Make The Most Of Winter Sun With

Food Walks

Across Delhi

Food Walks And Winter: The Perfect Combination

There may be songs dedicated to Delhi winters, but everyone who’s lived in the capital city knows it’s the summers that can uncomfortable real fast. Walking around narrow and crowded lanes, with the scorching, summer sun beating down your neck, can get real tiring, real soon. The food remains just as appetising, but your ability to enjoy hot bedmi poori dampens as the sweat rolls down your forehead. 

But come winters, and the same sun starts feeling like a soothing balm. The crowded lanes start feeling inviting, because the air is ripe with the sizzle of frying tikkis, puffing bhaturas, and of course, the crispy puris. And then there are dishes that emerge just in winter. Like the decadent, delicate daulat ki chaat. Or the soul-warming nihari. All this to say, food walks are best enjoyed in the winter sun. When walking isn’t a chore, but a exploration. 

The Old Delhi Food Walk

Arguably one of the most famous Delhi food walks is the walk through Old Delhi, primarily covering Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazaar, and Jama Masjid Area (Matia Mahal). Jama Masjid is especially famous for its non-vegetarian fare, like kebabs and curries. You can book through TripAdvisor, or even go for a mealt-time specific walk with Delhi Food Walks — they offer a old Delhi food walk for breakfast, brunch, and night. 

The Khao Gallis Of West Delhi

West Delhi has popular "Khao Gallis" (food streets) in areas like Rajouri Garden and Punjabi Bagh, known for diverse street food like North Indian, Chinese, Mughlai, rolls, chaat, and more. They offer vibrant, casual dining experiences with options for takeaway and delivery. It’s a great bet if you want to enjoy fusion cuisine, or rather an Indian take on diverse cuisines. It also makes for an affordable and easy outing, as the joints are closely located. Evening is the best time to visit these streets. 

The Iconic CP Joints/Janpath

If you’re in the mood for a lunch with a side of history, then book a lunch tour through Connaught Place. The Delhi Tourism site lists Bhogal chole bhature, Bangla sweet house, Kake Da Hotel (for their butter chicken), and timeless Indian Coffee House among must-visit places. Other popular joints include the iconic South Indian food chain, Saravana Bhawan, the Jain Chawal Wale, Pappu Chaat Joint, and Shri Hanuman Kachori Wala. You could also visit the nearby Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and experience the sanctity of one of Delhi’s oldest religious institutions, and savour the “langar ka prasad”. Of course, on visit to CP is complete without sampling exclusive paan varieties, like the fire paan.

The New Kid On The Block: Humayunpur

Humayunpur has emerged as one of the latest, yet popular, eating joints in Delhi with countless small cafes serving authentic North-Eastern cuisine. Hornbill remains one of the earliest entrants on the scene, serving authentic Naga cuisine. Lha’s kitchen is more recent, but just as popular. It serves authentic Himalyan cuisine. There’s also Bhansagar, which works as an excellent introduction to Nepali cuisine, Chakhum that nails Manipuri fare, and Mizo Diner for, as the name suggests, heart Mizoram meals. And if you want to venture into Asian cuisine beyond India, you can find joints serving authentic Vietnamese bowls, Japanese miso ramen, and Korean tteokbokki and Burmese chicken. While not many food walks exists, you can opt for one by Pelago or simply explore on your own. Alternatively, you can look for hood guides on locally run food pages on social media. 

While the aforementioned areas work great for a food walk, you can also opt for a more refined dining experience around other areas like Mehrauli and Qutub Minar that offer high-end dining with a view, luxurious eateries in and around Lodhi Garden, and Dilli Haat — an open-air market showcasing pan-Indian cuisine from different states. 

How To Make The Most Of A Food Walk

Whether you’re ready and armed to join a guided food walk, or want to embark on an independent exploration, these tips can come in handy

• Wear comfortable footwear: It may seem like an obvious tip but it’s one most people forget about. Just because you’re walking through market lanes and not hilly terrains does not mean you can go lax on the footwear. Comfortable shoes or sandals, ideally worn in and meant for walking, are you best bet because food walks can last for hours. And may require a fair share of walking from one joint to other. Not to mention, it helps digest all the greasy, yummy dishes and make space for the next course. 

• Be prepared for crowds: Most spaces in Delhi, or any major metro, are bound to be crowded — especially the famous eating joints that have been around for centuries. These places attract huge crowds, of tourists and locals alike. It’s also why guided walk tours, especially for popular joints, can serve better — since they’ll assign a tour guide to help you navigate the busy lanes with comparative ease. 

• Keep an open mind to new tastes and experiences: Food walks are a way to explore the culture of the city. However, they’re also preserve tastes and traditions that may not always be open to customisation. Thus, always enquire about any dietary restrictions. And be open to new tastes and textures. It may not always be to your liking, but it can certainly be an experience to remember. 

• Always carry/purchase packaged water bottle: Your gut could probably handle chaat and bhature, but unhygienic water is a strict no. Make sure to consumed packaged water, especially if you’re not used to consuming street food.  

• Carry petty cash and limited valuables: Though food walks are usually safe, crowds are always a breeding ground for pickpocketing. Thus, keep limited valuables with you, and ideally keep them close to you in a secure bag. Additionally, it’s always wise to carry small bills for street vendors or rikshaw cart pullers. 

• Time your walk right: Plan your winter food walk as per the climate and area you’re visiting. Winter food walks, especially in Old Delhi, are best planned between 11 am and 3 pm, when the sun is out, vendors are fully set up, and queues are relatively manageable. Early mornings may mean limited options, while post-sunset walks can get overwhelmingly crowded—especially in Old Delhi. Timing it well helps you enjoy more food, at a relaxed pace, without rushing or long waits.

Walk Of Food!

There’s something to be said about the joy of good food and the simple pleasure of a long walk. But when both things come together? Well that’s a walk to remember! So, whether you explore the classics that have survived changing dietary trends and come out stronger or sample unique dishes from new-age joints, food walks are bound to leave you with a smile on your face.