What to eat

Delhi is undoubtedly India’s food capital, a microcosm of the country and its varied culinary traditions. Butter chicken may reign supreme – and it is unmissable – but alongside this hearty North Indian dish, you’ll also find light, coconut-infused flavours from the south of India, spicy soups and noodles from the northeast, and rich curries from the coast.

Institutions like Bukhara at the ITC Maurya Hotel serve kebabs and curries from the northwest frontier, while inventive new spots like Bhawan celebrate Indian street food. At the latter, you’ll find fresh takes on chaat-style snacks like crispy spinach with curd, or raw mango with puffed rice, perfectly paired with cocktails that showcase unusual regional ingredients like kasundi mustard and Himachal apples. Over at The Lodhi, you’ll want to book in for a table at Indian Accent to experience modern Indian cuisine – there's a reason it’s been recognised as one of Asia’s Top 50 Best Restaurants.

For a taste of the south, head to the tranquil Coast Café, tucked in the by-lanes of the buzzy Hauz Khas Village. It offers Kerala-style curries infused with kokum and coconut milk, a plethora of seafood dishes, and light-as-air appam, or rice pancakes. Meanwhile, the urban village of Humayunpur is an up-and-coming enclave that promises an immersive food experience. In its labyrinth of alleys, tiny restaurants jostle for space, serving wholesome thali meals from Assam and spicy Nepali-inspired dishes in cosy settings.