Andhra Bhavan Canteen

The canteen at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan is one of Delhi's best-loved budget meals and a good example of a peculiarly Delhi institution: the state bhavan canteen. Many Indian states run a guest house in the capital for officials and visitors, and several of them have canteens open to the public serving the food of their home region. The Andhra canteen is probably the best known of them all.

Andhra Pradesh Bhavan stands at 1 Ashoka Road, within walking distance of India Gate and less than ten minutes' drive from Connaught Place. The complex, owned by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, dates back to 1956 and includes accommodation, an auditorium and the canteen. The canteen is reached along an outdoor passage from the bhavan's lobby, and has long been run by a private caterer.

Breakfast is a highlight, with filter coffee, dosa, vada, idli and sambhar. The lunchtime thali is the classic order: an unlimited South Indian meal of rice, dals, rasam, crisp appadams and achars, the spicy Andhra pickles. Non-vegetarian dishes are ordered on the side, and the chicken biryani and mutton fry have a loyal following, along with chicken fry and prawn curry.

Prices are very low for central New Delhi, and the food is the draw rather than the surroundings, which are simple, with communal tables. It is often hard to get a seat at lunchtime, so arrive at the start of a meal service. Service runs in separate breakfast, lunch and dinner sittings rather than all day; check current times before you go.

It suits budget travellers, vegetarians and meat eaters alike, and anyone curious to try South Indian food beyond the familiar dosa. It is also a good choice for a quick, filling lunch between sights in central New Delhi, as long as you are happy with a no-frills setting. Most of the cooks and waiters have traditionally come from coastal Andhra, which helps explain the food's reputation.

The canteen is a convenient stop after visiting India Gate or the National War Memorial, and is a short ride from Connaught Place. Taxis and auto rickshaws can drop you at the Ashoka Road gate.