Eat the city: Delhi

Built upon layers of history, Delhi is a microcosm of India’s diverse communities. A vibrant street food culture coupled with the country’s most progressive restaurants make the Indian capital a foodie paradise.

1. Indian accent

Housed in upscale property The Lodhi hotel, this award-winning restaurant helmed by Chef Manish Mehrotra specialises in classic Indian cuisine with a global twist. Seasonal ingredients and contemporary techniques come together in inventive dishes like smoked duck shami kebabs, and burrata and lotus root chaat. Since 2009, Indian Accent has pioneered this reinvention of India’s diverse culinary traditions. Sample the Lodhi Road institution’s plethora of flavours with the six-course chef’s tasting menu, featuring curry leaf crab, Himalayan potatoes and the hot favourite black dairy dal, and find out why this dining experience earned its place on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list last year.

2. Mood

From the home kitchen of mother-daughter duo Kusuma and Nicole Juneja, Mood serves flavours from Kusuma’s hometown of Bara Mangwa in the hills of Darjeeling. At this normally delivery-only restaurant, the menu changes per the “mood” of cook Kusuma, but fixtures include the juiciest momos (dumplings), smoked pork served with fluffy tingmo bread and intricately handwoven khapse biscuits. Pop-up dinners hosted at the pair’s home sell out in hours, with good reason. Guests are treated to a wholesome, one-plate thali meal featuring Nepalese, Bhutanese seg and Tibetan-inspired dishes, such as saag ra masu (pork with ayo greens), radish and cheese pickle, and homemade sausages.

3. Dilli Haat

A vibrant open-air craft market in the heart of South Delhi, Dilli Haat showcases a range of handicrafts and cuisines from across Indian states. After filling your bags with delicate pashminas from Kashmir and gauzy fabrics from Lucknow, head to the food stalls, where you can sample classic dishes from across the country, all in one place. Fluffy dosas (rice batter crêpes) and spicy coconut chutney from southern India are on offer at the Tamil Nadu stall, while Mumbai-style street eats like a vada pav (bun stuffed with a potato patty) and tart kokum juice can be found at the Maharashtra outlet.

Kidwai Nagar West, Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi

4. Karim's

In the labyrinth alleyways of Old Delhi, where Mughal Emperors ruled for centuries, a tiny 111-year-old eatery continues to serve the decadent food of royal kitchens. Karim’s is a city institution, known for melt- in-the-mouth kebabs, creamy mutton gravies and flavourful biryanis. For generations, this family-owned business has guarded the recipes of iconic Mughlai dishes, operating out of a small, sparse space in the vicinity of historic sites like the17th-century Jama Masjid and the Red Fort – once the seat of Mughal power in the city.

5. Aku’s - The Burger Co

Helmed by Chef Akriti Malhotra, this cult burger spot recently opened a flagship outlet in the buzzy Vasant Vihar neighbourhood. With minimalist slate grey and sunshine yellow interiors, quick service and a laid- back vibe, Aku’s is the coolest new kid on the block. This is American-style fast food with a difference, serving light-as-air burger buns, preservative-free house-made patties, and unique ingredients like white truffle oil and carrot-beetroot slaw. Apart from lamb, tenderloin, chicken and prawn burgers, there are veggie options as well, such as a root vegetable and wild mushroom patty.

6. Olive Bar & Kitchen

Tucked away beside the 13th-century monument Qutub Minar and set in a foliage-filled courtyard in the shade of a sprawling banyan tree, Olive is among Delhi’s sleekest spots for drinks and dinner. On warm afternoons, the cool interiors with whitewashed walls, archways and billowing curtains set the mood for languid brunches over cocktails and light Mediterranean eats. There’s mezze and thin-crust pizza, lobster and sourdough flatbreads, greenjuices and a long wine list, making this restaurant the go-to spot for Delhi’s swish set.

7. Chandni Chowk

A pulsating market area in the heart of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk unites history buffs and food aficionados. Spice markets, street food and Mughal- era monuments all come together in this warren of rickshaw-filled lanes. Sign up for a guided food tour, where an expert leads you to the best stalls. Sample jalebis (spiral fried sweets) at Old Famous Jalebi Wala, dating to 1884. Head down Paranthe Wali Gali, an entire street dedicated to the paratha – flatbreads with stuffings ranging from potato to cottage cheese. Don’t miss the chaat – tangy, spicy snacks from pushcart vendors.

Located close to Delhi Junction railway station

8. Bhawan

Bringing varied street food and nostalgic recipes from across India into one chic space in the satellite city of Gurugram, Bhawan is a fun stop for food and drink with a twist. The seasonally inspired menu is reminiscent of childhood summers spent eating fat purple jamun (java plum) and drinking spiced buttermilk. A fresh take on classics means you’ll sample experimental regional eats and drinks flavoured with unique ingredients like sharp kasundi mustard, tart kokum fruit and fragrant gondhoraj limes.