What to Eat in Delhi's Sundar Nagar Neighborhood

Modern Indian Cuisine: Masala House

Spread over two floors, the ambiance at Masala House is contemporary and elegant, with bright orange chairs and golden tones. The restaurant is part of a house of popular Indian restaurants in New York City, and it gives innovative twists to traditional Indian cuisine. There are dishes from all over India on the menu, particularly North India, Kerala, and the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu. For a relaxed feel, get seated on the top floor balcony area, which overlooks the Sundar Nagar market and gardens. The restaurant also has a bar with an international wine list and classic cocktails.

Try the Kadi Patta Jheenga (grilled prawns with curry leaf); Anarkali Tikki (quinoa and beetroot burger patty with peanut butter in it); Dum Biryani; signature Butter chicken; Bhatti ka Murg (chicken cooked in clay oven with garlic and pepper); Murg Chettinad (spicy chicken curry with coconut milk); Rava Meen Moilee (crusted river fish in coconut curry).

Expect to pay about 1,800 rupees ($25) for a meal for two, excluding alcohol. Opening hours are noon to 11.30 p.m. daily.

European Cuisine: Basil & Thyme

This famous family-run restaurant was established by legendary Parsi chef and food writer Bhicoo Manekshaw, and her son-in-law, in 1992. It relocated to Sundar Nagar in 2016. The new setting remains deliberately austere, with white being the dominant design shade. The idea is that guests will concentrate on the food and create their own experience from the blank canvas. The restaurant's menu features fine-dining French, Italian, and Greek cuisine that's planned around each season, so the ingredients are as fresh as possible. The quiche Lorraine, chicken liver pate, croissant, and gateaux Zara are legendary. There's also an international wine list. Expect to pay about 2,200 rupees ($30) for a meal for two, excluding alcohol.

Opening hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

American Diner Cuisine: SAZ American Brasserie

This new food kitchen and bar aims to provide a laid-back yet fun New Orleans experience. It gets its name from a classic New Orleans cocktail, the Sazerac, and there are more than a dozen different types of them on offer. The range includes a British Sazerac (made with London Dry Gin and Peychaud's Bitters), and After Dinner Sazerac (with Bourbon and Coffee Liqueur) and a House Sazerac (made with a special house blend of whiskey). The drinks are paired with dishes that celebrate American culinary classics like Smashed Avocado on Toast, Lobster Rolls, NYC Chicken Rice, BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Tenderloin Steak, Buffalo Chicken Wings, and Wood-Fired Pizzas. Captivating art representing New Orleans jazz instruments decorates the walls. The cocktail bar is situated in the same premises as members-only club À Ta Maison (meaning "at your home" in English). However, it's not necessary to be a member to visit the bar. Expect to pay about 2,500 rupees ($35) for a meal for two, excluding alcohol. Opening hours are noon to 1 a.m.

Sweets and Street Food: Nathu’s

Got a craving for comfort food? Or something sugary? Head to Nathu's! This iconic business has been making mouthwatering Indian sweets since 1939. They also serve hygienic north Indian street food, and south Indian snacks (dosa, vada, idli, uttapam). Four-course lunch buffets are available every day. Look for the chole bhature, papdi chaat, kachori and creamy dal makhani. If you're really hungry, choose a north or south Indian thali (platter). Expect to pay about 600 rupees ($8) for a meal for two. Opening hours are 8.30 a.m. to 11 p.m.