Chef’s Choice: 7 Must-Visit Spots in Delhi for the Best Samosas

The fast-changing landscape of Delhi’s gastronomy has seen many recipes come and go. Some are fleeting, but then there are also the constants, embedded in the city’s social fabric. One such time-tested snack is the samosa (savoury Indian pastry). Known for its penchant for breathing life into dull evenings and sleepy mornings, the culinary wonder reigns over the food scene.

We asked chefs, bloggers, and those familiar with the city’s gastronomy where they head for their fill of samosa.

1. Mandi House

The epicentre of the city’s culture and art worlds, Mandi House has often been described as Delhi’s own ‘Broadway’. The story behind the name traces back to when the area belonged to the Raja of Mandi. Its long legacy has witnessed theatre, dance, music and heritage intersect. And, where there is entertainment, there is also food!

Samosa is one of Delhi’s gastronomic prides and can be found in all khau gallis of the national capital; Pictures source: (L): Vernika Awal, (R): Delhi Food Twins

It was on one visit to Mandi House that food consultant Taiyaba Ali stumbled upon a humble chai stall right outside the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts. Here, she discovered the samosa. “I found the place one winter evening while walking around Mandi House with my partner. It almost became a chai samosa date.”

2. Dadu Cutlet Shop

“Love at first bite” is how food writer Parul Pratap describes the samosa she sampled from the eatery in Chittaranjan Park in Delhi. “I grew up eating Punjabi samosas since I was born and brought up in Delhi. But in the early 90’s, my dad’s elder brother built his home in C R Park and I tried Bengali samosa for the first time.”

Singhara, as the samosa is referred to, is one among many gems at this eatery. The others include cutlets, telebhaja (fritters), and mughlai porota (a flaky pan-fried paratha stuffed with meats). And accompanying every serving is ketchup, spicy green chutney, curd-based dip, and mustard sauce.

3. Munni Lal Halwai

When Professor Pushpesh Pant, one of the world’s experts on Indian food, described the samosa as a “crude peasant dish” once — he was referring to its ability to appease society at large. The moniker is attributed to the samosa’s no-frills recipe.

For instance, Munni Lal Halwai has been packing a punch in their samosas since the 1940s at a rate that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. And adding flavour to the classic is chole (chickpea curry), onions and pudhina (mint) chutney.

4. Shri Bankey Bihari Samose Wale

In Delhi’s Paharganj, there lies a shop that has been doling out delicious samosas for over 60 years now. The samosas here hold the fancy of Ajay Raghav, a recipe curator who is always on the hunt for exquisite fare served by legendary and upcoming eateries. “Here you’ll find crispy samosa filled with flavoured mashed potatoes. They serve samosa with chole and the taste is just too good!”

Shri Bankey Bihari Samose Wale is a legendary shop that serves Delhi’s best samosas; Pictures source: (L): Food Walk With Sanju, (R): Ajay Raghav

Pointing out that the huge crowd garnered by the eatery owes to its proximity to New Delhi railway station, Ajay advises, “The best time to visit is winter. Do try the gulab jamuns (Indian sweet made with koya) here. They are silky smooth and warm.”

5. Rajesh Samosa

While the usual versions of the samosas are popular, their counterparts — such as the maha samosa (big samosa) and the mini samosa — have a comparable fan following. The latter finds expression in the menu at Rajesh Samosa opposite Scindia House in Delhi’s Connaught Place. 

Anubhav Sapra of Delhi Food Walks stumbled upon it on one of his walks and since then has been an ardent fan. “These bite-sized samosas pack a spicy punch and are ideal for a snack you can grab on the go. Their crispy shells and warm fillings are perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up,” he shares.

But while in the neighbourhood, Anubhav encourages you to wander around. The area is known for its gastronomy. Delectable evidence can be found in the chole bhature (chickpea gravy served with Indian flatbread), fresh fruit chaat (street food), cooling dahi bhalle (a dish that combines fluffy lentil dumplings soaked in creamy yogurt, topped with spices and chutneys), and paneer bread pakoda (fried snack with cottage cheese).

6. The Embassy Restaurant

Embassy is independent India’s first restaurant started in 1948. And food blogger Anushka Goel’s family are loyalists. “My parents introduced me to the samosas here when I was a kid. What excited me more than anything else was their size; they were so huge! I remember the first time I tasted the samosa — the huge, jumbo-sized snack was more than what my mom and I could finish together!” she says.

The samosas at The Embassy Restaurant in Connaught Place, Delhi are said to be some of the biggest versions in the city, Pictures source: (L): Ishan Mehta, (R): Chefs Spice Box

She continues, “The best part is that it is packed with chopped potatoes, peas and paneer (cottage cheese). It isn’t too spicy, the maida (flour) coating is thin and the accompanying mint chutney seals the deal, it is so good!”

7. Manohar Dhaba

With 60 layers enveloping a delicious filling, the Japani samosas resemble a puff pastry, and Manohar Dhaba prides itself on this fabled street eat. It is hearsay that the name is linked to the eatery being started in 1949 in wake of the Second World War, while another version is that the samosa resembles a Japanese hand fan.

At Manohar Dhaba, you have to make your way through the gorgeous crust to reach the delectable potato filling. The samosas here are served with pindi chole (chickpea gravy) and a sweet yellow chutney prepared using bottle gourd and mango.

The Japani samosas at Manohar Dhaba have 60 layers to bite through until you get to the crust; Picture source: Delhi Foods And Co

Edited by Pranita Bhat