Sohan S.
Yelp
I've been to Dilli-6 a couple of times so far, and honestly, they haven't missed yet. It's one of those rare Indian spots that manages to balance authenticity with a bit of flair without losing the soul of Delhi-style food.
They seat around 80 to 90 people, and if you plan to go, book on Resy because it fills up fast. Now, there are a few quirks worth noting:
- They charge a 4% surcharge on credit card payments and encourage cash, which is ridiculous. I'm absolutely against that nonsense.
- They don't do takeaway or delivery. Their logic is that to-go orders mess up the consistency since the chefs would have to rush dishes, and I get that. Still, if you really want takeout, you have to dine in, get a table, order food, ask for boxes, and pack it yourself. Wild!
AMBIANCE
- Classy yet comfortable. Modern Indian touches with warm lighting and vibrant wall art.
- Plates and bowls are beautifully presented, with cast-iron skillets and brass cutlery adding a touch of flair.
- Feels upscale but not pretentious.
FOOD
- Chicken Dilli-6: My favorite dish here. The smokiness, the spice level, everything hits just right. This alone makes the trip worth it.
- Paneer Dilli-6: Right up there with the chicken version. The smoky flavor is unreal, rich without being heavy, and the paneer is perfectly coated.
- Karol Bag Ki Aloo Tikki: The star of the show among the appetizers. Excellent balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy. They absolutely nailed this one.
- Murg Makhani: Basically butter chicken with a subtle smoky note. Slightly sweeter than most versions I've had, but man, the flavor is crazy good. Alternating bites between this and the Chicken Dilli-6 feels like heaven.
- Paneer Peeli Mirch Tikka: Packed with flavor, though the paneer leaned a little chewy. Still, very enjoyable overall.
- Bhogal Ke Chholey Bhature: Extremely close to what you get in Delhi and by far the best Delhi-style chholey I've had in the US.
- Amritsari Chholey Kulcha: The chholey are the same delicious ones served with the bhature, and the kulcha itself was decent, not extraordinary
- Makkhan Murgh Malai Seekh: I was skeptical at first because, as far as I'm concerned, "malai" and "seekh" don't usually go hand in hand, but this one proved me wrong. Tender, flavorful, and surprisingly well-executed. Not something I'd always order, but if it's served, I'll happily finish it.
- Malai Soya Chaamp: Pretty good and packed with richness. Might be tough to keep consistently perfect, so I'll try it once more before fully vouching for it.
- Choor Choor Naan: For anyone unfamiliar, this naan is half-smashed, flaky, and layered into large bread pieces that are somewhat crunchy. It's uncommon even in India, let alone the US, which adds to its already incredible, crunchy, textural charm and makes it a must-try.
- Raam Laddoo: Underwhelming but not disappointing. The chutneys did most of the heavy lifting.
- Aloo Paratha Dilli-6: Decent but not something I'd go for again. It's fine, just doesn't stand out next to the heavier hitters.
SIDES & DRINKS
- Boondi Raita: Technically a side, but almost feels like a dessert. The raita itself is yellow, likely from saffron, and the quantity of boondi (tiny, crispy fried gram flour pearls soaked in yogurt) is generous enough that you'll probably get more crunch than yogurt.
- Sweet Dry Fruit Peda Lassi: Delicious and dessert-like. You'll want to eat it with a small spoon instead of drinking it.
- Shikanji: Refreshing and balanced, perfect palate cleanser.
- Aam Panna Mojito: Sweet, tangy, and minty -- easily one of my favorite drinks here.
DESSERTS
I'm not a big fan of Indian desserts in general, so take this part with a grain of salt.
- Giani Da Falooda: Decent. Pretty presentation and nice flavor, but it didn't blow me away. Fans of traditional falooda will probably love it more than I did.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Dilli-6 is the real deal when it comes to North Indian food in Kirkland, WA. The food looks great, and tastes even better. While the no-to-go and credit card surcharge are annoying, it's hard to stay mad when the food's this good. If they can keep the consistency, this place will be a home run for anyone craving authentic Delhi flavors done right.