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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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Kwality
Feeding Delhi for around seven decades, Kwality squeezes in the tables but the food (especially Indian) deserves praise - the murgh malai kebab (clay-oven-cooked chicken) is a favourite.
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La Piazza
If you're in the mood for some swankier international fare, come here for quality wood-fired pizzas, exquisite potato gnocchi, succulent Australian lamb chops and authentic handmade pasta.
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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.
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Ploof
Near the India Habitat Centre, Ploof specialises in seafood, but the menu is a bit hit-and-miss. Deep-sea delights include Himalayan rainbow trout and baked crab.
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Punjabi by Nature
Punjabi by Nature prepares ravishingly delicious North Indian food such as lamb korma and Punjabi meat masala; mop up flavour-packed sauces with paper-thin rumali roti or thick garlic naan.
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Ruby Tuesday
Hearty American and Tex-Mex food served in a comfy bistro-style setting. The pork ribs are fingerlicking good and perfect with a draught beer.
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Sagar
Sagar specialises in delectable dosas (rice and lentil flour crepes with various fillings) irresistible idlis (steamed savoury rice cakes) and other authentic South Indian specialities.
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Sagar Ratna
Sagar Ratna is another dosa dreamland, offering expertly-prepared uttapams (savoury pancakes), idlis (steamed savoury rice cakes) and other southern goodies.
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Sam's Café
Located on Vivek Hotel's ground floor and (more atmospheric) rooftop, Sam's does cracking breakfasts and equally good post-breakfast fare - avocado salad, cannelloni, chicken stew, thalis and more. The cakesare baked daily.
