Street Food Adventures in Old Delhi

Dellites swear by the saying that-

Foodie adventures are the best adventures.

Seriously, can we blame them? Delhi takes you to a whole new level of gastronomic experience. In this blog, we will take you on a mouthwatering voyage through the streets of old Delhi.

We'll be exploring some of Delhi's most famous food streets: Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazaar, and Khari Baoli. Each area is bursting with best street food in old delhi just waiting to be discovered.

So fasten your seatbelts and hop in,

Exploring the Byways of Chandni Chowk

We'll begin our trip at the starting point for any foodie - Haldiram's. This family-run sweets shop has been serving up delicious snacks since 1937. Be sure to try the moong dal halwa - the shop's specialty. Haldiram’s is a must-visit spot on any best street food in Old Delhi tour.

A few steps away is Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala, which arguably serves the best dahi bhallas in Delhi. The soft urad dal dumplings paired with yogurt and tamarind date chutney are the ultimate thirst quencher on a hot day. Pro tip: get there early, as the queues get long. This spot is essential for any Chandni Chowk street food guide.

Further down Chandni Chowk is Paranthe Wali Gali (Paratha Alley), a narrow lane dedicated entirely to Paratha restaurants. You simply can't go wrong at any of these institutions, which have been perfecting their recipes for generations. We recommend Laxmi Misthan Bhandar — try their aloo and paneer stuffed parathas with raita. This is a highlight of any Old Delhi street food, Delhi food walks.

No Old Delhi food tour is complete without sampling street snacks. Duck into Durga Ram Chawal Wale for delicious chicken and mutton curries and steamed rice.it's considered the best biryani in the area. Their bhuna gosht and raita are not to be missed! This hidden gem is perfect for those seeking hidden food gems in Old Delhi.

Explore these spots on your Indian street food tour in Old Delhi, and you'll experience some of the best street food in Delhi Chandni Chowk.

Hustle and Flavour in Chawri Bazaar

Let's now head to Chawri Bazaar, located just south of Chandni Chowk. The first stop is Hira Lal Chaat Corner for Yuliya chaat, a seasonal fruit bursting with tartness from pomegranate and chickpeas.

Next, satisfy your sweet tooth at Kuremal Mohan Lal for whole fruit kulfi still inside peel - my favorite is the malicious mango kulfi.

For lunch, we'll head to Karim's. This century-old dive is tiny but legendary, affectionately known as the "Mecca of Non-Veg." Tuck into the aromatic mutton stew or seekh kebabs, washing it with refreshing salted lassi.

End the day at Rehmatullah Hotel in Matia Mahal for mawa jalebis unlike anywhere else. The soft, saffron-infused jalebis paired with kulfi is heavenly.

Culinary Treasures of Khari Baoli

No Delhi street food experience is complete without visiting Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in Asia. The alleys are filled with the heady aromas of dried fruits, nuts, and spices. This is an essential stop on any Chandni Chowk street food guide.

Start your walk at Laxmi Mishtan where you'll find every Indian sweet imaginable. We recommend special winter treats like gajar (carrot) halwa. This spot is a must for anyone exploring the best street food in Old Delhi.

For lunch, head to Paranthe Wali Gali, where you'll find Darbhanga - their seekh kebabs and parathas are out of this world. This is a highlight of any Old Delhi street food, Delhi food walks.

End with chai and namkeen at Ghantewala that has been serving snacks since 1790. The savory combinations of nuts, seeds, and spices will have you coming back for more. Don't miss this stop on your Indian street food tour in Old Delhi.

We hope you've enjoyed this virtual tasting tour of Old Delhi's street food scene. Be sure to explore beyond this guide and discover your own hidden food gems in Old Delhi! Bon appetit and let me know if you need any restaurant recommendations.

Seeking out the Best Seekh Kebabs

No visit to Old Delhi is complete without sampling its famous seekh kebabs. Head to Abdul Halim Qureshi in Matia Mahal for succulent melt-in-your-mouth kebabs that practically dissolve on your tongue. The kebabs are cooked in a traditional tandoor before being generously slathered with butter - order some rumali rotis on the side to soak up all the juices. Another excellent option is Karim's in Chawri Bazaar, where the kebabs are infused with secret family spices.

Indulging your Sweet Tooth

Satisfy your sweet cravings at Shyam Sweets in Chandni Chowk. Bite into pillowy soft bed puris stuffed with mildly spiced aloo sabzi for breakfast. Or try their signature winter delicacies like gajar halwa, made from slow-cooked carrots. No visit is complete without cooling off with a falooda from Kuremal Mohan Lal - vermicelli, rose syrup, and basil seeds layered with kulfi is the perfect way to beat the heat.

Snacking your way through the Bazaars

Meander through the bazaars, indulging in local snacks. Try a stuffed kachori from Giani's—these mini breads are stuffed with urad dal, potato, and chickpeas before being deep-fried to golden perfection. Spice up your afternoon with chili chickpeas from Hira Lal Chaat Corner. For a filling snack, head to Chandni Chowk's famous chicken corn stalks, which serve chicken breast smothered in spicy coriander-chili masala. Wash it all down with a refreshing lassi from Lala Famous Lassi Shop.

Conclusion

Great, you made it through our virtual food tour. We recommend going to such places in person to experience the deliciousness. Now, in no way is the places or food list given above exhaustive. Old Delhi street food, Delhi food walks are ever-evolving, as Delhi is the food capital, and food and shops keep evolving.

Old Delhi is a food lover's paradise, with streets dedicated to specific cuisines. Beyond this guide, be sure to keep your senses open and follow tempting aromas down alleys to discover hidden food gems in Old Delhi. Most importantly, slow down and experience the vibrant street culture through local flavors. Bon appetit, and see you on your next Indian street food tour in Old Delhi!