The 12th edition of ‘Dilli 6’ food festival pays homage to the iconic dishes of Old Delhi and three boss ladies of royal India. By Adila Matra
Do you regret putting off that winter food walk in Old Delhi? What if you can get an authentic Old Delhi experience without braving the crowd and the heat? Head to Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla. The 12th edition of Dilli 6 food festival recreates the smells, colours, and tastes of Purani Dilli.

Theme
The theme of the year is Noor-E-Khawateen (Radiance-Of-Womankind). It pays tribute to the boss ladies of royal India–Begum Nur Jahan (co-sovereign of Mughal empire during the reign of Jahangir), Princess Jahanara (the mind behind the architecture of Chandni Chowk during the reign of Shah Jahan) and Empress Razia Sultan (first and only female ruler of Delhi Sultanate).
Many vendors and kaarigars from Old Delhi have set up stalls and carts at Edesia, the restaurant that has been transformed to look like the bylanes of Old Delhi. Walk around the restaurant and admire the quirky posters and phrases, the likes of which you often come across in Purani Dilli.

Drinks
There is a welcome drink stall that serves the guests quintessential drinks such as bunta, shikanji, and Mohabbat ka Sherbat. At the chaat corner, dig into crispy and rich street food such as palak patta chaat, samosa, aloo tikki, dahi bhalla, papdi chaat and more. There is also a street cart that serves masala tea with a variety of biscuits that the region is famous for. How can an Old Delhi experience be complete without the iconic Paranthe Wali Gali. The chefs have recreated the unique varieties of the dish at the festival.
Main Course
The main course of the food festival has dishes like mutton nihari, kofte shaam savere, chicken keema, chicken changezi, dal makhani, and paneer kali mirch. The bread basket has an assortment of khameeri roti, sheermal, rumali roti, and more. Don’t miss daleem, a variant of haleem made from pounded lentils and wheat. It goes well with the tender mutton biryani that is reminiscent of the ones sold at the age-old stalls in Old Delhi.

Dessert
To end the extravaganza, head to the counter that sells Old Delhi’s iconic desserts. There’s sohan halwa, Karachi halwa, phirni, jalebi, and the legendary winter dessert–Daulat ki Chaat. It might have disappeared from those bylanes with the onset of spring, but at Dilli 6 festival, you can still grab a plate!
The Dilli 6 food festival is on at Edesia, Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi, until March 17.
Timings: 7 pm to 11 pm
Prices start from INR 1599 per person
Related: Visit These 5 Vintage Restaurants In Delhi If Your Are A Sucker For Old-World Charm