Slurrp Reviews Qavalli, Delhi: A Royal Revival Of Traditional Indian & Mughlai Cuisine

Updated:Jun 17, 2025

A menu featuring the best of Mughali and Indian classics, Qavalli promises guests a journey through time and the lost traditions. If you are someone who appreciates time-honoured dishes, drinks, and desserts, read on this exclusive Slurrp review and plan a visit to the latest addition to Delhi’s culinary scene.

Qavalli, Delhi: Revival Of Traditional Indian & Mughlai Cuisine

Image Credit: Qavalli, Nehru Place, Delhi

The national capital, Delhi, steeped in tradition and culinary heritage, is a hub for foodies. While there are a number of dining spaces that serve global cuisines like Asian, Mediterranean, Italian, Chinese, and so on, Qavalli focuses on reviving the regal Indian cuisine. The brainchild of restaurateur couple Dinesh and Pooja Arora not only takes you on a nostalgic journey but also takes you on an old-world culinary journey, right in the heart of Delhi.

Embodying the true spirit of ‘Mehmaan-nawazi,’ Qavalli is sure to entertain you with not only the visually impressive food but also their musical mehfils. After team Slurrp tried their timeless menu with time-honoured dishes and chef’s special highlights, it’s safe to say that Qavalli is truly a place where you can pay homage to India’s bygone era. Read on to know more about what’s on the menu, the regal drinks, and, of course, the ambience.

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Qavalli, At The First Glance

Located in Nehru Place, Delhi, Qavalli’s aesthetics are sure to pull you in. As you enter the restaurant, your eyes will be drawn to its old-world charm, intricate hand-painted walls, private dining spaces, and custom chandeliers, which will set the overall mood. Another layer of sensory delight is the signature Qavalli Nights, held every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. To catch the live Sufi, classical, and contemporary performances, their mefils are a must-attend.

“Every detail at Qavalli—from the menu to the décor—has been crafted with immense love and thought,” says Pooja Arora, the co-founder of Qavalli. “Our goal was to create a space where guests can escape the hustle of daily life and immerse themselves in the elegance of India’s regal past. It’s a celebration of tradition, culture, and unforgettable experiences.”

What’s On The Menu

“With this new edition of Qavalli, our aim is to bring people closer to the forgotten treasures of India’s culinary and cultural heritage, Dinesh Arora, the founder of Qavalli, told the Slurrp team. We’ve carefully designed a space where food, music, and art come together to create an atmosphere that feels both timeless and magical.”

As their motto clearly states, “We do not merely serve food, we create a Dawat. A divine feast,” each dish on the Qavalli menu lives up to it. Starting with a chilled glass of rose sharbat as a welcome drink, you beat the heat, the traditional way.

Appetisers

Once you have settled in, you can choose from a wide range of authentic Indian appetisers. Some of the quick bites that I thoroughly enjoyed include Chukandar Papdi Chaat, which featured pink-coloured papdis paired with soft bhallas, giving off a classic Delhi vibe. Topped with curd, pomegranate seeds, a mustard-coloured chutney, and imli ki chutney, the chaat perfectly melts in your mouth. You must also give their special Palak Channe Ki Chaat, Mezbani Ghughni with Potli Masala, the chef’s special Batak Ki Shami, and Mewe Mawe Ka Murgh a try.

Royal Drinks

No dining experience at Qavalli will be complete without its royal range of mocktails and cocktails. My favourite non-alcoholic drinks include the summer special Kachri Shikanji, which was too close to home, Anarkali, which had just the right punch, and Kakdi Cooler, the most refreshing beverage of all.

As for the cocktails, Begum Jaan, inspired by the elegance of India’s royal women, is a must-try. On the other hand, the Banarsi is filled with refreshing flavours. Some of the other popular options are Mallika Jaan, Tajdaar, and Mirza Ki Pasand.

Main Course

While each dish is meticulously prepared to give you the best of time-honoured dishes and forgotten recipes, being a fan of paneer, I tried the chef’s special Dum Paneer Latika. Turning out to be one of the best gravy bowls I’ve ever tasted, the dish featured tender paneer enveloped in a velvet-smooth sauce, made with hand-ground spices. The creamy texture of the paneer perfectly complemented the smoky undertones and a subtly sweet tasting gravy.

As for non-vegetarians, the chef's recommendations include staples such as Haleem, Nalli Nihari, Sikaderi Raan, and of course, Dum Ka Murgh. Apart from these, you can choose from an array of seafood options, a vegetarian take on haleem with kathal, rich servings of Dal, and favourite picks from Delhi.

Pairing the main course, apart from the usual breads like naan and roti, Qavalli offers forgotten breads like Peshwari Kulcha, Khumb Khurchan Kulcha, Kandhari Aloo Kulcha, Gur Ghee Churi, Miloni Taftan, and much more.

Desserts

Just like the starters and main course, the dessert menu is nothing short of timeless Indian sweets. If you need something chilled, you can order yourself an in-house Maharaja Kulfi ot Qavalli Falooda. To end your meal with a rich dessert, you can go for Kesari Phirni, Sheer Khurma, or Shahi Mewa Tukda.