Culinary Guide 2026

Delhi Food Tour

Chandni Chowk, Paranthe Wali Gali, Butter Chicken, Karim's Mughlai, and iconic Chaat. Taste the capital through the eyes of locals who have eaten here all their lives.

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Delhi Food Tour — The Street Food Capital of India

Delhi is the undisputed street food capital of India, where culinary traditions spanning 1,000 years collide with modern food innovation. From the ancient lanes of Chandni Chowk — Asia's oldest market street — to the colonial elegance of Connaught Place, from the Mughlai perfection of Karim's Lane to the butter chicken birthplace at Daryaganj, Delhi offers a food experience unmatched by any city in the subcontinent.

Our Delhi food tour by car bridges Old Delhi and New Delhi — starting with Chole Bhature at Paharganj, walking through Paranthe Wali Gali's narrow lanes, tasting jalebis fried in the same kadhai since the 1880s, experiencing Karim's Mughlai feast near Jama Masjid, then driving to Connaught Place and Pandara Road for the modern Delhi food scene. Your Triveni Cabs driver handles the infamous Delhi traffic so you can focus on eating.

The best time for a Delhi food tour is October to March when the weather is pleasant and street food vendors are at their peak. Winter brings seasonal specialties like Gajar Ka Halwa, Sarson Da Saag, and hot jalebis. But Delhi's food scene is extraordinary year-round — this is a city that never stops eating, from 6 AM breakfast queues to midnight kebab runs.

Famous Foods of Delhi

From Mughal imperial kitchens to iconic street food stalls older than most cities

Chole Bhature

MUST TRY
₹60-120 per plate

Delhi's signature breakfast. Fluffy fried bread with spicy chickpea curry, onion, pickle, and a glass of lassi. Sita Ram Diwan Chand in Paharganj and Nagpal Chole Bhature in Lajpat Nagar are legendary. Every Delhiite has their favourite spot.

Paranthe Wali Gali Paranthas

MUST TRY
₹50-100 per plate

Deep-fried stuffed parathas from the 1870s. Over 30 varieties including aloo, gobhi, paneer, banana, rabri, and mixed. Served with curd, pickle, and aloo sabzi. Three famous shops compete in a narrow Chandni Chowk lane.

Butter Chicken

MUST TRY
₹300-600 per dish

Invented in Delhi in 1947 at Moti Mahal, Daryaganj. Tender tandoori chicken in creamy tomato-butter gravy. The dish that conquered the world. Moti Mahal (original), Punjab Grill, and Gulati are top spots.

Chandni Chowk Chaat

MUST TRY
₹30-80 per plate

Delhi's chaat capital. Dahi Bhalle at Natraj (since 1940s), Golgappe, Aloo Tikki, Papdi Chaat, and Fruit Chaat. Chandni Chowk's chaat is tangier and spicier than other cities. Evening is the best time.

Jalebi

₹40-80 per plate

Old Famous Jalebi Wala at Chandni Chowk has been frying jalebis in a giant kadhai since the 1880s. Thick, crispy, orange spirals soaked in sugar syrup. Watch them being made live — the line is always long but moves fast.

Karim's Mughlai Cuisine

₹200-500 per dish

Karim's near Jama Masjid has served Mughlai cuisine since 1913 — recipes from the kitchens of Mughal emperors. Mutton Burra, Seekh Kebab, Chicken Jahangiri, and Biryani. A Delhi institution.

Natraj Dahi Bhalle

₹40-70 per plate

The most famous Dahi Bhalle in India. Soft lentil dumplings in chilled yogurt with tamarind and green chutney. Natraj at Chandni Chowk has perfected this since the 1940s. Cool, tangy, and utterly addictive.

Rajma Chawal

₹60-120 per plate

Delhi's comfort food — kidney bean curry with steamed rice, topped with onion and lemon. A Monday lunch tradition across the city. Every neighbourhood has its rajma chawal champion. Simple, hearty, and deeply satisfying.

Street Food Tour Itinerary

Follow this route for the ultimate Delhi food crawl (our drivers know every stop)

1
8:00 AM

Sita Ram Diwan Chand, Paharganj

Chole Bhature

Start with Delhi's iconic breakfast at this legendary shop. Massive bhature with spicy chole, served with onion and pickle. The queue moves fast — totally worth it.

2
9:30 AM

Paranthe Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk

Stuffed Paranthas (30+ varieties)

Walk through the narrow lane that has served paranthas since the 1870s. Try banana parantha for something unique. Three competing shops, all excellent.

3
11:00 AM

Old Famous Jalebi Wala, Chandni Chowk

Hot Jalebi & Rabri

Watch giant jalebis being fried in a massive kadhai. Eat them hot with rabri. This stall has been operating since the 1880s — the oldest jalebi shop in Delhi.

4
12:00 PM

Natraj, Chandni Chowk

Dahi Bhalle & Aloo Tikki

India's most famous Dahi Bhalle. Cool, creamy, tangy — the perfect mid-tour refresher. Their Aloo Tikki is equally legendary.

5
1:30 PM

Karim's, near Jama Masjid

Mughlai Lunch

The grand finale of Old Delhi food — Karim's since 1913. Mutton Burra, Seekh Kebab, Chicken Jahangiri, and Mughlai Biryani. Recipes from Mughal imperial kitchens.

6
4:00 PM

Connaught Place

Wenger's Bakery & Chaat

Switch to New Delhi — Wenger's Bakery (since 1926) for pastries and patties, followed by chaat at Bengali Market nearby. The contrast with Old Delhi is striking.

7
6:30 PM

Daryaganj / India Gate Area

Butter Chicken & Evening Walk

End at Moti Mahal (birthplace of Butter Chicken) or a nearby restaurant for the dish that Delhi gifted to the world. Then a leisurely India Gate walk to digest.

Full food tour with sedan cab: ₹2,000 (full-day Old Delhi + New Delhi)

Best Restaurants in Delhi

Karim's

4.3
Mughlai₹300-600/person

Near Jama Masjid

Since 1913. Mughal imperial recipes. Mutton Burra, Seekh Kebab, Chicken Jahangiri. The most famous restaurant in Old Delhi.

Moti Mahal

4.1
Tandoori / North Indian₹400-700/person

Daryaganj

Birthplace of Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani (1947). The original that inspired thousands of imitations worldwide.

Natraj Dahi Bhalle

4.4
Chaat / Street Food₹50-100/person

Chandni Chowk

India's most famous Dahi Bhalle. Generations-old recipe. Also excellent Aloo Tikki and Golgappe. Pure vegetarian.

Sita Ram Diwan Chand

4.3
Chole Bhature₹80-150/person

Paharganj

The Chole Bhature institution of Delhi. Simple menu, extraordinary execution. Queue up early or be prepared to wait.

Gulati Restaurant

4.4
North Indian₹500-900/person

Pandara Road

Upscale North Indian dining near India Gate. Outstanding Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, and tandoori items. Air-conditioned, family-friendly.

Indian Accent

4.7
Modern Indian Fine Dining₹3,000-6,000/person

The Lodhi

India's top-rated restaurant. Innovative Indian cuisine by Chef Manish Mehrotra. Reservation essential. The ultimate Delhi dining experience.

Food Markets to Visit

1

Chandni Chowk

Asia's oldest and busiest market street. The ultimate food destination in Delhi. Paranthe Wali Gali, Natraj Dahi Bhalle, Old Famous Jalebi Wala, spice market, and hundreds of food stalls. Best explored on foot (our driver waits nearby).

Best for

Paranthas, chaat, jalebi, spices

2

Connaught Place

New Delhi's colonial-era commercial hub. Wenger's Bakery, United Coffee House, and modern restaurants. Bengali Market nearby for chaat. More organized than Chandni Chowk with air-conditioned dining options.

Best for

Bakeries, cafes, modern restaurants

3

Karim's Lane (near Jama Masjid)

The narrow lane leading to Karim's restaurant is itself a food destination. Kebab stalls, Nihari shops, and Mughlai street food vendors. The aromas alone are worth the visit. Best during lunch hours.

Best for

Mughlai food, kebabs, Nihari

4

Pandara Road Market

Upscale food market near India Gate. Gulati, Pindi, Have More, and other established North Indian restaurants. Perfect for a comfortable sit-down dinner after a day of street food exploration.

Best for

Butter Chicken, fine dining, family meals

Combine Food Tour with Sightseeing

Our recommended full-day recipe for the perfect Delhi experience

8:00 AM - Chole Bhature breakfast at Paharganj
9:30 AM - Red Fort visit
10:30 AM - Paranthe Wali Gali & Chandni Chowk walk
11:30 AM - Jalebi & Dahi Bhalle at Chandni Chowk
12:30 PM - Jama Masjid visit
1:30 PM - Mughlai lunch at Karim's
3:00 PM - Humayun's Tomb visit
5:00 PM - Connaught Place shopping & chaat
6:30 PM - India Gate sunset & Butter Chicken dinner

Sedan cab for this full day: ₹2,000 (local Delhi covering Old Delhi + New Delhi stops)

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Delhi famous for?

Delhi is famous for Chole Bhature, Paranthe (stuffed parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali), Butter Chicken (invented at Moti Mahal in 1947), Chaat (especially at Chandni Chowk), Jalebi, Nihari, Mughlai cuisine at Karim's, and the iconic Dahi Bhalle from Natraj.

Is Chandni Chowk safe for food tourists?

Yes! Chandni Chowk is very safe and the most popular food destination in Delhi. Stick to well-known stalls with high turnover, avoid cut fruits and raw items, and drink bottled water. Our recommended spots have been serving for 50-200+ years with excellent hygiene standards.

Where is Paranthe Wali Gali?

Paranthe Wali Gali is a narrow lane in Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi) that has been serving stuffed parathas since the 1870s. Three famous shops — Pt. Kanhaiyalal, Pt. Babu Ram, and Pt. Gaya Prasad — offer 30+ varieties including banana, rabri, and mixed parantha.

Can I combine a food tour with Delhi sightseeing?

Absolutely! Red Fort visit, then Chandni Chowk food walk, Jama Masjid & Karim's lunch, Humayun's Tomb, Connaught Place chaat, India Gate evening, and Hauz Khas dinner. Our drivers plan the perfect food-sightseeing combo across the city.

What is the best time for a Delhi food tour?

Morning (8-10 AM) for Chole Bhature and Paranthe Wali Gali. Lunch (12-2 PM) for Karim's and Mughlai food. Evening (5-8 PM) for Chandni Chowk chaat, Jalebi, and Dahi Bhalle. October to March is the best season for outdoor food exploration.

Are vegetarian options available in Delhi?

Delhi is a vegetarian paradise! Paranthe Wali Gali, Chole Bhature, Dahi Bhalle at Natraj, all chaat varieties, Rajma Chawal, and hundreds of pure-veg restaurants. Chandni Chowk has dedicated vegetarian lanes. Connaught Place has excellent veg restaurant options.

How much does a Delhi food tour cost?

Street food budget: ₹300-600 per person for a full Chandni Chowk tour. Restaurant meals: ₹400-1,000 per person. Our food tour with cab: ₹2,000 (sedan) for full-day covering Old Delhi + New Delhi food spots. We handle all transport.

What is the history of Butter Chicken?

Butter Chicken was invented in 1947 at Moti Mahal in Daryaganj by Kundan Lal Gujral. He mixed leftover tandoori chicken with a tomato-butter-cream gravy. It became Delhi's most famous dish and spread worldwide. The original Moti Mahal still operates in Daryaganj.

Book Your Delhi Food Tour

Let our drivers navigate Delhi's chaos while you focus on the food. From Chandni Chowk to Connaught Place, we know every stop.