Kathputli
Adorned with wooden furniture and featuring an intricate fort embossed on one wall, Kathputli offers the best Rajasthani food in Delhi. Their dal-baati and churma, will inpress even the most seasoned eaters. While the thali menu is pre-set, the dishes change seasonally, ensuring a diverse culinary experience. The food is served with warmth and generosity, with the added bonus of multiple refills of the restaurant's refreshing lemonade and buttermilk.
Address: 35A Defence Colony Market (09911729955).
Rosang
While Delhi now boasts several Naga, Assamese, and Manipuri restaurants, Rosang stands out with the most comprehensive menu. Its diverse selection encompasses dishes from various Northeastern states, including fried crispy potatoes from Arunachal Pradesh, fish fried in berma paste from Tripura, Manipuri singju (a vegetable salad), Assamese fish tenga, Mizoram's chicken cooked with lemon leaves, Meghalaya's pork in black sesame paste, Nagaland's pork with fermented bamboo shoot, and Sikkim's thukpa and momos.
Address: S-20 Green Park Extension Market, Near Uphaar Cinema, Green Park (65544411).
The Potbelly
The Potbelly has successfully introduced Bihari cuisine to Delhi, garnering admirable popularity. Begin your culinary journey with the phataka French fries—an enticing combination of fried potato, cheese, and kheema all on one plate. Ensure ample space for the golmirch chicken and chicken kaalimirch, both of which are flavorful delights. Bihari classics like litti chokha, maher, and ghunt offer hearty treats for vegetarians, while desi coolers such as aam panna and sattu cooler prove ideal for refreshing the palate post-meal.
Address: 116-C Shahpur Jat, Fourth Floor (011-33107597).
Plot 15, Bihar Niwas, Behind Yashwant Place, Chanakyapuri (011-26112764).
The Toddy Shop
Inspired by the dive bars in Kerala known for serving fresh palm toddy, The Toddy Shop offers delectable appams and Malabar parottas that would impress even discerning ammamas. The Malayali food menu boasts dishes such as Stella's Potato Roast, kothu porotta, and the bold Kerala chicken fry. Vegetarians have ample choices too; the soondal, Bengal gram tempered with mustard and coconut, is delightful, as is the avial. For a truly traditional toddy-shop experience, indulge in the kappa-meen—a fish curry served with a side of tapioca.
Address: 1-A Hauz Khas Village, Second floor (8010187777).
Matamaal
Matamaal, translating to "grandmother’s place," excels in delivering the finest Kashmiri cuisine in Delhi. Immerse yourself in the allure of Wazwan, Kashmiri breads, artifacts, and spices that transport you closer to the Kashmiri culture. Matamaal offers an extensive array of thalis, including the Non-Veg Thali with Haak, Tchok Charwan, Rogan Josh, Masc, Steamed Rice with Kabargah, Mutton Yakhni, Mooli Chutney,and Phirni. The Vegetarian Thali boasts Paneer Kaliya, Paneer Rogan Josh, Nadur Yakhni, Dum Aloo, Tchok Wangun (egg plant in tangy gravy), Kashmiri Rajma, Nadur Monje, Rice, and Phirni. The Wazwan Thali is a delightful option for savoring multiple dishes, featuring Goshtaba, Methi Maaz, Waza Chicken, Kabargah, Rice, and Phirni. For those preferring à la carte options, explore Haak, Dum Aloo, Jammu Walla Rajma Chawal, Kashmiri Rajma, and Nadur Yakhni in the vegetarian section. In the non-vegetarian category, indulge in Mutton Rogan Josh, Mutton Rista, and Masc. Enhance your dining experience with the incredible chutneys, and conclude your meal on a high note with the Kashmiri Teas.
Address: DLF City Court, 203-204, Sikanderpur, Nathupur, Sector 24, Gurugram, Haryana 122002.
Swagath
Nestled in Defence Colony, Swagath seamlessly brings the diverse flavors of India's coastal regions to the heart of Delhi. Renowned for its expertise in seafood, the restaurant presents a varied menu showcasing culinary delights from Kerala, Goa, and Karnataka. With a coastal-inspired ambiance and a commitment to using fresh ingredients, Swagath stands out as the ideal destination for those yearning for the authentic taste of the sea. The menu features an array of preparations, including dry dishes and gravies like Gassi, a coastal curry. The Defence Colony branch is acclaimed for serving the city's best Butter Chicken. For a truly fiery experience, don't miss the chance to savor the Chicken Ghee Roast, an intensely flavorful preparation.
Address: 14, Defence Colony Market, New Delhi 110024.
Delhi's culinary landscape is a reflection of India's cultural diversity, and its restaurants serve as portals to the myriad flavors that define the nation. From the aromatic spices of Mughlai cuisine to the tangy tamarind of South India, each restaurant offers a unique and authentic culinary experience.