TLDR
New Delhi has a solid dining scene ranging from local street food to sit-down restaurants. The area around New Delhi has several dining options within walking distance. This guide covers where to eat, what to try, and how much to budget.
Insider Tip
Ask the staff at Hotel Metro Heights for their current restaurant recommendation. They eat locally and know which places are actually good right now , not just the ones that show up on Google.
Planning your stay? Check current rates at Hotel Metro Heights , a convenient base for exploring New Delhi.
What to Try
Every destination has its signature dishes. Ask locals what New Delhi is known for , the answer is usually something you won’t find on the tourist-facing menus. Markets and street food stalls often serve the most authentic local food at the best prices.
Budget Tips
Lunch is almost always cheaper than dinner for the same quality. Set menus and daily specials offer the best value. Avoid restaurants directly facing major tourist sights , walk one block back for better prices and better food.
Street Food in Paharganj and Old Delhi
Start with breakfast at Sita Ram Diwan Chand on Chuna Mandi (a 5 minute walk from Hotel Metro Heights). Their chole bhature plate is 90 INR and you eat it standing at a metal counter. They open at 8 AM and the queue forms by 9.
For lunch, take the metro yellow line three stops to Chawri Bazar and walk to Karim’s near Jama Masjid. Mutton burra at 380 INR per plate, served with rumali roti. Old Delhi gets brutally hot from April to June, so plan a morning or evening visit. Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk has been frying stuffed parathas since 1872; expect 80 to 120 INR per plate.
Sit-Down Restaurants in Connaught Place
Saravana Bhavan in Connaught Place P-Block is the easiest South Indian meal in central Delhi. The thali costs 360 INR and the dosas land in 8 minutes. Take the yellow line to Rajiv Chowk, exit gate 5.
For a proper North Indian dinner, Embassy Restaurant in CP D-Block has been around since 1948. Butter chicken at 540 INR, dal makhani at 380 INR. Reserve a table for 7:30 PM on weekends or you will wait. Across the circle, Wenger’s bakery makes the chicken patties Delhiites pack onto train journeys (35 INR each).
Khan Market and Defence Colony
Khan Market is where Delhi expats and government families eat. Mamagoto for pan-Asian (mains 450 to 700 INR), SodaBottleOpenerWala for Parsi food (kheema pao at 480 INR), and Big Chill for Italian and tiramisu the size of your face. A round trip auto from Paharganj runs 220 INR or take the violet line to Khan Market metro station.
Defence Colony Market is famous for Swagath (Mangalorean seafood; the prawn ghee roast at 720 INR is the order) and the Sweets Corner chaat counters. Around 30 minutes by auto in light traffic.
Budget Eats Near Hotel Metro Heights
Multani Dhaba on Arakashan Road, two minutes’ walk from the hotel, runs a thali for 180 INR. Roomali Restaurant inside Hotel Heritage on Main Bazaar does a reliable mixed grill plate for 320 INR. Sam’s Cafe on the rooftop above Vivek Hotel is the long-running backpacker hangout for chai, banana pancakes, and fast Wi-Fi.
If you want to cook, the Aggarwal Stores on Arakashan Road sells fruit, breads, and bottled water until 10 PM. Bottled water everywhere should be sealed (Bisleri or Kinley); a one litre bottle is 20 INR.
Eating Safely and Tipping
Stick to busy stalls with high turnover. Cooked-to-order is safer than buffet. Carry a strip of antacid tablets the first three days, drink only sealed water, and skip raw salads unless you are at a four star or above. Most travellers settle in by day three.
Tipping is 10 percent at sit-down restaurants if no service charge is added. At dhabas and street stalls, round up to the nearest 10 INR. Cards work at most CP and Khan Market spots; carry cash for Old Delhi and Paharganj.
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You might also find these useful: Best Day Trips from New Delhi, Best Time to Visit New Delhi: Month by Month Guide, Getting to New Delhi: Airport and Transport Guide.
“The team at Hotel Metro Heights pointed us to Sita Ram for breakfast and Karim’s for dinner on our first day. Both were spot on. Way better than the tourist places we found on Google.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area for restaurants in New Delhi?
Connaught Place for variety, Khan Market for upscale, Defence Colony for South Indian, and Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid) for street food and Mughlai classics.
How much does a meal cost in New Delhi?
Street food runs 80 to 200 INR per dish. Mid-range restaurants are 400 to 800 INR per main. Upscale dining starts around 1,200 INR per person without drinks.
Is street food safe in Delhi?
Yes if you choose busy stalls with high turnover. Avoid pre-cut fruit, raw chutneys, and tap water. Cooked-to-order items like chole bhature, parathas, and tandoori meats are generally safe.
What restaurants are walking distance from Hotel Metro Heights?
Sita Ram Diwan Chand, Roomali, Multani Dhaba, and Sam’s Cafe are all under 7 minutes’ walk in Paharganj. Connaught Place is 12 minutes by auto-rickshaw or one metro stop.
Where can I find vegetarian food in New Delhi?
Almost everywhere. Saravana Bhavan, Sagar Ratna, and Haldiram’s are reliable vegetarian chains. Most Indian restaurants clearly mark veg and non-veg sections on their menus.
Do New Delhi restaurants accept credit cards?
Most sit-down restaurants in CP, Khan Market, and Defence Colony do. Old Delhi street stalls, Paharganj dhabas, and auto-rickshaws are cash only. Carry small notes and a backup card.
For menu references, current opening hours, and region-by-region food traditions, the official India tourism portal at incredibleindia.org is a useful companion. Cross-check with your hotel’s front desk for the most current openings in Paharganj and Karol Bagh, since dhabas occasionally close for family events or renovations. Delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy also work in Delhi: use them for lazy nights in, but in-person is always better for the street food roster. Small cash tips (20 INR) for delivery runners are standard. Ask for medium spice if you are building heat tolerance; restaurants default to what locals eat, which is hotter than most international menus.