I don’t pretend to be a street food expert, far from that. But Chole Bhature is that one thing that I swear by. I mean, I know of no Delhiites who don’t occasionally indulge in the street favourite. The origins of the legendary food combo are unknown. But I remember eating it for Sunday breakfasts for as long as I can remember. A spicy mix of chole, fluffy and crispy round bhaturas, achar, fresh-cut onion. And later in life (ergo, now) green tea after the meal to wash down this guilty indulgence.
So here goes my list of the top 5 places for Chole Bhature that I swear by! Here is a 30-minute Bhature dough recipe for instant cravings.
Monika Cafe
Well, I am not this is my number 1, but it kind of is. This was a hidden gem until Instagram hit it. They do the best paneer stuffed bhature. Period. No other place paneer stuffing with such finesse, if I may say so. Crunchy, fluffy and yet, with a layer of paneer inside and not mere specks. The chole are plenty of masala and ginger juliennes, but if you like yours spicier, ask for a helping of the mint chutney. Served with onions, fresh carrot and green chilli achar and Masale Wala Aloo (only if you ask for it)
Where? Monika Cafe, GG1, Vikaspuri
Price – Paneer stuffed is for 80 INR
Nand di Hatti
Nand Bhaturey Wale di Hatti made it to Netflix’s Street Food, and this was the only Delhi eatery that was most deserving. The age-old pocket-sized joint is known for its extra crispy bhaturas. Their Chole masala is so famous, that they even retail it separately. They do not soak the chickpea but instead cook it for so long that it renders to be perfect, without any onion or garlic at all. And you don’t even notice the absence. The bhaturas are made extra crispy is desi ghee with the addition of semolina (Sooji) to the dough. Served with pickled amla, the burst of robust flavours is worth braving the spindly bylanes of Old Delhi.
Where? 830, Pan Mandi, Narain Market, Sadar Bazaar
Price – 2 pieces of bhaturas for 100 INR
Prem di Hatti
Like many old shops, Prem di Hatti has been divided by family disputes, and you will find three by the same name in one lane. You want to hit the one just on the main road towards Rajouri Garden main market. Hot and fluffy bhaturas, slightly doughy than the others. It is the chole that steal the show here. Dowsed in masalas, slightly runny chole will leave you craving for so much more. You wouldn’t want to miss out on their Amritsari kulchas as well!
Where? J1, Opposite Metro Pillar no. 402, Rajouri Garden
Price – 80 INR
Chache di Hatti
Paneer stuffed bhaturas became a fad and then woven into Delhi’s street food habits. But Chache di Hatti in Kamla Nagar does bhaturas stuffed with potatoes and is every bit heavenly. Chache di Hatti is always swarmed with college kids and families. Reach early to avoid queues. A hearty stuffing of mashed potatoes, in deep-fried bhaturas, not the healthiest (read: not at all healthy) but boy do they taste heavenly. Wash it down with Masala lemon from one of the neighbouring shops.
Where? D-32, Next To All Smile Dental Clinic, Kamla Nagar
Price – INR 60
Baba Nagpal Corner
What is it about all these different street food corners serving essentially the same thing. The nuances. Baba Nagpal is tucked away in Amar Colony, you can pair your helping with bhaturas, pooris or rice. Huge, fluffy bhaturas, slightly crispy. I absolutely loved the chole, they had that blackish colour that I quite favour.
Where? Old Double Storey, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar 4
Price – 85 INR
Before y’all, fans of Sita Ram Diwan Chand get riled up, hear me out. I agree with how amazing their chole masala is. But the reheated bhaturas are just not up my alley. Street food is all about being piping hot, why would you want to subject yourself to stale bhaturas is beyond me. I mean the only time I ended up disliking the ensemble was this. They are said to be stuffed but only have specks here and there. Sets you back 60 bucks, but so not worth your calories.
But, I would like to mention another one of my favourite places for Chole Bhature which happens to be a fine dining restaurant.
Special Mention – Kwality
This colonial-style restaurant revamped and popped right back to serving classic cocktails, the decadent North Indian dare and all the curries inspired by the Britisher’s time here. A plush setting and live piano in the evening paints a different picture than Delhi’s street favourite. But the Kwality Chana with a giant bhatura is a must, must have. Cooked overnight, with their secret spices, and a bhatura fried in desi ghee, you will be left satiated.
Where? Kwality, Regal Building, Connaught Place
Price – The Chole Bhature combo will set you back approx 600 with taxes, but worth it!