United Coffee House, Connaught Place, New Delhi

Restaurant Name: United Coffee House, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Phone: +911123411697, +911123416075
Address: E-15, Rajiv Chowk, Block E, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001 India
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 2,500
Cuisines: Mughlai, Chinese, European, Continental, North Indian, Fast Food, Beverages
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar Available, Table booking recommended, Indoor Seating

Delhi has been occupied by a host of outsiders — Mughals and British to name just two. So, I find it inexplicable that we have the restaurant-scape that we do. The dhabas of my childhood in the 1960s have become gentrified or have closed and Indian Chinese Continental has taken over as the city’s cuisine, with none of them being particularly tasty or authentic. It is, therefore, with a sigh of relief that I visit United Coffee House in the Inner Circle of Connaught Place every few months — to give thanks that there is one restaurant that gives you a sense of history. The high ceiling, stucco work on the walls, comfy sofas and the colors used all whisper ‘heritage’. During a recent visit, the menu had undergone a much-needed change, to make most of the food about the old favorites, and less about Chinese and Lebanese.

United Coffee House, Connaught Place, New Delhi: Food

The charm of the old restaurants of Con-naught Place (many of which have closed down) was that tea and coffee with snacks was as big a draw as lunch and dinner. Some must-try tea-time snacks at United Coffee House for me are cheese balls (Rs. 245), giant keema samosas (Rs. 275) and paneer pakoras (Rs. 245). But the vast majority of diners visit this grand old lady for lunch or dinner. Tomato fish is a dive into the world of nostalgia — in a bygone era, there was not a single Connaught Place eatery that did not have it on their menu. Fish is often cooked with a souring ingredient; in this European classic, tomato is that ingredient and it is a match made in heaven.

Nargis ke kofte (Rs. 665) or the Indian version of Scotch egg (who came up with it originally?) is another gem that is seldom seen on Delhi menus. Another treasure is Mathur Chicken Chaat (Rs. 395) that works as a shared portion — chaat masala, onions, tomatoes and mayo. Offbeat but a favourite. Poached fish mayonnaise (Rs. 745) is a trip back in time.

Plus & Minus:

One of my favourite things to do is to arrive at 11:00 AM to nurse a cold coffee and watch people for hours.