Top Places in India to Experience Royal Recipes and Regal Dining

If you’re looking to indulge in royal recipes and experience the grandeur of traditional royal cuisine, India offers several magnificent destinations. From Mughal-inspired feasts to Rajasthani delicacies, these places let you savor dishes once reserved for kings and nobles.

1. Bukhara (New Delhi)

Why it’s great: Located in ITC Maurya, Bukhara is one of India’s most iconic restaurants. It specializes in tandoor-style cooking, a hallmark of Mughal kitchens.

Notable Dishes: Dal Bukhara, Murg Malai Tikka, Naan Bukhara, Biryani.

What makes it royal: The recipes draw inspiration from the Mughal emperors’ feasts, offering a luxurious and authentic dining experience.

Location: ITC Maurya, New Delhi.

2. Rajdhani (Multiple Locations)

Why it’s great: Rajdhani offers an elaborate Rajasthani thali served in traditional style. It’s a feast that captures the spirit of royal dining.

Notable Dishes: Dal Baati Churma, Gatte ki Sabzi, Ker Sangri, Laal Maas.

What makes it royal: The dishes reflect a blend of everyday and royal recipes from Rajasthan’s palaces.

Location: Across India.

3. The Royal Kitchen (Jaipur)

Why it’s great: Situated in the City Palace of Jaipur, this restaurant brings royal Rajput cuisine to life in an opulent setting.

Notable Dishes: Laal Maas, Safed Maas, Kachori, Ghewar, Mawa Kachori.

What makes it royal: The menu is curated based on the food once prepared for the Jaipur royal family.

Location: City Palace, Jaipur.

4. Suvarna Mahal (Jaipur)

Why it’s great: Located in the grand Taj Rambagh Palace, Suvarna Mahal serves royal Mughal and Rajput dishes.

Notable Dishes: Dum Pukht Biryani, Lamb Kofta, Mughlai Kebabs, Marwari Daal.

What makes it royal: The ambiance and recipes reflect the grandeur of India’s princely states.

Location: Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur.

5. The Imperial (New Delhi)

Why it’s great: Known for its royal Mughlai and Rajputana cuisine, The Imperial Hotel offers a refined dining experience.

Notable Dishes: Awadhi Kebab, Mutton Korma, Gulab Jamun, Mughlai Kebabs.

What makes it royal: The dishes evoke the elegance of Mughal-era feasting.

Location: Janpath, New Delhi.

6. Tandoor (New Delhi)

Why it’s great: Tandoor is famous for its authentic Mughlai flavors, served in a setting inspired by the Mughal Empire.

Notable Dishes: Tandoori Raan, Murg Tandoori, Kashmiri Rogan Josh.

What makes it royal: The food is prepared using time-tested Mughlai techniques, rich in spices and aromas.

Location: Connaught Place, New Delhi.

7. Chokhi Dhani (Jaipur)

Why it’s great: Chokhi Dhani recreates a traditional Rajasthani village where you can enjoy royal thalis and cultural shows.

Notable Dishes: Dal Baati Churma, Ker Sangri, Churma Ladoo, Ghevar.

What makes it royal: It blends folk heritage with royal culinary traditions, offering an immersive experience.

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan.

8. The Maratha (Mumbai)

Why it’s great: Housed in The Renaissance Hotel, this restaurant features Maratha royal cuisine passed down through generations.

Notable Dishes: Puran Poli, Mutton Sukka, Maharashtrian Thali, Bombil Fry.

What makes it royal: The dishes represent the rich legacy of the Maratha empire.

Location: The Renaissance Hotel, Mumbai.

9. Khan Chacha (New Delhi)

Why it’s great: Known for its Mughlai flavors, Khan Chacha serves hearty kebabs and curries in a relaxed setting.

Notable Dishes: Mutton Seekh, Mughlai Biryani, Chicken Kebab, Kachori.

What makes it royal: While casual, its recipes originate from Mughal-era cooking styles.

Location: Khan Market, New Delhi.

10. Kailash Parbat (Mumbai, New Delhi & More)

Why it’s great: Kailash Parbat showcases Sindhi and Mughlai dishes that reflect the regal flavors of North India.

Notable Dishes: Sindhi Biryani, Rogan Josh, Seekh Kebabs, Tandoori Roti.

What makes it royal: The food blends royal Sindhi and Mughlai influences, offering a distinctive flavor profile.

Location: Multiple cities including Mumbai and New Delhi.

11. Moti Mahal Delux (Delhi)

Why it’s great: A legendary name in North Indian cuisine, Moti Mahal pioneered dishes like butter chicken and dal makhani.

Notable Dishes: Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Chicken Tikka, Tandoori Roti.

What makes it royal: The restaurant’s founder helped popularize tandoori food fit for royalty.

Location: Various outlets across Delhi.

12. The Oberoi (Bengaluru)

Why it’s great: The Oberoi’s fine dining offerings include royal recipes from Hyderabad, Mughal courts, and Rajasthan.

Notable Dishes: Hyderabadi Biryani, Lamb Korma, Mughlai Kebabs.

What makes it royal: The cuisine is rooted in the grandeur of royal feasts across India.

Location: The Oberoi, Bengaluru.

Bonus Tips for a Royal Culinary Experience:

• Choose heritage hotels and palaces: Many offer curated royal menus with immersive cultural settings.

• Don’t miss regional specialties: From Laal Maas in Rajasthan to Awadhi Kebabs in Lucknow and Biryani in Hyderabad.

• Book in advance: Many of these places are popular and may require prior reservations.