Old Delhi Food Tour: Chandni Chowk Street Food in a Day

How to Do an Old Delhi Food Tour in a Day

Old Delhi does not ease you in. You step off the metro at Chawri Bazaar and it immediately hits — smoke, spice, shouting vendors, oil sizzling somewhere you cannot see. This is Chandni Chowk country. Give it one full day and you will eat some of the best food India has ever produced. Start early! 

Shyam Sweets — Breakfast at Chawri Bazaar

This is where you start. Bedmi Poori with aloo sabzi: puffed fried bread with a tangy, spiced potato curry. Add Nagori Halwa on the side — sweet, ghee-drenched, and completely unreasonable at 8 in the morning. Go anyway.

₹120–150 per person. UPI accepted at the counter.

 

Paranthe Wali Gali — The Famous Paratha Lane

Tucked behind Chandni Chowk, this lane has been frying stuffed parathas since the 1870s. Potato, paneer, rabri, mixed pickle — you pick the stuffing, they handle the rest. Eat standing up or grab a tiny stool. Either way, ₹60–120 per paratha and worth every rupee.

However, go on a weekday if you can. Weekends get chaotic.

Qureshi Kebab Corner— Near Jama Masjid

Mutton seekh kebabs with mint chutney, served on a paper plate on the footpath. There is nowhere to sit and that is fine – you eat standing, people push past, someone is shouting an order behind you. This is Old Delhi working exactly as it should. The kebabs are smoky, tight-packed, and gone before you realise you have finished.

₹250–300 for a full plate. UPI accepted.

Changezi Chicken – Daryaganj

Changezi Chicken is smoky, creamy, tangy, and made in a style specific to Old Delhi. You will not find it quite like this anywhere else. Sit on the humble plastic stools, order one portion, and then order another because you will finish the first too quickly. ₹220–280 per portion.

Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi — End Here

This is the only acceptable ending to a Chandni Chowk food tour. Stuffed kulfi — fruit shells packed with saffron milk, dry fruits, and kulfi. The original shop at Kucha Pati Ram has been doing this since 1906. They have not changed the recipe. ₹80–150 per kulfi.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an Old Delhi food tour take?

A full day around 8am to 7pm — gives you enough time to do five stops without rushing. If you want to linger (and you will want to), plan for 10 hours.

What is the best time to visit Old Delhi for food?

Weekday mornings between 8am and 10am for breakfast spots. Lunch 12pm–2pm. Evening 5pm–8pm for street food and kulfi. 

Is Old Delhi food safe for foreign tourists?

Yes, stick to busy stalls with high turnover. If there is a queue, there is a reason. The cooked food at the places on this list is reliable.

Do I need cash for an Old Delhi food tour?

Most established spots accept UPI. However, carry ₹500 in cash for small vendors and cycle rickshaws. Many stalls have a minimum UPI amount of ₹50.

What should I wear for an Old Delhi food tour?

Comfortable walking shoes. Light clothes. For females – If visiting Jama Masjid, carry a dupatta or scarf to cover your shoulders at the entrance.

Is it possible to do an Old Delhi food tour as a solo traveller?

Completely fine. Furthermore, solo travel means you can move between stops faster and order exactly what you want.

All the stops on this food tour are within walking distance in Chandni Chowk. Start at Chawri Bazaar metro station (Yellow Line) — here’s the area: