A Non-Vegetarian's Guide to Eating In Delhi

Delhi is a heaven for foodies, especially non-vegetarians. Join me, as I work up an appetite hunting down the best non-vegetarian eating joints in the city.

Ashok and Ashok

non-vegetarians-navratri-in-delhi-ashok — Mutton Korma is a popular favourite at Ashok and Ashok | Photo Credit: David Pursehouse/Flickr Creative Commons

Situated in Old Delhi’s Chandini Chowk, Ashok and Ashok serves some of the most legendary Chicken and Mutton Korma you will ever taste! Apart from Korma, this popular eatery also dishes out equally delectable Biryani. The restaurant opens at 1 pm every day, and such is the popularity of this tiny little establishment that by 2 pm the Mutton Korma is over!

End your meal with crispy Jalebis from the shop just around the corner. Now this is a meal that the God’s would approve of!

Location: 42, Subhas Chowk, Basti Harphool Singh, Sadar Thana Road, Old Delhi.

Opening Hours: 1 pm to 3:30 pm. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays and Sundays and Mutton is served only on Wednesday and Saturday.

Rajinder Da Dhaba

non-vegetarians-navratri-in-delhi-rajinder — Butter Chicken is never a bad idea | Photo Credit: Mswine/Flickr Creative Commons

Rajinder Da Dhaba needs no introduction! Thronging with people, it is often difficult to find a place in this popular restaurant. You can either choose to grab a quick bite in their outdoor space, or have a relaxed meal in the air conditioned indoor seating area.

Recommended items on their menu are Butter Chicken, Kali Mirch Chicken and Kalmi Kebabs.

Location: AB 14, Safdarjung Enclave Market, New Delhi.

Opening Hours: 5 pm to 11 pm, daily

Ghalib Kebab Corner

non-vegetarians-navratri-in-delhi-ghalib — End your meal with a delicious bowl of Phirni |Photo Credit: Jasleen Kaur/Flickr Creative Commons

Tucked away in the inner lanes of Nizamuddin, Ghalib Kebab Corner is a gem just waiting to be discovered. Famous for its legendary Boti Kebabs, Ghalib’s claim to fame is the fact that they have won a Kebab-making competition at Delhi’s Maurya Sheraton!

Other delights to feast on here include Mutton Korma, Chicken Biryani, Seekh Kebabs, Shammi Kebabs and Sheer Mal. Don’t forget to round off your meal with rich and creamy Phirni.

Location: Shop 57, Ghalib Road, Near Lal Mahal, Nizamuddin, New Delhi

Opening Hours: 1 pm to 11 pm, daily

Tee Dee

Located in the narrow lanes of Majnu Ka Tilla, Tee Dee is popular for its Tibetan food. Owing to its close proximity to Delhi University, the restaurant is popular among college students, but you’ll also find other food enthusiasts trying to find their way through these narrow lanes.

Apart from the usual suspects like Momo’s and Noodles, other interesting items on their menu are Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), Shabalay (a cross between a Samosa and a fried Momo, filled with meat, or vegetables, and served with a fiery red sauce), and Shapta (a spicy beef preparation cooked with ginger and garlic). The more adventurous can try Gyuma, which are essentially blood sausages made with yak, or sheep’s blood! Wash down this hearty meal with a chilled glass of Apple Beer and you can thank me later!

Location: 32 Aruna Nagar, Majnu Ka Tilla, New Delhi

Opening Hours: 9 am to 10 pm, daily

Durga Puja Pandals

non-vegetarians-navratri-in-delhi-durga — Don't forget to feast on Bengali delicacies such as Fish Fry | Photo Credit: Vipez/Flickr Creative Commons

One of the most unassuming, but often the best places to find delicious non-vegetarian food during Navratri in Delhi is at the many Durga Puja pandals across the city. Every pandal has no less than 30 food stalls (yes, you read that right), serving Bengali delicacies such as Mughlai Paranthas, Fish Chops, Fish Fry, Phuchkas, Jhal Muri and much more! Other than Bengali food, you will also find mouth-watering Biryani, Kebabs, Shawarmas and Mutton Ghugni.

Popular Durga Puja pandals are located at CR Park, Kashmere Gate, Safdarjung Enclave and Mayur Vihar.

Location: Other than the pandals mentioned above, almost every neighbourhood in Delhi has its own Durga Puja pandal.

Opening Hours: The best time to visit pandals is during the evening.

Side Wok

Craving Chinese food? In that case head to Side Wok, one of Delhi’s most popular Chinese restaurants. The restaurant also serves Vietnamese, Japanese and Thai food.

Some of the star attractions on their menu include; Rice Flour Dumplings, Sushi (specially the Prawn Tempura Roll), Tom Yum Soup, Shredded Chicken Cantonese Style, Thai Red Curry, and Beijing Chicken. Wrap up your meal with some delicious Sweet Red Bean Pancake and Caramel Custard.

Location: P-21/90, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Opening Hours: 12 noon to midnight, daily

Nandos

Famous for their flame-grilled Peri Peri chicken, Nandos is extremely popular and rightly so. Getting a table here is no easy task, considering the long line snaking outside the restaurant. Hence Navratri in Delhi is the best time to visit, since the crowds drop drastically.

Must try items on their menu include the Flame Grilled Chicken topped with Peri Peri sauce, Portuguese Chicken Salad, Espetada Rustica (chicken stuffed with sun dried tomatoes on a skewer) and Butterfly Chicken Breast.

Location: Cyber Hub, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon.

Opening Hours: 12 noon to 11:30 pm, daily

The beginning of Navratri has never been this exciting for me! Any other restaurants you’d recommend? Add them in the comments section below and don’t forget to tag your fellow foodies.

Book Your Flight to Delhi