13 Best Restaurants in Central Delhi, Delhi

Like the nawabi (princely) culture from which it's drawn, this restaurant has a food selection and style that are subtle and refined. Chef Imtiaz Qureshi, descended from court cooks in Avadh (Lucknow), creates delicately spiced meals packed with flavor: dum ki khumb (button mushrooms in gravy, fennel, and dried ginger), kakori kabab (finely minced mutton, cloves, and cinnamon, drizzled with saffron), and the special raan-e-dumpukht (a leg of mutton marinated in dark rum and stuffed with onions, cheese, and mint).

One of Delhi's prettiest, hippest cafés, Latitude 28 is the place to go if you want to relax over a thoughtful meal, cold beer, or specialty tea. Celebrity chef Ritu Dalmia has put together a playful mix of comfort food from around the world and quirky takes on regional staples from around India.

This is a classic spot for evening golgappa outings. Also on offer are other Delhi snack staples: chole bhatura (also known as chana bhatura—spicy chickpeas with fried, airy puri bread), stuffed parathas, paneer fritters, and raj kachori (spicy chaat bowl with assorted fillings).

This is a reliable place for typical street food in an indoor, seated setting. Apart from chaat and snacks like kachori and dhokla, options include North Indian thali meals and South Indian food.

Served amid stone walls, rough-hewn dark-wood beams, copper urns, and blood-red rugs, Bukhara's menu hasn't changed in years, and its loyal clientele wouldn't have it any other way. The cuisine of the Northwest Frontier, now the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, is heavy on meats, marinated and grilled in a tandoor (clay oven).

Two flights up, in the Full Circle bookshop, Café Turtle serves light bistro food, exotic fruit juices, and excellent Western desserts in a smart contemporary setting, with music from the record shop below. The terrace is very pleasant in winter.

Seasonal ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations update and transform Indian classics, making the Park Hotel's flagship restaurant a real standout. Regional classics with a twist, such as the coconut-milk-based Malabar prawns, are consistently delicious menu mainstays.

Hot-off-the-grill kebabs are the specialty at this small, self-service eatery tucked into an upper level in Khan Market's busy lanes. Expect melt-in-the-mouth mutton, chicken, and paneer tikka roomali rolls in a no-frills setting.

Japanese for "play with your food," cheery Mamagoto, hidden behind a yellow door in the middle lane of Khan Market, is indeed a fun place for a low-key meal. This is a great spot to have a couple of cocktails and share several Pan-Asian dishes.

This city institution with several branches offers quick-service vegetarian snacks and meals in a clean, fuss-free setting. There's a very wide selection of breads and sweets, with more than a dozen options in parathas alone; go for the ones filled with mint or cauliflower.

Delhi's most rarefied Italian restaurant is known for its playful, sensuous dishes, relying heavily on black olives, Parmesan cheese, and fresh local produce, and for its excellent service. The small wood-panel rooms are inviting; in winter you can dine on a terra-cotta patio in the fabulous garden.

This is the city’s best-known faux-1950s diner, complete with old advertisements on the wall and Elvis music on the hi-fi. Take one of the red-leather booths and get ready for standard, but high-quality, diner fare, such as whopping burgers and hearty steaks.

Delhi's insomniacs love this super-bright, tiny 24-hour coffee shop with blinding-yellow striped wallpaper, vintage French-colonial posters, and distressed-yellow tables. The extensive menu features everything from tandoori to Thai, along with several vegetarian choices and a decent bar menu.