Daryaganj Restaurant — Restaurant in Gurugram District

I recently had the pleasure of dining at an outlet of Daryaganj, a highly acclaimed restaurant among Delhi residents, located in Sector 66 Gurugram. Admittedly, I approached this outlet with some reservations, thinking it might not match up to their main establishment. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it delivered an outstanding dining experience in every aspect - ambiance, service, and, most importantly, the food.

The restaurant's ambiance exuded a tranquil vibe while maintaining a lively atmosphere with the soft clinking of cutlery and delightful aromas wafting from nearby tables. The two-floor setup, complete with a mocktail bar on the first floor, added to the restaurant's appeal. The staff was courteous, cooperative, and impeccably dressed, which added a touch of elegance to the entire dining experience.

Upon being seated, we were served water in beautiful copper bottles, and the coasters displayed a proud proclamation: "BY THE INVENTORS OF BUTTER CHICKEN & DAL MAKHANI." The menu boasted a diverse range of dishes, but we decided to try their specialities: Dal Makhani and The 1947 Butter Chicken.

The Dal Makhani was a true revelation - from its texture and consistency to its enticing aroma and rich color, everything was simply perfect. The subtle drizzle of desi ghee further enhanced its taste, and with the first bite, I knew I had finally savored the true essence of this classic dish. It was, without a doubt, the best Dal Makhani I have ever had. The 1947 Butter Chicken was equally impressive, with its exceptional gravy and tender, flavorful pieces of chicken. The well-balanced ratio of sweet and spicy in the gravy made it a delectable delight. The only minor drawback was that the quantity of Dal Makhani was slightly less compared to the generous serving of the chicken.

To complement our meal, we opted for the classic choices of butter and garlic naan, which paired perfectly with the dishes. However, the real surprise came with our decision to try the underrated gem - rumali roti. I must highly recommend it as it added an indescribable and delightful dimension to our culinary experience.

For our final course, we ordered the chicken biryani, which arrived in an elegant bowl, accompanied by a side of raita. While the flavors of the biryani were excellent, the long grain rice was not used which is commonly used in a North Indian biryani, and some of the chicken pieces were a tad undercooked, resulting in a chewy texture. Nevertheless, when paired with the leftover butter chicken gravy, it created a delightful combination that would surely satisfy any biryani lover.

Despite being tempted by the wide array of dessert options, including a live kulfi station, our appetites were already satiated from the delightful feast we had enjoyed. Nevertheless, the thoughtful gesture of serving saunf and mishri in charming little boxes at the end of our meal was a delightful touch that left a lasting impression.

Based on my observation, the average bill for two people during lunch or dinner would be around 2-2.5k, making it a reasonably priced dining experience for the quality offered. Overall, I would wholeheartedly rate my experience at Daryaganj a well-deserved 4.8 out of 5, and I strongly recommend it to anyone seeking a delightful culinary journey...

Daryaganj restaurant really needs no introduction as they are the inventor of Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani. The restaurant is small but cosy. The see-through kitchen gives you confidence that you are at the right place.

Talking about the food, we ordered The Inventor's Platter (₹1357) which had a great and tasty assortment of non veg snacks. As per recommendations we ordered Veg snacks Bharwan Paneer Tikka (₹523) and Dahi Kebab (₹467) which were mind blowing. For the main course, we ordered The Original 1947 Butter Chicken (₹657), The Original 1947 Dal Makhani (₹517) and The Original Butter Paneer (₹547) which were all absolutely smashing. We ordered Indian breads, Lachha Parantha (₹137), Roomali Roti (₹103), Butter Roti (₹113) and Garlic Naan (₹147) which were excellent. For beverages, we had Bira Blonde Tap (₹375), Diet Coke (₹162), Virgin Mojito (₹242), Daryaganj Taazgee (₹242) and Matha from Daryaganj (₹242) which were all amazing.

Here is what I didn't like. The service was slow. We had ordered Plain Tandoori roti but got Butter ones. We could not order Virgin Mary although there was Bloody Mary on the menu. This is the first restaurant I have seen in my life which refused to customize the drink. Service charge of 10% charged in bill in guise of Staff contribution.

All this was still okay but what really annoyed me was that an outsider lady entered without permission and started asking for charity while we were all seated comfortably inside on the table. We complained to the waiter and he did absolutely nothing. We asked the lady to leave immediately and thankfully she did. The very fact that an outsider can harass the seated dining guests who have made reservations puts a big question mark on the security and reputation of this restaurant.

Putting aside this unfortunate event, the restaurant is still highly recommended for its unique authentic...

From Renowned to Regrettable – Never Again I can’t believe this is the same “renowned” Mughal restaurant that everyone in Delhi raves about for butter chicken. The hype dies the moment you step inside-The place where butter chicken was supposedly sent down from the heaven,only now it feels like it’s been abandoned by God, hygiene & common sense. First, the smell. Imagine a mix of wet socks, stale air, and something that’s been sitting in a drain too long-that’s your welcome,a damp, suffocating smell hits you right at the door. It’s not the scent of slow-cooked Mughal magic, it’s the bouquet of water seepage that’s proudly dripping from two different corners of the ceiling. Yes, actual water droplets. Landing near people’s food. Lovely. Then comes the waiting game. You order. You wait. You question your life choices. You watch staff walk in slow motion, each carrying a single plate as if it’s an Olympic sport. After 40+ minutes, you start wondering if they went to Punjab to milk the cow for your butter chicken. The management? If there’s a record for how not to run a restaurant, these folks are shattering it. No coordination, no urgency, no clue. By the time the food arrived, my appetite had been buried under the damp smell, the ceiling drizzle, and my growing sense of regret. The only thing “legendary” now is how quickly this place has fallen from grace. If you want to remember this restaurant the way it was, don’t come here. The ghost of its reputation deserves better than the disaster...