Old Delhi Street Food Tour: Rickshaw, Spice Market & Local Eats

Summary

Old Delhi flavors by rickshaw with spice market stops

You’ll follow a local guide through Old Delhi’s wildest lanes, tasting snacks like dahi bhalla and jalebi straight from legendary vendors. Ride a rickshaw between stops, breathe in clouds of spice at Khari Baoli market, and end near Jama Masjid with sweet desserts and laughter echoing around you.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me wasn’t the food — it was the sound. Somewhere between the honk of rickshaws and the calls of chai sellers, I realized I’d lost sight of our guide for a second. She waved from behind a cart stacked with fried things I couldn’t name yet. “Don’t worry,” she grinned, “we’ll start slow.” Spoiler: we didn’t. Within minutes I was handed a paper plate of dahi bhalla, cool yogurt dripping onto my fingers, and I just sort of forgot to care about the chaos around us.

I’m not sure what I expected from a street food tour in Old Delhi. Maybe more sitting? Instead we zigzagged through Chandni Chowk on foot and by rickshaw, dodging wedding saris and men hauling sacks of something spicy-smelling (later learned it was cumin). At Khari Baoli — apparently Asia’s biggest spice market — my nose started tingling before we even got close. Our guide pointed out piles of chili and turmeric so bright they almost glowed in the late afternoon light. Someone offered us chole bhature; I burned my tongue but it was worth it.

By the time we reached Jama Masjid, my shirt had a mysterious sauce stain (paratha casualty) and our group had mostly stopped pretending to be neat eaters. There was this moment when Li, one of the guides, tried to teach me how to say “jalebi” properly — she laughed so hard at my attempt that even some locals joined in. We finished with kheer and shahi tukda (the bread pudding thing), sitting on a low wall watching people drift past in every direction. I still think about that view sometimes — the mix of old stone and new noise.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Old Delhi street food and sightseeing

• Start at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station Gate 1
• Taste dahi bhalla, aloo chaat, paratha, jalebi
• Visit Asia's largest spice market
• Taste chole bhature at spice market
• View Jama Masjid from outside
• Taste marinated chicken and local desserts
• Drink refreshing lassi to finish

Top questions

What foods are included on this Old Delhi street food tour?

You’ll try vegetarian favorites like chole bature, dahi bhalla, aloo chaat, parathas, jalebis, kheer, shahi tukda—and there’s an option for Indian fried chicken near Matia Mahal.

Does the tour include transportation?

Yes—metro rides and rickshaw transfers between locations are included in the tour price.

Is this Old Delhi street food tour suitable for meat eaters?

Yes—while most dishes are vegetarian, meat eaters can sample Indian fried chicken towards the end of the tour.

Where does the tour start?

The group meets at Gate 1 of Rajiv Chowk Metro Station in Connaught Place.

Do we visit any famous landmarks?

You’ll see Chandni Chowk, Asia’s largest spice market (Khari Baoli), and view Jama Masjid from outside during the tour.

Is there much walking involved?

You’ll walk through busy streets and also travel by rickshaw; comfortable shoes are recommended but fitness requirements are moderate.

Are drinks included?

Yes—all soft drinks (like lassi) are included along with unlimited food tastings during the tour.

Is this tour available on Sundays?

The spice market is less active on Sundays; for 1pm tours activity is reduced by half and for 5pm tours it is closed.

What’s included

Your day covers all metro fares and fun rickshaw rides between stops; you can eat as much as you like from every vendor—think dahi bhalla to jalebi—and sip soft drinks or lassi along the way. A local guide leads you through each bite-sized adventure until dessert near Jama Masjid wraps things up.