Formal or fancy, the best restaurants in New Delhi come in all shapes and sizes. Starting from an impressive street food culture to restaurants perched in luxurious hotels, a food gem awaits in every corner. We have therefore compiled a curated list of the best restaurants in Delhi for you to discover and indulge.
Side-Note: Each restaurant mentioned below has been handpicked by the team and relies on locals’ recommendations, personal experiences, and thorough research. As we are always looking for places with delicious food and an inviting atmosphere, this list is constantly updated with new places and established favourites to bring you the best restaurants. Be sure to bookmark this page to never miss an update on Delhi’s best restaurants!
1. Cafe Lota
Defined as a uniquely crafted ethno-contemporary experience of lesser-known regional Indian cuisine, Cafe Lota is an absolute must-try in New Delhi. Take your pick from a variety of hot and cold beverages, from artisanal coffees to speciality teas. Following, you can take your pick from an extensive range of delicious patties, lentil cakes, dumplings, and more.
📍Gate No. 2, National Crafts Museum, Bhairon Marg, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
2. Indian Accent
A restaurant lauded by the likes of Condé Nast Traveler and India Today, Indian Accent certainly deserves to be on the list. While this elegant spot offers a dining experience inspired by tradition it isn’t afraid to put an inventive twist on Indian cuisine. Chef Manish Mehrotra and Chef Shantanu Mehrotra have steered Indian Accent in a creative direction that leads to exceptional dishes such as 100-layer paneer and chicken tikka meatballs.
Select the tasting menu, four-course lunch menu, or go a la carte menu at Indian Accent. Whatever kind of meal you’re looking for, you won’t want to miss out on trying a spot that was listed on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
📍The Lodhi, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
3. Rajinder De Dhaba
Rajinder De Dhaba has been making a name for itself since 1968. Located in the Safdarjung Enclave Market, this famous stall turned iconic and large food joint continues to delight hungry customers. Look for the red neon sign and get ready to taste some seriously delightful dishes. Fried chicken, tandoori cuisine, and chicken momos taste just as good as they sound. Wherever your culinary adventures are taking you in New Delhi, make sure you stop by this iconic family restaurant for a truly flavourful experience.
📍AB-14B, Nauroji Nagar Marg, opposite Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi
4. Olive Bar and Kitchen
This Mediterranean-style al fresco space hosts some of the most delicious platters served in the city. Olive Bar and Kitchen serves European cuisine, from the likes of Roman-style pizza to a classic French Pissaladière. With counterparts in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Goa, and being named one of the Top 50 Best Restaurants 2018, it’s no wonder that this place makes our cut.
📍Mile 6, One Style, 8, Kalka Das Marg, Seth Sarai, Mehrauli, New Delhi
5. Megu
Continuing to shake things up with international influences, Megu is a spectacular Japanese restaurant residing in The Leela Palace. Enjoy the luxury while tasting authentic flavours in a private dining room or at the sushi bar. From the yellowtail carpaccio to spicy tuna and crispy asparagus, there’s plenty to love and savour about Megu.
6. Bukhara
Stone walls, dim lighting, and excellent tandoor delicacies sum up this authentic and famous restaurant. From melt-in-the-mouth murgh tandoori and tandoori pomfret to its iconic Daal Bukhara with its smooth buttery texture, the place serves delicious dishes that you cannot get enough of. Further, this restaurant does not serve any cutlery so get ready to get your hands dirty!
📍ITC Maurya, Sardar Patel Marg, Akhaura Block, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri
7. Karims
The smokey and succulent pieces of Chicken Malai Tikka, rich servings of chicken butter masala and fragrant biryani where every morsel seems infused with wild flavours. Karim’s is an institution serving the people for more than a century! Their signature coal cooking method has allowed them to retain its authenticity with people coming from all over to get a taste of their wide menu. Try the mutton korma with tandoor naan, trust us.
📍Jama Masjid, Gali Kababian, Old Delhi
8. Da Susy
Recently featured among the top 50 pizzerias in the world, Da Susy serves scrumptious pizza slices, panuozzo drizzled in olive oil, and soft layers of tantalising tiramisu. You can catch a glimpse of its menu and read more about the pizzeria here.
📍109-110, 1st floor, Crosspoint Mall, Hamilton Ct Rd, Sector 28, DLF City IV, Gurugram
9. Begam
Fancy a Mediterranean spread? Begam in Defense colony with its red and white furbishings prides itself on serving a large menu bringing in delicacies from Italy, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Spain, and Morocco. Try their Lamb croquettes, mezze platters, chicken beyti kebab, and mushroom and truffle risotto. Wash it all down with a spicy mango margarita and the sweet and spicy notes will not leave you for days.
📍Third Floor, D 5, Block D, Defence Colony, New Delhi
10. Abdul Malik Chicken Corner
Armed with a spice mix recipe that is easily over a century old, Abdul’s, as picked by locals, serves one of the most tender and flavoursome kebabs in Delhi. From chicken reshmi kebabs and malai tikka with rumali rotis to luscious paneer tikka rolls, this corner standing strong for generations proves its authenticity with every bite.
📍898, Near Chatta Sheikh Mangloo, Jama Masjid, New Delhi
11. Moolchand Parantha
If you are not living under a rock, chances are you have heard about this famous parantha joint in the streets of the capital city. The aloo pyaaz paratha with a generous knob of butter and the paneer paratha with a side of green chutney wins hearts. Almost always streaked with a small crowd outside, this joint is a favourite of many and rightly so.
📍Lala Lajpat Rai Marg Moolchand Metro Station, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi
12. Qureshi Kabab
The kebabs slathered in butter and spices are what make this place a landmark. Seekh kebabs, boti kebabs and the delicious galouti kebabs here hold a smoky spicy flavour that falls on touch! Yes, we are talking epitome of melt-in-the-mouth delicacies.
📍Various locations across the city
13. Big Chill
Upon entering this cafe in Khan Market you will be hit with a burst of colours along with a retro Hollywood charm. Serving a colossal menu of pasta, pizza, desserts and more, this place has done well to establish itself among the wide chain of cafes in Delhi. From delightful Minestrone, and Fettucini Penne Primavera to scrumptious apple crumbles and chocolate decadence, we recommend saving up quite an appetite before you come here.
📍Various locations across the city
14. Diggin
A floral paradise, this gorgeous restaurant with cascading plants, bursts of colourful flowers and string lights is enough for us to endorse it. However, lucky for you, they are so much more. Serving delicious Italian cuisine, they put forth the best of dishes ranging from spaghetti and calzones to classic pizzas and bruschettas. They even have a large dessert menu of pastries, pies and fondants that hits just the right spot.
📍Various locations across the city
15. Shang Palace
Starting you off with a flavourful Chinese tea, Shang Palace boasts opulent decor that promises an exceptional dining experience. With 39 of its counterparts around the world, some even priding themselves on Michelin stars, they offer Sichuan, Cantonese and Yunnan cuisine. Each dish from prawn cheung dumplings and wok tossed okara with shitake mushroom to Yunan skewers and jasmine tea brulee are carefully crafted which are both pleasing to the eye and taste buds.
📍Lobby Level, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, 19, Ashoka Rd, Connaught Place, New Delhi
16. Leo’s Pizzeria
This pizzeria offers Nepoliatan pizzas with fluffy yet crusty dough. You can find them slathered with swirls of pesto, dollops of mozarellas and sprinkles of olives among others. Featured among the top 50 pizzerias in Asia, you can find out more about their menu here.
📍Various locations across the city