The canonical version and where to order it.
Slow-cooked shank of mutton or buffalo in a thick, spiced gravy, eaten in the early morning in Old Delhi with khamiri roti and a squeeze of lemon.
Nihari takes its name from the Arabic word for morning, and it was eaten by the Mughal nobility as a breakfast after the dawn prayer. Food historians place its origin in Delhi or Lucknow in the late Mughal era. Some nihari cooks in Old Delhi keep an unbroken cycle of taar, a portion of each day's stew added to the next, and claim it has run for more than a century.
1 editor pick for Nihari in Delhi, ranked by editorial score. All Delhi signature dishes · Nihari across every city.
Haji Shabrati Nihari Wale has cooked only nihari since 1957 in a lane behind Chitli Qabar in Old Delhi, open for two short windows in the morning and evening.
OrderA plate of nihari with khameeri roti, as early as you can.
TipExpect a queue outside at both sittings: it serves from 06:00 to 10:00 and again from 18:00, with khamiri roti on the side.
Nihari makes more sense with someone from Delhi explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Day trip · 14 hours
Discover the beauty and culture of Jaipur on a full-day tour from Delhi. Visit iconic landmarks like the Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar, all wi...
3 hours
Join an Indian home chef in her unique culinary oasis to explore a local market and create a delicious traditional meal, blending modern techniques with age-old recipe...
Guided tour · 3h 30m
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!
