Keep Rolling- Check out the best eateries in Delhi

Anindita Das

A roll is great grab if you want to do better than a snack and yet do not have the time for a full course meal. It is both filling and light depending on what goes inside it. Add to that the fact that it is a real value for money. Rolls are portable and perfect any time you need a fast, satisfying meal, and made fresh to order.

While Delhi itself doesn’t have a culture of having rolls like Bombay and Kolkata, it is soon catching up. Here are a few eateries and take aways which does the capital proud.

Nizam’s Kathi Kabab, Defence Colony & CP

Both the places of Nizams serve some succulent variety of Kathi Kabab rolls. The best thing about Kathi Kabab rolls is that you get to customize it to a great extent whether you need a single or a double, whether you want it to be topped with an egg or not. Try their Kali Mirch Chicken Tikka Roll and the Mutton Keema Roll.

If you are a vegetarian, do not fret. They also make delicious Potato Masala Roll, Paneer Tikka Rolls and Mushroom Rolls to choose from. Apart from this, the good thing about this place is that unlike other roll joints it has a decent ambiance where one can sit and enjoy one’s rolls.

Cost – Rs. 600 for two (approx).

Kathis, PVR Anupam Complex and Select City Walk, Saket

This is one roll joint that does brisk business any time of the day. If you are watching a movie at Saket, the outing can hardly be complete without dropping at Kathis. They don’t have much of a place to sit but you can easily grab one of the benches around the complex. Enjoy your meal and watch the crowd going about its way.

While they also serve assortments of kababs, curries and other delicacies; their rolls are the best. Try their regular Single Egg Single Chicken Roll or the Paneer Bhurji Roll with De Paul’s Cold Coffee.

Cost – Rs. 400 for two (approx).

Al Bake, Community Centre, New Friends Colony

Al Bake has a couple of roll joints across South Delhi; however, the one at New Friends Colony provides the best tasting Shawarma Rolls. Their mouth watering Lebanese Chicken Shawarma Rolls are served with delicious Cheesy Mayo Dips that come at the pocket friendly price of just Rs. 100 per plate. 

Al Bake doesn’t have a wide variety of rolls, but the few that they offer more than make up for it. As far as the ambience goes, do not expect much out of it. It has both outside and inside sitting arrangements but is mostly filled with a lively crowd. The noisy kitchen is right where the people are sitting and there is no such thing as privacy.

Go there with your friends to taste the best Shawarmas of Delhi, if you don’t care much for the ambience.

Cost - Rs. 500 for two (approx).

Tibbs, Food Court Select City Walk; GK 1 M Block; SDA Market; Hauz Khas Village, etc.

Frankie is one of the original street food favourites stuffed with a variety of fillings and seasoned to suit your taste. The newly opened Tibbs at Select City Walk brings Bombay’s famous Frankie Rolls to Delhi.

The good news about Tibbs is that it has ample options of both Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian Frankies. The taste is like the original Frankies of Bombay - soft, succulent and full of flavours. Try the Chef’s special Mirchi Tadka Frankie and the Chef’s special Mutton Bhuna Frankie, if you have a penchant for spicy food. Combine it with a bubbling soft drink and you are done.

Cost - Rs. 250 for two (approx).

Kolkata Hot Kathi Rolls - CR Park Market 1; Malviya Nagar

If you have ever enjoyed the rolls found on the streets of New Market, Kolkata, you will surely be missing them wherever you are. Then head straight to the heart of Delhi’s little Kolkata, i.e. C R Park’s Kolkata Hot Kathi Roll. While the names will all sound regular, the preparations will be different. Try any roll to discover the distinctive North Indian Rolls prepared with a Bengali touch.

They wrap the rolls in both roomali rotis and paranthas made of maida. I would recommend the latter, even though they are laden with calorie. Your best bet here would be the Special Single Egg Single Chicken Tikka Roll and the Special Aloo Kasha Roll for vegetarians. There is no place to sit here. So you will have to stand and enjoy your rolls or have it in your car.  

Cost - Rs 200 for two (approx).

Roll Maal - Defence Colony Market; Super Mart 1, DLF Phase I; Kailash Colony; Malviya Nagar; South Square Mall, Sarojini Nagar

This place provides some awesome maal. An interestingly designed menu full of interesting names and a nicely done up place add to its charms. The best thing about this place is that it allows you to customize your roll right from its size to its fillings.

However, while this might be enjoyable to some, it might leave others like me really confused. In that case, don’t think twice before ordering Chettinad Southy Mind It Roll or the Bombay Style Franky. The later is neatly served with chopped onions, mint chutney and a crispy mixture. Combine it with the really tasty thirst quencher Rollu’s Desi Remix.

Also note that the 6’ roll is for snacking while the 9’ roll can do the work of a full meal. Order accordingly.

Cost - Rs. 500 for two (approx).

(Anindita Das is a guest writer. She can be reached on Twitter @Dwritertweets)