In addition to being the capital of the world’s largest democracy, New Delhi also happens to be one of the most underrated culinary cities in the world. From the famous street-food shops in Old Delhi that have been serving local specialities for decades to the culinary festivals held throughout the year to new and exciting foodie experiences in New Delhi, one thing is for sure: dedication to good food is an integral part of Delhi’s character.
For a more exclusive taste of what the city has on offer there are a few restaurants that stand out:
Indian Accent - The Lodhi, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
Indian Accent has been featured in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2019. It has been awarded the San Pellegrino Best Restaurant Award in India by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2019 for the fifth consecutive year. Indian Accent has been awarded the Number 1 Restaurant in India by Condé Nast Traveller and Himalayan Sparkling Top Restaurant Awards. These prestigious accolades are hard-earned and well deserved.
The award-winning Chef Manish Mehrotra has designed Indian Accent’s path-breaking contemporary Indian menu combining fresh seasonal produce and unusual ingredients from across the world to excite the adventurous; successfully crossing the boundaries between fresh and new, while remaining true to traditional tastes.
Bukhara - ITC Maurya Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
You can’t get more iconic than Bukhara situated in the ITC Maurya Hotel, a hotel that promotes responsible luxury while maintaining dignity acquired through hard work and dedication to its culinary craft. The restaurant’s speciality lies in the fact that its menu is limited, featuring its own take on rustic cuisine from the famous clay oven or tandoor, which has remained the same since the restaurant opened in 1978.
Head Chef J.P. has had the privilege of delighting dignitaries and Heads of State from around the world with his prowess in Indian Cuisine, and literally having them eat out of his hands! Chef J.P. has been profiled in the ‘International Who’s Who of Chefs’ amongst the Greatest Chefs of the World.
Threesixtyone Degrees - The Oberoi 443, Phase 5, Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon
Deliciously modern, this fine dining experience is situated in The Oberoi Hotel. The restaurant lives up to its name, with views of the green wall and reflection pool and a wooden deck upon the water for al fresco dining.
Specializing in Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisine, handcrafted by Oberoi chefs in their show kitchens. This is fine dining at its best; a culture clash culminating in an unforgettable taste sensation. Threesixtyone Degrees makes for an excellent all-day dining option on any day of the week, except for Sunday when their brunch takes centre stage.
Artusi Ristorante e Bar - M Block Market, Greater Kailash 2 (GK2)
With its location in one of Delhi’s popular and crowded local markets, Artusi may not be an obvious choice for a fine-dining option. However, this thought is quickly set aside upon entering the restaurant and glancing through the menu, which focuses on quintessential Italian food from the Emilia-Romagna region. This is an unusual choice in New Delhi.
Artusi Ristorante is about as Italian as it gets as they follow tradition and hand-make an amazing selection of pasta from scratch every day, using the highest quality and mostly imported ingredients. The menu also features an extensive range of risottos, meats, fish, seafood, salads, vegetables and some truly amazing desserts. For those that don’t know it the Emilia Romagna region is famous for its pasta.
The Spice Route - The Imperial, Janpath, New Delhi
We have travelled around the cuisines of the world. No food trip would be complete without a visit to The Spice Route, with its seductive take on Malaysian, Thai, Kerala, Vietnamese and Sri Lankan food.
Heralded as one of the top ten restaurants in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, this renowned restaurant mesmerizes all your senses enrapturing you with its sensuous exotica. Designed by Rajeev Sethi, the celebrated cultural czar of India, and catapulted into the top of the fine dining league by Chef Veena Arora who takes pride in serving progressive cuisine to regulars who include celebrities and royalty from around the world.
I know where I’m going for lunch today, how about you?
