A Trail Of Kebabs In Delhi

  • Al-Kauser, RK Puram, for the best Kakori and Galauti Kebabs.
  • Azam’s Mughlai, Khan Market, for great Kakori and Galauti Kebabs.
  • Aap Ki Khatir, SDA Market, for more great Kakori Kebabs.
  • Al-Javed Kebab, Lajpat Nagar 4, for Seekh and Kakori Kebabs (of the non-Awadhi kind).
  • Rajinder Da Dhaba, Safdarjung Market, for great Galauti Kebabs.
  • Karim’s, Jama Masjid, for amazing Seekh Kebabs.
  • Kale Baba Ke Kebab, Moinuddin Kebabs, Jama Masjid, for softest buff kebabs.
  • Ghalib Kebab Corner in Nizamuddin, for great Shami kebabs of both mutton and buff.
  • Bhaijaan Kebabs, Chitli Qabar, for the best Shami Kebabs
  • Wenger’s Bakery in CP and the Triveni Tea Terrace near Mandi House, for great Shami Kebabs.
  • Qureshi Kebab and Subhash Restaurant in Khan Market for more amazing kebabs.
  • Al-Quresh in Yashwant Place for good Kakori kebabs.

The Two Breakfasts of Old Delhi

Old Delhi offers famous and beloved breakfast fare of the Hindu and Muslim varieties.

For Nihari, supposed to have been invented as a spicy, ghee-rich breakfast for manual workers in the time of Shahjahan, head to Karim’s and Al-Jawahar (mutton) and Haji Shabrati (buff) in Old Delhi.

Nihari is a long-cooked stew of mutton / buff, cooked in spices and ghee, unbelievably tender, fatty and delectable, topped with ginger slivers and chillies. To be eaten with Khamiri Roti / Kulcha.

For Aloo Puri / Chhole Puri / Nagori Halwa, the popular Hindu breakfast, you can go to:

  • Standard Sweets just outside the Chawri Bazar Metro in a lane to the left.
  • Shyam Sweets in Chawri Bazar.
  • Jeha Caterers and Arihant Sweet Shop, known popularly as Sardarji and Jain Saab in the Ansari Road area of Daryaganj.

More Of Old Delhi

  • Haji Mohammed Hussain for original fried chicken, with a combination of 12 spices. In Gali Kebabiyan, Matia Mahal, right in front of the Jama Masjid Gate 1.
  • Aslam Chicken and Anmol Chicken in Matia Mahal and Urdu Bazaar respectively, for delicious roasted chicken drenched in a butter-masala gravy.
  • Babu Bhai Kebab Wale in Chitli Qabar, famous for sutli kebab, so soft that they are held wrapped by a string and unfurled directly onto your plate.
  • Kallan Sweets in the beginning of Matia Mahal, famous for Paneer Jalebis, Buff Keema Samosas, and shahi tukda (sweet).
  • Zaika / Changezi Chicken / Khan Foods are on Netaji Subhash Marg, and are all equally good for korma,nihari, biryani and kebabs. Do try the tikkas at Changezi, they are in a special marinade gravy.
  • Ashok Chat Bhandar right next to the Chawri Bazar Metro, for the best chaat.
  • Heera Lal Chaat in Chawri Bazar, for kulle chaat, scooped out fruit / vegetable shells filled with spicy anaar and condiments.
  • Kuremal Mohan Lal offers a select range of kulfis, from fig to paan, to a unique variation stuffed inside a frozen mango. Take a rickshaw into Kucha Pati Ram from the Chawri Bazar Metro Station.
  • Kake Di Hatti in the Fatehpuri area of Old Delhi offers the best, gigantic tandoori stuffed parathas, with a dal makhani to die for. A close second is Sanjay Chur Chur Naan at the Moolchand Metro Station.
  • Naan Khatai an Indian shortbread / cookie made then and there in kilns on carts around Old Delhi.
  • Daulat Ki Chaat in the winters, around Old Delhi, a dessert of milk froth that will disappear like a sweet cloud in your mouth.
  • Wenger’s and Wenger’s Deli are iconic, old and must-visit bakery / deli in Connaught Place. Have the chicken / mutton / veg patties, Shami kebab, sandwiches, quiche, burgers and panini there.
  • Ashok and Ashok Meat Dhaba offers the best indigenous Punjabi korma in Delhi. The legend goes that the two were local “toughies”, who made the dish in the evenings. Their fare attained such popularity, that they gave up their day activities, and the dhaba became a Delhi legend. Their gravy is thickened with keema, and the dish is served with free tandoori rotis. Located in Basti Harphool Singh in the Sadar Bazar area, they start at 1.30 and the food gets over by 3. Mutton is served only on Wednesdays and Saturdays. They now have a branch in West Patel Nagar, and their cousins run Z Corner in East Patel Nagar, which offers the same korma.
  • Roshan Di Kulfi on Ajmal Khan Road in Karol Bagh for the best chhole bhature and kulfi faluda.
  • Art of Spices in Karol Bagh for the best Kathi Rolls.
  • Kay’s in Ashok Vihar offers the best Doner Kebab roll. Delhi-style shawarmas are best served at Concept in Defence Colony and Al-Bake in New Friends Colony.
  • Hunger Strike in Amar Colony and Lahori in Defence Colony offer the best tandoori momos. The ones in North Campus are blatant fakes and unworthy of expenditure.
  • Bagli Kitchen at the Parsi Anjuman near Daryaganj has some authentic, home-cooked Parsi food. Book lunch one day in advance.
  • Purani Dilli Restaurant in Zakir Nagar serves some of the best Delhi Mughlai food. Good haleem, biryani andkorma.
  • Al-Nawaz in Jamia Nagar was started by a Le Meridien chef, and offers the best creamy Kalmi Kebab and a unique biryani.
  • Mazaar and Kabul Delhi in the Afghan colony in Lajpat Nagar offers good Afghan fare, including chopan, kabuli uzbeki pulao and a delectable Afghan kulfi called sheer yakh.
  • Moet’s Arabica in CP and Habibi in Bangali Market offer cheap decent Lebanese chow.

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