Chances are, if you ever wished to check the mental strength of a non-vegetarian food lover, then you may want to tie her or his hands and place a plate of delightful, freshly prepared butter chicken in front of the individual. Your entire task would be to see and observe very clearly if the person has a craving to go for the butter chicken lying in front.
The result of this experiment and a die-hard truth teller would agree, may possibly result in the person untying one’s hands from the rope and jumping onto the butter chicken. It’s that important for a non-vegan eater. It’s utterly delicious and it’s akin to finding one’s home away from the physical home amidst the sea of tantalisingly good tasting food.
If you are in the city of taste and colours, cultures and traditions, then perhaps tugging into some butter chicken in Delhi may be just what would make your day. Whether it’s ordering food or getting around with near and dear ones on a happy-go-lucky Sunday to enjoy a meal of togetherness, then the presence of butter chicken is a must.
It’s a standard-bearer for non-vegetarian delight and a perennial presence in the cuisine that has other tasteful ensembles such as lamb, beef, meat or fried non-vegan items.
That said, which are some of the finest places where one could enjoy butter chicken in Delhi?
Rajinder Da Dhaba
A staple destination for chicken lovers in Delhi, Rajinder Da Dhaba is as significant a place for food-lovers in a very foodie-capital as is the importance of songs in a Bollywood release. Among those easy-going places that despite being in the Cosmopolis and bustle of South Delhi sees hundreds of eaters, chewing away to some butter chicken in delight- Rajinder Da Dhaba doesn’t know what a quiet day at its periphery is.
In fact, lovers of other non-vegetarian delicacies would love to bite into items like Murg Makhni too.
Aslam Chicken
Stopping by at the famous Aslam’s for some delectable butter chicken is quite a pleasant experience in itself. Among the finest places to dine at, nestled in the heart of a truly historic part of Delhi- old Delhi, code-named Delhi 6- the chicken here is first cooked in a tandoor and then cooked further with gravy. The end result is quite simply, a magnificent tongue-work that unites eaters across a city that truly loves eating outdoors.
Hauz Khas Social
The current context of the eating and dining scene in Delhi is replete with as many joints and exquisite fine dining restaurants, as it is marked by scrumptious small little eateries. Among the ever-mushrooming clout of fast-paced restaurants and, charming joints is the famous Hauz Khas Social- a place you’d love to hang out at. And when it comes to trying a staple people’s favourite- the butter chicken- then one simply cannot nibble into one plate. Tag along with a drink of your choice and get some friends for company and what’s your end result? Your evening is scintillated with endless charm.
Kebab Galli
With what seems nearly a pool of marinated chicken gravy, creating a nearly amorous experience perfect for ‘diving and jumping in joy’ over butter chicken, this is a pool of a very different kind of desire. The Kebab Galli in Malviya Nagar’s corner market offers a stomach-full of experience that’s as savoury as it is full of contentment. And if you also happen to be a fan of tantalising bread offerings- such as garlic or pudina naan, or simply, plain naan- then combining the delight of butter chicken with the customary bite of naan will lade your meal with wholesome taste and satisfaction.
Gulati
Most people, whether visiting Delhi as tourists, or inbound locals come to the India Gate to partake in a surreal but simple experience. The purpose is to walk around the crowded India gate and chip away at tiny snacks for momentary delights. But most eaters and lovers of a great meal who’re found at the India Gate often happen to drop by at a paradise, tucked right at a stone’s throw away- the Pandara Road. One of the more famous and colloquial expressions, therefore, in this regard is, if you have come to the lovely Pandara Road and haven’t had a bite of Gulati’s- a completely trust-worthy eatery for all seasons- butter chicken, then have you even had butter chicken?
It’s as simple as that and nothing else may suffice.
Moti Mahal
One of the important landmark restaurants of Delhi, one that’s a classical “must-visit” according to frequenters, those who swear by its North Indian delights and casual advice-givers, the quality of food one finds at the famous Moti Mahal is true to its very name- like a pearl.
And if you happen to drop by at Moti Mahal, then tugging into some butter naan and butter chicken would be one of the best items ticked on your bucket list.
A restaurant that’s emphatically important to Delhi and its culinary culture, Moti Mahal has been around for nearly 8 decades and hasn’t had a close competitor that can topple its standing as amongst the finest offerers of butter chicken in Delhi.
Kake-Da-Hotel
Closer to Connaught Place, right next to Shankar market, around a kilometre at the most from Janpath and, therefore, only two kilometres from the famous India Gate circle, what better location for city-wide revellers of food to stop their cars and commutations at? If you are here at the famous Kake-Da-Hotel, right opposite Minar, also a delicacy and a premium favourite of foodies in Delhi, you cannot possibly avoid the standard-favourite- butter chicken.
This may not be the most fanciful eatery to park your car in front of, but the Kake-Da-Hotel has been a hot-favourite among food lovers who love a quick bite and above all, have their budgets in check, despite arguably getting more on the buck they offer for a fantastic meal here.
While there are so many other restaurants and joints around, in a city that loves its food as much as its broad, green roads, the above might possibly create an interesting itinerary for a fan of this utterly unavoidable meal.