Millets are indigenous, hardy, drought-resistant nutritional grains that have always been integral to the Indian culinary landscape. When these grains began to disappear in the 1960s, government campaigns soon followed, prompting farmers to revive millet cultivation. Popular for their health benefits, they foster holistic wellbeing and sustainable cooking and make us mindful of our ecological footprints. The heartening revival of millets like sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, and others to the modern menu has brought about the superfood revolution in India. Known for their nutritional qualities, the modern-day fusion of millets in delectable snacks, millet-based ales, and beers is becoming the talk of the town. If you are looking for a healthy treat in the city, here are the top cafés reinventing the ancient grains with a contemporary spin.
Top 5 Cafés In Delhi With Millet-Based Menus
Greenr café
True to its name, Greenr café integrates global progressive health and ecological values with an indigenous approach to curate a plant-forward and millet-based menu, taking healthy cuisine to the next level. The community-driven café allows you to chill while enjoying flavourfully balanced, nutritious meals. Experience the delights of clean, globally inspired vegan and vegetarian food with a millet-based menu. From earthy bowls enriched with the goodness of barnyard millet and tofu Amarnath balls to Himalayan Amarnath salad, the dishes are packed with nutrition and flavours, making it a wholesome celebration of mindful eating. Not just hearty mains, you can relish Greenr affogato made with the goodness of Amarnath muesli, vanilla and peanut butter for a guilt-free sweet indulgence.
Address: Building 4, SMR House, Basantlok Community Centre, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi
Price for two: INR 1500
What to order from Greenr’s menu: Moroccan red, Baja black bean earthy bowl, and Autin smoked jackfruit.
Café Lota
If you wish to experience regional Indian cuisine in an artsy eatery, Café Lota is your spot. Nestled inside the National Crafts Museum, the cafe charms with a village theme syncing the Indianess of regional food in a warm, earthy ambience. The menu features regional gems from little pockets of the country, with healthier versions of chaats, chillas and momos, enriched with the goodness of millets. Must try from the menu, includes Bajra Chilla, Quinoa upma, and Bhappa Doi cheesecake. Pair your meal with an extensive drinks menu offering everything from sattu sharbat, Himalayan apple kombucha and kesari chai.
Address: National Crafts Museum, Gate 2, Bhairon Marg, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
Price for two: INR 1200
What to order from Café Lota’s menu: Ragi vada pav, ragi chicken momos and ragi appam
Smoke House Deli
A vibrant café that gives out an artsy vibe with hand-drawn murals and pen sketch doodles showcasing a love for fauna. The visual narratives on the walls of Smoke House are as enduring as their mouth-watering menu. The menu features an extensive variety of Italian cuisine with salads, soups, and pizzas, all with multi-grain richness. The organic porridge menu for breakfast is wholesome, packed with ancient grains and vegetables. The ancient grain upma is a must-try. You can also try the superseeds bagel savoured with cheese, red onion and capers. The beverage menu is equally delightful, featuring refreshing delights like infused iced teas, imperial Earl Grey, and fresh fruit smoothies.
Address: Ground Floor, DLF Promenade Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Price for two: INR 2000
What to order from Smoke House’s menu: Multi-mushroom pizza, kale and millet soup
Café Dori
Discover the charming ambience of Café Dori in Chhattarpur, a thoughtfully curated European-style retreat offering wholesome food in an elegant setting. If you are out for breakfast, the multigrain toasts at Cafe Dori delight you with the goodness of avocado and mushroom while allowing you to choose the bread. From wholesome breakfast varieties, the seeded multigrain sandwiches bring a delicious taste, keeping the nutrition intact. The burrata tomato salad and pesto pappardelle offer a hearty, veggie-rich, wholesome and satisfying meal. The menu offers interesting drinks like grapefruit coffee tonic, Jodhpur G&T, and Orange Americano for the perfect finish to your healthy feast.
Address: Dhan Mill Compound, SSN Marg, 100 Feet Road, Chhatarpur, New Delhi
Price for two: INR 2000
What to order from Café Dori’s menu: Mix berry bowl, multigrain mushroom toast and pumpkin ravioli
Soul Pantry – Andaaz Delhi
Health has never looked as tasty as in Soul Pantry, nestled in the Andaaz Hotel, Delhi. The fresh produce, organic ingredients, and natively sourced grains make Soul Pantry ideal for a healthy meal and hanging out with friends and family. Their wholesome bowls and nutritious flatbreads rank high on the taste and health meters. Choose your flour base from wholesome options like finger millet, buckwheat and barley and create the perfect meal. From nourishing pizzas to flavourful salads and grain bowls, each dish is thoughtfully crafted with seasonal vegetables and barley for a nutrient-rich experience.
Address: Andaz Delhi, Gate 5, Asset 1, Aerocity, New Delhi
Price for two: INR 2000
What to order from Soul Pantry’s menu: Superfood bowl, burrata nest and spicy chicken pizza( millet- flat bread)
