Fast food is a favorite pastime of Delhiites. However, few of us enjoy paying large expenses. Some of us cannot actually afford such cuisine at such places in today’s world. Posting that unique click of our plate and cafes on social media matters more, but the truth is that some of us can’t afford that cafes/restaurants.
They are popular among college students because of their aesthetics and food. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 budget-friendly cafes that will make your wallet happy.
🗓️ Last updated: July 2026
⚡ Quick Picks
🐟 Best Seafood: Hauz Khas Social
🏙️ Best Rooftop: The Potbelly Rooftop Café
| # | Restaurant | Cuisine | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Yellow Door Café (BYD) | — | ☕ Cafe Vibes |
| 2 | Rico’s Café | — | 👨👩👧 Family Dining |
| 3 | Rico’s Café | — | 👨👩👧 Family Dining |
| 4 | Hauz Khas Social | — | 🐟 Seafood |
| 5 | Cha Bar | — | 👨👩👧 Family Dining |
| 6 | Blue Tokai | — | ☕ Cafe Vibes |
| 7 | QD’s Restaurant | Chinese, North Indian | 👨👩👧 Family Dining |
| 8 | BlackJack | — | 👨👩👧 Family Dining |
| 9 | Ama Café | — | ☕ Cafe Vibes |
| 10 | WoodBox Café | — | ☕ Cafe Vibes |
| 11 | Cafe MRP | its low costs, as the name implies | ☕ Cafe Vibes |
| 12 | Xero Degrees | — | ☕ Cafe Vibes |
| 13 | Pipeline Café | — | 👨👩👧 Family Dining |
| 14 | The Potbelly Rooftop Café | — | 🏙️ Rooftop |
| 15 | Wenger’s Deli | — | 👨👩👧 Family Dining |
| 16 | Mama’s Buoi | — | 🏙️ Rooftop |
| 17 | Sam’s Café | Spanish, Israeli cuisine | 🏙️ Rooftop |
| 18 | Informal | — | 🍱 Buffet |
| 19 | Fiery Grills | — | 🍱 Buffet |
| 20 | Diggin | — | 👨👩👧 Family Dining |
📋 Quick Navigation
1. Big Yellow Door Café (BYD)
The service is pleasant to deal with and provides top-notch service. The aroma of coffee and spices will tempt you as soon as you enter. Beautiful lights and lamps creates a lovely ambiance. Students visit this because it’s near the campus, has low costs, and convenient location.
Must try – Mini Burger combo, Bomb Burger, Kit Kat Shake, Cheese, and Baked Nachos.
Location – H 8 B, Near GTB Nagar Metro Station, Opposite Hudson Lane’s Ndpl Office, Vijay Nagar, Delhi 110009
Cost – INR 700 for two
2. Rico’s Café
This is the finest spot to go if you want to try American, Lebanese, Mexican, Italian, or continental cuisine. The café has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with colorful graffiti walls. It also features a bookcase, which encourages customers to read while they wait for their orders. Because of the presence of college students, this location is always lively. This café has established itself as a challenger in the race to be the best.
Must try – Waffles, Pizza, Pasta, Lamb Burgers, Fries, Nachos, and Mojito.
Location – 2526, 1st Floor, Hudson Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi University-GTB Nagar, New Delhi
Cost – INR 800 for two
3. Rico’s Café
This is the finest spot to go if you want to try American, Lebanese, Mexican, Italian, or continental cuisine. The café has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with colorful graffiti walls. It also features a bookcase, which encourages customers to read while they wait for their orders. Because of the presence of college students, this location is always lively. This café has established itself as a challenger in the race to be the best.
Must try – Waffles, Pizza, Pasta, Lamb Burgers, Fries, Nachos, and Mojito.
Location – 2526, 1st Floor, Hudson Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi University-GTB Nagar, New Delhi
Cost – INR 800 for two
4. Hauz Khas Social
Hauz Khas Social is one of Delhi’s most well-known and famous cafés. You can have a couple of beers while eating delicious food. They provide excellent service, unique sports screening sessions, and a various of good deals that will keep you coming back.
Must try – Cocktails, Elvis Presley French Toast, Pizza, Nachos, Goan Prawn Curry Long Island Iced Tea, Biryani, Momos, Pasta and Old Smoke for whiskey lovers.
Location – 9-A & 12, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
Cost – INR 1400 for two (With alcohol)
5. Cha Bar
Cha Bar is a great place to read a book while sipping tea and munching on something tasty. They provide a variety of teas to pick from, including Nilgiri, Darjeeling, Assamese, herbal, Ayurvedic, and organic.
Location – N-81, Barakhamba Rd, Block N, CP, New Delhi
Cost – INR 600 for two
6. Blue Tokai
Blue Tokai is a coffee roasting firm that grows fresh coffee with the support of local coffee growers before distributing it. A few years ago, only Blue Tokai opened its first café in Delhi.
There is a vast selection of beverages to pick. You can have some appetizers while drinking your favorite coffee.
Location – N-7, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Cost – INR 400 for two
7. QD’s Restaurant
QD’s is a restaurant that will never fails to impress you. The restaurant serves Chinese, North Indian, Fast Food, and Italian cuisines, with its Tandoori Momos proving to be a hit with diners.
Must try – Juicy Chicken Drumsticks, Chicken Tandoori Momo, Iced Peach Tea, Red Velvet Shake, and Peri Peri Pizza.
Location – 294, Near Venkateshwara College, Satya Niketan, New Delhi
Cost – INR 1000 for two
8. BlackJack
The Instagram-able food at BlackJack, is located in the heart of Punjabi Bagh, is gaining popularity, especially the fries served in a unique beaker. Justin Bieber Fries, Sunset Fries, and Disco Fries are just a few of the exciting fries available. It’s a fantastic and reasonably priced hangout spot. The only issue with this location is that it has a minimal sitting space, making it impossible to socialize with a large group.
Location – Shop 1, Plot 23, North West Avenue, Club Road, Punjabi Bagh West, Near Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi
Cost – INR 800 for two
9. Ama Café
Do you have a limited budget yet still want to get out with your friends? If so, Ama Cafe is a fantastic choice. It’s an excellent spot for breakfast dates. It offers a diverse menu of cuisines, as well as a breakfast menu that includes Himalayan Breakfast, English Breakfast, American Breakfast, and many other options.
Must try – Carrot Cinnamon, Pancakes and Maple Syrup, Pancake Breakfast, Choco Walnut Brownie, Banana Muffin, Apple Cinnamon Cake.
Location – House 6, New Colony, Majnu ka Tilla, New Delhi
Cost – INR 600 for two
10. WoodBox Café
Woodbox Cafe, one of Hudson Lane’s most popular eateries, serves Chinese, Italian, and fast food. If you like platters, you should pay visit this restaurant and sample their offerings. They have a wide range of platters to choose from, all of which are delicious.
Must try – Waffles, Carnivore Platter, Spring Roll, Nachos, Penne Arrabiata, and Ferrero Rocher Shake.
Location – 2521, Ground Floor, Hudson Lane, Delhi University-GTB Nagar, New Delhi
Cost – INR 750 for two
11. Cafe MRP
This café is known for its low costs, as the name implies. They provide MRP drinks, which is unusual in a restaurant or café. It’s a fantastic place to hang out with your college friends.
Must try – Stuffed Mushroom Caps, Egg Pakora, Bellini, Paneer Tikka, Cheese Balls, and Lasagna.
Location – C 39, 1st Floor, Opposite Odean Cinema, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Cost – INR 1500 for two
12. Xero Degrees
This CP cafe is gaining fame as a result of it’s Instagram-able freak shakes. They provide a diverse selection of shakes, including some unusual flavors like Bubblegum Shake and Popcorn Caramel Freakshake. Aside from the shakes, this cafe has a lot of delicious food to choose.
Must try – Peri Peri Fries, Tandoori fries, cold coffee, Pasta, Jar pizza, Waffles, and Peppy Paneer Pizza.
Location – L-23/9, Middle Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Cost – INR 700 for two
13. Pipeline Café
This location will undoubtedly provide you with some relaxing and unique sensations. The meal is delicious, and the pricing is pretty reasonable. If you enjoy hookah, this is the spot for you. They also have a DJ and plenty of space for dancing.
Must try – Mango Cooler, Brownie Sizzler, Kiwi Mojito, Summer Cooler, Banoffee Pie.
Location – Shop 37, 2nd Floor, Satya Niketan, New Delhi
Cost – INR 800 for two
14. The Potbelly Rooftop Café
It is all artful behind the rural exterior. This location has been in the spotlight for food spots worth exploring and one of the most excellent budget restaurants in Delhi as a canvas for distinctive graffiti. This particular rooftop cafe is a hippie haven known for its unusual seating area and brightly colorful décor.
Must try – Prawn curry, Keema Maggi, Pasta, and French fries.
Location – Shahpur Jat, Siri Fort, New Delhi
Cost – INR 1000 for two
15. Wenger’s Deli
Wenger’s, one of Delhi’s most famous bakeries, is a must-see when visiting Connaught Place. Wenger’s Deli is a cozy place next to the bakery with limited seating where you may enjoy appetizers and main course item.
Must try – Red sauce pasta, Pizza, and Nutella waffles.
Location – A/16 Near the road, Rajiv Chowk, Block A, CP, New Delhi
Cost – INR 500 for two
16. Mama’s Buoi
The combination of a fascinating, dreamlike atmosphere and delectable cuisine makes it excellent. The meal is delicious, and the drinks are refreshing, but the costs are still reasonable. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a rooftop bar with a lively, young population!
Must try – Drums of heaven, tiranga chaap, and burger
Location – 2624 Hudson Lane GTB Nagar, 3rd Floor, New Delhi
Cost – INR 1000 for two
17. Sam’s Café
Sam’s Café, one of Delhi’s oldest and most famous cafés. Sam’s café, located deep in Paharganj’s narrow streets, is known for its rooftop atmosphere as it is for its extensive menu of American, Spanish, and Israeli cuisine. Sam’s Cafe is a must-visit if you want to enjoy a delicious supper.
Must try -dimsums, lasagna, and falafel pita.
Location – Vivek Hotel, Main Bazaar, Paharganj, New Delhi
Cost – INR 700 for two
18. Informal
Informal’s regular lunch buffet has excellent Indian and Chinese cuisine, which you may enjoy while taking in the gorgeous and breath-inspiring vista of Connaught Place. The buffet features hot soups, sizzling appetizers, magnificent mains, a DIY pasta section, and decadent desserts, with a total of 14 items. The dynamic atmosphere, foot-tapping music, and artistic décor will all leave an impression.
Must try – lollypop chicken, and Chicken achari tikka
Location – 52, Tolstoy Lane, Near Connaught Place, Janpath, New Delhi, Delhi NCR, Delhi
Cost – INR 1200 for two
19. Fiery Grills
Fiery Grills serves Indian, Chinese, and other international cuisines. There are variety of meals available. This eatery is a favorite gathering spot for college students due to its relaxing atmosphere and low buffet rates. It provides an endless meal buffet at low pricing.
Must try – Mushroom tikka, Mutton, Paneer tikka, and Chicken tikka.
Location – 306, D Mall, Netaji Subhash Place
Cost – INR 900 for two
20. Diggin
Diggin, a charming café in Chanakyapuri, is ideal for an evening with your friends. With roses adorning the walls and dim lighting providing a exotic ambiance, you and your friends will undoubtedly appreciate the atmosphere. They don’t offer alcohol here, but that won’t be an issue because there are lots of other ways to get high.
Must try – Tuna Melt Sandwich, Veg Cannelloni, Chicken Crostini, Garden Burger, Lamb Lasagna and, Apple Crumble Pie.
Location – 10, Santushti Shopping Complex, Race Course Road, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Cost – INR 1400 for two
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We’ve covered 20 handpicked spots in Delhi, chosen for taste, hygiene, and affordability — so you can eat well without overspending.
All places featured here are known for reasonable hygiene standards and consistent crowd pull — a reliable indicator of food safety in Delhi.
Most street food joints in Delhi are busiest during lunch (12–2 PM) and evening snack time (5–8 PM). Arrive early to avoid long queues at popular stalls.
