21 Pocket-Friendly Food Joints In Central Delhi

Delhi is truly the melting pot of arts, culture and food. Known to be a foodie’s paradise, the capital city is definitely a one-stop for almost every cuisine you wish to try! And a walk around the by-lanes amid its historic monuments, iconic structures and colonial architecture would tell you exactly that. For those who live in and around Delhi would know how beautiful the heart of the capital is. Be it the charm of those white pillars of Connaught Place or the iconic Khan market and the bustling Bengali market, there is so much to explore once you start walking the lanes of these historic places, with food being the centre of it all.

If you are someone who loves to stop at lesser-known eateries instead of fancy restaurants and cafes, we’ve got the perfect list for you to try around the heart of Delhi. Get your bucket list ready!

(Also Read: 17 Pocket-Friendly Places in Noida That You Must Try)

21 Places To Try In Central Delhi To Satiate The Foodie In You:

1. Bengali Sweet House

While the list isn’t in any particular order, Bengali sweet house in Bengali market should be your first stop if you want to have an authentic taste of ‘Dilli Ki Chaat’. From chatpati aloo chaat to tantalising gol gappe, this is the one-stop-shop to satiate your chaat cravigs. All in a pocket-friendly budget!

Where: 30-33, Bengali Market, Mandi House, New Delhi

2. Nathu’s Pastry Shop

Give your sweet tooth a treat with the decadent brownies, pastries, breads and more from Nathu’s Pastry Shop in Bengali market. Besides all the sugary treats, Nathu’s Pastry Shop serves one of the best white sauce pastas around! Do not miss that. Period

Where: 12 & 13, Bengali Market, Mandi House, New Delhi

3. Triveni Terrace Café

A quaint little café in the middle of the bustling city, Triveni terrace café has won the hearts of many with its chatpati palak patta chaat and chicken idli! Perfect spot to sunbathe and sip on a cup of chai at the art hub of Delhi, Triveni is one place you would keep going back to. And if you are lucky, you might catch an interesting art exhibition or a dance performance going on!

Where: 205, Tansen Marg, Opposite FICCI Auditorium, Mandi House, New Delhi

4. Rustom’s Parsi Bhonu

Looking for authentic Parsi food in Delhi, Rustom’s got you covered! Located at one of the least-expected places of all- ITO, Rustom’s is known for authentic Parsi recipes passed down through generations, and its old-world interiors.

Where: Delhi Parsi Anjuman, LNJP Colony, Bahadur Shah Zafar Road, Near Maulana Azad Medical College Campus, ITO, New Delhi

5. Shri Ram Centre Canteen

Here is a place that caters to theatre and food lovers both. Sri Ram Centre in Mandi house is a small auditorium that exhibits dance and drama regularly and its canteen dishes out yummy desi Chinese for the hungry humans looking for pocket-friendly food to nosh upon. From delicious momos, chilli potatoes and spring rolls to chai, lemon soda and more, SRC canteen is go-to spot to chill in its open seating on winter afternoons!

Where: Safdar Hashmi Marg, Mandi House, New Delhi

6. Sita Ram Diwan Chand

For a foodie, chole bhature and Delhi come in the same breath and if that’s true for you, Sita Ram Diwan Chand is right next to its mention. Dishing out yummy chole with soft, stuffed kulchas and aloo, Sitaram Diwan Chand in Pahadganj is one of the most popular spots for chole bhature!

Where: 2246, Near Imperial Cinema, Paharganj, New Delhi

7. Kake Da Dhaba

Anyone and everyone out on a food walk in Connaught Pace would know how popular Kake Da Dhaba is. The place is packed with cars lining up outside this tiny place for its yummy butter chicken, so consider yourself lucky if you find a spot!

Where: 67, Municipal Market, Connaught Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi

8. Indian Coffee House

Located at the top of Mohan Singh building right next to Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place, Indian Coffee House serves one of the best hot coffees and dosas around in a miniscule budget. Its open terrace makes for a favourite hotspot to hangout for everyone, from students to retired adults!

Where: 2nd Floor, Mohan Singh Place, Connaught Place, New Delhi

9. Parashar Food Stall

There’s no dearth of rajma and kadi chawal lovers in India and this place in Shankar Market, Connaught place truly gets that. Talk of some of the best eateries serving rajma chawal and kadi chawal and this one just cannot be missed! Rajma Chawal served with dollops of mint chutney, onions, salad and papad has our heart.

Where: Shop-1, Shankar Market, Connaught Cir, Connaught Place, New Delhi

10. Depauls

After you are done flea-shopping at Janpath market or are simply craving a plate of one of the best momos and cold coffee in the city, Depaul’s is the place to be!

Where: 22, Janpath Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi

11. Delhi Darbar Dhaba

A 5-minute walk down the Babar lane from Bengali market will get you to NDMC market were Delhi Darbar Dhaba serves one of the best tikkas, kebabs and curries to satiate the non-vegetarian in you!

Where: 7, NDMC Market, Babar Road, Near Bengali Market, Mandi House, New Delhi

12. MI Food Center

Go a little towards Pandara Road and you’ll have the tiny Meherchad market with a couple of cutesy cafes and shops. MI Food Center is one of the most popular ones for serving traditional Mughlai and north Indian dishes like Changezi chicken, roasted tikkas and kebabs at a budget-friendly price.

Where: 43, Mehar Chand Market, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi

13. Kunafa

Think Middle-Eastern food and Kunafa is a place to try for sure! Cashew baklava, Syrian Basbousa and some of the most popular Turkish desserts are extremely popular here.

Where: 70, Mehar Chand Market, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi

14. Keventers Original Shake

No, not the chain outlets you get almost everywhere now but the original shake place that started it all! Located near Wenger’s in Connaught Place, this original shake corner has super thick chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and butterscotch shakes that sells like hot cakes!

Where: A Block, Connaught Place, New Delhi

15. Turant

A small van serving desi Chinese to Delhiites who just can’t do without their plate of scrumptious momos, chilli potatoes and chilli chicken! Right opposite FICCI auditorium in Mandi House, you can easily spot this van by the hoard of cars lined up outside!

Where: Opposite FICCI Auditorium, Mandi House, New Delhi

16. BM Snacks

More than a decade old snack parlour outside SRC at Mandi House, hop on this place for piping hot samosa, pakodas, filter coffee and chai! It caters to everyone from art and theatre students to people working around Connaught place!

Where: Outside Shri Ram Centre, Safdar Hashmi Marg, Mandi House, New Delhi

17. Parathe At Copernicus Lane

While walking down the Copernicus lane in Mandi house, if the aroma of freshly cooked aloo, mirch, paneer and mix veg parathas call you, do not miss! This paratha seller has been here since years and is frequented by many from the nearby offices, college and school students!

Where: Copernicus Lane, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, New Delhi

18. South Indian Food At Jantar Mantar

Another most popular tourist spot also boasts of selling one of the best south Indian foods right next to it! This place has been around since decades and serves delish idli sambar, coconut chutney, crispy vada, dosas and much more!

Where: Outside Jantar Mantar Gate

19. Prabhu Chaat Bhandar/UPSC Ki Chaat

Situated right opposite to the Union Public Service Commission building in New Delhi, Prabhu Chaat Bhandar dates back to over 82 years and continues to impress the taste buds of all across the city. Its aloo tikki chaat is unmissable!

Where: Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, UPSC Office Lane, Mansingh Road, New Delhi

20. Aloo Chaat At British Council

Another chaat place in the heart of city, tucked right outside iconic British Council and opposite Hindustan Times building in Connaught Place, this stall serves crispy aloo chat that is sure to tickle your taste buds!

Where: Outside British Council, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi

21. Andhra Bhawan Canteen

State canteens have always impressed foodies around the city but Andhra Bhawan Canteen holds a special place with its iconic thalis, fish curry and biryani!

Where: 1, Ashoka Road, Near Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi

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Did we miss a place you love? Tell us in the comments section below!