It is said that the true sense of a country's culture is imbibed in its food. It is very true in the case of India, where it is said that the language, water, and food vary every four miles. It is a country that takes pride in its traditions, food, and hospitality. We love to eat, and we love to feed. Every morsel is an experience, and every bite of the food is an homage to our centuries-old tradition.
Indian food is so diverse that it is very difficult to taste everything. But it is also important to try out those small elements in the cuisine of a certain region to understand what the food is about. All the rice, rotis, parathe, chutney, sabji, and achar together make up a complete meal. And what better than a wholesome thali to enjoy every little aspect of the cuisine? For the uninitiated, a thali is a platter that includes a portion of starters, mains, drinks, dessert, and condiments. It is a great option for people who want to have a wholesome meal and get a taste of everything.
So, we asked the foodies of Delhi-NCR to recommend places where we can enjoy the best thali in the area, and we absolutely love the list that we have come up with. Here are the top 11 restaurants, each serving delicious and wholesome thalis.
Dakshin, Sheraton
Recommended by: @foodelhi
If high-end dining is on your mind, but your heart cannot escape the lure of traditional South Indian food, Dakshin is the place to be! According to Karan, "Nothing captures the essence of Southern Indian cuisine like the Sampoornam Thali at Dakshin, Sheraton New Delhi. As the name suggests, it is a wholesome and soul-satisfying experience where you leave yourself in the safe hands of the Chefs at Dakshin. Starting with the Iyer’s Trolley, a live trolley experience named after Chef Paramasivam Iyer, here you are served a wholesome medley of chutneys along with small adais, banana-flavoured dosais, and kuzhi paniyarams. Apart from this, the encompassing thali of the Souther Peninsula serves you a handpicked curation of 5 vegetarian gravies, 4 non-vegetarian gravies, 2 rice preparations, 2 desserts (both hot and cold), a refreshing buttermilk, and a soulful rasam."
He adds, "Although the menu at Dakshin boasts offerings of rich cuisine treasures from all over the Southern Peninsula. From Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, you can brace your palate for the rich flavours of the curries, like the Karur mutton speciality, Karur Kari Kozhambu, or the rich prawn based Kaadai Thengai Curry, to name a few. The vegetarians will get plenty of great options too, like the Keetai Kootu (tempered local greens and lentil combination with chilli)."
Address: Saket District Centre, District Centre, Sector 6, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
Price: ₹4,000 for two people
Bhansaghar
Recommended by: @delhifood_blogger
A small, peaceful, and quite underrated place tucked away in Humayunpur, Bhansaghar is very popular amongst people looking to enjoy Assamese food. The thali includes delicious Assamese dishes like aloo pitika, baingan fry, pora bilahir chutney, and gundruk ko jhol. Pooja says, "Bhansaghar serves authentic Assamese home-styled thali with the same traditional taste and aroma. One can enjoy an absolute platter of simple, heartfelt, and wholesome ethnic meals here."
Address: 111, Chaudhary Hukum Chand Marg, Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029
Price: ₹1,200 for two people
Chhaunk
Recommended by: @itsmekhushbu
If your heart craves authentic Bihari food, there is nothing better than Chhaunk. This place serves delicious litti-chokha, Bihari style rohu sarso fish curry, champaran mutton, sattu puri and chura fry. They are a very efficient delivery joint and you can enjoy their delicious, authentic Bihari food whenever you are in Dwarka. Khushbu says, " They made me fall in love with Bihari Cuisine. We order from them regularly."
Address - Shop 7, B-223, 224, 225, Chandar Vihar, Block B, Palam Extension, Dwarka, New Delhi, Delhi, 110075
Price - ₹250 for one order
Ranisa
Recommended by: @food_nd_nature's
As majestic as the authentic Rajasthani Thali served here, Ranisa in Gurgaon is the perfect example of eating and enjoying the experience. The royal thali at this place, with unlimited serving, has more than 26 special dishes for you to taste. The ambience is full of Desi, and anyone who believes in eating to their heart’s content will love the food and hospitality here. The variety of dishes you can have in this thali ranges from Jodhpuri gatta to dal-bati-churma to ker sangi and lasun ki chutney.
Address: Ranisa, 2nd Floor, Good Earth City Centre, Sector 50, Gurugram, Haryana 122018
Price: ₹1,000 for two people
Amar Shonar Bangla
Recommended by: @delhifoodwalks
All Bengali food lovers unite! This place in CR Park serves the best, most homely Bengali thali. The dishes include jhuri aloo bhaja, posto, tomato chutney, papod bhaja, maacher jhal, luchi, and kosha mangsho. Try out this place if you want an authentic taste of comforting Bengali food.
Address: Shop No. 134, 135, 136, and 143, First Floor, Market No. 2, Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi, Delhi 110019
Price: ₹700 for two people
Kutumb Restaurant
Recommended by: @foodiesafarii
Big, filling thalis are India’s speciality, and here we have Kutumb living up to that expectation. Binnet, while suggesting the place, mentioned that "It is said to be one of India's biggest thalis." This thali, with 45 varieties of dishes including 14 types of dals and curries, Veg Handi Biryani, jeera rice, 4 kinds of raitas, desserts, 7 variants of salads and accompaniments, 3 yummy beverages, 6 types of breads, which also comprise their 24-inch large Family Naan, soup, and 5 roasted papads, is truly a delight."
Address: GA-10, Metro Park, Sector 10, Rohini, New Delhi
Price: ₹1,200 for two people
Padmanabham
Recommended and image by: @delhifoodnest
Good food is as much about experience as it is about taste. Mehak and Rituraj suggest Padmanabham and add, "Served elegantly on a banana leaf, the South Indian Bhojanam at Padmanabham is a testament to the captivating power of a single meal. As we indulge, we discover that it's not just about savouring the flavours but embarking on a journey that resonates with tradition and authenticity. From the satisfying crunch of pappadums to the comforting embrace of rice, the thali presents flavours that speak to our senses. The combination of sambar and rasam dances with puffy pooris, while curd and neer add a soothing touch. And then, a delightful dessert brings a sweet conclusion, leaving a lasting memory that transcends mere taste."
Address: Upper Ground Floor, District Centre, HOG Market, T Sohanlal Marg, near BLK Hospital, Radha Soami Satsang, Rajendra Place, New Delhi, Delhi, 110008
Price: ₹1,200 for two people
Gujarat Bhawan
Recommended by: @chatorekhor_
Delhi is famous for all the delicious food the canteens of different state bhawans serve here. Foodies Saniya and Aashita love eating Gujarati food, and what better place than Gujarat Bhawan to enjoy that? Kathod, Gujarati dal, farsan, thepla, chaas, and bhakri make this thali delicious. "The amazing Gujarati thali at the place combines sweet, savoury, and spicy flavours for a delightful taste. The carefully made dishes represent Gujarat’s heritage using good ingredients and traditional methods. It’s a great place for an authentic and delicious meal that you won’t forget."
Address: 11, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Price: ₹350 for two people
Al Yamin
Recommended by: @foodiesafarii
If you love delicious Mughlai, non-vegetarian food, Al Yamin is your place to visit! Authentic, delicious, and a foodie’s heaven, this place is super popular amongst non-vegetarian lovers. Bineet says, "Al Yamin's special nine-item platter, which consists of chicken changezi,butter chicken, kadhai chicken, chicken burra, chicken kebab, chicken tandoori,lassani tangdi, Malai tangdi, chicken biryani, and five Rumali rotis, is something worth trying."
Address: 1150 A, Bazar, Matia Mahal Rd., Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, 110006
Price: ₹ 500 for two people
Andhra Bhavan
Recommended by: @freshness_n_bite_
Another Bhavan on the list, every foodie in Delhi swears by the quality and good taste of the food at Andhra Bhavan’s iconic canteen. From rasam to podi, from chicken fry to fish curry, everything tastes home-made. According to Ishika, "Andhra Bhavan stands as the ultimate destination in Delhi for savouring authentic Andhra cuisine. With budget-friendly prices, this establishment offers a genuine taste of Andhra flavours that evoke memories of the homemade dishes I savoured at my Aunt’s place in Visakhapatnam. A definite must-visit for all aficionados of Andhra cuisine."
Address: Ashoka Rd., Hyderabad House, New Delhi, Delhi 110001
Price: ₹450 for two people
Oh! Assam
Recommended by: @delhi_foodpath
Another lovely Assamese place on this list, Anand and Sweta have only praise for it and say, "For those seeking an authentic Assamese gastronomic adventure in Delhi, "Oh! Assam, located in Safdarjung Enclave, comes highly recommended. The establishment offers a delectable super deluxe thali option, allowing patrons to choose from chicken, pork, fish, or duck, complemented by traditional accompaniments such as aloo pitika, payokh, gudok, dal, roti, rice, and fried vegetables. Renowned for its rich flavours and budget-friendly prices, Oh! Assam stands out as a must-visit destination for connoisseurs of Assamese delicacies."
Address: 93, Shop No. 3, Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029
Price: ₹400 for two people