Leading You To Matia Mahal, An Ages-Old Foodie Street Sitting Pretty Opposite Jama Masjid

This place can safely be called the ‘Food Capital’ within Delhi, and is considered a paradise for all the food lovers of the city. Just one measly visit to this place is definitely not enough as you’d want to keep coming back for more and more each time. You cannot get enough of the vibrancy and excitement that embodies Matia Mahal, a street inside the walled city that never sleeps! 

It’s situated just perpendicular to Gate No 1 of the beautiful and breathtaking Jama Masjid and is home to some of Delhi’s most famous restaurants and bakeries among other attractions - be it the world famous Karim’s restaurant known for its lip smacking non-vegetarian food or Kallan Sweets that dishes up mouth-watering Habshi Halwa besides other sweets. Other than eateries, it also houses the popular Amina Begum Mehndi shop that has been decorating the hands of Delhi’s female brigade since decades. This marketplace is no stranger to the hundreds of people that crowd this street day in and day out. You can actually feel the Old Delhi charm as soon as you enter this busy street! 

Another popular joint is the Al Jawahar Restaurant! It serves the best non-vegetarian food tasted anywhere in Delhi. The Mutton Korma, Chicken Changezi and Khameeri Roti served here are simply to die for! Some people might disagree with this, because you have Karim’s just nearby, but Al Jawahar definitively rules the roost. Karim’s has a wide fan following as well, serving the best stews and Chicken Kebabs around. Then, you also have Aslam’s Restaurant which serves delicious Creamy Chicken drowned in hot melted butter (yummy!) and boasts a loyal clientele as well.

Another shop worth mentioning is a small thela at the far end of this market that serves a highly unusual meat preparation - Shalgam (turnip) Meat, which is just fantastic! More people throng to this thela than any of the restaurants found here, only for this unique preparation. 

Qureshi Ke Kababs in front of Meena Bazaar is also a big hit because of its piping hot Chicken and Beef Kebabs. There’s also big time competition amongst the sweet shops here, but Kallan Sweets wins hands down. Besides the Habshi Halwa, the Shahi Tukda served here will make you swoon and so will the Malai Ke Laddoo, Rasmalai and the all-time favourite - Rabdi. People crowd this place even before it’s open, i.e., at 6 AM in the morning and you can surely find hungry locals here right until it closes at around 11 PM at night.

Apart from the various eateries, many utensil shops line the street on either side selling huge pots and other crockery items. You will also find vegetable shops, ration shops, haircutting salons and small clinics at the rear end of this market. There are also apparel shops which sell traditional Muslim clothes and accessories. You’ll be surprised to see that some of these shops also have a Pakistani visa assistance services to offer, along with the Haj Travel Helpdesk and Pakistani currency exchange for frequent travellers.  

The closest metro station is Chawri Bazaar (Chandni Chowk is also equidistant), from where you can take a rickshaw or an auto to Matia Mahal. Alternatively, you can catch any bus going to Daryaganj and take a short walk to this ‘Mecca’ of food.

Rest assured, this place will make you its loyal slave, and keep you coming back again and again, hungry bellies in tow!