The years 2021 have been a roller-coaster ride in more ways than one. The global pandemic stalled all leisurely activities we considered 'basic' all these years. Amid talk of sanitisers, masks and social distancing, we became more and more home-bound and almost forgot what an 'ideal dining experience' felt like. The months-long lockdown in 2020 marked the end of many iconic restaurants too. Several legendary cafes and eateries had to pull down their shutters after years of service. But then gradually, many popular restaurants opened their dining and delivery operations, albeit with a few changes. There's not only an increased focus on safety, hygiene and sanitization but the restaurant staff too is instructed to keep in line with the renewed safety protocols. Daily temperature checks and contact-less service are also becoming part of #newnormal. And for those, who are being extra cautious about stepping out of houses, restaurants are offering a proper dine-in experience at their homes, with specially curated meal boxes.
Here are 19 of our favourite Delhi-NCR based restaurants that are making a comeback with deliveries and dine-ins:
1. Crowne Plaza Okhla
Crowne Plaza has launched a specially curated menu to satiate all your cravings, that too while sitting at home. It is offering both takeaway and home delivery services (via Swiggy and Zomato) for all its patrons in Delhi. Besides you can also opt for takeaway meal combos that include several delicious dishes from across Asian, Western and Indian cuisines. From Biryanis to gilled fish, butter chicken and more - you can have it all in the meal combo. Besides being a great option to order at home, this specially curated menu can also help you cover office parties, conferences and gatherings. So now, if you are in no mood to cook or looking for reliable option for a party, you just know what to do.
2. Spice Grill Flame
Spice Grill Flame (SGF) offers you a range of lip-smacking North Indian vegetarian dishes that leave a strong impression on your palate and mind. With more than 100 dishes on their menu, SGF is one of the fastest growing pure vegetarian restaurant chains in India. Besides, each of the dishes strike the right balance between taste, quality and nourishment.
3. The Lodhi, New Delhi
The Lodhi has launched its food delivery service for its loyal patrons and all food connoisseurs of the capital. This swanky hotel, nestled in the heart of Delhi, is serving up comfort with cuisines from its award-winning restaurants – Elan, Perbacco and The Lodhi Bakery. The menu offers an array of signature specials, savoury items, desserts and more from the Indian, European and Oriental selection, which are delivery-friendly. So, for all the foodies who love to dine and wine in style (at the comfort of their home), The Lodhi New Delhi has got you covered!
Photo Credit: The Lodhi, New Delhi
4. Keventers
Known for its signature flavours like strawberry, chocolate and butterscotch, Keventers has expanded its dessert footprint in the country by adding ice creams to its menu. Yes, you heard it right! Keventers is offering six delicious ice cream flavours – Belgian Chocolate, Alphonso Mango, Triple Chocolate, Mocha Almond Fudge Brownie, Exotic Strawberry and Blueberry Cheesecake.
5. Café on 3 at Holiday Inn
Want to enjoy a restaurant-style buffet at home? Holiday Inn, Mayur Vihar has the best offer for you. Café on 3 has launched 'Buffet to Home' service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While the breakfast buffet menu includes a variety of parathas, South Indian spread, fruits, assorted bakery and more, the menu for lunch and dinner include approximately 20 dishes with a selection of Indian, Continental and Asian dishes, both in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. What are you waiting for? Take a break from your daily kitchen duties and get a scrumptious meal spread delivered to your doorstep.
6. The Oudh at The Ashok
Relish authentic Awadhi fare at Oudh, The Ashok. Steeped in the flavours of yore, Oudh has been one of the capitals most sought-after restaurants for Mughlai cuisine. Now, you can, once again enjoy the dine-in experience at the restaurant both indoors and outdoors with proper safety precautions. What should you go for? We absolutely dig their biryani, kebabs and korma.
7. Social Vasant Kunj
One of the city's most-loved cafes, Social Vasant Kunj has been experimenting with some interesting home delivery options since the first phase of lockdown. The cafe launched a gourmet 'D.I.Try' box that includes everything from Butter Chicken and Chilli Chicken to Death Wings, Momos and Crispy Corn Chakana and essentials to make them, restaurant-like at home. Also, the cafe is now open for dine-in while keeping all the safety and hygiene precautions in mind. We recommend their Momo and Chaat platters in appetisers; for the main course, you can either go for Chinese Thali or try the wholesome Desi Thali; and for dessert, go for the Layer Cake without a doubt.
8. Smoke House Deli, Vasant Kunj
The quaint European Deli is now serving its loyal diners at its Vasant Kunj outlet from 12:00 noon – 11:00 PM. With options ranging from pancakes to Cream Cheese and Herb Bagels, signature thin-crust pizzas, handmade pasta, fresh salad bowls and sandwiches, and more, Smoke House Deli, Vasant Kunj is here to brighten up our day once again with its dine-in operations in place.
9. Olive Bar And Kitchen
One of the city's most luxurious hotspots is now open for dining too. The team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Olive Magic is exactly how we remember it; the menu, the ambience and the spirits and everything we have missed so far is back! Do not miss out on the signature pizzas, their fabulous selection of appetisers, salads and seafood. With all locally sourced ingredients, Olive's gourmet fare has our heart. If you are ordering from Olive, do not miss out on their layered Tiramisu.
10. Big Chill
How we longed for Big Chill's creamy pasta and pizzas all this while! Well, here's some good news. In addition to delivery, Big Chill has also opened dining at Kailash Colony, Khan Market, CP with essential safety guidelines at the place.
Also Read: Try These 10 Best Italian Restaurants In Delhi
11. GlassHouse
Hilton, Baani Square Gurgaon's GlassHouse is all set to enthral its loyal patrons after months with its new and improved menu. The all-day multi-cuisine outlet serves up a selection of hearty meals from local to international cuisines. The serving staff is given special safety gear, seating rearrangement is done to maintain a distance of minimum of 2 meters, physical menus are replaced with contact-less menus with the barcode, high-quality wipes are also provided instead of cloth napkins. Isn't that impressive?
12. Guppy
The award-winning Japanese restaurant by The Olive Group is now open for dine-in and delivery. The menu packs a range of exquisite sushi, sake, soups, salads, ramen and a lot more to keep you drooling. Daily temperature checks, mandatory handwash, regular disinfection of surfaces, boards and knives, sanitized workwear- are some of the impressive safety measures by the popular Lodhi Colony restaurant that is worth a mention.
(Also Read: Japanese Food: Top 10 Dishes from Sashimi to Yakitori Chicken)
13. Burma Burma
Burma Burma's Select CityWalk Mall's outlet is now open for delivery and dining. Authentic Burmese fare with a tinge of Thai and other Asian influences has fancied foodies for years. If you are a fan, this must be music to your years, right?
(Also Read: Savour A Wholesome And Authentic Burmese Fare With Burma Burma's New Menu)
14. Cafe Tesu
You loved sneaking into this cute and cosy cafe; nestled in Essex farm each time you yearned for some quality time with your partner or with yourself- and now that that dining is open again, we cannot be more excited. Fish fingers and fries, cappuccino, pancakes and six-cheese pizza are some of our most favourite Tesu staples.
(Also Read: Review: Not Just Coffee, Cafe Tesu Is A Must-Try For These Delicious Dishes Too)
15. Grammar Room
Unarguably one of Delhi's most picturesque deli, Grammar Room has also started dining. Guess it is time again to sit back with a cup of coffee and burrito bowl and admire the neatly done decor and foliages, overlooking the splendid Qutub Minar.
16. Social Cyber Hub
Your favourite place to unwind, bond and party has also opened its doors in Cyber Hub, Gurugram. Social is making 'social-distancing' cool with the new safety norms in place. Dig into all your favourite, quirky delicacies like butter chicken biryani, toofani paneer makhani and rejoice.
17. Cafe Delhi Heights
With a menu as quirky and eclectic, Cafe; Delhi Heights has earned scores of fans across Delhi. From juicy burgers, chaat, pasta, noodles, bruschetta and cheesecakes- Cafe; Delhi Heights's menu often leaves us spoilt for choice. They have now opened dining across most of their Delhi and NCR outlets.
18. Theobroma
Missed those fudgy brownies, deft croissants and delish tarts? Sulk no more! Your favourite patisserie Theobroma has opened stores at GK-2, SDA Market, Defence Colony, South Ex, New Friends Colony, Punjabi Bagh, Connaught Place, Malviya Nagar, MG Road, Galleria Market Gurugram, Central Plaza- Golf Course Road, Good Earth Centre- Gurugram, Ardee Mall, And Logix Mall Noida.
19. Sattvik
The clean vegetarian restaurant you all loved is all set to impress you again. Sattvik at SelectCitywalk is popular for its hearty vegetarian fare and intensely desi preparations like lotus stem chaat, vegetable seekh kababs, dhaba dal and 'sattvik' thali.