Experience Ramadan in Delhi: Special Street Food Tours

Where to Get the Best Street Food During Ramadan Celebrations

By
Sharell Cook
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Sharell Cook
Sharell Cook lives in Mumbai full-time and has been writing about India travel for TripSavvy since 2008.
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Updated on 01/13/20
Ramadan or Ramazan prayer at Jama Masjid.
Ramadan or Ramazan prayer at Jama Masjid. J S Jaimohan/Getty Images.

The holy Muslim month of Ramadan takes place during May or June every year (the exact dates change). In 2020, Ramadan starts early on April 24 and concludes with Eid-ul-Fitr on May 23. Delhi has a vibrant and substantial Muslim community, and if you're a hardcore non-vegetarian, the festival is a fantastic opportunity to feast on fresh street food.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast daily from sunrise until sunset. In the evenings, the streets in traditional areas come alive with tantalizing aroma of delicacies to feed the famished. The meal, known as iftar, is the most important part of the day. People go all out to honor it by preparing delicious food items, which overflow into the streets. It's an all-night affair, as devotees also come out for the morning meal, sehar. This ends with the call to morning prayer around an hour and a half before sunrise.

One of the most famous areas for Ramadan celebrations in Delhi is around the grand mosque Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. Freshly roasted kebabs and other meat dishes are a highlight. An astonishing array of food stalls lines every street of Old Delhi. If you'd prefer to dine in a restaurant, rather than on the streets, there is Karim's.

Nizamuddin is another popular Ramadan location, as it's home to Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, the resting place of one of the world's most famous Sufi saints, Nizamuddin Auliya. It's renowned for the soulful sound of live qawwalis (Sufi devotional songs).

Special 2020 Ramadan Food Tours in Delhi

  • Reality Tours & Travel conducts special Ramadan Street Food tours to Old Delhi from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., departing from Connaught Place. The cost is 1,500 rupees per person, including all food. Book early as spots fill up fast. You'll get to learn about the walled old city. The tour also visits Jama Masjid. It's a fabulous local experience!
  • Delhi Food Walks usually leads special Ramadan food walks through the lanes of Old Delhi. Dates for 2020 are to be announced. For more details or to register, WhatsApp 9891121333 or email delhifoodwalks@gmail.com.