Food Culture of Delhi

Delhi, the national capital of India, is famous for its culture, heritage and rich history. The city’s culture, lifestyle, and traditions are blend of old and new. Delhi is also heavily influenced by the culture of its bordering states such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

Delhi’s history, people from different beliefs and ethnicity have led to the development of the richest food culture. The capital city, today, has come to embrace the best of the international cuisines with a number of first restaurants opening in the city. Delhi has one of the maximum number of licenses required to operate, and the only state to have a police license for all restaurants.

Eating out is a growing trend in NCR. The average frequency of residents of Delhi eating non-home cooked food is 6 times a month. Eating-out habits has evolved over the years in Delhi NCT and NCR, with a growing preference for home delivery and take-away food. 

The change is being driven mainly by demand from Delhi. The restaurant format receiving most visitors is ACDR, whose popularity is driven by consumers in the NCR as compared to Delhi NCT. Quality of food is the major factor driving the choice of restaurant.

Cosmopolitan Delhi’s residents are spoilt for choice, thanks to a surfeit of fast-food joints, snacks bars, cafes and restaurants serving delicious traditional and contemporary foods for satisfying all kinds of gastronomic requirements. Buzzing with innovative concepts, throbbing nightlife and delicious food joints, some of the prominent markets include Connaught Place, Hauz Khas Village, Defence Colony, Khan Market, Rajouri Garden, Nehru Place and Dilli Haat, etc.

Upcoming markets includes Shahpurjat, Aerocity, Netaji Subhash Place, etc. Old Delhi, or “PuraniDilli”, has been known for long as a haunt of food lovers and includes the famous Chandani Chowk, Gali Paranthe Wali, and Jama Masjid. The best-known restaurants of Delhi have expanded their operations to cover large parts of the NCR in order to meet the ever-growing demand.

In recognition of Delhi’s reputation as a hub for restaurants, many businesses down the years have chosen to launch their first outlet in the city. They include international brands like Johnny rockets, Taco Bell, Domino’s Pizza, Burger King and Wimpy. Some Indian players who similarly placed their opening bet on Delhi are Gulati, Havemore and Café Delhi Heights, a trend that was picked up by reginal brands such as Imly, Yeti-The Himalyan Kitchen and Potbelly Roof Top Café.

According to Cuisine historian Pushpesh Pant, Present Delhi is a fascinating mix of the legacy of the sultanates, Mughals, British and partition refugees, and the influx continues with people from all over India moving here.