New Delhi - Post Report Question and Answers

What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?

There are multiple food delivery services that will deliver food from all over the city, so this isn't a huge problem. You will always be rolling the dice when you order takeout, however, especially if you don't adhere to a vegetarian diet. - Jan 2022


There are several nice, upscale restaurants in Delhi - most are associated with the 5-star hotels. So going out to eat in a hotel is a thing there. There are other nice restaurants that cater to the expat crowd, but those are more of a gamble in terms of whether or not you'll get sick. It's always a gamble, frankly. That said, the nice places are really nice and tasty. There are also fast food places like KFC, McD, Dominos, etc, but quality is really, well, it's fast food. And there's no beef in India, so the burgers are chicken or veggie. - Sep 2020


Before COVID, Delhi had a bajillion restaurants, ranging widely in quality, cost, and cuisine. Many are still shuttered. Delivery services are widely available, even before COVID. Zomato and Swiggy are the most popular. - Jul 2020


There are a myriad of different foods available in New Delhi and delivery services are on the rise. - Jul 2019


Most restaurants are "all in one" food type. You can get in same restaurant Indian food, Mexican food, Chinese...The noise (loud music) is often the main reason for not going out, together with not properly washed/bleached groceries. Service is also not great.

There are many online stores to order your groceries. They are pretty good and deliveries are fast. - Oct 2017


Practically everywhere delivers--fast food, Thai, pizza, Afghan, etc. You can find pretty much any type of food, though Mexican was scarce. Lots of Asian varieties and Western foods. Our favorite splurge restaurant was Indian Accent--about $100 for two people--they do a tasting menu with AMAZING food and pair it with wines. SO GOOD. - Mar 2017


You will get tired of curry. There are 5 star hotels with fancy restaurants and different cuisines, tons of mid-range restaurants, even a decent BBQ place - you can find pretty much anything. Almost anything can be delivered to your house, including McDonalds - but no beef burgers!! - Feb 2017


Many and varied. - Nov 2016


Lots of vegetarian options. Many familiar western fast-food chains, and now a Taco Bell. Seasonings are different from what you expect in North America. almost anything can be ordered for delivery or takeout. Certain meat products are hard to obtain unless you have commissary privileges. - Jun 2016


Lots of fast food restaurants, and many boutique restaurants are available for any taste. Prices are mostly reasonable. A foodie club meets periodically to try new places. Be aware that many foreign dishes are Indianized with lots of local spices and seasonings, so manage your expectations. - Sep 2014


Quite a few to choose from and they are close to U.S. prices. But I didn't come to India to eat McDonald's. The food here is amazing! - Sep 2014


Anything you could want, but no beef at any of them. Prices are fine. Normal. Probably a little lower than worldwide prices. - Aug 2013


Food is yummy, unless you love salads, which is like playing Russian roulette. Beef and pork products are hard to come by. KFC has no biscuits. But local Kati rolls, the Indian twist on McDonald's and pizza are fun. - May 2013


Good fast food. The golden arches are here, as is KFC. This is a largely vegetarian country. - Oct 2012


Meats like beef and pork are not widely available, and if they are found they can be very expensive. Buffalo is used as a substitute for most beef dishes. There are lots of good restaurants. McDonald's has only chicken and vegetarian. KFC is really good here. - Sep 2012


KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and local fast food options abound. They are very cheap. - Aug 2011


yes, and it is all very cheap and greasy. - Aug 2011


Decent fast food, but constant threat of GI issues. Delhi Belly is real. - Aug 2011


Some of the major US fast food is available, but localized. There are lots of good restaurants, but too many of them are in major hotels, so they are expensive. Good restaurants in shopping areas are affordable. - Jan 2011


McDonalds and Pizza Hut type restaurants deliver -- about $10/pizza. Decent restaurants are around, but can be pricey- 5 star hotels have higher than usual prices ($40/head without wine). Good foreign wine runs $100/bottle -- really really expensive. - Sep 2010


There is almost everything but not easily accesible. You have to go to the places where they are (I mean, they are not around the corner). Food is much cheaper than in Europe but you have to be careful since the hygienic standards are not high either. - Aug 2010


The normal fast food restaurants are there (except McDonald's has no hamburgers). KFC, Dominos, Pizza Hut, TGI Fridays etc. There are a lot of nice restaurants, but they are relatively expensive. And tons of fantastic, cheap Indian food. - Aug 2010


All the old favorites are here. McDonald's, though without burgers, KFC, and Pizza Hut, but they don’t taste as good as at home. Most are quite expensive, and cleanliness is out of the question. - Aug 2010


All the old favourites are here. McDonalds, though no burgers. KFC is just like home and Pizza Hut. They do have wonderful restaurants here some of which are cheap but most are quite expensive. - Mar 2008


We love Indian food so we try to eat it at often as possible. Virtually everywhere delivers, which is very nice. We've had no problems with food illness because we avoid the sketchy looking restaurants. However, if you eat at a place that looks unsanitary, you'll probably get sick..obviously. Fast food here is not as fast as the U.S., but there are options, and they deliver too. If you prefer western food, there are plenty of TGI Fridays, Ruby Tuesdays, pizza chains, Subways, and the hotels have everything you can imagine (including a sushi bar, that was excellent, just very over priced). - Feb 2008


Subscribe to our newsletter


New book from Talesmag! Honest and courageous stories of life abroad with special needs.

Read More