Introduction
Delhi, the heart of India, pulses with an irresistible sweetness that goes far beyond its bustling streets and historic monuments. As someone who has spent countless hours exploring the narrow lanes of Old Delhi and the modern markets of South Delhi, I can confidently say that the capital’s mithai culture represents the soul of Indian culinary tradition. Sweets in Delhi aren’t just desserts – they’re edible stories, each carrying the legacy of generations of confectioners who have perfected their craft over centuries.
Indian sweets, known as mithai, hold a special place in our culture. They symbolize joy, prosperity, and the sweetness of life, made with rich ingredients like milk, ghee, dried fruit, and nuts. From the legendary establishments that have been serving since the 1901 era to modern sweet shops that maintain traditional recipes while embracing contemporary presentation, Delhi offers an unparalleled journey through India’s confectionery heritage.
There’s something so comforting about desserts that no matter how much you’ve eaten, there always seems to be room for those sinful sweet delights. Whether you’re seeking the authentic flavors of Bengali sweets in Chittaranjan Park, the time-tested recipes of Chandni Chowk, or the modern interpretations in South Delhi markets, this gastronomic journey will introduce you to the best, lesser known, and legendary places that have been tantalizing tastebuds for the better part of the 20th century and beyond.Here are some best sweet shop Delhi,
Haldiram’s
Haldiram’s stands as India’s number one fast food giant, but their excellent mithai deserves equal recognition. With high standards maintained across all outlets, a box of Indian sweets from any of their Delhi shops will be genuinely appreciated by recipients. While you’re picking up mithai, don’t hesitate to enjoy their food – it’s always good and consistently satisfying.
You’ll find Haldiram’s everywhere in Delhi, so use their store locator to find one close to you. Hours vary by location, but they’re generally open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. Locations in malls follow mall hours, and there are even kiosks at Indira Gandhi International Airport for those last minute sweet purchases. This legendary establishment has been responsible for satiating midnight hunger-pangs of the whole country with their packaged snacks.
Haldiram’s, as we know it today, is synonymous with authenticity, wholesomeness, and flavoursome goodness. Such is their popularity that this franchise has crossed borders and expanded its reach to several countries. From chaats to Southern delights and jaw-dropping sweets, they offer a power-packed roster for everyone to indulge in. Their savoury options complement their huge variety of sweets, making this place the go-to destination for anyone doing right by Indian confectionery. Recommended items include Kaju katli, gujiya, milk-cake, and thandai.
Chaina Ram Sindhi Confectioners
Don’t be put off by the busy location and slightly decrepit look of this Old Delhi shop – the food and sweets here are very good. I visited in the morning and found the shop already packed with locals, a testament to its quality. Located at the top of Delhi’s most famous street, Chandni Chowk, and around the corner from the spice market, there’s almost always a small crowd getting mithai. This shop is truly a landmark, having been around since 1901.
The story begins in 1901 in Lahore, where Chaina Ram started his massively famous shop selling different kinds of mithai, specialising in one called Karachi Halwa. While it was difficult tracing the year when Chaina Ram relocated to Fatehpuri, what was easy was visiting this legendary place and giving its speciality a taste check. From Karachi halwa to Pateesa, Kaju Burfi, Sev Badam, Ghevar, and yummy ladoos, Chaina Ram will leave you high and happy in more ways than one.
This place also serves lip-smacking Chana Poori as a breakfast dish in the wee hours of the morning. The 118-year old establishment, originally set up in Lahore, has become an Old Delhi institution whose consistency and balanced taste are to die for. They use just the right amount of ghee and sugar, making a box of sweets from Chaina Ram something that should be high on your list. Recommended items include kesar bhog, sev badam, gujiyas, and sohan halwa.
Bangla Sweet House
This ranks among the oldest and most loved sweet shops in Delhi. When I was living in the Himalayas, the family I rented from would always ask me to bring them mithai from this shop whenever I visited the capital. It’s just down the street from Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, which means it gets very busy on weekends due to the constant flow of devotees and sweet enthusiasts.
Kaleva
My landlady introduced me to Kaleva, calling it a favourite sweet shop of Delhiites. It’s very centrally located between Connaught Place and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, making it easily accessible. This is another spot where the food is very good, so I highly recommend having some lunch while here. Their chole kulcha (chick peas in gravy with fluffy bread) is one of the best in Delhi.
This place serves amazing gulabjamun, rabri, and rasgulla. Even rasmalai here is simply incredible. The ambiance at this place is pretty good and the staff is really helpful. Their kheer is particularly worth every penny – you won’t be able to resist yourself from having another serving. What’s remarkable is they’ve been making sweets for the past 500 years, offering 1000 varieties of sweets and namkeen with patronage from Indians the world over.
Be it Diwali, Holi, your birthday, or just a long, hard day at work, Kaleva’s mithai will turn it into one sweet celebration. Recommended items include Kaju-badam sweets, gujiya, and Kaleva special laddoo.
Shyam Sweets
Shyam Sweets is one of the best sweet shops in Old Delhi. If you’re there before noon, try an Indian breakfast of bedmi puri and aloo sabzi (puffy bread with potato curry). This is one place where the food is just as good as the sweets. The gajar (carrot) halwa in winter and bhiya (bottle gourd) ki burfi in summer are especially noteworthy.
Shyam is said to be the pioneer of the Nagori Halwa breakfast place. Apart from the lip-smacking Bedmi Poori and Nagori Halwa you get for breakfast everyday here, very few people know that Shyam prepares some amazing mithais, and winters are the perfect season to gulp down one too many. From Pan Roll to Cham Cham, Kesar Pak, and all kinds of barfis, this place has earned a legendary tag.
This place serves street food and sweets, offering a huge number of variety in sweets – all of them worth a try. From malai burfi to Bengali sweets, kaju sweets to seasonal sweets, all of them are worth a bite. Even the authentic nagori halwa here will leave you speechless – one cannot stop themselves from having a bite of it. This establishment is highly recommended for tourists and foodies alike. Recommended specialties include Badam pinni, nagori halwa, and Jodhpuri laddoo.
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Evergreen Sweet House
This has become one of my regular haunts in South Delhi. I usually come here to have lunch (there’s a decent and budget friendly restaurant upstairs), and I always enjoy a few sweets for dessert, or at least take some home. This place is very popular with locals and represents one of the best shops in South Delhi for sweets. The quality is consistently very good, and it’s located close to the Green Park Tombs – perfect for combining sweet indulgence with sightseeing.
Evergreen is one of the first names that comes to mind when we think of the most iconic sweet shops in Delhi. They’ve created a legacy for themselves by never failing to deliver great quality, delicious sweets. The ambiance is perfect, the staff exceptional, and their laddos are absolutely flawless. Their jaleebi is particularly well known, and if you’re craving for sweets, this place is totally worth a visit. Recommended items include Rasmalai, kalakand, anjeer ki barfi, and laddoos.
Bengali Sweet House/Bengali Sweet Centre
Bengali Sweet Centre is practically a South Delhi institution. It has occupied a prominent corner in the South Ex main market for decades and remains very busy on evenings and weekends. The Mithai here are great quality, and the food is also good. In fact, the dining area was packed when I visited, with lots of people standing around and eating outside – always a good sign of authentic taste.
One single shop originally dominated the Bengali Market near Mandi House many years ago, which went by the name of Bengali Sweet House. This establishment is still a legend to reckon with, preparing drool worthy mithais everyday. From barfis to halwas to khoya mithais, this place still gets its share of patrons. Kesar raj bhog is the first sweet dish that comes to mind when you hear of bangali sweet house. Besides that, rasgulla and rasmalai taste really good here, as does gajar halwa. Their rabri is absolutely mouthwatering and shouldn’t be missed.
Moti Sweets
One of South Delhi’s best sweet shops, Moti Sweets has been selling mithai since 1962. This is a family run business where they make mithai using traditional recipes. Located in the main market of Malviya Nagar, it’s the biggest and most popular sweet shop in the area. One side of the store is devoted to cakes, while the other focuses on Indian sweets and desserts. They have a good selection of savoury snacks (namkeen) also.
This place serves amazing confections with an end number of variety in sweets – from kaju barfi to coconut laddos, bundi rasgullas, and kaju katli. Every sweet is available here, and this place serves authentic sweets that are offered at reasonable rate. The establishment is totally worth a try as all the sweets taste amazing.
Kanwarji’s/Kanwarji Confectioners
This eatery can be deemed as an archaic wonder because of its medieval foundation dating back to the 18th century. Kanwarji is primarily known for their legendary Dal Biji, a savoury snack enjoyed by patrons across the globe. Their location in Chandni Chowk exudes a charming old-world vibe and is flocked with locals throughout their working hours. Sweets like Karachi Halwa, Sohan Halwa, Pista Lauj, and Badam Lauj also comprise some of their well-known delicacies.
Special sweets here include gulabjamun, pista lauj, badam lauj, and sohan halva. Their special kaju sweets feature kaju kamal and kaju mango, followed by kaju lemon and kaju honey. This place serves an end number of variety in sweets, and the flavors here are exceptional. They also serve sugar free sweets and chikkis, with Bengal sweets and variety in laddu available at this place. Anarkali is something one must have a bite of, and seasonal sweets are also available.
If we’re talking about sweets, how can one miss out on Kanwarji’s gulab jamun? Even my mother says that this is one shop that has been a part of all big and small celebrations in the house. They’re famous for their mithai, of course, but also for savour items like dal biji and chhole bhature. Recommended specialties include Gulab jamun, Nagori halwa, and rasgulla.
Kallan Sweets
This place is much easier to locate than Sheeren as it’s the first shop right outside the Gali Kababian in Old Delhi where Karim’s is located. Also in existence since a good 40 odd years, Kallan is the answer to the sweet cravings of the whole of Purani Dilli. Specialising in all kinds of Indian sweets and especially barfi, this place will not leave you disappointed. You should gorge on their Kalakand, Pista Barfi, Coconut Barfi, Dodha Barfi, Motichur Ladoo, and so much more.
This is purely a sweet shop that serves only sweets – there are no seating arrangements available here, but the sweets here are definitely worth a try. You can also order in bulk for occasions, and the packaging is amazing as well as the taste is great. A must visit if you’re at Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, Kallan Sweets has been around for over 70 years. They’ve even got snacks like Keema Samosa, Khoya Samosa, and Pakore, all of which are prepared fresh every few hours because they’re sold out quickly. Recommended specialties include Paneer jalebis, Gajar ka halwa, and phirni.
Old Famous Jalebi Wala
There won’t be a single Delhiite who hasn’t heard of this oh-so-popular Jalebi Rabri outlet in CC. Funny thing is that there isn’t much left to say about this place after its self-referencing name lays down the accurate “old” and “famous” labels assigned to the eatery. Their mammoth-sized Jalebis are a delight to enjoy during cold winter mornings with a generous dollop of Rabri and a cup of warm Tapri chai.
A trip to Chandni Chowk will go incomplete if you don’t take a break from your shopping spree and drop by this legendary place for a quick snack. This place serves the most amazing jalebi and sweets in town at reasonable rates. Besides jalebi, it also serves aloo samosa and mutter samosa. Apart from this, there are other options in sweets as well. Even though they are limited, they taste heavenly. One can also find rabri here, and jalebi and rabri together form an amazing combination that’s worth every bite.
Annapurna Bhandar/Annapurna Sweet House/Annapurna Sweets
This might not have been on your list till now, but if you ever had a friend who lives in Old Delhi, they would tell you how and exactly why Annapurna is so special to them. Established in the Colonial era in 1929, this place creates an aura of old world Calcutta right here in the heart of Old Delhi and keeps coming back for more. From Mishti Doi to Rosogollas, Ras Malai to Sondesh, we couldn’t find a single item on their menu NOT worth trying.
CR Park can be referred to as a tiny West Bengal in the middle of South Delhi, and where there are archetypes of Bengali culture, there are bound to be sweets. Annapurna Sweet House is a sweet shop that houses authentic Bengali sweets coming straight from the vibrant lanes of Kolkata. Their Khirkodom, earthen pots of Mishti Doi, the myriad options of Sondesh, and of course, the delicate Roshogollas are worth checking out.
This Old Delhi gem has had a special place in our hearts for as long as we remember. With sister concerns in CR Park and Green Park, this sweet shop is the place to eat the best Bengali sweets you’ll ever eat. If you get a sugar rush with all the mithai, Annapurna’s samosas are exactly what you need. Recommended items include Dilbahar, cham-cham, sandesh, and samosa.
Nathu’s Sweets
Along with sweets, this place also serves north Indian, south Indian, and Chinese cuisine. Sweets of this place are really popular, and especially the Bengali sweets – their mava barfi here tastes like heaven. Even the kaju rolls are beyond explanation. The best part includes their gulabjamun, rasmalai, and cham cham – all three of them are worth a try and taste flavorsome. Most Delhiites have a memory from their childhood about going to Nathu’s.
Established in 1936, they’re a family run business that offers some of the best besan ke laddoo, kaju barfi, halwas, and so much more. This is a place where you should experience it once and you’ll surely crave for a second bite. Recommended specialties include Besan ke laddoo, Kaju barfi, and soan papdi.
Hira Sweets
Along with sweets, this place also serves north Indian, south Indian, street food, and fast food. The place is really famous for serving gulabjamun and barfi, and not just this – there’s a seasonal sweet known as bhalushai. Pista bhalushai is something one must try once. This place is worth a visit and won’t disappoint you at all.
A name that yet again invokes nostalgia, this decades-old eatery is most known for its balushahi – a brownish-red desi sweet that is heavy on ghee. If you’re not the calory-conscious type, then you’d love to dig into this indulgent treat. Recommended specialty: Balushahi.
Shagun Sweets
Shagun Sweets is an absolute gem in East Delhi. They have some of the most beautiful mithai I have seen, as well as an impressive cake and pastry selection. If you really want to wow someone, come here and get an assorted mithai box that will truly impress. There are several locations, mostly in East Delhi, but I prefer the shop in the market area of Jangpura, which is central and easily accessible.
Bansal Sweets
Bansal Sweets is a very popular North Delhi sweet shop, famous for using only desi ghee in their mithai. They make delicious traditional Indian confections like pinni, laddu, burfi, and motichoor. Definitely come here if you are having a sugar craving and you’re in North Delhi. There are few mithais out there that are better than laddoos because they make life come full circle (and also our bodies, but we’ll ignore that in the name of self-love).
If you want some amazing ones, just go to Bansal Sweets – trust us. We hear great things about their Rasmalai too. Recommended specialties include Besan laddoo and motichoor laddoo.
Kamala Sweets
If you love Bengali sweets, this is the only shop you need to visit. Kamala Sweets is located in Chittaranjan Park, a predominantly Bengali neighbourhood in South Delhi. This is one of my favourite sweet shops in Delhi – the mithai are very authentic. If you come during the Durga Puja festival, expect it to be extremely busy with devotees and sweet enthusiasts.
I tend to prefer Bengali sweets to North Indian ones. Because of the use of chhena (something like cottage cheese), they’re milder, more creamy, and less sweet. I tried mango, pineapple, and a light brown sondesh (no idea what kind it was), and they were all good – each offering a unique flavor profile that represents authentic Bengali confectionery traditions.
Gulab Sweets/Gulab/Gulabwala
If you’re a fan of crispy nut loaded sweets like chikki (Indian nut brittle), come here in winter for gajak, chikki, and rewri. Gulab Sweets claim to be the originators of gajak and rewri – two sweets that I can only describe as a cross between a spiced nut cookie and brittle. They are excellent here, plus they travel well, making them an ideal gift to bring back home. The shop is a little out of the way in North Delhi, but it might be worth the trip for these winter sweets.
Now boasting multiple outlets across the city, Gulab started as a good old sweet and snack shop in Pitampura. Gulab is your quintessential snacking joint with a scrummy selection of savoury dishes like Papri Chaat, Dal Kachori, Samosas, Pakodas, and much more. Their fabulous collection of sweets is worth visiting for – you gotta get your hands on some Gajar Halwa, Rasmalai, and Rabri in a Kulhad. We guarantee you’ll come back running for more.
Besides sweets, this place also serves north Indian, south Indian, fastfood, and street food. The most famous sweets here is mal pua, which is highly recommended, followed by moon dal halwa and gajar halwa. Recommended specialties include Dhoda special, khoya roll, gujiya, malpua, and angoori petha.
Om Sweets
Om Sweets is primarily in Gurugram (they have many shops there), but there’s one West Delhi location. When I first moved to Delhi, I lived in Janakapuri West and my neighbour brought me here. It’s hands down the best sweet shop in West Delhi. The North Indian food is really good here too – if I’m in the area, I usually eat lunch here and get some sweets to take home.
A product of Gurgaon and synonymous with dhodha, Om Sweets & Snacks has around 10 outlets in Gurgaon, and each one of them maintains the same quality of taste as the original. Heads up – they have an app now that makes sweet shopping real easy and truly ‘sweet‘. Recommended items include Dhoda special, khoya roll, gujiya, malpua, and angoori petha.
Sheeren Bhawan
We can bet that only a handful of y’all must have heard the name of this place, let alone visiting this age old mithai shop. Not a commercial sweet shop, the interiors are dry and sober, but the sweets prepared at Sheeren are to die for. Using pure desi ghee to create sweet cravings, Sheeren Bhawan offers Gajar Ka Halwa, Baalu Shahi, Jalebi, Moong Dal Halwa, and Habshi Halwa to name a few. A jewel right in the middle of the busy streets of Jama Masjid – you gotta check this place out.
Bade Miyan Ki Kheer
An almost unknown entity in Delhi, and yet his shop has been running for almost a century now. Going by the name of ‘Old Kheer Shop‘, Bade Miyan comes in everyday and prepares the most creamy and lip-smacking kheer we can ever imagine. Sit down, have a chat with the owner, devour two helpings of kheer, get a family bowl packed, and wait to get hit by sugary awesomeness. This hidden gem represents the essence of traditional Delhi confectionery at its finest.
Singla Sweets
Singla Sweets can be deemed as the treasured possession of East Delhi. This age-old establishment in I.P Extension has been the go-to place for the locals when they feel like satiating their collective sweet tooth. They mainly offer quick-bites and snack items like Chole Bhature, Pao Bhaji, and a wide variety of chaats, but their collection of decadent desserts is also worth checking out.
Try some of their Gulab Jamun and Rasmalai and let the exquisite quality speak for itself. The combination of traditional techniques with modern presentation makes this establishment a standout choice for both casual visitors and serious sweet enthusiasts.
Bhimsain’s Bengali Sweet House
In search for some authentic traditional sweets? Do visit this place and it won’t disappoint you at all. It serves amazing Bengali sweets and also other options like rasgulla and ras malai. Dishes which are worth a try include cham cham followed by rabri and gajar halwa – these are all highly recommended at this store.
The shop has improved itself over the years, and its quality food along with a flourished menu is definitely worth a trip. This establishment represents the perfect blend of traditional Bengali sweet-making techniques with contemporary service standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the best times to visit these sweet shops in Delhi?
A: Most sweet shops are busiest during evenings and weekends, especially places like Bengali Sweet Centre and shops near religious sites like Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. For the freshest sweets and to avoid crowds, visit in the morning hours – many shops like Chaina Ram and Shyam Sweets are already packed with locals by mid-morning, indicating the quality of their offerings. Winter is particularly perfect for seasonal sweets like gajar halwa and gajak.
Q: Which sweet shops offer the most authentic Bengali sweets in Delhi?
A: Kamala Sweets in Chittaranjan Park is the go-to destination if you love Bengali sweets – it’s the only shop you need to visit for authentic mithai. Annapurna Sweet House also houses authentic Bengali sweets coming straight from the vibrant lanes of Kolkata, including Mishti Doi, Rosogollas, and delicate Roshogollas. These shops use chhena (cottage cheese), making them milder, more creamy, and less sweet than typical North Indian varieties.
Q: Are there sweet shops in Delhi that have been running for over 100 years?
A: Absolutely! Chaina Ram has been around since 1901, making it a 118-year old establishment originally set up in Lahore. Shyam Sweets is over 100 years old and dishes out fresh sweets day in and out. Kallan Sweets has been around for over 70 years, while Kanwarji dates back to the 18th century with its medieval foundation. These legendary establishments have maintained their traditional recipes and quality across generations.
Q: Which sweet shops are best for buying mithai for festivals and occasions?
A: Haldiram’s maintains high standards across all outlets, making a box of Indian sweets from any location genuinely.
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