On a first visit to Lazeez Affaire, order the butter chicken, dal makhani, a biryani, a platter of kebabs and, for a group, the Lazeez Special Raan. Together they show the North Indian and Mughlai cooking the restaurant has served since 1999, from slow-simmered gravies to smoky tandoor dishes.
Why do these five dishes define Lazeez Affaire?
Lazeez Affaire opened its first outlet in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi in 1999, and its kitchen has been built around North Indian and Mughlai cooking ever since. That style of food rewards patience: gravies that are reduced slowly, meat marinated for hours, breads and kebabs cooked in the heat of a tandoor. The five dishes in this guide are the ones that best show that patience on a single table.
They also cover the full range of a North Indian meal. There is a rich, mildly spiced curry, a slow-cooked lentil dish, a layered rice dish, grilled starters and a large sharing centrepiece. Order them together and you have a balanced meal that suits vegetarians and meat eaters, cautious eaters and spice lovers alike.
You can browse the wider selection on our menu page before you visit. Dishes vary by outlet, so it is worth asking your server about the day's specials too.
What makes the butter chicken worth ordering?
Butter chicken is the dish most guests ask about, and it is the natural place to start. Pieces of chicken are first marinated in yoghurt and spices and cooked in the tandoor, which gives them a light char. They are then folded into a smooth tomato gravy finished with butter and cream.
The result is a curry that is rich rather than fiery. The tomato brings gentle acidity, the butter and cream round it out, and the tandoori chicken adds a smoky note underneath. It is the kind of dish that works for a first-timer as well as for someone who has eaten butter chicken all their life.
Pair it with a buttery naan or a plain roti so you can mop up every last bit of gravy. If you want to know more about the dish itself, read our longer guide to butter chicken in Delhi.
Why is dal makhani a must at a North Indian table?
Dal makhani is the vegetarian heart of a North Indian meal. Whole black lentils and kidney beans are simmered for a long time until they turn creamy, then enriched with butter and cream and gently spiced. The long cooking is what gives a good dal makhani its velvety texture and deep, almost smoky flavour.
At Lazeez Affaire the house version is known as Dal Lazeez, and many regulars treat it as non-negotiable. It goes with everything else on this list: spoon it over rice, tear a naan into it, or eat it alongside the butter chicken for contrast.
If your group includes vegetarians, dal makhani together with a paneer dish such as Paneer Lababdar makes a satisfying meal on its own.
Which biryani should you try?
Biryani is a celebration dish. Long-grain rice and marinated meat or vegetables are layered together and cooked slowly, traditionally sealed so the steam stays in. As it cooks, the rice absorbs the aroma of whole spices, saffron and the juices of the meat.
A good biryani should have separate, fragrant grains, tender meat and a gentle warmth from the spices rather than overwhelming heat. It is a complete dish in itself, but it is also excellent for sharing in the middle of the table.
Serve it with raita to cool the palate. If you are ordering for a group, one biryani alongside the curries usually gives everyone a taste.
Which kebabs are the best way to start?
Kebabs are where Mughlai cooking really shines, and they make the best opening to a meal. The Galouti Kebab is a soft, finely minced kebab known for melting in the mouth. The Mutton Chapli Kebab is a flatter, spiced patty pan-cooked until crisp at the edges. The Gilafi Seekh Kebab is minced meat shaped on a skewer and coated with chopped peppers and onions before grilling.
Ordering a mixed selection lets the table compare textures, from soft and delicate to smoky and charred. Seafood lovers can look at the Fish Tikka or Tandoori Pomfret, both marinated and cooked in the tandoor.
Kebabs are especially popular at our Scindia House outlet in Connaught Place, where they are among the signature dishes.
Is the Lazeez Special Raan good for groups?
The Lazeez Special Raan is a showpiece. Raan is a whole leg of lamb, marinated for a long time and slow-cooked until the meat comes away from the bone. It arrives as a centrepiece and is carved or pulled at the table.
Because it is a large dish, it is best for families, celebrations and groups of friends. Order it with breads, dal and a salad and it can anchor the whole meal.
If you are planning a celebration around the raan, it is a good idea to reserve a table in advance, especially at weekends.
How should you order for your table?
A simple rule: start with one or two kebab platters, then choose one rich curry (butter chicken), one lentil dish (dal makhani), one rice dish (biryani) and breads. Add the raan if you are four or more. This gives a meal with contrast in texture, spice and richness.
For a vegetarian table, swap the meat kebabs for paneer starters and the butter chicken for Paneer Lababdar, a creamy tomato-based paneer curry. Keep the dal makhani and a vegetable biryani.
Don't forget drinks. A cooling mocktail is a good partner for kebabs and rich curries — read our guide to mocktails at Lazeez Affaire for ideas.
Where can you try these dishes?
Lazeez Affaire began in Chanakyapuri in 1999 and now has outlets across Delhi NCR and India. The original Chanakyapuri outlet and Scindia House in Connaught Place are in New Delhi, with further outlets in Gurugram, Noida and other cities.
See the full list on our outlets page to find the one nearest to you. Menus differ between outlets, so if there is a particular dish you have your heart set on, call the outlet before you go.
When you are ready, book a table online in a few clicks and choose a Lunch or Dinner slot that suits you.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lazeez Affaire best known for?
Lazeez Affaire is best known for North Indian and Mughlai dishes such as butter chicken, dal makhani, biryani and kebabs, served since 1999.
Is there a good vegetarian option at Lazeez Affaire?
Yes. Dal makhani (Dal Lazeez), Paneer Lababdar and vegetarian starters make a full vegetarian meal.
Which dish is best for a large group?
The Lazeez Special Raan, a slow-cooked leg of lamb, is designed to be shared and works well as a group centrepiece.
Is the same menu available at every outlet?
No. The menu varies by outlet, so check with the outlet if you want a specific dish.
Do I need to book a table?
Booking is recommended, especially for groups and weekends. You can reserve online on the reservation page.