Bukhara — Restaurant in New Delhi

Considered as one of Delhi’s best restaurants, this restaurant located inside the 5 star ITC Maurya hotel is a one time must try. It might be an overstatement, but features in the top 50 best Asian restaurants so I would strongly recommend a visit when in Delhi, India.

With very low seating and crazy-paving wall, the restaurant serves north west Indian–style cuisine, with silken kebabs and its world famous Bukhara dhal. Bukhara is an icon in Delhi. So I was excited and eager to try. The menu is skewed and the focus is their famous "dal bukhara" (lentil curry) , served with naans (flatbread). Bukhara's specialty is tandoor-cooked cuisine prepared in a traditional clay oven. While staying at the hotel, treating family members to a nice lunch, the Bukhara came highly recommended, and somewhat of a natural choice for lunch. The restaurant is quite casual with stone walls, dark wood beams, copper urns and Indian rugs. It has an open kitchen with a glass wall so you can see the chefs prepare the breads and kebabs. Despite our reservation, we had to wait for over 30 min. Anyhow, the food was worth the wait.

Recommendation: The natural choice is their famous black lentil and tomato dal which simmers for 24 hours. It is rich - buttery and creamy. In addition, Paneer Tikka (vegetarian) Sikandari Raan (marinated whole leg of spring lamb) Murgh Malai Kebab ( (marinated chicken) For dessert, I would recommend "Gulab Jamun" - though deep fried, these milk dumplings, served in a sweet rose syrup are a must try.

PROS: Bukhara is an icon in Delhi. Almost like a bucket list restaurant.  Must visit for one time. The server told us that celebrity sightings are common and diners have included Bollywood stars and food industry aficionados. They say "Come hungry and with clean hands" - Bukhara is cutlery-free. It is an interesting way to experience how many Indians eat in a day to day basis. Finger bowls with rose water are  provided after meal. They even provide with a large bib/apron for each diner.

CONS: The portions, when they came, were quite small Small menu Focus is even cooked cuisine only. Few options for vegetarians. Please bear in mind that the restaurant is cutlery-free. $$$$

Service : Efficient

Overall, not very impressed for its hype. Maybe its geographical location and strong popularity is their measure of culinary success.

Reservations are essential. Needless to say after this heavy meal we took the stairs rather than the elevator up...

I had pre-reserved my time slot which was not really smooth and took really long time. As I had booked it online, no response was given to me until I personally called in to check the status of my reservation and I was told that they didn't recieve any request, so at that moment I reserved my place on call and also, through email and got a reply on email.

I reached Bhukara half n hour before and saw huge rush of people(without reservation) in que. I went to ITC Maurya(Bhukara) after 25 years and it is same, no changes and felt the age. Roamed the old corridors of the hotel with signs of aging visible, and went for walk at the lawns of the hotel, it was really nostalgic. I spent some time at the beautiful lobby by looking at the paintings by MF Hussain. Restrooms were clean, fresh and aromatic.

Hospitality- Staff at the Bhukara greeted well and are friendly. But no water was poured in the glasses, we had to do it ourselves(not much of an issue but being 5* I expected more but saw that staff were more attentive towards foreigners and were pouring water to foreigners). I was given the wooden menu, from which I ordered and service was quick but billing really took long time which was a turn-off.

Food- The food was really delicious. I had ordered in Liquor- (2)Mojitos, (1)Sunday Morning, (2)Beers. Food-Paneer Tikka, Jhinga, Malali kebab, Dal bhukara, onion kulcha, pudina naan, butter naan along with complimentary papad, chutney and onion, Dessert- (1)Ras malai, which was out of the world(must try).

The total bill on food and beverages costed me Rs.17,890/- without service charges.

Ambience- The decor, and atmosphere was good but believe me, 25 years ago things were more elegant, royal and freshness was there.

Crowd- The crowd 25 years ago was more vvip and who's who of Delhi used to be there and aura of ITC was different then, but now I believe salaries of people have increased due to which common people can also afford now and have started coming here with a casual approach in a normal clothes.

Just a suggestion: Entire hotel needs a revamp, it is much needed and is quite really visible.

Overall, it was a nice dinner and as they say some good memories need closure, and coming to Bhukara( aging ITC Maurya) this time after 25 years was a closure for me on a good note, happy times with aging staff...

The romance of the rugged North West Frontier of India comes alive at this authentic, award winning restaurant, making it a landmark dining destination in Delhi. The historic and classic Bukhara is ensconced in one of the premier elite hotels namely ITC Maurya, centrally located in Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, South Delhi. It is a wonderful fine dining restaurant acclaimed for its high quality of delicious North Indian food prepared in the traditional clay oven. The elegant environs of this plush restaurant are created by artistically done interiors in vibrant hues of ochre and brown. It is an amazing and famous specialty restaurant for food enthusiasts who like to have mouthwatering Mughlai food amidst sophisticated environs where you can entertain your prestigious guests. The indoor seating arrangement of this iconic eating place is comfortable and thus makes the legendary restaurant perfect not only for family dinner and lunch but for pampering your important business associates with super delicious food and drinks. The cool ambiance of the rugged interiors is apt for having a perfect romantic rhendvouz with your date and enjoys memorable moments. Melodious soft music is played which accentuates the lovely aura of this impressive restaurant. The shining cutlery is exclusive with crisp tableware and attractive plates add to the fine dining experience. Bukhara boasts of stylish ambiance and exhibits a unique blend of tradition and modernity as you see the professional chefs creating mouthwatering food dishes for the guests. Exhibiting a sense of typical Indian royalty and glamorous style, Bukhara offers award-winning Indian delicacies and a top-notch dining experience to the diners. The esteemed restaurant is rated amongst the top 50 restaurants in the world. The fine dining restaurant serves excellent food at INR 7000 for two approximately. Such celebrities as Bill Clinton and Bruce Springsteen have come here not just for the kababs but for the 'Raan' (a tandoori leg of lamb), the dairy-rich 'Dal Bukhara', and 'Tandoori Chicken' made as it should be, from small, free-range birds and with no food colour. Go early to be sure of securing a table If you like rice, go elsewhere. Bukhara prides itself on not having served a single grain of...