Delhi is a city full of amazing food. Every street, every market, and every corner has something delicious to offer. And when it comes to the best butter chicken in Delhi, this city is truly in a league of its own.
Whether someone is visiting Delhi for the first time or has lived here all their life, eating butter chicken here is a must. This guide covers all the top butter chicken restaurants in Delhi from the place where it was first made to the best spots across the city right now.
How Butter Chicken Was Born in Delhi
Before jumping into the restaurant list, it helps to know a little about where this dish comes from.
Butter chicken, also called murgh makhani, was created in the 1950s at Moti Mahal restaurant in Daryaganj, Old Delhi. The story goes that leftover tandoori chicken was added to a simple tomato, butter, and cream gravy — and the result was so good that it became a permanent dish on the menu.
From that small beginning in Old Delhi, butter chicken went on to become one of the most popular Indian dishes in the world. The smoky tandoor-roasted chicken cooked in a rich, creamy tomato gravy — that combination is what made Delhi cuisine famous across the globe.
What Makes Delhi’s Butter Chicken Different
The Tandoor Makes All the Difference
In Delhi’s best Punjabi restaurants and dhabas, chicken is marinated overnight in yoghurt and aromatic spices. It is then roasted in a clay tandoor at very high heat. This gives the chicken a light char on the outside and a juicy, smoky flavour on the inside — something a regular pan or oven simply cannot match.
The Creamy Tomato Gravy
The gravy in a good murgh makhani is slow-cooked and rich. Tomatoes are cooked down until thick, then mixed with butter, fresh cream, and sometimes cashew paste. The spice blend is warm and mild — not too spicy — which is why so many people love it. The result is a silky smooth, deep-flavoured sauce that is hard to resist.
Slow Cooking Is the Key
Great butter chicken is never rushed. The tandoor-roasted chicken pieces are added to the gravy and left to cook slowly. This slow cooking process lets the chicken soak up all the flavours from the sauce, making every bite incredibly satisfying.
Top Butter Chicken Restaurants in Delhi
Here is a list of the best places to eat butter chicken in Delhi — tried, tested, and loved by locals and visitors alike.
1. Moti Mahal — Daryaganj, Old Delhi
Where It All Started
This is the original. Moti Mahal in Daryaganj is the birthplace of butter chicken, and eating here feels like tasting a piece of Indian food history. The dish here is true to the original recipe — slightly smoky, mildly sweet from the tomatoes, and finished with cream that makes the gravy incredibly smooth.
The naan bread is soft and perfectly made, and the portions are very generous. It is a must-visit for anyone who wants to understand what real Delhi cuisine tastes like.
- Must Order: Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Naan
- Best For: Families, first-time visitors, food history lovers
- Feel: Simple, traditional, no-frills but very good
- Where: Daryaganj, Central Delhi
2. Gulati Restaurant — Pandara Road, South Delhi
A South Delhi Favourite Since 1959
Pandara Road is one of the most famous food streets in Delhi, and Gulati is its most well-known restaurant. Open since 1959, it has been serving butter chicken to generations of Delhi families, and the recipe has stayed great throughout.
Gulati’s butter chicken has a thick, deep orange gravy that is creamy and mildly spiced. The chicken is soft and well-marinated, and when paired with roomali roti or butter naan, it becomes a complete, filling meal.
- Must Order: Butter Chicken, Roomali Roti, Tandoori Platter
- Best For: Family dinners, weekend lunches
- Feel: Busy, warm, classic North Indian dining
- Where: Pandara Road, South Delhi
3. Pindi Restaurant — Pandara Road, South Delhi
Rich, Bold, and Very Punjabi
Sitting right next to Gulati on Pandara Road, Pindi is another restaurant that has stood the test of time. The name comes from Rawalpindi, and the food reflects the bold, hearty cooking of Punjabi cuisine.
Pindi’s butter chicken has a deeper tomato base and a slightly richer gravy than most other places. The generous use of butter makes it very flavourful. For those who like their murgh makhani on the heartier side, this is the place to go.
- Must Order: Butter Chicken, Seekh Kebab, Laccha Paratha
- Best For: Groups, couples, Punjabi food fans
- Feel: Traditional, well-served, comfortable
- Where: Pandara Road, South Delhi
4. Kake Da Hotel — Near Connaught Place, Central Delhi
Budget-Friendly and Absolutely Delicious
Kake Da Hotel looks small and simple from the outside, but the food here is truly special. This well-known dhaba-style restaurant near Connaught Place has been a go-to spot for Delhi locals for many decades.
The butter chicken here is rustic and full of flavour — more like what one would get at a Punjabi dhaba than a polished restaurant. The gravy has visible texture, a hand-ground spice character, and a satisfying depth of flavour. It is also one of the most budget-friendly places for butter chicken in Delhi, making it perfect for students and solo travellers.
- Must Order: Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Butter Naan
- Best For: Solo meals, office lunch, budget dining
- Feel: Old Delhi dhaba energy, simple and honest
- Where: Near Connaught Place, Central Delhi
5. Bukhara — ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri
The Finest Dining Experience in Delhi
For those looking for a high-end butter chicken experience in Delhi, Bukhara at ITC Maurya is in a class of its own. This world-famous restaurant has been open since 1977 and is one of the most celebrated places for North Indian cuisine anywhere in the world.
The chicken is marinated for 24 hours and roasted in large tandoors, giving it an incredible depth of smoky flavour. The murgh makhani here is made from a recipe that has barely changed in decades. Everything about the dining experience — the food, the service, and the setting — is top-notch.
- Must Order: Murgh Makhani, Dal Bukhara, Sikandari Raan
- Best For: Special occasions, business dinners, international guests
- Feel: Upscale, warm, world-class
- Where: ITC Maurya Hotel, Chanakyapuri
6. Dhaba by Claridges — Lutyens’ Delhi
Punjabi Comfort Food, Done Beautifully
Dhaba by Claridges takes the warmth of a Punjabi dhaba and adds a touch of elegance to it. The restaurant is well-loved in the Lutyens’ Delhi area for its honest North Indian cooking in a comfortable setting.
Their butter chicken is made with free-range chicken, a house spice blend, and a slow-cooked cream-and-tomato gravy that is smooth and deeply flavoured. It is a great choice for a relaxed but quality meal.
- Must Order: Butter Chicken, Sarson Ka Saag, Makki di Roti
- Best For: Date nights, family dinners
- Feel: Cosy, relaxed, slightly upscale
- Where: Near Connaught Place
7. Punjab Grill — Select Citywalk, Saket
Modern Take on a Classic Dish
Punjab Grill is a popular restaurant in South Delhi that brings a fresh, modern approach to traditional Punjabi food. Their butter chicken is lighter on cream and stronger on tomato flavour, making it a slightly healthier version that still tastes great.
The service is good, the ambience is lively, and the food is consistently well-made. It is a favourite among young professionals and families in the Saket area.
- Must Order: Butter Chicken, Amritsari Fish, Missi Roti
- Best For: Group dinners, birthday outings, casual fine dining
- Feel: Modern, bright, energetic
- Where: Select Citywalk Mall, Saket, South Delhi
8. Karim’s — Near Jama Masjid, Old Delhi
A Taste of Old Delhi’s History
Karim’s has been feeding people since 1913 and is one of the oldest restaurants in Delhi. While it is most famous for its Mughal-inspired cuisine and mutton dishes, the butter chicken here has its own loyal following.
The flavour here is slightly bolder and more intense than most other places. The spices are more assertive, and the gravy has a deeper, darker colour. For anyone doing an Old Delhi food tour, stopping at Karim’s is absolutely worth it.
- Must Order: Butter Chicken, Mutton Burra, Sheermal
- Best For: Old Delhi food tours, history lovers
- Feel: Raw, atmospheric, and completely authentic
- Where: Near Jama Masjid, Old Delhi
9. Sikandar — Khan Market
A Quiet Gem in Khan Market
Khan Market is one of the most upscale markets in Delhi, and Sikandar is one of its best-kept secrets for North Indian food. Their butter chicken is well-balanced — not too sweet, not too spicy — with a nice hint of smokiness from the tandoor.
It is a great place for a quiet lunch or a relaxed dinner without any rush.
- Must Order: Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Garlic Naan
- Best For: Casual lunches, date nights
- Feel: Relaxed, neighbourhood-friendly
- Where: Khan Market, New Delhi
10. Havemore Restaurant — Pandara Road, South Delhi
The Underrated One on Pandara Road
Havemore does not get as much attention as its famous Pandara Road neighbours, but it deserves far more credit. Open since 1955, this restaurant has been quietly serving great North Indian food to loyal regulars for over six decades.
The butter chicken here is thick, creamy, and very satisfying. There is no fancy plating or extra frills — just good, honest food on the plate. Paired with a flaky paratha and a glass of lassi, it is one of the most complete meals one can have in Delhi.
- Must Order: Butter Chicken, Paratha, Raita
- Best For: Families, weekend meals
- Feel: Old-school, homely, no-nonsense
- Where: Pandara Road, South Delhi
Where to Find Butter Chicken in Different Parts of Delhi
Not everyone can travel across the whole city for one meal. Here is a quick area-wise breakdown.
Old Delhi
This is where it all began. Moti Mahal in Daryaganj and Karim’s near Jama Masjid are the two best picks here. The streets around Chandni Chowk and the Parathe Wali Gali area also have many small eateries worth exploring. Old Delhi food has a raw, real quality that is very different from anywhere else.
South Delhi
Pandara Road is the go-to spot for butter chicken in South Delhi. Gulati, Pindi, and Havemore are all on this one street and together have more than 200 years of combined history. Saket and Hauz Khas also have great options like Punjab Grill.
Central Delhi — Connaught Place Area
Kake Da Hotel is perfect for budget-friendly butter chicken here. For something a bit fancier, Dhaba by Claridges is close by. Central Delhi works well for people who want to eat well without travelling too far.
Lutyens’ Delhi
For a luxury meal, Bukhara at ITC Maurya is the top choice. It is widely regarded as one of the best Indian restaurants in the world and is worth every rupee for a special occasion.
North Delhi — Karol Bagh and Rohini
North Delhi has many beloved local dhabas that have been feeding loyal regulars for generations. The Karol Bagh area in particular has excellent Punjabi dhabas where butter chicken comes in big portions at very low prices — great for budget travellers and students.
Budget Guide: Butter Chicken for Every Budget
Delhi has options for everyone, no matter what the budget is.
Under ₹300 per person: Head to Kake Da Hotel or the dhabas in Karol Bagh for a hearty, filling meal at a very low price.
₹500–₹1,200 per person: Gulati, Pindi, Havemore, and Sikandar all fall in this range. Good food, comfortable seating, and a proper dining experience.
₹2,000 and above per person: Bukhara, Dhaba by Claridges, and Punjab Grill are the best choices here. These are ideal for special dinners or when someone simply wants the very best.
What to Eat With Butter Chicken
Butter chicken tastes great on its own, but the right side dishes make it even better.
- Naan Bread — Soft, buttery, slightly charred. Plain or garlic naan is the most popular choice.
- Dal Makhani — Another slow-cooked Punjabi classic. Ordering both together makes for a perfect North Indian meal.
- Laccha Paratha — The flaky, layered bread is great for scooping up the creamy tomato gravy.
- Jeera Rice — Light, cumin-flavoured rice that balances the richness of the dish nicely.
- Raita — A simple cucumber or boondi raita helps cut through the heaviness of the gravy.
- Lassi — A glass of sweet or salted lassi is the perfect drink to go with any Punjabi meal.
Helpful Tips Before Visiting
Go Early or Book a Table: Places like Gulati and Pindi on Pandara Road fill up fast on weekends. Getting there by 1 PM for lunch or 7:30 PM for dinner helps avoid a long wait.
Ask for Extra Gravy: At most restaurants, extra gravy can be requested at little or no extra cost. Very useful for those who love dipping their naan.
Always Try the Dal Makhani Too: Almost every great butter chicken restaurant in Delhi also makes excellent dal makhani. The two dishes go hand in hand — order both if possible.
Explore Local Dhabas: Some of the best butter chicken in Delhi is found not in big restaurants but in small, simple dhabas tucked into markets and residential areas. Locals always know the best hidden spots.
Visit Moti Mahal at Least Once: No matter what else is eaten in Delhi, a visit to the original Moti Mahal in Daryaganj is a must. It is not just a meal — it is a piece of Indian food history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was butter chicken first made?
Butter chicken was first made at Moti Mahal restaurant in Daryaganj, Old Delhi, in the 1950s.
What is the difference between butter chicken and chicken makhani?
They are the same dish. “Murgh makhani” is the Hindi name, and “butter chicken” is the English name. Both refer to the same tandoor-roasted chicken in a creamy tomato gravy.
Is butter chicken the same as chicken tikka masala?
Not exactly. Butter chicken has a milder, creamier, and slightly sweeter gravy. Chicken tikka masala tends to be spicier and more tomato-heavy. Also, butter chicken is a Delhi dish, while chicken tikka masala is more closely linked to British-Indian restaurants.
Which is the most famous butter chicken restaurant in Delhi?
Moti Mahal in Daryaganj is the most historically important, as it is the birthplace of the dish. For everyday dining, Gulati on Pandara Road is one of the most consistently praised options.
Do these restaurants serve vegetarian food too?
Yes. Most of these restaurants have great vegetarian options like dal makhani, paneer makhani, and various vegetable dishes alongside their butter chicken.
Final Thoughts
Delhi and butter chicken share a bond that no other city in the world can claim. This dish was born here, grew here, and became one of the most loved Indian foods on the planet — all starting from a small kitchen in Old Delhi.
Whether the plan is a quick lunch at a local dhaba in Karol Bagh, a classic family dinner on Pandara Road, or a special evening at Bukhara — every version of butter chicken in Delhi tells its own story.
For food lovers visiting Delhi, or even locals who have not yet done a proper butter chicken trail — this is the best time to start. One plate at a time.
