10 Best Restaurants In Central Delhi For A Cheap Meal

Central Delhi being the heart of Dilli, is a marketing hub and hence, it is constantly flocked by foodies. But who said that you need to burn your pocket to have a savoury meal here? Dilwalon ki Dilli has a lot to offer for every kind of budget, be it street, local eateries or high-end fancy places. Thus, for all us broke lads, here are the 10 of the best restaurants in Central Delhi that will quench your hunger for a mere Rs 500!

1. Sita Ram Diwan Chand

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Dilli and chole bhature - a beautiful love story, and Sita Ram Diwan Chand has been playing Cupid since 1970. Located in Paharganj, Delhi’s hippie backpacker’s enclave, it is an extremely popular food joint buzzing with foodies throughout the day. It definitely lives up to its reputation as a legendary outlet as the chole has just the right amount of tanginess that makes the tongue tickle and refreshes the inner self. The fuming hot bhature and the chatpate choley are a treat for your taste buds!

2. Qureshi Kabab Corner

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You exit gate no.1 of the Jama Masjid metro station and start walking towards the hustle-bustle of Meena Bazar. At a few hundred metres, you experience a tinge in your belly induced by a sparkling reaction from your olfactory senses. You look towards your right to find a crowded shop, with meat being chargrilled on a tandoor. Your senses are not fooling you, for the irresistible fragrance which has intoxicated you is the smoky scent of Qureshi’s mutton kebabs. The kebabs are so succulent, they melt in your mouth along with the rumali rotis. To add a dash of sweetness, don’t forget to try their shahi kheer, the next time you’re here!

Where | Qureshi Kabab Corner - Urdu Bazar, Near Gate 1, Jama Masjid
Timings | 5 PM - 12:30 AM
Call Them | +91 9711 693 200
Price | Rs 200

3. Triveni Terrace Cafe

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Located within the Triveni Kala Sangam, the Terrace Cafe is regularly flocked by art connoisseurs as well as the members of the theatre circuit. One of the most aesthetically pleasing cafes of Delhi, it is located beside an open-air grass amphitheatre and is perfect to visit during the winter sun. It still serves a similar menu to that of1960s when it was founded. The shami kebabs and carrot cakes were quite popular back when our parents used to hang out here during their college times. They still are when we are following their footsteps. The food feels so homely, and it’s not at all a burden on your pocket too!

4. Aslam Chicken

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We all love butter chicken, but what if we take you to a place that literally serves butter and chicken - just crispy tandoori chicken pieces dipped in a buttery gravy? Aslam Chicken has been taking new customers by surprise since its establishment long back, for it's not the butter chicken as we know, it’s a whole new dish. While the chicken is being grilled to perfection, a humongous amount of butter is melted and poured over the juicy chicken pieces, and then served to salivating customers. Have it with rumali roti and it’s gonna put your taste buds into the zen mode!

Where | Aslam Chicken - Matia Mahal Road, Chandni Chowk, Near Gate 1, Jama Masjid
Timings | 5 PM - 12:30 AM
Call Them | +91 9312 281 022
Price | Rs 250

5. Udupi Cafe

Picture Credits: wedishitout

Udupi Cafe is a really underrated gem that serves amazing South Indian and Chinese cuisine. A quaint little cafe located beside the International Doll Museum in ITO, no wonder people miss its homely red doors that are waiting to welcome you. Every day of the week, a special rice dish is served, and be it their signature Bissibelle Bhath or Curd Rice, it will leave you craving for more. Start your meal with a rasam and end it with a savoury sweet paan (betel nut) - trust us, it would be one of the most wholesome and homely dining experiences.

Where | Udupi Cafe - Ground Floor, Pratap Bhawan, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Near ITO
Timings | 8:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Call Them | +91 11 2335 3666
Price | Rs 150

6. Saravana Bhavan

Picture Credits: the_beard_foodies

One of the most sought-after South Indian restaurants in the capital, Sarvana Bhavan has managed to maintain its benchmark as a leading eatery. Serving authentic traditional southern recipes at an affordable rate, this is the place to head to when you get cravings for crispy vadas dipped in boiling sambar or the chatpate aloo of masala dosa!

7. Nathu’s Sweets

Picture Credits: Abishek Lakra

Did you say that you have such a diverse personality that can never stick to just one cuisine? No worries. Serving the tastiest Continental, Chinese, North, as well as, South Indian food in Bengali Market, Nathu’s Sweets is just the place for you. A popular snack joint, it also doubles up as a multi-cuisine restaurant that feels really light on your pocket.

Where | Nathu’s Sweets - Bengali Market, Mandi House
Timings | 8 AM - 11 PM
Call Them | +91 11 2371 7313
Price| Rs 250

8. Art Of Spices

Picture Credits: food_gambler

Did we hear you say kathi rolls AND momos? So, you want the best of both worlds? Just head towards Art of Spices without a second thought! A diverse range of rolls to choose from, they serve over 50 types of chicken, mutton and vegetarian rolls! Couple these with quick service, and you are good to go. As for the momos, the tandoori ones are soo damn good, you will find yourself asking for more every week, or maybe every day, who knows?!

Where | Art Of Spices - Behind City Hospital, Pusa Road, Karol Bagh
Timings | 10:30 AM - 11:30 PM
Call Them | +91 9811 342 929
Price | Rs 250

9. Kake Da Hotel

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Counted amongst Delhi’s legendary outlets, Kake Da Hotel has been swaying the crowd with its rich butter chicken since 1931. They also claim to serve the best Keema Kaleji in town. Oh, you are veg? No worries, for their Dal Makhani and Shahi Paneer are must-have dishes. Nowhere else in CP would you have a proper North Indian meal at such an affordable price!

10. Bengali Sweet House

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When you visit the Bengali Market, you find yourself sandwiched between two Bengali Sweet Houses on your right and left. Although the business was split between two brothers decades ago, the shops are much similar to each other. Besides being popular namkeen and sweet joints, they have a seating area where you can get chole bhature, thalis and other scrumptious snacks. There’s a chaat corner where you can savour gol gappe, aloo tikki chaat, dahi bhalle and the most popular of them all, the papdi chaat. They also serve continental, Chinese and South Indian food at a really affordable price!

Where | Bengali Sweet House - Bengali Market, Mandi House
Timings | 8 AM - 11 PM
Call Them | +91 11 2335 3310
Price | Rs 200

And, that’s the only list you’ll be needing the next time you’re almost broke! Bookmark them all, folks!

10 Best Restaurants In Central Delhi Serving Delish Meals Under A Mere Rs 500 Per Person