Delhi’s Holi treats you can’t miss

Chashni-soaked, dry fruit-laden gujiyas, malpua to gilori, dahi vada and refreshing thandai – are the quintessential flavours of Holi. You can also indulge in a perfect mix of these sweet and savoury delights on a Holi food trail across the city. Anubhav Sapra, founder of Delhi Food Walks, says, “Many of Delhi’s sweet shops serve traditional Holi specials. Old Delhi’s Chaina Ram Sindhi Halwai makes Sindhi gujiya and ghewar and Shiv Mishthan Bhandar’s malpua is a must-try if you are in Chandni Chowk. While dahi vada is available across Delhi, kaanji vada from local shops in Dilli-6, like Shri Shyam Kanji Corner, is a must-try for Holi.”

Holi food trail across the capital

• Start your festive binge with the karara ghewar from Madan Lal Halwai in Old Delhi, a crispy, sugary delight that perfectly complements the Holi vibe. Hira Sweets is the go-to place for balushahi, a golden, syrupy treat that melts in your mouth.
• Head to Chaina Ram Sindhi Halwai for Sindhi ghewar and meetha samosa, two classic festive treats that are simply unmissable.
• For a refreshing break from all the sweets, Raju Chaat in Ashok Vihar offers dahi bhalle, soft and tangy, just like a Holi splash.
• If you love bold flavours, grab a glass of kaanji vada from Padam Chaat in Chandni Chowk or Kinari Bazaar — spicy, tangy, and a true Holi essential.
• No Holi feast is complete without thandai, and Sudarshan Refreshment Centre in Chandni Chowk serves a nutty, aromatic version that captures the essence of the festival.
• Finally, cool off with kulfi falooda from Roshan Di Kulfi in Karol Bagh —creamy, dreamy, and the perfect way to end your festive food trail.

– Inputs by Abhishek Bhasin and Rohan Monga, co-founders of Namastey Culture

"Holi sweets are all about the classics and desi flavours. Shiv Mishthan Bhandar’s gujiyas and sohan halwa, Chaina Ram’s melt-in-the-mouth Karachi halwa, and Bengali Sweet House’s motichoor laddoos are my go-to treats. My husband swears by Gopal di Kulfi’s rasmalai, and Sudarshan’s crazy aloo kachori and thandai from Chawri Bazar are a must-have.
I did try the kunafa cake in Ashok Vihar recently—definitely worth adding to the Holi menu this time. But nothing beats traditional flavours, and, nothing beats my mum’s dahi bhalle. We make them together the night before Holi, along with gujiya," says food blogger Priyanka Sharma (@sadigaddi).

Pictures: Lokesh Kashyap