The Culinary Chronicles: The Oldest Restaurants in India and their Signature Delicacies

Avid foodies would love to know that our country is home to some of the finest and oldest restaurants that have been offering quality food for a while. Their signature dishes certainly have a magical taste. Once you have them, you will always come back for more. The oldest restaurants in India have been around even before the country got its independence! Their culinary expertise only increased over time and all the changes they made in the course of time only resulted in making their end product all the more mouth-watering!

If you are searching for restaurants in India that offer unique food with out-of-the-world taste, we have the deets for you! Here are the 10 restaurants that you must check out and we also mentioned their famous delicious delights. 

While you travel across India to explore these gems, book your stay at Treebo Hotels for a remarkable vacation experience. Moreover, you can also find hotels that are close to your favourite restaurants and cafes. 

From breakfast to dinner, these places offer you the best menu options to check out! 

Also Read: 12 ICONIC BAKERIES IN INDIA TO VISIT FOR THE BEST BAKED CONFECTIONS

Know About The Renowned Restaurants in India!

1 – Paragon Restaurant – Kozhikode

Paragon is one of the best restaurants in India to try out some Kerala cuisine. This place has been around since 1939 and even after 84 years, people still praise the handwork of the chefs and the hospitality of the place. The restaurant also serves Malabar cuisine along with continental Arabic, Chinese and Thai delicacies. But if you are visiting Paragon, you must definitely try their biryani range! The food lovers go gaga over their chicken and mutton biryanis that have a Keralite touch to them. All the spices are locally sourced and freshly made to keep the taste of biryani as authentic as possible. Moreover, Paragon is also recognised as the 11th most legendary restaurant in the world this year! Paragon is not just a food place where you can grab ‘something’ to eat but an iconic house of rich flavours that stands out as an exemplary dining choice. 

Address: Kannur Rd, near CH Over bridge, Kozhikode, Kerala 673001
Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Special Dish: Biryani

2 – Tunday Kababi – Lucknow

A good kebab will always set your mood right and take you on a rollercoaster ride of effluent flavours. If you are a kebab fan, there is no way you haven’t heard about Tunday Kababi in Lucknow. This rich Middle Eastern cuisine has seen several variations over the years and each region makes it in their own style. However, Tunday Kababi likes to stick to authentic recipes and you will find that these kebabs literally melt in your mouth! People of Lucknow and several other food enthusiasts travel long distances to get a bite of these delectable kebabs. We assure you that the trip to this place is worth it and the sizzling hot delicacies are sure to impress your taste buds. It is one of the best restaurants in India for a quick satisfying snack.

Address: 168/6, Old Nazirabad Rd, Mohan Market, Khayali Ganj, Aminabad, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226018
Timings: 11:00 AM – 12:15 AM
Special Dish: Galouti Kebab

3 – Mavali Tiffin Rooms – Bangalore

If you are a resident of Bengaluru, you already know that MTR or Mavali Tiffin Rooms is the hangout spot for people from all walks of life. Students come here in the evening after their classes, and office going crowd grabs their morning coffee and tea from here. After the sun sets, you will see couples and groups of friends hanging out and chit-chatting. Initially, MTR started its business in 1924 as a coffee stall and idli centre. Now, it serves a variety of breakfast dishes including medu vada, dosa, upma and more! But the special rava idlis that you find here are so spectacular that you’ll not want to have idlis anywhere else. The tasty coconut and peanut chutney that comes with the idlis is the cherry on top! 

Address:  305, 100 Feet Rd, Indira Nagar 1st Stage, Stage 1, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560037
Timings: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Special Dish: Rava Idli

Also Read: FROM ART TO HUMAN INTERACTIONS: 10 MOST EXCITING EVENTS IN BANGALORE TO ATTEND

4 – Hotel Shadab – Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the city of Nizams! The place where you will find the best chilli chicken, roasted chicken, shawarma, and of course, the brilliant Hyderabadi Biryani. If you want to taste the best Hyderabadi Biryani, you must visit Hotel Shadab in the old city. This is one of the best restaurants in India for tasting authentic Mughalai-style chicken and Mutton biryani. They use huge aluminium utensils to make several kgs of biryani every day and there is always demand for more! The seats are occupied at all times and you will have to wait a few minutes before they can find a table for you. There is no reservation system so you will have to go with the first come, first serve approach. But as soon as you taste the biryani, you are sure to forget all that hassle and the sweet-floral aroma of the spiced rice will relax your mind! Shadab is also the best place to treat your midnight food cravings!

Address:  Madina Circle, 21-1-140-144, Near High Court, High Court Rd, Charminar, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500012
Timings: 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Special Dish: Hyderabadi Chicken and Mutton Biryani

5 – Glenary’s – Darjeeling

Glenary’s is one of the most beautiful restaurants in India with a splendid mountain view. The picture-perfect setup coupled with the right kind of food makes this place stand out as a remarkable dining choice in Darjeeling. You must try their refreshing Darjeeling tea followed by their dessert options. You can have apple pie, mango tarts, cinnamon buns, cream buns and more! But you must come here in the mornings to try out the English breakfast! With hash browns, eggs, chicken sausages, bread-butter and many other compiled options to choose from, the breakfast at Gleanary’s is definitely worth your every penny! You can enjoy having your food in a very aesthetic space and the social media stars can surely get some amazing pictures from Glenary’s!

Address: Nehru Road Near Clock Tower, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101
Timings: 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Special Dishes: Darjeeling Tea; English Breakfast

6 – Peter Cat – Kolkata

Peter Cat is a terrific restaurant that brings the best of both worlds to your doorstep! Don’t get it? Well, the dishes in Peter Cat are a fusion of Indian with other famous cuisines like continental and Middle Eastern. For instance, their famous dish, Chelo Kebab, brings you the spicy awesomeness of kebab with the buttery goodness of rice. The Chelo kebab platter has a sunny side up, buttery rice, kebab and some veggies. The owner and founder of Peter Cat wanted to change the notion that kebab is always eaten directly or in combination with roti. His creation gained popularity and people started to flock in to try the Chelo kebab. In no time, the man bought extra tandooris to make kebabs and meet the increasing demand! Peter Cat also has a minimalistic interior and the simple dining space has a very peaceful vibe. You will definitely enjoy your meals in the place. 

Address: Stephen Court Building, 18 A, Park St, opposite KFC Restaurant, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
Timings: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Special Dish: Chelo Kebab

7 – Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba – Haryana

Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba is one of the best family-friendly restaurants in India and offers a menu with a wide range of Indian dishes. The place was established in 1956 when Sardar Prakash Singh set up the Dhaba to provide a good dining space for truck drivers. Then his sons Amrik and Sukhdev Singh took over the business and expanded the layout to accommodate family and friends as well. The classic interior is really impressive and you can have most of the North and South Indian dishes from this place. But their speciality continues to be their range of Parathas. They give a tremendously delicious twist to the regular aloo paratha! They are not going to reveal their expert recipe but you can always have their Aloo Paratha and try to figure out what they add to make it taste so heavenly. End your meal with the Indian dessert options that Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba offers. 

Address: No.52, 250KM Stone, Grand Trunk Rd, Murthal, Haryana 131039
Timings: Open 24 Hours
Special Dish: Aloo Paratha

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8 – Dorabjee and Sons – Pune

Dorabjee and Sons is a terrific restaurant in India, especially if you are looking for authentic Parsi food place. It was established way back in 1878 and still remains one of the most sought-after restaurants in Pune. The founder, Sorabjee Dorabjee, kickstarted his business by starting a small tea stall where you can get biscuits, buns, and Iranian chai! Then, Dorabjee and Sons stood as a common ground that welcomed Indians as well as Britishers with open arms. Here, everyone bonded over good food and there was no scope for hatred and ill intentions. Even today, the owners of Dorabjee and Sons aim to stick to their morals and beliefs. They are not looking forward to huge profits but to keep the traditional taste and quality of their Parsi dishes as authentic and lip-smackingly delicious as possible. It is a small place with steel tables and plain walls. But the food is rich in a tapestry of impressive flavours that are sure to blow your mind!

Address: 845, Dastur Meher Road, Sharbat Wala, Chowk, Pune, Maharashtra 411001
Timings: 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Special Dish: Parsi Food

9 – Ram Ashraya – Mumbai

Ram Ashraya is a simple three-day meal place in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is a very good South Indian Restaurant in Mumbai and a must-visit spot for some good breakfast. You can stop by before going to the office or if you want a light dinner. They have very good beverage options as well. The rava upma in Ram Ashraya is so good that it melts on your tongue! Moreover, the chefs add a splash of ghee to the dish so that the taste is elevated by several levels! A cup of coffee and upma in the morning can keep you full for at least 3 hours and then you can go ahead and have a good lunch.

Address: Shop 3-6 ground floor, Jamnadas Mansion, Bazar, Laxmi Narayan Ln, Matunga (C.R.), Matunga East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019
Timings: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Special Dish: Rava Upma

10 – Moti Mahal – Delhi

Moti Mahal in Delhi is going to remain one of the most famous restaurants in India. Have you heard about Dal Makhani and Butter Chicken? What if we told you that both of these classic dishes have come from this restaurant? Mr. Kundan Lal, the founding father of Moti Mahal was desperately looking for a solution to make sure that his chicken doesn’t dry out soon. The regular chicken curry recipe would turn the meat hard after it loses its warmth and becomes cold. He was in search of a sauce or an ingredient that would keep the chicken juicy until the guests completed their meal. That’s when he came up with the butter chicken sauce recipe and even today, people go mad over some butter chicken and naan! Here, you can taste their classic Tandoori chicken which is inspired by Middle Eastern dishes but is made entirely in an Indian style. You won’t regret having a scrumptious meal at Moti Mahal. You can also try their north and south Indian thalis. 

Address: 3704, Netaji Subhash Marg, Old Dariya Ganj, Daryaganj, New Delhi, Delhi, 110002

Timings: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM

Special Dish: The Butter Chicken, The Dal Makhani, The Tandoori Chicken

So, which one of these restaurants in India are you going to visit first? Let us know in the comments section below.