Seven kitchens. Seven communal dining tables. Seven regions. Five services. Three days. One goal — celebrating the iconic thali. Namaste Delhi. DSSC and Airbnb proudly present The Thali Tradition, a celebration of India, like no other. A perfect meal, this is the original chef’s tasting! A balance of sweet, salt, bitter, sour, astringent, and spicy — the thali is all that and more. We are curating India’s first celebration of the thali, and you are invited to partake in a supper steeped in tradition, science, art, and memories. From Parsi and North-Eastern, to Bengali and Bihari; from Kashmiri to coastal and Andhra thalis, we’ve cherry-picked seven kitchens that excel in showcasing authentic regional Indian cuisine.
Chor Bizarre
Settle down for a rich and robust Kashmiri meal at Chor Bizarre, nestled in the historic Bikaner House. The unabashedly Indian interiors designed to capture the spirit of the Chor Bazaar, or ‘thieves market’, and the mismatched decor and furnishings collected from bazaars across India make the perfect ambience for The Thali Tradition to come alive. The chefs at Chor Bizarre will dish out delicacies such as Aloo Bukhara Korma, Rajmah, Chicken Roganjosh, and Haaq on an ornate Kashmiri tarami, for a feast that entices the taste buds.
Book your Vegetarian Kashmiri thali here
Book your Non-Vegetarian Kashmiri thali here
Drop by at: Chor Bizarre, Bikaner House, Pandara Road, India Gate
Jamun
Located in the quaint Lodhi Colony Market, Jamun, the regional Indian eatery, gushes nostalgia with its mirrored windows, purple hues, bursts of bougainvillea, a red tiled roof, and an India-proud menu. From Jamun Old Fashioned to a Jamun Kulfi, the restaurant lives up to its name and offers myriad flavours. For The Thali Tradition, head here for a feast that brings forth flavours from the state of Andhra Pradesh. Gracing your thali will be dishes such as Muvva Vankaya, Keerai Masiyal, Telangana Mamsam Kura Meen Pulusu, Kesari Bath etc.
Book your Vegetarian Andhra thali here
Book your Non-Vegetarian Andhra thali here
Drop by at: Jamun, 17, Main Market Road, Block 13, Lodhi Colony
Lavaash by Saby
Overlooking the Qutub Minar, Lavaash by Saby stands in the lush calm of Ambawatta complex. The interiors are redolent of Mediterranean and Armenian blue hues, while motifs like peacocks enliven the space. The food narrative stems from West Bengal and its Armenians settlers of the 19th century. One gets to taste the lesser known Armenian cuisine here, albeit with Bengali touches. Sample Calcutta Style Moong Dal with egg tadka, Raw Mango Chicken, Railway Mutton Curry, Nolen Gur Cheesecake with tender coconut ice cream, and more with The Thali Tradition.
Book your Vegetarian Bengali thali here
Book your Non-Vegetarian Bengali thali here
Drop by at: Lavaash by Saby, H5/1, Ambawatta No.1, Kalkadass Marg, Mehrauli
Mahabelly
Legit Malyali fare is served up in a fuss-free atmosphere at Mahabelly, a restaurant that draws inspiration from Kerala’s rich culture — cinema, music, and folklore. The food offers a slice of Kerala’s culturally diverse influences from the Syrian Christians, the Nairs, and the Malabar coast’s Moplah community. For The Thali Tradition, Mahabelly will fill your thali and belly with Inji Curry, Ulli Theeyal, Beetroot Pacchadi, Parippu, Sambar, Mango Pulissery, Ari Payasam and more.
Book your Vegetarian Coastal thali here
Book your Non-Vegetarian Coastal thali here
Drop by at: Mahabelly, MA A-05, Restaurant Block, DLF Place Mall, Saket
Mood
Kusuma Juneja’s take-away service packs in a line-up of lip-smacking North-Eastern fare with much aplomb. Amping up the experience a step further, Juneja will be opening up the doors to her home exclusively for The Thali Tradition for the first time to the discerning DSSC members. Making way to the menu will be Mood specials Tingmo, Aloo Ko Achaar, Smoked Pork with spring onions, Sadey Ko Kakra, Momos et al. If you’re already salivating, the wait ends soon.
Book your Non-Vegetarian North-Eastern thali here
Drop by at: Private residence, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi
Rustom’s
In the serene premises of the iconic Delhi Parsi Anjuman, get a glimpse
of the traditional Parsi home and enjoy home-style dishes, the recipes for which have travelled generations. At Rustom’s, you will get a taste of the region’s rich culinary diversity. Impeccable meat preparations for the carnivores, a variety of eedu delights for egg lovers, and a focussed approach to vegetarian fare is the mantra here. Coming together to form The Thali Tradition menu are Kharu Gos, Chicken Frill Cutlet, Gos Nu Achaar, Patra Ma Paneer, Saria, Kachumber, and Caramel Custard et al. If this doesn’t whet your appetite, we aren’t sure what will.
Book your Vegetarian Parsi thali here
Book your Non-Vegetarian Parsi thali here
Drop by at: Rustom’s Parsi Bhonu, Bahadur Shah Zafar Road, LNJP Colony, Near Maulana Azad Medical College Campus
The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe
There’s no bhojan like Bihari bhojan. If you haven’t already experienced the cuisine that is influenced by the Mauryas, Nawabs of Bengal, Jains, Turks, and Mughals, The Thali Tradition at The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe is where you should begin. Potbelly brings to the table, food made using recipes handed down over several generations of a Muzaffarpur household. The dishes are characterized by the use of simple ingredients and smoky aromas with rich rustic flavors. Khada Masala Mutton, Sarson Machli, Sattu Poori, Makhana Kheer. You get the drift.
Book your Vegetarian Bihari thali here
Book your Non-Vegetarian Bihari thali here
Drop by at: The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe, 116 C, Behind UCO Bank, Shahpur Jat, Siri Fort
DSSC & Airbnb present The Thali Tradition, India’s first celebration of the thali. It’s quintessentially Indian, it’s iconic, it’s the original chef’s tasting. This 3-day celebration (5-7 October), set across some of the best restaurants in New Delhi, will showcase the depth and richness of regional Indian cuisine. Our proud partners include Thirsty, Good Juicery, and Khoya.
The Delhi Secret Supper Club (DSSC) is India’s leading curator of immersive & experimental experiences for the country’s finest member base. Known to continually push the creative envelope, DSSC aims to build a sub-culture that celebrates authenticity, inspired living, and diversity.
