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MughlaiOld Delhi
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.
Why locals goIt has cooked nihari since 1957 down a gali behind Chitli Qabar, with a hand-ground twelve-spice masala, and opens only in two short windows a day.
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.
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KeralaConnaught Place
Kerala House Samridhi Canteen on Jantar Mantar Road in Delhi is the Kerala guest house canteen, open to walk-ins for breakfast, a matta rice lunch and dinner.
OrderThe lunch meal of matta rice, sambar, thoran and parippu, with fish curry or dry fish on the side.
Why locals goIt is the Kerala government guest house canteen; Kerala officials and politicians visiting the capital eat the same meals as any walk-in visitor.
TipBuy a coupon at the counter before you order, and reach about 15 minutes before lunch opens at 12:30 to beat the rush.
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BengaliConnaught Place
Banga Bhawan Canteen on Hailey Road in Delhi is West Bengal's guest house kitchen, run by the caterer Bijoli Grill and open to the public for Bengali meals.
OrderKosha mangsho with luchi, then mishti doi to finish.
Why locals goWest Bengal's state guest house on Hailey Road runs its canteen through the caterer Bijoli Grill, and anyone can walk in for a Bengali meal.
TipPair the kosha mangsho and luchi with a fish dish such as pabda or ilish; vegetarians get aloo posto, and mishti doi ends the meal.
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NepaliHauz Khas
Bhansaghar sits at the tip of Humayunpur, Delhi's Northeastern food pocket, cooking Nepali food: a Thakali thali, duck curry, kothey momo and jhol momo.
OrderThe Thakali thali with a plate of jhol momo on the side.
Why locals goIts name means kitchen in Nepali, and at the tip of Humayunpur, among the Northeastern cafes, it cooks a Nepali Thakali thali, duck and jhol momo.
TipOrder the jhol momo alongside the Thakali thali; there are two levels of seating in the small room, and ordering is done online.
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Street foodOld Delhi
Bishan Swaroop Chaat Bhandar has sold a short menu of chaat on Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi since 1923, led by aloo chaat, aloo ke kulle and fruit chaat.
OrderThe aloo chaat first, then aloo ke kulle or the fruit chaat.
Why locals goSince 1923 this tiny Chandni Chowk stall has built its name on three things that Delhi Tourism singles out: aloo chaat, aloo ke kulle and fruit chaat.
TipOrder the aloo chaat first, then aloo ke kulle or the fruit chaat; the stall trades every day from 10:00 to 21:00.
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IndianConnaught Place
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Connaught Place, Delhi, runs a free community langar where anyone can sit on the floor to eat dal, roti and kheer with worshippers.
OrderWhatever the langar is serving: dal, roti and kheer.
Why locals goAnyone can sit on the floor of this free community kitchen and eat dal, roti and kheer alongside worshippers; volunteers serve about 180 people every 15 minutes.
TipCover your head at the entrance (scarves are free) and leave a small donation if you can; there is no charge either way.