The best street food in Delhi offers a tantalising array of flavours that tell countless stories of the city’s rich culinary heritage. As you wander through the bustling labyrinth of narrow lanes, your senses will guide you – perhaps it’s the irresistible aroma of freshly fried samosas still sizzling from the hot oil, or the sweet fragrance of crisp jalebis that will beckon you forward. Delhi’s street food scene continues to thrive and evolve, with many iconic establishments now offering improved hygiene standards whilst maintaining their authentic flavours.
Food in this ancient city traces its roots back to the Mughal Empire, with culinary secrets handed down through generations. The best street food in Delhi exemplifies the perfect marriage of culinary artistry and the magnificent bouquet of spices that defines Indian cuisine.
Discovering Delhi’s finest street delicacies is truly a journey of exploration. These food places in Delhi will not only treat your taste buds but also offer glimpses into the city’s historic heart. This is Delhi through the eyes of a passionate food lover. For the ultimate experience, try to time your visit with seasonal food festivals in Delhi, where talented vendors showcase their specialities in vibrant community gatherings.
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10 Best Street Food in Delhi
1. Daulat ki Chaat, Kinari Bazaar
Despite its name suggesting something spicy (“chaat” typically refers to savoury snacks), Daulat ki Chaat is actually a unique and celebrated sweet dish amongst the best street food in Delhi. This milk-based delicacy is painstakingly prepared by vendors only during the winter months, making it one of Delhi’s most sought-after seasonal treats.
The preparation is fascinating – milk and cream are combined and left outdoors overnight to collect dew. Come morning, the mixture is whipped meticulously for hours. The resulting foam is carefully gathered and served with saffron, pistachios, almond shavings, and khoya crumbles. The texture is ethereally light, quite literally melting the moment it touches your tongue.
The artisans making Daulat ki Chaat now use modern freezing techniques that allow them to extend their season through early March, whilst maintaining the traditional whipping methods that give this dessert its distinctive cloud-like texture.
2. Shakkarkandi, Throughout Old Delhi
One of the most beloved winter offerings in the world of best street food in Delhi is sweet potato chaat or Shakkarkandi. Now available year-round thanks to improved storage facilities, though the winter harvest still produces the sweetest varieties. You’ll spot vendors in virtually every market, particularly during the cooler months.
Sweet potatoes are boiled until tender, peeled, and diced into bite-sized pieces. The vendor then tosses them with a medley of spices and a generous splash of lemon juice, creating a delightful sweet and tangy snack that’s surprisingly healthy. You needn’t feel guilty about indulging in this one!
Where to stay: Hotels near Chandni Chowk Metro Station, Delhi, offer convenient access to numerous Shakkarkandi vendors. Their budget rooms feature nice décor with modern amenities, providing a great Delhi experience.
3. White Gajar ka Halwa, Sheeran Bhawan Choori Walan
A truly unique halwa that stands out in the landscape of best street food in Delhi is sold at an Old Delhi shop near Jama Masjid in Bazaar Chitli Qabar. Sheeren Bhawan, known for its exceptional halwas served only in winter, offers a white carrot halwa that you simply won’t find elsewhere. Sheeren Bhawan now opens from November through February, with expanded hours to accommodate growing tourist interest.
“We’re often asked if we simply colour red carrots white, but we absolutely do not,” explains the current proprietor. “The white carrot naturally has a more subtle sweetness compared to the red variety, which perhaps explains its enduring popularity.”
Other halwas at Sheeren Bhawan are equally noteworthy, particularly those based on traditional remedies prescribed by hakims (traditional healers). Alongside the brown habshi halwa (made by curdling milk and wheat flour with cardamom and saffron), you’ll find varieties made with aloe vera or gond (edible gum).
4. Jalebi at Old Jalebi Wala, Chandni Chowk
The jalebis at this legendary shop represent an iconic example of the best street food in Delhi on Dariba Kalan Road in Chandni Chowk. Those beautiful syrupy swirls, fried in hot oil and delicately soaked in sugar syrup, are utterly irresistible. This establishment has been serving jalebis since 1884, with each crispy treat fried in homemade desi ghee.
Following renovation in late 2024, the shop now features a viewing window where visitors can watch the jalebis being made, though the recipe remains unchanged.
According to local lore, the shop’s founder, Nemi Chand Jain, experimented with countless recipes before perfecting his formula. The jalebis are cooked over a traditional coal fire, and interestingly, the syrup uses desi khandsari sugar rather than refined sugar – that’s what we call pure indulgence!
Where to stay: Hotels near Chandni Chowk Metro Station, Delhi, offer charming rooms, located just minutes from Old Jalebi Wala and many other Chandni Chowk attractions.
5. Kulle ki Chaat, Kinari Bazaar
Hidden down a winding side street is Bishan Swaroop, a place that serves some of the best street food in Delhi. Their aloo ke kulle (hollowed boiled potatoes stuffed with spiced chickpeas) and chunky fruit chaat deserve special mention. Establishments like these reconnect us with an old-world charm that seems increasingly rare in our modern lives.
Shree Balaji Chaat Bhandar, one of Chandni Chowk’s oldest eateries, is another must-visit. Don’t miss their signature street food – crisp papris draped with yoghurt, chutneys, and a squeeze of lime. What sets them apart is their use of kachaalu chutney rather than standard tamarind chutney. Lala Babu Chaat Bhandar is another personal favourite, where the gol gappas and gobhi-matar samosas are simply divine.
Both establishments have installed hand-washing stations and adopted transparent food preparation practices whilst maintaining their traditional recipes.
6. Tandoori Chicken of Moti Mahal
When it comes to best street food in Delhi with historical significance, this is where it all began. While Moti Mahal’s first claim to fame was their Tandoori Chicken, a happy accident in their kitchen gave birth to the now world-famous butter chicken. Moti Mahal has expanded with a dedicated heritage section highlighting their 100-year history in Delhi’s culinary landscape, including photographs from the original establishment.
The kitchen staff would store marinated chicken in trays combined with butter and tomato. Upon adding tandoor-cooked chicken pieces to this sauce, they created a buttery, creamy richness that has had people licking their fingers with delight ever since.
7. Sita Ram Diwan ke Chole Bhature
Tucked away in one of Old Delhi’s quaint bylanes lies Sita Ram Diwan Chand Chole Bhature, a true pride among vendors of street food in Delhi. While locating the shop might require some patience, the flavours awaiting you are absolutely worth the effort. Do note that they only operate mornings until early afternoon.
They’ve maintained their limited hours despite growing popularity, ensuring quality remains uncompromised. Now they distribute queue numbers during peak times to manage the crowds.
The chickpeas (chole) are soaked overnight and expertly seasoned before cooking, while the bhature are wonderfully tender and fluffy – a combination that has earned them devoted fans across generations. A visit to Delhi without sampling Sita Ram’s chole bhature would truly be incomplete.
8. Mohanlal Kulfiwale
For a sweet cooling treat in the realm of best street food in Delhi, look no further than Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfiwale (also known as Lala Duli Chand Naresh Gupta and Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfiwale). This Chandni Chowk institution has been delighting Delhiites with its kulfis since 1908. The shop now offers dairy-free options made with coconut milk, although traditionalists still prefer the original recipes.
Their speciality lies in kulfis infused with fresh fruit flavours, creating treats that are both unique and utterly delicious. The stall perpetually attracts ice cream enthusiasts from across the city eager to sample these frozen delicacies.
9. Shabbat-e-khas
When discussing refreshing drinks that complement the savoury best street food in Delhi, we simply must mention ‘Pyaar Mohabbat ka Sharbat’ – the beloved Watermelon Shake. Now available in eco-friendly clay cups rather than plastic, adding an earthy note to the drinking experience.
This refreshing drink combines watermelon with milk, water, and sugar, with abundant tiny watermelon pieces adding texture and a tangy flavour. It’s particularly popular among locals seeking relief from Delhi’s scorching summer heat, though traditionally available only during watermelon season.
10. Paranthe Wali Gali
Another Old Delhi treasure that offers best street food in Delhi is the famed Paranthe Wali Gali (literally, “the lane of paratha makers”). This narrow street is lined with longstanding shops selling parathas with diverse fillings – a perfect spot to satisfy your comfort food cravings in Delhi. Several shops now offer whole wheat and multigrain options alongside traditional recipes, catering to health-conscious visitors.
Traditional fillings include potato, peas, meat, cauliflower, radish, cottage cheese, and egg. However, Paranthe Wali Gali offers an impressive variety of innovative options as well – from khoya paratha to rabri paratha, green chilli paratha, Manchurian paratha and beyond.
Numerous celebrities and distinguished personalities have enjoyed meals here over the decades. A piping hot paratha served with hearty potato curry truly hits the spot, especially during Delhi’s winter months.
After sampling the best street food in Delhi, you’ll need a comfortable place to rest. For budget-friendly accommodation throughout Delhi that doesn’t compromise on cleanliness or essential amenities, consider booking your stay with Treebo Club. With properties strategically located near many of these culinary hotspots, you can conveniently explore Delhi’s food scene whilst enjoying comfortable accommodation that won’t break the bank.
