Budget Eats: Best State Canteens In Delhi And What You Must Order

Delhi is a melting pot of various people, cultures, traditions, and cuisines. Being the national capital, Delhi also serves as the official residence for state dignitaries and government officials. Thus, state canteens and bhavans have been set up—to serve as guest houses for dignitaries from other states.

For the public, these bhavans have set up canteens that serve authentic cuisines, allowing natives who are away from home to relish the dishes and also introduce the people of Delhi to various state cuisines. These five state bhavans take top-spot.

Andhra Bhavan

Andhra Bhavan is one of the earliest state canteens in the national capital. With a beeline of loyal diners always flocking the Andhra Bhavan, consider yourself lucky to find a spot there.

The Andhra Bhavan serves meals in large steel plates with circular molds for various dishes. The food is simple, easy on the pocket yet extremely delicious. Don’t forget to try their South Indian thali that includes dosa, vada, sambhar, and idli. Pair it with their iconic filter coffee. The canteen also serves mutton biryani, fried chicken, and Andhra curry among many other delectable options. Their Hyderabadi dum biryani is a Sunday special that one should not miss.

Address: 1, Ashoka Road, near India Gate, Pataudi House, New Delhi - 110001

Price for two: INR 450 

Timings: 8 am to 10:30 am, 12 pm to 4 pm, and 7pm to 9pm

Bangla Bhavan

For anyone who is intrigued by Bengali cuisine, Bijoli Grill in Bangla Bhavan is a must-visit. The menu offers both Chinese and Bengali delicacies with a compact roster of North Indian starters.

Fish orley, chicken braised cutlet, and kabiraji (fish/mutton/prawn mixed with onions and spices to be deep fried with egg coating) is a flavourful kickstarter for the meal. Vegetarian starters including beguni (slices of brinjal deep fried with a coating of besan) and mochar chop (deep fried, chopped banana flower coated with Bengali traditional spices) are unique options, too.

A hearty portion of aloo posto, chorchori (traditional Bengali mixed vegetable cooked with small lentil dumplings called bori), the mild and comforting sukto (vegetable stew), and begun basant bahar in mustard gravy are must try options for vegetarians. 

Non vegetarians must try their mangsher jhol (bone mutton preparation of Bengali spices in gravy), mochar chingri (chopped banana flowers with shrimp), bhetki paturi (banana leaf-wrapped and steamed boneless bhetki fish marinated with mustard paste and green chilli), and chicken dak bungalow. End your meal with traditional Bengali sweets like mishti doi, rosogolla, and rajbhog.

Address: 3, Hailey Road, Barakhamba Road

Price for two: INR 1200

Timings: 1 pm to 4 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm

Gujarat Bhawan 

Gujarat Bhawan is a one-stop-shop for all your Gujarati food cravings. Gujarati snacks like Fafda with fried mirchi (chilli) and curry, thepla with curd and achaar (pickle), white dhokla, batata vada, batata poha, khaman, khandvi, among others are diners’ favourite here.

But that's not all. The canteen also provides various options for lunch and dinner, including thalis and well-curated meals. The state canteen also includes North Indian, South Indian, and continental dishes.

Their Gujarati lunch has a special thali that includes an array of dishes including Gujarati daal, chhaas (buttermilk), paapad, thepla, along with a dessert. Don’t forget to try their mohan thaal and churma ladoo to end your meal on a sweet note. 

Address: 11, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri

Price for two: INR 500 

Timings: 8 AM to 10 AM, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, 7:30 PM to 10 PM

Maharashtra Sadan 

The spicy Maharashtrian cuisine comes alive at the Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi. The menu is exhaustive and includes options for snacks, starters, main course, and an appealing roster of desserts. 

Try the vada pav, misal pav, aloo bonda, and poha with chana rassa. From their main-course menu, sample pithla, zhunka, bharali wangi, and aloo wangi. Rice options, including varan bhat and masala bhat, go well with curry options. You can choose between the puran poli and amrakhand as your dessert.

Address: Behind Baroda house, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, India Gate

Price for two: INR 300 

Timings: 7 am to 3 pm, 7 pm to 10 pm

Tamil Nadu House

Tamil Nadu House in Delhi is another popular state Bhavan canteen. While it won’t burn a hole in your pocket, it will make up for a hearty and fulfilling meal!

Home to a long list of dosas and uttapam, you must try their Mysore Plain, Masala Dosa or even their Onion Rava Masala Dosa. Other dishes including their ghee pongal, rasa vadai, medhu vada, and mini sambhar idli are also enjoyed by many. They also provide North Indian snacks and dishes.

Address: Opposite Chanakya Theatre, Chanakyapuri

Price for two: INR 600

Timings: 7 am 11 am, 12:30 pm to 3;30 pm, and 7 pm to 10 pm.