Food History of Delhi Zoo, Delhi, India

The National Zoological Park, commonly known as the Delhi Zoo, has been one of the prominent places for visitors within the city. Originally established in the year 1959, the zoo not only offers a view of diverse fauna but also provides amenities including eateries for the comfort of its visitors. Within the zoo premises, food options have evolved over time from small snack carts to multi-cuisine food courts to cater to the diverse palates of tourists from all over the world.

Traditionally, the eateries here have focused on serving Indian snacks and fast food, which generally consist of vegetarian options, to ensure alignment with the sentiments of various visitors. Over the years, with the increase in tourist footfall, more diversified food items have been introduced while taking care to respect the cultural and ecological sensitivities related to the zoo environment.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes at Delhi Zoo for Tourists

1. Chole Bhature - A delightful North Indian dish featuring spicy chickpeas and deep-fried bread. (Vegetarian)
2. Aloo Tikki - Spiced potato patties served hot with chutneys. (Vegetarian)
3. Vegetable Biryani - Aromatic rice dish cooked with mixed vegetables and spices. (Vegetarian)
4. Samosa - Triangular pastry filled with spicy potatoes and peas, a ubiquitous Indian snack. (Vegetarian)
5. Pani Puri - Hollow puri filled with a mixture of flavored water, tamarind chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion, and chickpeas. (Vegetarian)
6. Pav Bhaji - Spicy vegetable mash served with buttered bread rolls. (Vegetarian)
7. Dosa - South Indian crispy crepes made from fermented rice and lentil batter, served with chutney and sambar. (Vegetarian)
8. Idli - Soft and fluffy steamed rice-lentil cakes, another South Indian staple. (Vegetarian)
9. Vada Pav - Mumbai's famous potato fritter sandwiched in a bread bun, served with assorted chutneys. (Vegetarian)
10. Gol Gappa - Another version of Pani Puri, synonymous with the streets of Delhi. (Vegetarian)

Top Famous Restaurants in Delhi Zoo, Delhi, India

While there are no full-fledged restaurants inside Delhi Zoo, there are food courts and small eateries. For a more extensive dining experience, tourists can visit restaurants located near the zoo. Here are some notable ones:

1. Zoo Cafe

   Address: National Zoological Park, Mathura Road, New Delhi
   Famous Food: Vegetarian Snacks and Beverages (Vegetarian)

2. The Tea Lounge - Taj Palace

   Address: 2 Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi
   Famous Food: High Tea and Sandwiches (Vegetarian)

3. Varq - The Taj Mahal Hotel

   Address: 1 Mansingh Road, New Delhi
   Famous Food: Indian Gourmet Cuisine (Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian)

4. Orient Express - Taj Palace

   Address: 2 Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi
   Famous Food: European Cuisine (Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian)

5. Yellow Brick Road - Ambassador

   Address: Cornwallis Road, Sujan Singh Park, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, New Delhi
   Famous Food: Global Comfort Food (Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian)

Note: Due to dietary restrictions and respecting the cultural diversity of India, no beef or pork dishes are commonly served in the eateries surrounding the zoo area.