Shalimar Restaurant

Shalimar Restaurant holds down its own corner in the middle of Bhendi Bazaar, a massive operation with room for 600 people spread across multiple dining areas. The whole place grew out of a small juice and falooda stall from the 1950s, and that history is still part of its identity. Inside, you’ll find a series of distinct dining areas that cater to different needs. There’s a standard non-air-conditioned section, a larger air-conditioned hall with conventional seating, and a more private area called Dastarkhan, which has cabin-style seating for groups. The menu is enormous, covering Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes, but the foundation is traditional Mughlai cooking. The kitchen uses recipes passed down from chefs who once cooked for Mughal royalty, and this heritage comes through in the classic dishes. This is where you’ll find a proper Raan – a whole leg of lamb – alongside staples like Mutton Biryani, Bhuna Gosht, and Murgh Musallam. Kebabs and tandoori items are a major focus, often ordered together on a large "Khazana Platter." The restaurant’s story really begins with its desserts. That original falooda, made with milk that’s been reduced for hours, is still a signature item. It’s common for people to come here just for the falooda or for the Cream Cheese Kunafa, another house specialty. Service is famously quick, and despite its popularity, the sheer size of the place means you can almost always get a table without a wait.