India is a country known for its diverse and delicious cuisine. The cuisine dates back over 5000 years, and over the centuries, it has been influenced by many foreign arrivals, such as Persians, Mongols, British, Portuguese, and Chinese, among others.
In India, people take long routes only to munch on their favourite dishes. Be it the spicy street food of the north to the coastal seafood of the south, no matter what type of cuisine you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something to delight your taste buds.
Today, we have many modernised restaurants and cafes throughout the country where you can find various celebrated dishes, but one can not get a touché of heritage at these newbies. To get that feeling of nostalgia and heritage, you must have to get into these eateries in India.
Britannia and co.
Being a Mumbaikar, starting off the heritage list of eateries without Britannia and co. would be a sinful move for me. The city is home to various iconic Irani cafes, and currently, these are the only places in Mumbai where you can have a dose of heritage.
The restaurant was established in 1923 by Boman Kohinoor, and the place where it is located will surely remind you of the old times. When in the city, don’t miss out on having a cup of Irani chai with Bun Maska at the Britannia and co.
Cost for Two: ₹2,000
Address: 16, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai
Recommended Dishes: Berry Pulao, Dhansak, Patra ni Machi, Salli Boti, and Caramel Custard
Tunday Kababi
Every time I had meat with Lucknowis, all they had to say was, “Kabhi Lucknow Aao”, as the city is best known for its kebabs and nawabs. I haven’t got lucky to have a taste of meat in Lucknow, but I can recommend you a great place to have a feast of kebabs.
Established in 1905, Tunday Kababi is an affordable place to have a variety of kebabs that have no match. The founder of the place, Haji Murad Ali fell from the terrace when he was young and lost his left arm; that’s how the eatery got its name, Tunday Kababi.
Cost for Two: ₹400
Address: 168/6, Old Nazirabad Rd, Mohan Market, Lucknow
Recommended Dishes: Mutton Tunday Kebab, and Mutton Biryani
Moti Mahal
Do you like butter chicken or dal makhani? Please move ahead if you don’t! The delicious dishes were invented in the 1950s by Kundan Lal Jaggi, Thakur Dass, and Kundan Lal Gujral, the founders of the world-famous Moti Mahal restaurants.
One day, while experimenting, they added tomato sauce to their chicken curry, and the dish they made that day came into existence as butter chicken. The heritage restaurant has been serving people since 1947 and is one of the favourite places to eat amongst Delhites.
Cost for Two: ₹1200
Address: 3704, Netaji Subhash Marg, Old Dariya Ganj, Daryaganj, New Delhi
Recommended Dishes: Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Tandoori Chicken, and Keema Naan
Central Tiffin Room / Shri Sagar Restaurant
The first filtered coffee I ever had was from the Ram Ashraya, a simple restaurant located in the serene locality of Matunga, Mumbai. Since then, I’ve drunk down a lot of filtered coffee and was looking for the best version of it, which I had in CTR Shri Sagar, Bangalore.
Y. V. Subramanyam established the iconic restaurant in the 1920s, where they serve authentic South Indian delicacies. The place is heaven for dosa lovers, and one should not leave the city without having a scrumptious breakfast at the CTR Shri Sagar.
Cost for Two: ₹300
Address: 7th Cross, Margosa Road, Malleshwaram, Bangalore
Recommended Dishes: Benne Masala Dosa, Kesari Chow Chow Bhath, and Crispy Vadas
Shaikh Brothers Bakery
The capital of Assam, Guwahati, is not only home to the famous Kamakhya Temple, but the city also nests one of the oldest bakeries in India, Shaikh Brothers Bakery. The place was a favourite amongst British officials as well as Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
The place was established in 1885 by Shaikh Ghulam Ibrahim when he realised the potential of setting up a bakery in Assam when he was on a work tour in Assam. Even after 135+ years, the bakery hasn’t lost its pre-independence charm.
Cost for Two: ₹300
Address: 195, Hem Baruah Rd, Pan Bazaar, Guwahati
Recommended Dishes: Dry Cake, Hot Dog, and Chicken Pastry
Indian Coffee House
Situated on the busy college street of Kolkata, the Indian Coffee House is a place that brings nostalgia and heritage out of you. The place is not popular for its delicious food but known for being a part of our heritage.
The coffee house was established in 1876 and has been a favourite place to hang out and a renowned meeting place (adda) for intellectuals and students, such as Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, and Aparna Sen.
Cost for Two: ₹300
Address: 15, Bankim Chatterjee St, College Street, Kolkata
Recommended Dishes: Chicken Kabiraji, Hot Coffee, and Mutton Afghani Cutlet
Kesar Da Dhaba
The heritage list of eateries wouldn’t be complete without including a dhaba from the Indian state of Punjab, a place known for its foodies and roadside dhabas. Kesar Da Dhaba is a place where you can have authentic Punjabi food soaked in ghee.
The dhaba was established in 1916, and since then, it has been serving a great variety of Punjabi dishes to us. The dhaba will not provide you with a luxury ambience, but the food you’re going to get here will make a place of its own in your heart.
Cost for Two: ₹500
Address: Chowk Passian, Shastri Market, Near Town Hall, Amritsar
Recommended Dishes: Lacha Paratha, Malai Kofta, Punjabi Chhole, Dal Makhani, and Lassi
The rest of the heritage eateries
- Rayar’s Mess – Mylapore, Chennai
- Flury’s – Park Street Area, Kolkata
- Glenary’s – Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling
- Bharawan Da Dhaba – Town Hall, Amritsar
- Delhi Mistan Bhandar – Police Bazaar, Shillong
- Karim’s Hotel Pvt. Ltd. – Jama Masjid, New Delhi
- Leopold Café & Bar – Colaba Causeway, Mumbai
- United Coffee House – Connaught Place, New Delhi
- Vidyarthi Bhavan – Gandhi Bazaar, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru
- Dorabjee and Sons Restaurant – Dastur Meher Road, Chowk, Pune