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Banana Leaf
First-rate South Indian standards as well as some more obscure options like bath masala dosa (dosa stuffed with lemon rice). The dahi idli is a cool yogurty elixir - just the thing for Delhi Belly-ravaged tummies.
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Chicken Inn
Chicken Inn serves (mainly) Indian and (some) Chinese dishes to a seemingly happy crowd. The interior, as Delhi restaurants go, is perfectly pleasant.
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Chor Bizarre
Dimly-lit and with an eclectic decor - from the 'buffet bar' vintage car to the four-poster bed table - Chor Bizarre specialises in Kashmiri and Mughlai cuisine. Their signature dish, sharabi kababi tikka masala (brandy-flamed chicken) gets a round of applause, as does the phirni (semolina pudding).
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Dilli Haat
Opposite INA Market, this rather contrived open-air food-and-crafts market sells regional handicrafts of variable quality. The on-site food stalls cook up regionally diverse cuisine. Avoid the busy weekends.
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Embassy
Embassy has a mishmash of Indian and Continental creations, from chicken stroganoff and chutney sandwiches to rogan josh and chicken masala. They're also offal aficionados - anyone for brain cutlets & fries?
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Ghantewala
Near the Sisganj Gurdwara, this simple sweetery has been churning out traditional mithai (Indian sweets) since 1790. Prices for mithai are around Rs200 per kg.
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Govinda's
Promising a 'transcendental dining experience', Govinda's pure-veg (no onion or garlic) Indian buffet is indeed otherworldly. Every Sunday there's a jaw-dropping 56 dishes (around 30 on other days) - come on an empty stomach!
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Gulati
Gulati maintains a largely North Indian focus. Stand-outs to try include the tangri kebab (charcoal-grilled chicken drumsticks) and dum aloo (stuffed potatoes).
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Haldiram's
Haldiram's offers samosas, pakoras and other fried morsels for chump change. This high turn-over restaurant is deservedly popular for a salty or sugary snack on the dash.
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Host
With a faded charm, the Host's stern-faced waiters serve satisfying Indian and Chinese fare to diners deep in discussion. Their mattar paneer (unfermented cheese and pea curry) and egg curry are good.
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Jalebiwala
Calories schmalories! Century-old Jalebiwala does Delhi's - if not India's - finest jalebis (deep-fried 'squiggles'), so pig out and worry about your waistline tomorrow. Luring everyone from taxi-wallahs to Bollywood stars, you'll quickly see what all the fuss is about once you've taken your first crunchy-yet-oh-so-syrupy bite.
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Karim's
Down a lane across from the Jama Masjid's south gate, Karim's ambience is distinctly masculine, but it's been delighting Delhiites with divine Mughlai cuisine since 1913. The chefs prepare brutally good (predominantly nonveg) fare including tasty tandoori burra (clay-oven-roasted mutton). During Ramadan it only opens after sunset.
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Khan Chacha
If you're strolling Khan Market and find yourself in need of sustenance, try this hole-in-the-wall kebab joint. It's so popular you'll probably have to queue, but it's worth the wait.
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Kitchen Café
With cane furniture scattered around a pot-plant strewn terrace, this cheap and cheerful multicuisine rooftop restaurant is a relaxing place to kill time over scrambled eggs, enchiladas, spaghetti carbonara, chicken masala and more.
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Madan Café
If you've been travelling so long you've hit a cash crisis, you can breathe easy at the Madan. Tuck into a tasty thali for around Rs25 at this basic vegetarian cafe.
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Malhotra
Malhotra gets kudos for its hearty Indian, Continental and Chinese food with possibilities including stuffed tomatoes, cheese macaroni and rajma (curried kidney beans). Breakfast options include papaya curd, jam pancakes, masala omelettes and banana porridge. Or maybe fried eggs with greaselicious chips is more your thing? Next door is Malhotra's southern sister, Malhotra's Dosa Please.
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Metropolis Restaurant & Bar
The tables at this rooftop restaurant may be tightly-packed, but this humming traveller's haunt has a great variety of international food (and beverages), from tandoori chicken to spaghetti bolognaise. There are also good nibbles such as paneer tikka and potato wedges.
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Moti Mahal Restaurant
In Old Delhi, the legendary Moti Mahal offers delicious North Indian food. It's particularly noted for its tasty tandoori dishes and lip-smacking butter chicken. The staff are friendly and attentive, and there's live qawwali (Islamic devotional singing) on some nights (telephone for details).
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Naivedyam
A snug South Indian restaurant that dishes out great food at great prices. The paneer masala dosa (large savoury crepe stuffed with spiced unfermented cheese) is a winner.
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Nizam's Kathi Kabab
Nizam's Kathi Kabab does what it says on the box, serving up kebabs from around Rs50 ) This tiny (mainly take-away) eatery masterfully prepares kebabs and kathi rolls.
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Not Just Parathas
Master the art of eating with your hands at this chirpy cutlery-free restaurant. There are over 120 types of parathas, including low-calorie (wholemeal, olive-oil smothered) options. Stuffings include palak (spinach) sweet corn, soyabean, mushroom and broccoli, just to name a few. For something more adventurous try the sharabi paratha (filled with alcohol-soaked dried fruit).
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Paratha Wali Gali
A foodstall-lined lane specialising in parathas (traditional flat bread) flipped fresh off the tawa (hotplate). The many stuffed varieties range from aloo (potato) and murli (white radish) to smashed pappadams and crushed badam (almond), all served with a splodge of tangy pickles.
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Parikrama
A revolving 24th-floor restaurant where you can dine on Indian and Chinese food while spinning oh-so-slowly (one revolution takes 90min). The views are glorious, especially during daylight when you can identify landmarks.
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Park Baluchi
Although the service gets the thumbs down, this greenery-enveloped restaurant cooks some enterprising dishes like murg potli (barbecued chicken wrapped around minced mutton, served on a burning sword). Avoid weekends when squealing kiddies can drive you nuts.
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Pindi Restaurant
Pindi Restaurant is a reliable and cheery place serving tasty North Indian food. Old favourites such as the butter chicken and mattar paneer are recommended.
