Food Near Jama Masjid: A Practical Guide

The best-known food near Jama Masjid is concentrated in a few lanes: Matia Mahal Bazaar opposite Gate No. 1, Gali Kababian where Karim's began in 1913, and the stretch towards Daryaganj and Chawri Bazar. Expect Mughlai cooking built around mutton and chicken: nihari, korma, ishtu (stew), seekh and barra kebabs, butter chicken and khamiri roti.

This guide covers the names people search for most, including Karim's, Al Jawahar, Aslam Chicken, Qureshi Kabab and Al Yamin, with what each is known for and where the facts come from. It does not list prices: menus here change often, so check current menu cards on Zomato, District or magicpin, or at the counter.

This is an independent guide. It is not linked to any restaurant on this page. Listed hours come from Delhi Tourism and listing apps and may be out of date.

Karim's, Gali Kababian (since 1913)

Karim's is the most famous name in the area. According to Wikipedia and Delhi Tourism, Haji Karimuddin founded it in 1913 near Jama Masjid. Family history links the business to the Mughal court: Wikipedia says Karimuddin's father, Mohammed Aziz, cooked in the royal kitchen in the mid-19th century and left Delhi after Bahadur Shah Zafar's exile. Karimuddin returned around the 1911 Delhi Durbar and started a dhaba serving Mughal-style food.

The original menu reportedly had just alu gosht and daal with roti. Today the Jama Masjid flagship in Gali Kababian serves a wide Mughlai menu. Delhi Tourism highlights tikkas, rolls, qormas, karahi gosht and the khamiri roti. Wikipedia also lists biryani, mutton nihari, keema, kababs and vegetarian dishes.

Listed hours (Delhi Tourism): 9:00 AM to 12:30 AM, all days
Nearest metro: Jama Masjid (Violet Line)

Karim's menu and other branches

Searches for the Karim's menu, Karim's Delhi menu or Karim jama masjid menu card mostly point to this Old Delhi original. Wikipedia says the company, Karim Hotels Pvt. Ltd., is run by the fourth generation and has expanded across Delhi NCR (including Nizamuddin West, Kailash Colony, Noida, Gurgaon, Kamla Nagar and Dwarka) and to more than 50 outlets across India and the UAE. Menus and prices at outlets in other cities, such as Kolkata, Patna, Guwahati or Chandigarh, may differ from the Jama Masjid original. Check each outlet's own listing.

Restaurants with names that merely include "Karim", such as Gulshan-e-Karim, or places in Karimnagar, are not the same as Karim's of Jama Masjid unless the business itself says so.

Full guide: Karim's Jama Masjid menu and timings.

Al Jawahar, Matia Mahal (since 1948)

Al Jawahar is on Matia Mahal Road opposite Gate No. 1 of Jama Masjid. Outlook Traveller reports it was established in 1948, is named after Jawaharlal Nehru and is run by three brothers.

District reviewers praise its mutton dishes in particular: mutton ishtu (stew), nihari, korma, Jahangiri and bheja curry, plus seekh kebab, burrah and khamiri roti. Outlook Traveller also mentions changezi, Afghani chicken, biryani and butter chicken. Reviews on District are mixed on service and value, and one reviewer was not impressed by the biryani.

Listed address (District): 8, Matia Mahal Road, opposite Gate 1, Jama Masjid
Listed hours (District): 10:00 AM to 11:59 PM
Rating on District: 3.9 from about 3,250 ratings, as seen in Oct 2026

More on Al Jawahar, Al Yamin and Qureshi: Qureshi Kabab, Al Yamin and Al Jawahar guide.

Aslam Chicken (Aslam Butter Chicken Corner)

Aslam is the place for a very particular Old Delhi dish: butter chicken tikka, grilled chicken pieces drenched in a butter-based gravy. Delhi Tourism lists it in Jama Masjid's main bazaar, and Outlook Traveller places it on Matia Mahal Road.

Delhi Tourism names butter chicken tikka and grilled chicken (with masala or butter gravy) as the signatures. For vegetarians in the group, it lists moong pulao and tandoori soya chaap.

Listed hours (Delhi Tourism): 4:00 PM to 12:30 AM, all days
Nearest metro per Delhi Tourism: Pul Bangash (Red Line); Jama Masjid (Violet Line) is also close

People searching for the Aslam Chicken Jama Masjid menu or Aslam butter chicken menu will find that the menu is short and chicken-focused. Check the current menu board for portion sizes and prices.

Full guide: Aslam Chicken Jama Masjid.

Abdul Ghani Qureshi Kabab Corner

Delhi Tourism describes this as a long-running kebab spot near Jama Masjid, operating for more than 70 years and run by the Qureshi brothers. It is known for kebabs wrapped in layers of roomali roti and served with onions.

Beyond mutton and chicken kebabs, Delhi Tourism lists fish tikka, chicken achari and chicken changezi.

Listed hours (Delhi Tourism): 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM, all days
Nearest metro: Jama Masjid (Violet Line)

Al Yamin

Delhi Tourism lists Al Yamin near Jama Masjid as one of the few eateries in the area serving Continental food alongside traditional Mughlai dishes. Its menu runs to more than 50 items, including chicken burra, malai tangri, fish tikka, kadai paneer and a double decker burger. The signature is malai tangri: chicken drumsticks in a thick, spiced cream.

Listed hours (Delhi Tourism): 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM, all days
Nearest metro: Jama Masjid (Violet Line)

More names worth knowing

Outlook Traveller's Old Delhi iftar guide adds several more places within reach of the mosque:

Kallu Nihari: behind Delite Cinema, Asaf Ali Road. Nihari with khamiri roti, linked to the Kallu Mian nihari tradition. Outlook reports it opens around 5 PM in Ramzan for takeaways.
Changezi Chicken: Netaji Subhash Marg, Daryaganj. Known for chicken changezi, plus chicken stew, mutton nihari and kaju keema.
Cool Point: Jama Masjid market, Netaji Subhash Marg. Best known for shahi tukda, with lassi, phirni, badam milk and kulfi falooda.
Ustad Moinuddin Kebab Centre: Gali Qasimjan, Lal Kuan, across from Hamdard. Chicken seekh kebabs, biryani and chaap.

Delhi Walks describes Matia Mahal's eateries as the place for kebabs, keema kaleji, ishtu and korma, with nihari as the classic breakfast and sewai as a sweet.

For vegetarian street food and sweets a short walk north, see the Chandni Chowk food guide and Dariba Kalan. Visiting the mosque too? See the Jama Masjid visitor guide and metro guide.

A rooftop option: Gumbad Cafe

If you want a sit-down spot with a view rather than a busy lane-side eatery, Gumbad Cafe is on a hotel rooftop opposite Gate No. 3 and looks straight at the mosque. Outlook Traveller included it in a 2025 list of Delhi restaurants with landmark views. It serves Mughlai, Chinese and Italian food and mocktails, but no alcohol, and costs noticeably more than the old eateries. See the Gumbad Cafe menu and timings guide.

A popular plan: eat kebabs and nihari in Matia Mahal, then head to a rooftop for a drink and the view of the lit-up mosque.

Tips for eating around Jama Masjid

Go in the evening for the full scene. Many places open from late afternoon, and the lanes come alive after sunset.
Ramzan is special and crowded. The area is well known for iftar food, and some places adjust their hours during the month.
Mostly non-veg. Vegetarians have fewer options, though Aslam, Karim's and Al Yamin list some veg dishes.
Check prices before ordering. This guide does not list prices; menus here change, and half and full portions vary.
Dress modestly if you plan to visit the mosque too.

Questions and answers

What is the most famous restaurant near Jama Masjid?

Karim's in Gali Kababian, founded in 1913 by Haji Karimuddin, is the best-known name. Al Jawahar, established in 1948 per Outlook Traveller, is right nearby on Matia Mahal Road.

What are Karim's Jama Masjid timings?

Delhi Tourism lists 9:00 AM to 12:30 AM on all days. Confirm on a listing app before going.

Is the Karim's menu the same at every branch?

Not necessarily. Karim's has expanded across Delhi NCR and other cities, and menus and prices can differ by outlet, so check each outlet's own listing.

What is Aslam Chicken known for?

Delhi Tourism names butter chicken tikka and grilled chicken with masala or butter gravy as its signatures.

Is there vegetarian food near Jama Masjid?

Options are fewer, but Delhi Tourism lists moong pulao and tandoori soya chaap at Aslam, kadai paneer at Al Yamin, and Karim's has vegetarian dishes on its menu.

Where can I eat with a view of Jama Masjid?

Gumbad Cafe, on a rooftop opposite Gate No. 3, faces the mosque directly. It is a cafe rather than a traditional Mughlai eatery and costs more.

Sources

Last checked: 14 October 2026