Just opposite Gate Number 1 of Jama Masjid, in Old Delhi, is the entrance of Matia Mahal street. If you are not used to crowds, weaving between rickshaws and scooters and handcarts, then a visit to Matia Mahal may be a bit overwhelming. It is far from a food court in a shopping mall. It is an iconic piece of history, to be experienced for what it is. You can find good food anywhere in the world, but this is a place for history of food. This is where some of the most iconic Mughlai dishes were invented and developed over hundreds of years. A lot of this history is lost, but the food lives.
According to some, there was a court dancer by the name Mati, who had a palace here. Another story says that the emperor himself lived here while the Red Fort was being constructed in a palace called Azizabaadi Haveli. We don’t see evidence of either kind of palace on this street at present. Either the palace was lost in history, or the story was lost in translation.
For us it is the food that’s important. The iconic eateries of the past and many that became famous in recent years. Some claim to have their origins in the Mughal kitchens, some invented dishes just as an experiment, some to fulfil the need of the time, or to recreate foods of far-off lands.
One of the first famous names you will see as you enter Matia Mahal Street is Karim. On the left, just before Al Jawahar is a narrow passage that leads to Karim. It is nothing like the restaurants you see in shopping malls in big cities or in upmarket locations. This original Karim is what you would expect a restaurant to be that is decades earlier (since 1913, to be precise), catering to the local population and visitors to Jama Masjid. You can make out that over years they acquired nearby shops and houses to create more seating space for the growing loyal customers and those to drop by out of curiosity. They now have four halls. They are almost always full, and waiting time is highly likely.
Al-Jawahar has a combatively more modern ambience. It came into existence just after independence of India and was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Hence the name. It has probably been renovated a few times since then.
Both, Karim and Al-Jawahar, offer a wide range of Mughlai dishes. From tandoori to curries and breads.
Other Famous Eateries on Matia Mahal Street
| Name of the Restaurant | Famous For |
| Cool Point | Mohabbat Ka Sharbat, Double Ka Meetha |
| Haji Mohammad Hussain Chicken | Fried Chicken |
| Aslam Chicken | Butter ChickenRoasted chicken pieces in tomato and cream gravy. Butter Chicken is a very popular chicken curry in India and Indian restaurants abroad. Butter Chicken is identified by the slight sweetness of the reddish gravy. The sweetness comes from the cream added to it, though a little amount of sugar can... More (not the usual) |
| Al Yamin | Non-veg Thali |
Nearby Famous Eateries
| Name of the Restaurant | Famous For |
| Qureshi Kabab Corner | All Kinds of Kebabs |
| Taufiq Dilpasand Biryani | Biryanis |
| Shabrati NahariMeat slow cooked with spices on wood or coal, usually overnight, to make Nahari. The meat is usually beef or mutton. It is sometimes mispronounced as 'Nihari'. 'Nahari' comes from the term 'nahar', which means the time we wake up in the morning, or literally 'breaking of the overnight fast'.... More | NahariMeat slow cooked with spices on wood or coal, usually overnight, to make Nahari. The meat is usually beef or mutton. It is sometimes mispronounced as 'Nihari'. 'Nahari' comes from the term 'nahar', which means the time we wake up in the morning, or literally 'breaking of the overnight fast'.... More |
| Al-Maaidah | Chicken Changezi |
Interactive Video
The video will pause at places to show you the location of eateries mentioned above. Click anywhere on the video to continue. There are some other interactivities as well. It’s best viewed in full screen.
Share your thoughts in the comments section below or write to us. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on new posts.
