1. Chilika Dhaba If seafood is where your heart lies, then the Chilika Dhaba in Barkul, Odisha, is where you should be heading.

The highlight here is the seafood platter, filled with spicy crab curries prepared with local masalas, lobsters, and tiger prawns. Address: NH16, Barkul, Odisha – 752030.

2. Giani Da Dhaba Giani Da Dhaba has seen an affluent list of patrons, including former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Since its inception in the 1970s, when the dhaba started with a simple menu of tea and biscuits, it has grown to offer butter chicken, paranthas, and other non-vegetarian delicacies. Address: Giani Da Dhaba, Dharampur, Himachal Pradesh – 173209.

3. Amrik Sukhdev The pride of Haryana’s Murthal and the solace of truck drivers — Amrik Sukhdev dhaba has stood the test of time since 1956.

For decades, truck drivers have got their fill of roti (Indian flatbread), dal (lentils), and paranthas here. Address: No.52, 250KM Stone, Grand Trunk Rd, Murthal, Haryana – 131039.

4. Puran Singh Da Dhaba The founder, Puran Singh, was renowned for his mutton and chicken recipes. An anecdote tells of how other dhaba owners paid Singh to close at 6 pm so they attract more business!

It is also rumoured that the dhaba is a favourite of chef Ranveer Brar. Address: 9R6X+CC7, Ambala Cantt, Haryana – 133001.

5. Dhaba End Dee’s Samaroh Located on National Highway 37, Dhaba End Dee’s Samaroh treats guests with authentic Assamese preparations — such as duck butter masala, pork chilli, bahu fish fry, fried pavo, and pigeon chilli.

Address: National Highway 37, Near Koliabhomora Batamari Kachari Pam, Tezpur, Assam – 784027.

6. Ganga Dhaba The outlet is helmed by 70-year-old Deepak Garg, who started a food joint in 1978 and christened it ‘Om Chinese Restaurant’. Today, it is known as Ganga Dhaba.

A crowd favourite snack during these sessions is the Mughlai parantha and aloo-pyaaz parantha, prepared by Deepak’s wife Sussma. Address: F3C3+25J, Unnamed Road, Charleville, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand – 248179.

7. Kesar Da Dhaba Once a favourite of Lala Lajpat Rai, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi, Kesar Da Dhaba is tucked in the narrow lanes of Chowk Passian, Amritsar.

Head here for hot crisp paranthas, creamy lassi, delicious thalis, and the traditional Punjabi dessert firni (sweet pudding). Address: Chowk Passian, Gali Rajpura, near Telephone Exchange, Amritsar, Punjab – 143001.

8. Rajinder Da Dhaba Fish fry and anda fry have been crowd pullers at Rajinder Da Dhaba since its inception in 1968.

The dhaba’s success is in traditional achari tikkas, dahi kebabs, shahi paneer and kormas. Address: AB-14B, Nauroji Nagar Marg, opposite Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi – 110029.