja Sajige Dosa demonstrate the range and innovation of South Indian cuisine. Each dosa is crisp and golden and served with a trio of chutneys: tomato, garlic, mint, and coconut, which add flavour to each bite. The sambar, a fragrant and spicy lentil stew cooked with traditional South Indian spices, is an excellent companion; the taste is authentic with drumsticks and properly made.

For those who love uttapams, the menu has over ten different options, each generously topped with a variety of veggies and spices. The uttapams can be customised too, like adding your favourite veggie. Fresh juices are also available here, like kiwi, pineapple, muskmelon, watermelon and so on. Soft drinks and traditional Indian beverages, including buttermilk and lassi, as well as the very famous South Indian filter coffee, are also available.

Milkshakes and cold coffee are also worthy enough. Tasty snacks are available too, like rice idli, vada, dahi vada, chow chow bath and many more. If you are in the mood for authentic South Indian food, you can see the menu on Zomato and order online. The packaging is neat and hygienic.

Special Dishes For Every Day

Karnataka Food Centre’s commitment to variety in its daily specials. Each weekday features a unique dish, offering regulars something new to look forward to:

Monday: Pongal

Tuesday: Puliyogare Rice

Wednesday: Tomato Rice

Thursday: Coconut Rice

Friday: Lemon Rice

Saturday: Bisi Bele Bath

Sunday: Veg Pulao

Must-try dishes include Mysore Masala Dosa, made by spreading a tangy red garlic chutney on a crispy dosa and filling it with a spiced potato mixture, served hot with mint, coconut and garlic chutney and sambar. Mix vegetable uttapam made with rice batter and topped with veggies. Onion Rava Dosa, made with rava, is crunchy and wholesome. Rava Kesari is made by roasting semolina in ghee, then simmering it with sugar, saffron, and cardamom-infused water, and garnishing with roasted cashews and raisins.

Additionally, the daily staples of curd rice, poori sabji, and sambar rice ensure that every meal is wholesome and satisfying. The curd rice, in particular, is a crowd favourite—cool, creamy, and perfect for the Delhi heat. People wait for Fridays to have that special, tangy South Indian lemon rice, flavoured with spices and curry leaves. It is served with sambar and chutney and you can pair it with appalam or papad. You can pair your meals with different-flavoured raitas too, like pineapple, boondi raita and so on.

The Complete Experience

A meal at Karnataka Food Centre is not just about the food; it’s an experience that starts the moment you join the queue. Once seated, you are treated to appalam or papad and a tangy rasam or garlic chutney. The attentive service ensures that plates are refilled promptly and that every guest feels welcomed and they always ensure that your sambar doesn't finish up while eating. With unlimited sambar and chutney refills, this place is a must-visit.

The meal concludes on a sweet note, with the option to buy paan, a traditional Indian mouth freshener, from the small counter within the restaurant. This thoughtful touch rounds off the dining experience, leaving a refreshing taste and a lasting impression. You can relish authentic South Indian sweets too, like Rava Kesari Halwa, Gulab jamun and more.

Karnataka Food Centre is more than just a restaurant; it is a culinary institution that has carved itself into space in Delhi's booming food scene. Its longevity reflects its dedication to quality, authenticity, and client happiness. Whether you're a lifetime admirer of South Indian cuisine or a first-time visitor, a trip to Karnataka Food Centre promises to be an amazing culinary experience. This restaurant is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and continues to delight. The nearest metro station is Sir M. Vishweshwaraiah Moti Bagh. Enjoy and plan a trip to relish South Indian flavours in the capital.

Address: Delhi Karnataka Sangha Building, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Sector 12, R K Puram, New Delhi

Timings: 8am-10:30 pm

Must Try: Mysore Masala Dosa, Mix Vegetable Uttapam, Onion Rava Dosa and Rava Kesari

Price For Two: Rs. 500-600 (Budget-Friendly)