Dhabas That Give Authentic Punjabi Cuisine its Taste

Salt, oil, and spices are the three must-have recipes to make delicious Punjabi cuisine. In the same way, traveling to India would not be complete without convenient transportation, good company, and of course, a world famous Punjabi dhaba, an integral part of the Punjabi restaurant scene. Their signature foods should be part of the list! 

Dhabas are accessible, and stopping by these eateries is like a tradition. You should always try them at least once when you stop by the city. Since these restaurants are on the roadside, you can stop whenever your stomach is gruelling from hunger. 

The dhabas' ambience may not look grand, but they give you an authentic and traditional North Indian experience like you’ve never had before. Food that you could eat over and over again. 

Before you visit Punjabi dhabas, we recommend you put these top dhabas on your list.

Enough talking, and let’s go ahead to see these wonderful restaurants! 

Best Highway Dhabas You Must Try

Pooran Singh Da Dhaba, Ambala

Photo courtesy: justdial.com

Pooran Singh dhaba, located in Ambala Cantt, is well-known for its meat and fish dishes. This dhaba was initially opened by Puran Singh but was eventually purchased by his meat and poultry supplier.

It's not that hard to locate this dhaba on the Delhi–Punjab's GT Road, but finding it might be confusing since there are so many other establishments along the route with the same name. However, the correct one is the very last one on the strip, directly beside the entrance to the bus terminal. 

There's a picture of Sanjeev Kapoor and Vinod Dua greeting guests at the front desk, too. 

Don't leave without ordering the flawlessly layered Lachcha Paratha or the Kadak Tandoori Roti to accompany your Mutton Curry, Keema Kaleji, Butter Chicken, Chicken Curry, Mutter Paneer, or Mutton Masala.

Sethi Dhaba

The Sethi Dhaba is one of the newest restaurants to launch on the Delhi-Chandigarh route. This Dhaba, founded by Sonu Sethi, has been growing in popularity because its cuisine features authentic, traditional Punjabi cuisine prepared using traditional techniques and ingredients. 

Aside from the vibrant music, the venue also has a vivid decor with life-size mannequins and giant posters of folk singer Gurdas Maan. In addition, it offers CDs of Punjabi music at specialized counters for those interested.

Amazingly, no other restaurant in the nation offers such high-dose entertainment as Sethi Dhaba does, with its weekend concerts by Punjabi artists. The facility also stands out because it provides accident victims free access to an ambulance service.

Make a quick stop at Sethi dhaba on your way to Delhi to experience some of their most popular dishes, including Makki di roti, Sarson ka saag, Daal Makhani, and yellow dal, as well as refreshing lassis and satisfying desserts like kheer.

Pahalwan Dhaba 

Over the years, this is one of the Murthal Dhabas that has established itself as a top choice among locals and visitors. Despite being passed over in favour of rivals, this location has built a reputation for offering healthy, delicious cuisine. 

Honey is offered in place of sugar in jalebi and tea, and mustard oil is used instead of refined oil. Organic food colouring is also used. Not only does it have a dedicated team that is focused on providing excellent service to guests, but it also provides guests with a unique blend of classic and contemporary food. You might ask, “why are dhabas food tasty?” That is the ultimate rhetorical question. Nothing beats authenticity! 

Pahalwan's dhaba is known for its unique Veg Thali, hot Paneer ka Parantha with freshly made butter, and Special Honey Tea. If you're making the trip to Chandigarh from Delhi, you should stop by here.

Lucky Dhaba

Photo courtesy: tripadvisor.com

Stop at Lucky Dhaba for delicious packed paranthas and white butter on your route. 

The dhaba has been in business since 1967. Its owners have kept up with the times by updating its look with contemporary touches like air conditioning, plush seating, and other conveniences. One thing, however, has been preserved: the delicious cuisine as it was decades ago. 

A hearty breakfast and hot chai from this conveniently placed restaurant beside the highway will undoubtedly set the tone for a productive day.

Make sure to try their Yellow daal, Sabjis, Missi Roti, Tandoori Roti, and Laccha Parantha varieties.

Haveli Heritage 

Photo courtesy: tripadvisor.com

Haveli Heritage is an ideal rest stop for travellers on the road from Delhi to Ambala, Chandigarh, Shimla, or Amritsar. While not really a "dhaba" anymore, the Karnal Haveli is a beautiful establishment designed to evoke a Punjabi crossroad. 

There's a life-size truck decked up with colourful decorations, an artificial well, bangles of all shapes and sizes, and other trinkets that give the area a distinctly ethnic feel. Vegetarians may choose from a broad choice of traditional dishes at this restaurant. 

Haveli Heritage is famous for its delicious tandoori-filled paranthas served with curd and tea, convenient parking, spotless restrooms, and a kid-friendly amusement park. Specifically, their Kadhi and Amritsari Chole are must-tries.

Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba 

Amrik Sukhdev, open for over half a century, is not your typical wayside restaurant. It's elegant, with uniformed servers, wooden tables and chairs, and air conditioning for customers when it becomes too hot.

Initially, the Dhaba served exclusively truck drivers, who would stop there to stretch their legs after a hard day behind the wheel of one of the Bharat Benz Heavy Duty Commercial Trucks on a manja and have a hearty dinner of dal, roti, sabji, and rice. But as time went on, it became a popular destination for tourists. It now provides regional specialties from all across India and Chinese, Continental, and other international cuisines.

Stop at Sukhdev Ka Dhaba if you're traveling between New Delhi and Punjab; it's a famous landmark along the GT Road. Make sure to have some of their Amritsari Kulcha, Aaloo Paratha, Mix Paratha, Lassi, and sweet milky tea.

Try One of These Highway Dhabas to Satisfy Your Soul

For a delicious meal, make sure to pull over at one of the mentioned highway dhabas the next time you're driving along the Delhi–Punjab route. You surely don’t want to miss these delicious North Indian delicacies on your trip. Feel free to leave a comment below to share your thoughts and suggestions.