A Visit To Karims, Old Delhi

A visit to Old Delhi seems incomplete without a visit to the Karims. One of the oldest food joints at Chandni Chowk, serving lip-smacking Mughlai food. You can smell the rich aromatic spices from a far distance. This restaurant has been on my list for a long time. In the winter of 2018, I finally made a trip to Old Delhi exclusively to eat at the Karims.

The restaurant is more than 100 years old and is said to carry a secret recipe through generations. A historic restaurant located near Gali Kababian, Jama Masjid. If you’re visiting Chandni Chowk for the first time, you might face difficulties in finding the restaurant. However, don’t hesitate to ask for direction from the locals.

Best way to reach Karims?

Get down at the Jama Masjid metro station (Violet Line) and walk towards Jama Masjid’s gate number 4. Take the road opposite gate number 4 to enter the Chandni Chowk market. Walk straight and keep an eye on the left to spot Karims.

Interiors, seating and ambience

Queue outside the restaurant

Main restaurant seating area

The restaurant is not appealing when it comes to decor or ambience. There are two tiny enclosures. Each of which has a tight seating arrangement. If you visit the restaurant on the weekend, then you might encounter a long queue. The wait usually depends on the time of day you visit. Besides, if you’re travelling in a small group, you might end up sharing the table with a bunch of strangers. I visited Karims during peak lunch hours. Therefore, I had to wait for 45 minutes. The waiters are always in a hurry, which might leave you puzzled. But worry not! They listen to every word you say while ordering.

Food

Mutton kebabs

Mutton biryani

I loved everything when it came to food. From kebabs to curries, each of the dishes was heavenly in taste. I started with mutton seekh kebab, which is one of their specialities. It was so fresh and soft that it melted instantly inside my mouth. The taste was a perfect blend of tangy and spicy.

Tip: If you’re not a fan of spicy food, then you can have it with Rumali roti. It will help in neutralising the spice. However, don’t give this kebab a miss!

For mains, I ordered Mughlai Chicken, Butter Chicken and a plate of Mutton Biryani. Although I am not a fan of mutton, yet chose to order it as I was craving for biryani, and chicken one was unavailable. I am glad that I did. It turned out to be one of the nicest biryani that I’ve had in Delhi.

Mughlai Chicken was new for my taste buds. The gravy was mushy and spicy. Therefore, I chose Sheermal in bread to create a perfect balance of flavours. Butter Chicken, on the other hand, was tangy and sweet and went well with tandoori roti. I loved the fusion of flavours inside my mouth.

Quantity and Price

I was happy with the portions. Half a plate is good enough for two people. Therefore, I recommend ordering in small servings. Looking at its popularity, I found this place value for money.

Cost for two: 700 INR

Karims is my favourite when it comes to Mughlai food, and I am glad that it still holds on to its reputation. A must-visit restaurant when in Delhi.

Also, shoot me a message if you want to go on a food tour with me to Old Delhi. 😉