Independence Day Special: 35 Restaurants In Delhi To Get A Taste Of Real “Indian Food”

When we say India, we don’t mean Mumbai or Chennai or Kolkata or even the national Capital, Delhi. The five alphabets refer to the entire 3.3 million square kilometers that represent the country, they refer to the 29 states and 7 union territories, and most of all they refer to the diverse and vibrant mix of cultures brought together by over 1.3 billion people.

We’ll give you a moment to take all that in.

Similarly, when we say ‘Indian food’, we are not suggesting just dal, roti, naan, samosa (not Indian, by the way), butter chicken, idli, and dosa, because those two little words encompass a multitude of dishes categorised under a number of sub-cuisines, which you need to try at least once to really be able to say that you’ve had “Indian food”. Lucky for you, we’ve made that task a tad easier by putting together a state-wise bucket list of all the places in Delhi that serve up a Pan-Indian fare. Check it out!

Andhra Pradesh

1. Andhra Bhavan

1, Ashoka Road, Connaught Place, Delhi-01 | 011 23382031

The canteen at Andhra Bhavan offers authentic Andhra-style food for prices that’ll take you back to the days of Doordarshan. The meals are set for breakfast, lunch and dinner but one must order the non-vegetarian side dishes like chicken fry and mutton curry.

2. Hyderabad House

A291, Okhla Phase 1, Delhi | +91 8527666683

Binge out on juicy kebabs, top-notch biryanis, smoky tandoori breads and other mouthwatering Hyderabadi delicacies.

Arunachal Pradesh

3. Momo Mia

Dilli Haat, INA, Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi

Stuff yourself with spiced up Arunachali food at Dilli Haat’s Momo Mia. Stuff yourself with delicious bamboo shoot gravies and wash it down with chilled root beer.

Assam

4. Gharua Exaj

D 28, Near Sapna Cinemas, Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar 4, New Delhi-24 | +91 9654195176

A humble restaurant in the Amar colony market of New Delhi, Gharua Exaj scores high on the food, service and quality.

5. Rosang Soul Food

S 20, Near Uphaar Cinema, Green Park Extension Market, Green Park, Delhi-16 | +91 8447963810; 011 65544411

If you are looking for authentic and delicious Northeastern food, try Rosang Soul Food. It is a cozy little restaurant with sufficient amount of space and snug seating arrangements. The place serves Assamese and Naga cuisine.

Bihar

6. Potbelly Rooftop Café

116 C, 4th Floor, Shahpur Jat, Delhi-49 | 011 41612048

This café has become synonymous with delicious Bihari food. They are pioneers in serving classic Bihari dishes with finesse. Apart from serving Litti Chokha, they also have other traditionally prepared Bihari delicacies like Sattu Cooler, Chaaps and Maher.

7. Mr. Littiwala

H 15, Vikas Marg, Metro Pillar – 37, Laxmi Nagar | +91 9310225681

Many Litti lovers in the locale frequent this modest eating joint. The delicious and crispy Littis are fried till they are of a beautiful golden brown, stuffed with spiced up Sattu and can be complemented with the authentic Chokha, made of Aloo (potato) and Baingan (eggplant).

Goa

8. ViaGoa

Chhattarpur, New Delhi | +91 9311344404

Allow yourself a bite of authentic Goan cuisine complete with rich prawn curries, Xacuti and Vindaloo.

9. Viva O’ Viva

Goa Niwas, 14 Bir Tikendrajit Marg, Behind Akbar Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-21 | 011 26118370; 011 26118370

A representative of Goa in the Capital, the state bhavan is known for its great Goan cuisine and Sea Food. It has a modest décor with local Goan music in the background. Do try their Stuffed Whole Chilli Crab and Sea fish Curry.

Gujarat

10. Suruchi

15 A /56, Ajmal Khan Road, Opposite Lane To Roopak Store, Karol Bagh, Delhi-05 | 011 45000255

Located in the heart of the city, Suruchi is the most popular destination for Gujarati food lovers. Serving authentic regional specialties with a homely feel and flavor, the food here is sure to tickle your taste buds.

11. Thaal Vaadi

310/311, 3rd Floor, The Great India Place Mall, Sector 38 A, Noida-201301 | +91 9711996557; +91 7428412126

Big steel plates loaded with Gujarati delicacies; Thaal Vaadi stays true to its name. Serving balanced and nourishing Gujju food in the typical sweet and sour flavors, this place is crowded with Gujaratis and foodies.

Haryana

12. Tau’s Café & Lassi Bar

12&13, Ground Floor, Ansal Plaza Mall, Palam Vihar, Gurgaon-122017 | 011 33105122

Dine like a true Haryanvi at Tau’s Café with their filling thalis, parathas and lassis.

Himachal Pradesh

13. Yeti – The Himalayan Kitchen

2nd Floor, 50-A, Hauz Khas Village, Delhi-16 | 011 40678649; 011 41027746

Enjoy a generous share of food that’ll take you to the hills instantly. Devour the juicy momos, and clear thukpa along with food that traces back to Nepal and Tibet.

Jammu & Kashmir

14. Café Illuminatii

2nd Floor, Shop 18, Inner Lane, Khan Market, Delhi-03 | 011 33105984

A new addition to the Kashmiri food scene in Delhi, Café Illuminatii serves up delicious Kashmiri food with a hint of contemporary.

15. Caraway

The Grand New Delhi, Phase II, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj, Delhi-70 | 011 26771234; 011 26705410

Caraway is a classy restaurant that will surprise you with its finger-licking good Kashmiri cuisine. The perfect place to entertain your friends, family, and business associates in a laid-back atmosphere.

Jharkhand

16. Jharkhand Food Stall

Dilli Haat, INA, Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi

The Jharkhand Food Stall has a lot to offer to those who love food from Bihar. Jharkhand might have been declared a different state from Bihar but the newly laid border hasn’t been able to do much to disintegrate the food of these two regions. The stall does a delicious Madhwa Roti Saag.

Karnataka

17. Karnataka Food Center

Delhi Karnataka Sangh Building, Sector 12, R K Puram, Delhi-57 | 011 26187357

A budget loving spot for South Indian lovers, the Karnataka Food Centre is a simple place but with excellent food. When here, one must have the Mysore Masala Dosa.

Kerala

18. Carnatic Café

Ground Floor, India Mall, Community Centre, New Friends Colony, Delhi | +91 8802222889

Visit the place whenever you desire simple yet impeccable South Indian food. Some of their best preparations include the Rava Masala Dosa, Bisi Bele Bath and refreshing Butter Milk.

19. Coast Café

H 2, Second Floor & Third Floor, Above Ogaan, Hauz Khas Village, Delhi-16 | 011 33105045

Dive into your plate on all twos when you dine at the Coast Café. With a beautiful view of Hauz Khas village, the place serves up delicious delicacies from Kerala along with continental grubs.

Maharashtra

20. SodaBottleOpenerWala

73, Khan Market, New Delhi-03 | +91 9810877701

The menu is loaded with Parsi, Irani and Bombay’s characteristic food items like the Shrewsbury Biscuit, Irani Chai and the state’s signature Vada Pav. If you ever do manage to make it past the awesome starters, do try the Bohra Keema Pav and Eggs Kejriwal (named after Mr. Devi Prasad Kejriwal and not whom you are thinking of).

21. Mumbai – Kingdom Of Dreams

Culture Gully – KOD, Great Indian Nautanki Company Ltd., Auditorium Complex, Sector 29, Gurgaon-122002 I 0124 4528000

Shaped in the form of an actual local train, The Mumbai stall in Kingdom of Dreams offers traditional savories from the region like Puran Poli with Shrikhand, Mutton Keema Pav, Kanda Bhajia and Maska Pav Bhaji. *profuse drooling*

Nagaland

22. Dzukou Tribal Kitchen

E 22, 3rd Floor, Main Market, Hauz Khas, Delhi-16 | +91 8447703774; 011 26516958

Get a feel of authentic Naga cuisine at the Tribal Kitchen. Located in The Village, Dzukou does up some delicious pork items which you can accompany with their wide range of chutneys.

Odisha

23. Mandaa

30, 2nd Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi-16 | +91 9650611933; 011 41641687

Treat yourself to a sumptuous Odiya meal at Mandaa. The menu is a delicious balance between fresh greens and meaty seafood.

Punjab

24. Punjabi By Nature

T-305, 3rd Floor, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-70 | 011 40870001; 011 40870002

A true Dilliwala doesn’t need an introduction to this restaurant. One of the best places to dip your fingers in butter chicken and garlic naan, the place also whips up some sinful desserts.

25. Gulati

6, Pandara Road Market, New Delhi-03 | 011 23388836; 011 23388839

Go berserk over the innumerable tandoori and tikka options and wash it down with a strong Patiala peg.

26. Punjabi By Nature Quickie

30 B, F Block, Connaught Place, New Delhi-01 | 011 47675702

This is how the Punjabis do classy. A high-end restaurant, ‘Quickie; offers an array of North Indian grubs.

Rajasthan

27. Suruchi

15 A /56, Ajmal Khan Road, Opposite Lane To Roopak Store, Karol Bagh, New Delhi-05 | 011 45000255

Situated in West Delhi, Suruchi is a restaurant chain loved for the authentic dishes served here – Rajasthani being one of them.

28. Kathputli

35, Defence Colony Market, Defence Colony, New Delhi-24 | 011 33105408

Their menu is exhaustive but dishes that must not be missed are the Rajasthani Kachori, Mirchi Pakoda, Aloo Shekhawati and Paneer Ganderi.

Sikkim

29. Rigo Restaurant

180, Tibetan Old Camp, Majnu ka Tila, Delhi | 011 23817714 011 65028944

Gorge at decadent dumplings that are also available in (ahem) beef options at this popular restaurant in the Tibetan Old Camp. That said, do not miss out on their other delicacies like the stir-fried paytsai and moon fan rice.

Tamil Nadu

30. Sagar Ratna

18, Defence Colony Market, Defence Colony, Delhi-24 | 011 24333658

Sagar Ratna never fails to impress with its quick service and authentic pure vegetarian food. Diners must order the Rava Idli, Uttapam and Rava Masala Dosa.

31. Naivedyam

Shop 1, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi-16 | 011 26960426

Load up on the authentic Tamil fare at Naivedyam complete with rice dosas, rava dosas, rasam rice and, of course, payasam.

Uttar Pradesh

32. Kitchen Of Awadh

A-208, Supermart 1, DLF Phase 4, Gurgaon | +91 9910035805; +91 9910035806

Dine like a royal at Kitchen of Awadh with their rich Awadhi kebabs (yes, galouti and kakori too) and some mouthwatering biryanis.

33. Spice Art – Crowne Plaza

Crowne Plaza, Twin District Centre, Sector 10, Rohini, New Delhi | 011 33107571

Feast at this five star restaurant that offers the royal cuisine of Uttar Pradesh complete with meaty kebabs, biryani, dal tadka with an addition of typical home-style food.

West Bengal

34. City Of Joy

Unit #2, 1st Floor, Aravali Shopping Complex, Alaknanda, New Delhi-19 | 088003 48633

Nestled in a cozy nook of the Alaknanda market, City of Joy is another Bengali restaurant that focuses on food alone. Their décor is simple and their service is quick.

35. Oh! Calcutta

Ground Floor, International Trade Tower, E-Block, Lala Lajpat Rai Rd, Nehru Place, Delhi-19 | 011 3040 2415

Oh! Calcutta platforms the very best of Bengali cuisine. The dishes served here are authentic and their service is flawless.