Delhi houses an assortment of delights, from rich servings of chole kulche, steaming soft momos, and tangy swirls of chutney over dahi chaats to butter melting onto hot parathas. Priding itself on serving platefuls of delicacies across every alley, the capital city offers several stalls and dhabas that have stood strong for generations making up the city’s vibrant food scene. Therefore, we have curated a list of Delhi’s top street food markets that you have to try when you are in town.
1. Chandni Chowk
Making up the crux of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk offers every street food imaginable from sweet syrup-dipped jalebis, hot aloo-parathas, and savoury papri chaats to crispy kachoris and ever-so-delicious aloo tikki. Shops like Old Famous Jalebi Wala, Moti Mahal for butter chicken, Natraj Dahi Bhalla Corner for aloo tikkis, Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala, and Shree Balaji Chaat Bhandar are among the ones that you must try.
2. Majnu Ka Tila
Home to Tibetan and East Asian Food, indulge here on platefuls of soft momos, spicy La Phing, steaming bowls of thukpa, and Korean corndogs among more. With street stalls here serving generous helpings of La Phings and juicy momos, this neighbourhood hosts many cafes established for decades serving authentic Tibetan cuisine. We recommend Sarang Cafe, Cafe Dolma, Cholsum, and Tee Dee.
3. Connaught Place
Right in the heart of Delhi, you’ll find vibrant lanes paved with street vendors offering culinary delights. Bhel puri drizzled in spicy garlic chutney, kulchas swabbing flavourful choles, and tall glasses of delicious coffee, Connaught Place has it all. Shankar Market for Rajma Chawal, Bhogal Chole Bhature, Odeon Bhel Puri, and Depaul’s are among the places worth visiting.
4. Yashwant Place
A hub brimming with luscious Indo-Tibetan cuisine, Yashwant Place serves steamed or fried momos, succulent bowls of thukpas, and more, all at affordable prices. We love the chicken steam momos at Chimney Sizzlers and Laguna Sizzlers. You can also try Thukpas at Zaika and the Desi Chinese menu at Bawarchi’s.
5. INA Market and Dilli Haat
The regional stalls at Dilli Haat have won many hearts with people traveling here specifically for its huge array of street food. West Bengal, Nagaland, Rajasthan, and Assam remain our all-time favourite stalls to indulge in. INA market on the other hand boasts South-Indian joints, delectable seafood, and sells fresh produce to stock up on.
6. Jama Masjid
Scattered with stalls selling tender kebabs, succulent butter chicken, slow-cooked Nihari, and heaps of fragrant biryani, Jama Masjid street stalls are a meat lovers paradise. Visit Quereshi Kebab Corner, Aslam Chicken, and Bilal Hotel where the Nihari is slow-cooked with 65 spices for 12 hours! To wash it all down you can gulp the famous glass of refreshing Sharbat-e-Mohabbat sold opposite Al-Jawahar.
7. Lajpat Nagar
A vegetarian heaven, you will find everything here from Dolma Aunty’s momos, ram ladoos at its namesake, and chole at Baba Nagpal’s Corner to aloo tikki at Shivam Suresh Chaat Wala. You can even try buttery pav bhajis served at many stalls here and if you are craving some meat, then Nooshe Joon’s tender kebabs are the way to go.
8. Kamla Nagar
You must have heard of Chacha Di Hatti here which opens at 11 and closes doors at three. The reason is their famous Chole Bhatures are sold out as people snake outside their small shop ever since the early hours to get a taste of their delicious platters at insanely affordable rates (we are talking INR 35!). Further along, try Bombay Bhel House which does justice to Mumbai’s sev puri and bhel puri. The market also sells scrumptious Kachoris, eggless pastries, and butter sliding down crispy dosas.
9. Karol Bagh
Roshan Di Kulfi here remains the oldest joint serving creamy kulfi with dollops of faluda. If you are looking for a Mughlai serving, we’d recommend Changezi for its signature butter chicken and nalli nihari. Fish lovers can make their way to Ganesh Restaurant for their iconic fish fry and tandoor fish.
10. Janpath Market
You will find everything here from South-Indian joints, chaat corners, and chole bhatures to momos and refreshing drinks. Take a seat at Sarvana Bhavan for a taste of authentic South Indian cuisine or Wenger’s Deli for its range of pies, tarts, and pastries. Chikki’s momos does a great job with steamed momos that also come in vegetarian options.