“Rajesh Wadhwa's trolley-borne Dal ki Chaat leads Delhi's most theatrical North Indian room. Book it to impress clients at Taj Palace.”
About Loya
The Dal ki Chaat arrives on a trolley and is finished at the table, lentils layered with chutneys and crunch before anyone lifts a spoon. That single piece of service theatre explains Loya, the restaurant Taj Palace opened in 2022 under Rajesh Wadhwa, a chef with close to four decades inside Taj kitchens. The menu works the cooking of the Himalayan foothills, Punjab and Kashmir rather than the hotel-Mughlai standards Delhi already has in abundance, and the formula travelled well enough that a Mumbai Loya followed in January 2025.
The New Delhi dining guide sets out the city's full field; our best Delhi tables for impressing clients places Loya within it.
The Kitchen
Wadhwa's menu reads like a field survey of the north. Timbri Jhinga sears prawns with timbur, the mouth-numbing mountain pepper of the Kumaon hills; Bhunnu Murg roasts chicken in its own juices until the masala caramelises dark. The Dal ki Chaat stays the signature because it compresses the whole project into one course: a humble dal dressed up with tableside ceremony and served without irony. Tasting menus run ₹3,800 and ₹5,000, with dinner for two à la carte landing near ₹6,000 before wine.
The kitchen's nearest rivals are ITC's institutions across town, the tandoor benchmark Bukhara and the slow-cooked Dum Pukht; the modern counterpoint is Indian Accent. For the cuisine at large, start with the best Indian restaurants worldwide.
The Room
Loya sits on the lobby level of the Taj Palace in Chanakyapuri, the Diplomatic Enclave, ten minutes from most embassies and the Prime Minister's office district. The room runs dim and copper-toned with widely spaced tables, and the trolley service keeps a low hum of movement without raising the noise floor; conversation stays easy. Lunch and dinner serve daily, 12:30 to 14:45 and 19:00 to 23:45. Dress is smart; the bar pours a serious gin list before dinner.
Best for Impressing Clients
Book this room to impress clients because the theatre does the work a host cannot: the Dal ki Chaat trolley breaks the ice, the Diplomatic Enclave address flatters any itinerary, and the Taj Palace's service apparatus removes every logistical risk. Loya holds the Delhi line in our best restaurants for impressing clients guide; reserve a corner table at dinner and order the tasting menu so the kitchen sets the pace.
Not for
Not for anyone chasing butter-chicken nostalgia. Loya skips the standards Bukhara and Dum Pukht already own and hunts older mountain recipes instead.
Frequently Asked
Who is the chef at Loya?
Rajesh Wadhwa, who has cooked inside Taj Hotels' kitchens for close to forty years, launched Loya at Taj Palace in 2022. His menu draws on research trips through the Himalayan foothills, Punjab and Kashmir.
What is the signature dish at Loya?
The Dal ki Chaat. The dish arrives partially assembled on a trolley and is layered tableside with chutneys, textures and finishing touches. Timbri Jhinga and the slow-roasted Bhunnu Murg are the other staples worth building an order around.
How much does dinner at Loya cost?
Plan on roughly ₹6,000 for two à la carte before drinks. Tasting menus run ₹3,800 and ₹5,000 per person, and the wine and gin lists can move the bill substantially.
Does Loya serve vegetarian food?
Yes, extensively. North Indian heritage cooking gives the kitchen a deep vegetarian repertoire, the Dal ki Chaat included, and the tasting menus offer full vegetarian routes. Tell the team about restrictions when booking; the hotel kitchen handles them well.
How far ahead should I book Loya?
A few days covers most weeknights; book a week ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner. Reservations run through Taj's own channels and the usual Delhi platforms, and lunch is markedly easier than dinner.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Loya
Lunch 12:30–14:45 and dinner 19:00–23:45, daily. Weekend dinner books out about a week ahead.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressTaj Palace, 2 Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri
NeighbourhoodDiplomatic Enclave
CuisineNorth Indian Heritage
PriceTastings ₹3,800–5,000 · ~₹6,000 for two
Phone+91 11 6650 3588
Dress CodeSmart
HoursDaily 12:30–14:45, 19:00–23:45
ReservationDirect · tajhotels.com
