New Delhi is not only the political capital of
India, it is also a cosmopolitan city at its best, boasting a wide range of outstanding cafés and award winning restaurants. This list explores the best places in town to experience mouth-watering local and international cuisines in impressive settings.
Indian Accent
Overlooking a lush lawn and a beautiful veranda, Indian Accent at The Manor offers Indian fusion food at its best, combining international ingredients with traditional flavors of India. In 2014, Indian Accent was rated as number one restaurant in India and number three in Asia by the ‘2014 TripAdvisor Travellers’ ChoiceTM Restaurants‘ awards. Welcoming guests on a unique culinary journey, the restaurant’s chef Manish Mehrotra has succeeded in designing a menu which can satisfy both adventurous palates and traditional ones. The chef’s menu can be paired with delicious wines, offering good value for money.
Indian Accent, 77, Freinds Colony West, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2692 5151
Social Offline
Cafe, Restaurant, Indian, $$$
Social Offline
Social Offline offers a variety of dishes from around the world, but what really stands out is its innovative concept. Located in the trendy Hauz Khas Village offering beautiful unmatched views of the area, Social Offline is a space that blends office and coffee shop. It is the ideal urban hangout to work while relaxing, to be in the real world, socialize offline, while staying connected online. Social Offline is the urban hub for New Delhi’s most talented innovators and artists, offering them a collaborative work space. There is always have an exciting art and culture agenda, including stand up comedy, photography exhibitions and guest DJs.
Social Offline, 9A & 12, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, India, +91 (0)7838652814
Lodi - The Garden Restaurant
Restaurant, European
Lodi – The Garden Restaurant
Set against the backdrop of the ‘Lodhi Gardens’ heritage park, which showcases beautiful 16th and 17th century Mughal architecture, Lodi – The Garden Restaurant is one of the most popular al fresco dining establishments, offering the best of European influenced cuisine. Hidden behind beautiful trees in a lush botanical garden, this restaurant offers a quaint and peaceful atmosphere, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Against a backdrop of jazz and chattering birds, guests can enjoy a romantic dinner on the outdoor terrace, mouth-watering evening cocktails or a leisurely Sunday brunch in the elegant interior. Lodi also hosts a range of cultural events from live music to book readings and stand up comedy, making it the ideal cultural hub in New Delhi.
Lodi – The Garden Restaurant, Opposite Mausam Bhavan, Near Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi, India, +91 98187 43232
Yeti – The Himalayan Kitchen
Located in one of the hippest places of New Delhi, namely the Hauz Khas Village, Yeti – The Himalayan Kitchen offers the best of Himalayan cuisine. The menu features local dishes with an imaginative twist. This type of cuisine is particularly spicy even to Indian palates. The food is always delectable and the service efficient. Sit near the windows to enjoy beautiful views of the Hauz Khas lake and the 14th century structures overlooking the park.
Yeti – The Himalayan Kitchen, 50 A, 2nd floor, Hauz Khas village, New Delhi, India,+91 98119 90608
Good Earth Cafe
Cafe, Restaurant, Indian
Good Earth Cafe
Good Earth Cafe is Chef Ritu Dalmia’s gem, with its kitsch design is located in the popular Khan Market, inside Good Earth; a premier destination for sustainable home, housewares and clothes. Also known as Latitude 28, it is the perfect place to hang out with family and friends and enjoy food in a small, modern and comfortable urban Indian setting. The food is always fresh and healthy, including a variety of dishes such as bruschettas, mouth-watering desserts, fresh pasta and crisp salads among others. Dishes can be paired with exquisite wines selected by the Chef herself. Good Earth Cafe/Latitude 28 was voted the best café in Delhi by Hindustan Times.
Latitude 28, 9, Khan Market, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2462 1013
Sevilla at the Claridges Hotel
Restaurant, Mediterranean
Sevilla at the Claridges Hotel
Set in Claridges, one of Delhi’s oldest and most prestigious hotels, Sevilla offers the best of Spanish food to be found in the city and beyond. Indeed, the restaurant was awarded the Times Foods Awards for the Best Spanish Restaurant in 2014. Sevilla at the Claridges Hotel is New Delhi’s most reputable Mediterranean casual dining restaurant. Even the interior design was planned to reflect the Spanish Riviera, to the delight of the restaurant’s guests. Its innovative cuisine continues to attract Delhi’s food lovers’ attention who keep praising this place year after year.
Sevilla, The Claridges Hotel, 12 Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi, India, +91 11 4133 5133
Wenger’s
Bakery, Pastry Shop, Indian, $$$
Wenger’s
Located in New Delhi’s old business district, Connaught Place, Wenger’s is a pastry shop and bakery that offers a wide range of signature cakes and desserts, pastries, sandwiches, artisan breads and much more. They have been in the same location since 1926, making it one of the oldest and most reputable bakeries in Delhi. Starting as pioneers in the Swiss confectionery business in India, they have become the best at what they do and are still at the top of their game.
Wenger’s, A-16, Middle Circle, Block A, Connaught Place, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2332 4373
Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs
Restaurant, Indian, $$$
Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs
No visit to Delhi would be complete without a visit to Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs, especially for kebab lovers. Located in the historic city centre of Connaught place, Nizam’s Kathi Kebab serves the best of North Indian cuisine. Kebabs are of course a house specialty, especially kathi kebabs and roasted kebabs, but you must also try the delicious biryani. Also, it is worth noting that the meat they serve is always halal and includes goat meat and chicken.
Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs, H-Five & Six, Plaza Building, Connaught Place, New Delhi, India, +91-11-2332 1953
Cherie
Located in Old Serai, Cherie is a romantic restaurant with a sophisticated French influence. Think energetic Parisian jazz clubs combined with warm garden bistros of Provence. Set against the backdrop of the Qutub Minar, the second you enter this area, it feels like you have gone back in time. Luckily, there is Cherie, a beautiful restaurant where guests enjoy evenings in the vicinity of the Qutub! There is also a great ambiance in the restaurant itself which specialise in Italian, European and Continental cuisines. It’s a must try for any pizza and Italian cuisine lover is their wood fired pizza!
Cherie, One Qutub, 1501, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli,, New Delhi, India, +91 88004 80048
Thai High
Bar, Restaurant, Asian, Thai, Indian, $$$
Thai High
Thai High, with its fashionable bar and rooftop terrace, is one of the hidden gems in New Delhi. They mix authentic Thai cuisine to contemporary designs and romantic views overlooking the Qutub Minar, and other beautiful and green areas of Delhi to make their guests’ dining experience one of the most memorable! Candle lit tables, and the sounds of world music and rippling water, only help creating a fairy tale but modern and refreshing ambiance. Not to be missed are the signature prawn black pepper, crispy vegetable salad, and red snapper chili sour.
Thai High, 1091/1, Ambawatta Complex, Kalkadass Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi, India, +91 99108 84229
By Sarine Arslanian
