OLD DELHI FOOD TOUR

Mahesh Bhupati, once rightly said, “Indian Food is a luxury on tour.” and there are no second thoughts about how deeply loved the food from our motherland has always been. From our curries to breads and from our snacks to desserts, nothing really remains untouched and unappreciated.

One of the immensely loved and inviting foods is the street food from Old Delhi. The mere aroma of the place gets you from within because you feel nothing but ecstasy, born from the ambrosial dishes, ingredients and the aroma released by them. Honestly, the dilemma you go through in selecting your meal for the day will be a real struggle since you will find a miscellany of food items being sold at the food stalls. Be it parathas, kebabs, non-vegetarian delicacies, chaat, desserts or fried snacks you can feast on almost anything that comes to your mind.
Owing to its finding empire and being the seat of the Mughal Empire for almost two centuries, Old Delhi is deeply influenced by the Mughlai cuisine. Karim’s, one of the most famous restaurants is located in near the Jama Masjid. The famous Paranthe Wali Gali and Ghantewala Halwai are the talk of the town. Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazaar areas have many street joints that sell spicy chaat and scrumptious snacks.

Let’s take our very own food trip around Old Delhi:

PALATABLE PARATHAS

Paranthe Wali Gali

The very famous and the very old Paranthe Wali Gali offers a huge variety of hot Parathas (Indian flatbread). It started off with Pandit Gaya Prasad’s single shop in 1876 and eventually, grew up to 16 of them in the same lane. It is run by the family of Pandit Gaya Prasad and his relatives and the sixth generation continues to run the four of the sixteen original shops that remain.

Address: Pandit Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan, 34, Paranthe Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi.

SAVOURY SNACKS

Lotan Chole Wala

If you relish spicy, lip smacking Chole Kulche, you must stop by this joint that has been on the streets since years and generations. The cholas served with in a hot, spiced up curry, with diced potatoes and a garnish of fresh coriander should be at the top of your ‘must try’ list.

Address: Lotan Chole Wala, Chatta Shahji, Chawri Bazaar

Natraj

Natraj, near the Chandni Chowk metro station has mouth-watering dahi bhalla and aloo tikki on their menu which only leave you wanting more.,/div>

Address: 1396, Main Road, Beside Central Bank, Kucha Mahajan, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi

Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala

The crispy crust and tender, flavoursome filling of the kachoris are one of the most talked about dishes. They serve a variety like dal kachori, pyaaz kachori, matar kachori, dry fruit kachori etc.

Address: 1104, Maliwara, Jogiwari, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi

THE CHAAT BHANDARS

Shree Balaji Chaat Bhandar, Bishan Swaroop and Lala Babu Chaat Bhandar

The chunky fruit chaat and aloo ke kulle, crispy papris, tangy tamarind chutney, golgappas are all an absolute bliss!
Lala Babu Chaat Bhandar even offers you gobhi-matar samosas and the
Shree Balaji Chaat Bhandar offer a rare kachaalu chutney.

Address:
1. Shree Balaji Chaat Bhandar – 1462, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
2. Bishan Swaroop – 1421, Near Ashish Medicos, Chandini Chowk, New Delhi
3. Lala Babu Chaat Bhandar – 77, Chandini Chowk, New Delhi

FOR THE MEAT LOVERS

Al Jawahar

From Mutton Barrah to Tikkas and from their flavourful mutton dishes to their Chicken delicacies, you’ll keep craving for more.

Address: 8, Jama Masjid Matia Mahal Road, New Delhi

Kallu Nihari

The extremely famous Nihari from Kallu Nihari is said to be cooked slowly, steadily, for hours for just the right taste and the tenderness. Passed on from generations, it is undoubtedly Delhi’s best Nihari.

Address: 180, Chhatta Lal Mian, Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, New Delhi.

Karim’s

As the legend goes, Mohammed Aziz was a cook in the court of the Mughals and one of his sons, Haji Karim Uddin moved to Delhi with ambition to open a food joint and it was then, that the Karim Hotel was established in 1913. All meat lovers must take a flavourful stop at Karim’s for their divine and tender kebabs and mutton nihari.

Address: Meena Bazaar, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi.

Qureshi Kebabs

If you are a kebab lover, Qureshi is the place for you. Known for their delicious and succulent kebabs, the shop offers both chicken and mutton which are widely loved.

Address: Opposite Gate no. 1, Jama Masjid, New Delhi

Aslam

This street food joint is immensely loved for their toothsome preparations. It is extremely famous for its Butter Chicken. Their Roasted Chicken and Chicken Tikka is also worth a try.

Address: 540, Bazaar Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid, Delhi

DELECTABLE DESSERTS

Daulat Ki Chaat

The unique, rich, foamy dessert made of churned milk is a delight to have. The luscious flavour of khoya and saffron instantly soothes your senses.
Address: Gail Prathe Wali Naughara, Jain Temple Kinari Bazar, Old Delhi, Delhi

Old Famous Jalebi Wala

The beautiful swirls, fried and glazed with sugar syrup is an inviting sight in its own. The jalebis here are fried in home-made desi ghee and cooked over coal-fire.

Address: Dariba Kalan Road, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi

Ghantewala

One of the oldest sweet shops in India and it is famous for its very palatable Sohan halwa, Karachi halwa, Badaam barfi, Pista Samosa and the evergreen Mootichoor Ladoo.

Address: Katra Shah N Shah, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi

Hazari Lal Jain Khurchan Wale

The gooey, soft heavenly Khurchan sticky sweet, made out of scraping out leftovers of boiled milk and garnished with pistachios is an absolute delight to treat yourself with.

Address: 2225, Kinari Bazaar, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi

Kuremaal Mohan Lal Kulfi Waale

A legendary shop that offers a scrumptious range of flavoured kulfi that will you leave you wondering which one to try. Do get your taste buds on their Jamun and Falsa kulfis.

Address: Shop No. 526, Sitaram Bazaar Road, Kucha Pati Ram, Old Delhi

Cool Point

Last, but definitely not the least the Cool Point is the talk of the town, especially for their ambrosial Shahi Tukda and Mango Ice cream. Their Shahi Tukda, the bread pudding dessert is one of the best in Delhi owing to its mild saffron and cardamom touch.

Address: 972, Bazaar Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid, New Delhi

So, wasn’t I right about the dilemma faced while choosing your meal of the day when you’re out to have a good time in the streets of Old Delhi?
Old Delhi has multitude of appetizing dishes to offer and a variety just enough to suit everyone’s palate. It is safe to say; this place is a little ‘Food Festival’ In itself and is sure the hallmark of the country’s capital.