Shalimar

Shalimar’s maze of different rooms and moods—from loud, hot, and busy, to private, plush, and cool—seem to go on and on (a walk through the entire restaurant’s many levels can take a full 10 minutes). The menu at this grand shrine of Mughlai food on Mohammad Ali Road that’s been around since the 1970s is neverending, too. It’s a rabbit hole of choice with hundreds of dishes. The cheat code of things you absolutely can’t miss: raan biryani, nihari, dal gosht, kheema, and the legendary layered sundae-like dessert falooda—a tall cool glass stacked with soft vermicelli, jelly, nuts, chia-like basil seeds, syrup, and ice cream. Large groups should snag one of the private dining rooms and share a family-sized, ₹2,529 raan biryani, while the air-conditioned upstairs is ideal for small groups.