restaurants · New Delhi
From destination dining rooms to institutions locals queue for, these are the restaurants that define eating well in New Delhi. Every one holds a 4.5+ star average across thousands of reviews.
ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri · $$
For over 40 years this rustic, menu-unchanged tandoori temple has served its black Dal Bukhara simmered overnight and the giant family-style Sikandari raan. Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin both have platters named for their visits.
Insider tip: No reservations for most seatings — arrive when it opens at 6.30pm or expect an hour's wait; eat with your hands as intended.
The Lodhi, Lodhi Road · $$
India's most internationally awarded restaurant reinvents nostalgia dishes — blue-cheese naan, daulat ki chaat, galouti with foie gras — as a polished tasting menu. Chef Manish Mehrotra's flagship regularly tops Asia's 50 Best lists.
Insider tip: Book three to four weeks ahead for dinner; the vegetarian tasting menu is every bit as strong as the meat one.
Jama Masjid, Old Delhi · $
Founded in 1913 by descendants of Mughal royal cooks, Karim's serves mutton korma, seekh kebabs and flaky khameeri roti in a courtyard off the Jama Masjid lane. It remains the benchmark against which all Delhi Mughlai food is measured.
Insider tip: Go to the original Gali Kababian branch only, ideally for late lunch; order the mutton burra and badam pasanda.
Janpath, Connaught Place · $
The Delhi outpost of the legendary Chennai chain dishes out ghee roast dosas, fluffy idlis and filter coffee to perpetual queues. It is the city's default answer for flawless, inexpensive South Indian vegetarian food.
Insider tip: Queues peak 1–3pm; the mini-tiffin lets you sample idli, dosa, pongal and dessert in one order.
Daryaganj, Old Delhi · $
This Daryaganj institution, opened after Partition in 1947, is credited with inventing butter chicken and dal makhani by simmering tandoori chicken in a tomato-butter gravy. Eating the original recipe where it began is a Delhi food pilgrimage.
Insider tip: Order the butter chicken with roomali roti and ask for it 'less sweet' if you prefer the old-school tang.
ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri · $$
Awadhi slow-cooking in sealed deghs is elevated to courtly theatre under chandeliers, the signature kakori kebab so soft it barely needs chewing. The biryani arrives dough-sealed and is opened tableside in a cloud of saffron steam.
Insider tip: Order the kakori kebabs and the Dum Pukht biryani; portions are rich, so skip lunch beforehand.
October–March
Indian Rupee (INR)
Hindi, English
How this list is made: we only feature places rated 4.5 stars or higher with 1,000+ reviews from real travelers. Ratings and review counts are approximate and move over time — always check current numbers before booking. Photos are sourced from Wikimedia Commons under free licenses (credits in each gallery).
Same city, more lists
Good to know
Three days covers the headline monuments, Old Delhi's food lanes and a museum or two at a comfortable pace. Add a fourth day if you want a day trip to Agra for the Taj Mahal.