Most visitors to Connaught Place know it for its glossy showrooms and pricey cafes, but tucked inside the market's interior lanes is a small eatery serving home-style food at a fraction of the cost. Located near Shankar Market, the stall known as Dhaba Food has built a loyal following for its rajma chawal.
What makes the rajma chawal special
The stall is known for serving piping hot rice topped with spiced rajma that tastes close to a home-cooked meal. Beyond the signature plate, the counter also turns out kadhi chawal and chole chawal through the day. Some customers order their rice with shahi paneer, while others prefer it paired with soya chaap. The stall's online listing places these same dishes at the top of its menu, a clear sign of what keeps customers coming back.
How much a plate costs
The menu board outside the shop makes it obvious that the focus here is on simple, homely food rather than anything fancy. A plate of rajma chawal or kadhi chawal costs around Rs 110, and shahi paneer chawal is priced similarly at roughly Rs 110 as well. Customers who order soya chaap chawal pay close to Rs 130 a plate. Since prices can change over time, it is worth checking the current rate before placing an order.
Chole bhature and drinks also popular
Rice plates are not the only draw here, paneer chole bhature is another favourite among regulars. To go with the food, the counter also serves lassi, masala chaach and lemon soda. Because the shop itself is compact, seating is limited, so most customers either eat quickly or get their order packed to take away.
Location and timings
Dhaba Food is located in the Municipal Market area of Connaught Place, close to the Super Bazar Complex and Shankar Market. It typically opens around 9 am and continues serving customers until 6 pm, making it accessible for most of the day.
For anyone looking for something plain, homely and easy on the wallet away from the glitz of Connaught Place, this small stall is worth adding to the list. The setting may not match a big restaurant, but a hot plate of rajma chawal here brings back the taste of old Delhi's simple, no-frills food.
