Delhi’s food scene is unparalleled and some people even believe it’s the food capital, given the variety of cuisines on offer. From tandoori dishes to other preparations, North Indian fare is among Delhi’s most popular cuisines. Dal makhani is omnipresent in the city, with most North Indian restaurants serving the dish. We recommend the best places for dal makhani in Delhi:
Bukhara
Bukhara is probably Delhi’s most popular restaurant when it comes to North Indian food. Tables need to be reserved weeks in advance and the place is always full. Bukhara’s tandoori dishes are well known but the ‘dal Bukhara’ has attained near iconic status. Dal Bukhara is the restaurant’s take on dal makhani, which is made without kidney beans. It is simmered on a charcoal fire overnight and that contributes to its taste.
Location: ITC Maurya, Sardar Patel Marg, Akhaura Block, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
Timings: Daily, 12.30-2.45pm; 7-11.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹6,500
United Coffee House
United Coffee House is an iconic Connaught Place institution that serves European and Indian fare. Built colonial-era style, the restaurant is known for dishes like badshahi kofta, chicken ala kiev, lahori meat, kala jaamun and cona coffee. A lot of UCH’s recipes date back to the 30s and 70s. Their creamy dal makhani is very popular with the Delhi crowd. Try it with the restaurant’s khurmi naan.
Location: E-15, Rajiv Chowk, Block E, Connaught Place, New Delhi.
Timings: Daily, 11am-11.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹2,500
Moti Mahal
Established in Delhi in 1947, Moti Mahal is a reminder of the days gone by. While the restaurant is known mainly for its butter chicken and tandoori chicken, the dal makhani is also worth trying. Moti Mahal’s dal makhani is cooked overnight and the addition of butter gives it a rich flavour. Try the dal makhani with the restaurant’s different varieties of naan.
Location: 3704, Netaji Subhash Marg, Old Darya Ganj, Daryaganj, New Delhi.
Timings: Daily, 11am-12.30am.
Cost for two: ₹1,100
Daryaganj
A restaurant chain established by the same man who is credited with the invention of dal makhani, Daryaganj is known for serving Punjabi cuisine. The menu features popular dishes like kurkure mushroom, chicken pakora and tandoori fruit chaat. However, the butter chicken and dal makhani are the real stars of the show. Order it with your favourite naan and wash your meal down with a glass of thandai.
Location: Shop no. 11, Regal Building, Hanuman Road Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi.
Timings: Daily, noon-11pm.
Cost for two: ₹1,500
