Where to Eat in Delhi: Street Food & Restaurants

Two days in Delhi splits perfectly: Day 1 for the Mughal heritage and street food of Old Delhi, Day 2 for the monuments, markets, and modern restaurants of New and South Delhi. This itinerary covers the highlights with costs at every stop.

Total estimated cost for 2 days: ₹4,500–8,000 per person (mid-range, excluding accommodation).

Payment note: Every stop in this itinerary accepts UPI. Set up Mony before your trip.

Day 1: Old Delhi — Mughal Heritage & Street Food

8:00 AM — Breakfast at Shyam Sweets

Start in Chawri Bazaar with Delhi’s most iconic breakfast: bedmi puri (spiced fried bread) with aloo sabzi (potato curry) and crispy jalebi on the side. Locals have been eating here for decades.

Cost: ₹70–120 | Payment: Cash or UPI

9:00 AM — Red Fort

Walk to the Red Fort (15 minutes from Chawri Bazaar). The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s 17th-century palace is Delhi’s defining monument. The scale of the walls, the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), and the royal gardens are impressive. Budget 1.5–2 hours.

Cost: ₹600 (foreigner) | Payment: UPI at ticket counter

11:00 AM — Jama Masjid

A 5-minute walk from the Red Fort. India’s largest mosque, built in 1656. The courtyard is vast and peaceful. Climb the south minaret (₹300) for the best aerial view of Old Delhi.

Cost: Free entry, ₹300 minaret | Payment: Cash for minaret

12:00 PM — Old Delhi Street Food Walk

This is the main event. Walk from Jama Masjid into the lanes of Matia Mahal and Chandni Chowk. Suggested route: Karim’s for a small plate of mutton burra kebab (₹200–300), then Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala for chaat (₹60–80), then Paranthe Wali Gali for stuffed paranthas (₹60–100), finishing with Old Famous Jalebi Wala (₹40–60). Total walking time: 2 hours. Total food spend: ₹350–550.

Cost: ₹350–550 for the whole food walk | Payment: Mix of UPI and cash

2:30 PM — Cycle-Rickshaw through Chandni Chowk

The best way to see the narrow lanes without exhausting yourself. A 30-minute ride through the spice market, silver market, and book market areas. Agree on ₹50–80 before getting in.

Cost: ₹50–80 | Payment: Cash

3:30 PM — Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib

An important Sikh temple on Chandni Chowk. Visitors of all faiths are welcome. Cover your head (scarves available at the entrance), remove shoes, and experience the langar (community kitchen) where free meals are served to anyone who comes. A genuinely moving experience.

Cost: Free | Payment: Donations accepted (cash or UPI)

5:00 PM — Rest & Chai

Take a break at a chai stall or head back to your hotel to recharge. Old Delhi is intense and you’ll need the energy for dinner.

7:30 PM — Dinner

Budget: Al Jawahar near Jama Masjid. Butter chicken, naan, nihari. ₹250–400 per person.

Mid-range: Gulati on Pandara Road. North Indian classics in a Delhi institution. ₹700–1,200 per person.

Splurge: Bukhara at ITC Maurya. Dal Bukhara, sikandari raan, tandoori classics. ₹4,000–6,000 per person.

Day 1 total: ₹2,000–4,500 per person

Day 2: New Delhi & South Delhi — Monuments, Art & Modern City

8:30 AM — Humayun’s Tomb

Start early at one of Delhi’s most beautiful sites. The Mughal garden-tomb is a UNESCO site and the architectural precursor to the Taj Mahal. The morning light is perfect for photography. 1–1.5 hours.

Cost: ₹600 (foreigner) | Payment: UPI

10:30 AM — Lodhi Art District

A 10-minute drive or 20-minute walk. India’s first open-air street art gallery with 50+ murals across the Lodhi Colony neighbourhood. Free, walkable, and excellent for photos. Stop at Blue Tokai for coffee.

Cost: Free + ₹200–350 for coffee | Payment: UPI

12:30 PM — Lunch at SodaBottleOpenerWala

Parsi comfort food in a retro-Bombay setting. Bun maska, keema pav, and berry pulao. Fun, affordable, and excellent.

Cost: ₹600–900 per person | Payment: UPI or cards

2:00 PM — Qutub Minar

Head to South Delhi to see the 73-metre minaret and the surrounding Qutub Complex ruins. India’s first mosque (Quwwat-ul-Islam) and the mysterious rust-free iron pillar are here. 1–1.5 hours.

Cost: ₹600 (foreigner) | Payment: UPI

4:00 PM — Dilli Haat

An open-air craft market where artisans from every Indian state sell handicrafts, textiles, and jewellery. Regional food stalls serve dishes you won’t find elsewhere in Delhi. Perfect for souvenirs. 1–2 hours.

Cost: ₹30 entry + ₹500–2,000 shopping | Payment: UPI at most stalls

6:30 PM — India Gate at Dusk

Drive past India Gate as it lights up for the evening. A good photo stop and an atmospheric way to end the sightseeing. Free, 15–20 minutes.

7:30 PM — Dinner

Budget: Ama Café, Majnu Ka Tilla. Tibetan thukpa and momos. ₹300–500.

Mid-range: Diggin, Chanakyapuri. Garden Italian-Indian brunch spot. ₹600–900.

Splurge: Indian Accent, The Lodhi. Progressive Indian tasting menu. ₹5,000–8,000.

Day 2 total: ₹3,000–5,500 per person

2-Day Grand Total

	Budget	Mid-Range
Day 1 (Old Delhi)	₹2,000	₹4,500
Day 2 (New/South Delhi)	₹3,000	₹5,500
2-Day Total (excl. hotel)	₹5,000 (~$60)	₹10,000 (~$119)
Hotel (per night)	₹1,000–2,000	₹4,000–8,000
Grand Total (2 nights)	₹7,000–9,000	₹18,000–26,000

If You Have a Third Day

Option A: Agra Day Trip

3–4 hours by road or 2 hours by Gatimaan Express train. See the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort, and return by evening. Book train tickets in advance on IRCTC (UPI payment with Mony works). Taj Mahal entry: ₹1,100 for foreigners.

Option B: Deeper Delhi

Shahpur Jat for block printing workshops, Hauz Khas Village for boutiques and art, National Museum, and the Agrasen ki Baoli stepwell. A slower, more local day.

Your Delhi Trip Starts Before You Board

Every stop in this itinerary — from the parantha stall at 8 AM to the monument at 2 PM to the restaurant at 8 PM — accepts UPI. Download Mony, load your wallet, and you’ll pay for your airport taxi within minutes of landing in Delhi.

See also: Delhi Travel Guide and Where to Eat in Delhi.