Machan ★ 4.0
Machan at the Taj Mahal Hotel runs a multi-cuisine Sunday brunch in a safari-themed dining room near India Gate, Delhi, from 12:30 to 15:30.
OrderIndian curries and Continental dishes from the Sunday spread, with champagne or a martini.
Delhi's brunch culture splits cleanly in two. On one side are the five-star hotel Sunday buffets that turn a midday meal into a three-hour event: live stations, global buffets and, in some packages, free-flowing drinks. The Taj Mahal Hotel's jungle-themed Machan, JW Marriott Aerocity's K3 and The Leela Palace's Qube all run this version on Sundays, while The Oberoi's Threesixty and The Imperial's 1911 are all-day hotel dining rooms with daytime buffets. The promise is the same: come hungry, stay past 15:00, and expect a bill closer to a full dinner than a casual lunch.
On the other side is a smaller, cheaper, more local brunch scene built around gardens rather than banquet halls. Diggin, tucked into the Santushti complex on Race Course Road, serves South Delhi weekend brunches in its courtyard, ID check at the gate and all, with pasta and milkshakes instead of a buffet.
Neither version needs a fixed 'brunch hour': the hotel buffets run from late morning into mid-afternoon on Sundays specifically, while Diggin serves its brunch-friendly menu most of the day, every day. The common thread is that almost none of it is a quick meal. Book ahead for the Sunday hotel brunches, and expect a wait at Diggin on a Saturday afternoon.
Hotel Sunday brunch, the main event
The five-star Sunday brunch is Delhi's biggest brunch tradition. K3 lists its Sunday brunch from ₹4,199 a head before taxes, or ₹5,499 with alcohol, with a Som Tam counter, satay grills and a bar on wheels; Machan's Sunday spread runs from Indian curries to Continental dishes, with champagne and martinis, in its jungle-themed room; and The Qube pairs a themed buffet with digital art displays. The Imperial's 1911 now advertises a Friday buffet lunch at ₹2,800, and Threesixty at The Oberoi serves buffets all day. Book ahead for any of them.
The garden alternative
Diggin covers the other end of the price and formality scale. Its Race Course Road garden, inside the Santushti Shopping Complex, runs a relaxed Italian and Continental brunch menu; bring ID, since the complex, linked to the Air Force Wives Welfare Association, sits beside a restricted area. It's a smaller, cheaper room than any of the hotel dining rooms, but it fills up fast on weekend afternoons, so calling ahead still helps.
What to order
At the hotel brunches, work the live stations first: K3's Som Tam counter and satay grill, and the sushi, dim sum and pasta at The Qube. At Diggin, the penne picante and a Ferrero Rocher milkshake are the standing order.
Booking and timing
The Sunday brunches at Machan, K3 and The Qube start at 12:30 and run to between 15:30 and 16:00, and all take reservations; 1911's buffet lunch is on Fridays, 12:30 to 15:30. Diggin runs its menu all week and takes walk-ins, but it gets busy on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, so calling ahead is still worth it if you want a table without waiting.
Brunch picks
Threesixty° ★ 4.4
Threesixty at The Oberoi in Delhi is the hotel's all-day dining room, serving buffets and a la carte European, Japanese, Thai and Indian dishes until 01:00.
OrderA Japanese plate such as yasai tempura, or pathar ke gosht from the Indian side of the menu.
1911 ★ 4.3
1911 at The Imperial on Janpath, Delhi, is an art deco all-day brasserie with a verandah and terrace, and runs a buffet lunch on Fridays from 12:30 to 15:30.
OrderThe Friday buffet lunch, or classic Indian dishes from the all-day menu out on the verandah.
K3 ★ 3.8
K3 at JW Marriott Aerocity runs a Sunday buffet brunch in Delhi, spanning Asian, Indian and Mediterranean cooking stations across its dining floor.
OrderPapaya salad pounded to order at the Som Tam counter, satay off the grill and Kashmiri tabak maaz.
Diggin ★ 4.1
Diggin runs an all-day menu in a garden courtyard on Race Course Road, Delhi, best known for pastas such as penne picante, sandwiches and its milkshakes.
OrderThe penne picante and a Ferrero Rocher milkshake.
The Qube ★ 4.2
The Qube at The Leela Palace runs a Sunday champagne brunch in Chanakyapuri, Delhi, spanning sushi, pizza, pasta and dim sum on one long buffet.
OrderA round of the Sunday buffet's sushi, dim sum and pasta.
Brunch: tours, tastings and classes in Delhi
Guided tour · 3h 30m
NEW DELHI CYCLE TOUR WITH BREAKFAST
Explore Delhi on Two Wheels! Join our early morning cycle tours through New Delhi, discovering culture and history at your own pace. Gear up and pedal into adventure!
from₹4,000 Check dates
Guided tour · 3h 30m
New Delhi: Street Breakfast Tour
Savour India’s flavours on a 3.5-hour New Delhi breakfast tour. Try North and South Indian classics as you visit iconic stalls and hidden gems across the city.
from₹3,354 Check dates
Multi-day trip · 6 hours
Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour with Breakfast And Local Guide
Experience the magical sunrise at the Taj Mahal, followed by a delicious breakfast and a guided shopping tour in Agra. Discover iconic local crafts, and unforgettable ...
from₹240 Check dates
Frequently asked: brunch in Delhi
Which Delhi hotel brunch is the best value?
Of the published prices, K3 at JW Marriott Aerocity lists its Sunday brunch from ₹4,199 a head before taxes without alcohol, and The Imperial's Friday buffet lunch at 1911 is ₹2,800 all-inclusive. Ask the others for current prices.
Do the hotel Sunday brunches need a reservation?
Yes. Book the Sunday brunches at Machan, K3 and The Qube ahead, and expect weekends in the cooler months to fill up fastest.
Are there brunch options outside hotels?
Diggin on Race Course Road runs an all-day brunch-friendly menu in a garden setting, at a fraction of the hotel buffet price.
Is alcohol served at Delhi's Sunday brunches?
Most hotel brunches offer alcohol as part of a premium package; check with the individual restaurant, since packages and pricing change seasonally.
Do I need ID to get into Diggin?
Yes. Diggin sits inside the Santushti Shopping Complex on Race Course Road, which sits beside a restricted area and is linked to the Air Force Wives Welfare Association, so a valid photo ID is required at the gate.