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Best Kebab Joints in Delhi

We’re big on food trails. We like to have you spoilt for choice. But, as North Indians, and Delhi residents, we’re all too aware of the popularity of the Kebab and the places that serve them. So, we did this. We asked the expert- Anubhav Sapra behind Delhi Food Walks. Here, they weigh in on their top 11 picks, and exactly what to order.

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Qureshi Kebab Corner

Another hole in the wall establishment, they churn out the best Mutton, Chicken and Buff Seekh Kebabs in the business.

Where: Urdu Bazar, Jama Masjid

Contact: 9717326041

Karim’s

An iconic establishment, rumour has it the Jama Masjid outlet offers the best version if its fare. What we recommend? The mutton Seekh Kebabs. For a more comfortable, convenient and clean experience, try the Karim’s at India Islamic Centre.

Where: House no 16, Gali Kababian, Jama Masjid

Contact: 011 23269880

Majeed’s

Another Kakori hot spot, Majeed’s is a takeaway joint, so you can enjoy their succulent, perfectly spiced, cotton soft, pudina flavoured and the city famous Kakori kebabs in the comfort of your car and/or home.

Where: Shop 8 & 9, B 7, LSP, Vasant Kunj

Contact: 011 33105705

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Bhaijaan Kebabs

This one only opens its doors at 4.30pm, so don’t try and make lunch plans. Affectionately named after the owner’s fathers’s nick name, no one does a mean Shaami Kebab quite like Bhaijaan does. By which we mean, the restaurant.

Where: Shop No 2202, Bazar Chitli Qabar near Jama Masjid

Contact: 9899145777, 9873425298

Kale Baba ke Kebabs

For the uninitiated, they’re popular for their Sutli Kebabs, kebabs so soft, they have to be held together with a twine of thread. You actually have to hold the thread tied over the kebab from one end, and it spreads on your plate, when unfolded. Sutli Kebabs are served on a green leaf, with radish and mint chutney.

Where: Sui Walana, Chitli Qabar, Bazar Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid

Captain’s Kebab

Most definitely a no-frills eatery, it won’t matter after one taste of the Galouti Kebab paired with their Ulte Tawe ke Parantha. They also home deliver, in case hygiene {and the sight of it} is TMTH.

Where: 3778, Autar Bhawan, Netaji Subhash Marg, Kalan Mahal, Darya Ganj

Contact: 09871595054

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Ustad Moinudin Kebabs

For melt in your mouth, buff seekh kebabs, Ustad Moinuddin has magic in his hands, evident by his perfectly spiced, fatted, minced meat. These kebabs are served with onion rings, lemon and chutney.

Where: At the mouth of Gali Qasimjan, Lal Kuan, Ballimaran. This place is also famous by the name Sangam Biryani as Ustad Moinuddin’s son sells biryani in the day time.

Contact: 9891197023

Talib Kebab

Buff seekh kebabs and buff tikka served with onions and chutney. Their tikkas are truly delectable, soft and succulent small pieces, grilled on charcoal wood.

Where: Near the mosque in Zakir Nagar market.

Contact: 9891648787

Al Kakori Al Kauser

Evergreen for their Kakoris, their outdoor seating, and the many imported liquor stores around it, Al Kauser will make it to any and every Kebab list. Blame it on the consistent melt-in-your-mouth feature of the kebab, the perfect amount of spice, and the choice of it as a roll.

Where: 30, Vasant Place Market, Amar Shaheed Premnath Dogra Marg, Near Malai Mandir

Contact: 9810057786

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Al Rashida’s

Tucked away in the by-lanes of Zakir Nagar, famous for its North Indian fare, you won’t know a Galauti until you’ve sampled theirs. Expect it to be a heavy meal, and we suggest a visit on an empty stomach. Don’t be scared by the amount of oil they use; try and look the other way, and just focus on how the kebab will melt in your mouth.

Where: Shop no 2, Main Road, Gali No 12, Zakir Nagar-Jamia Nagar

Contact: 011 66889062

Ghalib Kebab Corner

Equipped to seat but ten people, seems like they utilize all their resources in perfecting the Mutton Shammi Kebab. So much so, that they seem to sell out early in the evening. Also, bear with the staff if they seem hurried and/or rude; we suggest not to rile them up too much. You probably won’t have the time, those Shammi Kebabs are solid.

Where: Shop 57, Ghalib Road, Near Lal Mahal, Nizamuddin

Contact: 9810786479

If you want to take a curated food walk with Delhi Food Walks, get in touch with them here.

Alternatively follow them on Facebook here, and on Instagram @delhifoodwalks

Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra is an avid foodie! He is a Founder but proudly calls himself a Foodie-in-chief at Delhi Food Walks. He is also a street-food and Indian regional cuisine connoisseur and loves to write about street-food.
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Bhaijaan Kebabs

Bhaijaan Kebabs

By Anubhav Sapra

Last Sunday, Delhi Food Walks conducted its first community food walk of 2015 – the Kebab and Biryani Trail in Old Delhi. The food walk started with galouti kebabs and ended with the famous sutli kebabs of Bazar Matia Mahal. The highlight of the kebab trail was Bhaijaan Kebabs. The name of the shop itself will arouse the curiosity of anyone visiting the shop. When I first visited the shop, I was expecting a well-built, husky fan of the Bollywood star Salman Khan. However, I met the rather gracious owner, Mohd. Shamim, who started selling kebabs three years back just out of his passion and love for kebabs. The shop is run by his son, Ubaid, and his cousins, Javed and Ameen.

WP_20150110_18_43_17_ProLet me tell you the location and directions to reach his shop. Keep walking straight in Bazar Matia Mahal until you reach Chitli Qabar Chowk, then take a right turn from there, and ask anyone the directions to the famous Flora Bakery. Bhaijaan Kebabs are right opposite Flora Bakery. The complete address is shop no. 2202, Bazar Chitli Qabar, Opp. Flora Bakery, Delhi-6. The shop is closed on Tuesdays. You can contact Bhaijaan Kebabs on the following numbers – 9811020272, 9899145777.

The shop is named Bhaijaan (literally, brother) Kebabs because the age difference among the siblings in Mohd. Shamim’s family was not much and everyone in the family started calling him “bhaijaan”. Bhaijaan, originally a contractor for painting work, used to invite his family and friends for daawat back at home. His kebabs were so delectable that the guests who tasted his kebabs in dawaats convinced him to take his passion of cooking to the next level and open a kebab shop. He opened a small shop selling chicken shami kebabs in a narrow alley in Chitli Qabar.

WP_20150110_18_31_22_ProAn interesting part of the most of food joints in Old Delhi is that they specialize in a particular dish and pass the recipes from one generation to the next without tweaking the recipes. Keeping alive the Old Delhi tradition, Bhaijaan Kebabs sells only one kind of kebabs – shami kebabs. The keema of shami kebabs are made with chane ki daal, dried red chillies, green chillies, and Bhaijaan’s secret spices. A piece of kebab costs Rs. 10 and a kg of keema for shami kebabs is Rs. 200. The kebabs are half fried and kept in a glass box. On order, the shami kebabs are deep fried, chaat masala is sprinkled over it, and is served with green chutney and onion in a dona. The kebabs are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The uniqueness of his kebabs are the fibres which one can experience in the first bite. The taste of the kebabs was delicious, and the spices and whole red chillies added to the interesting mix of flavours.

The kebab lovers moved in to another lane of Chitli Qabar for sutli kebabs after relishing the taste of Bhaijaan’s fibrous shami kebabs.

Anubhav Sapra
Anubhav Sapra is an avid foodie! He is a Founder but proudly calls himself a Foodie-in-chief at Delhi Food Walks. He is also a street-food and Indian regional cuisine connoisseur and loves to write about street-food.