They say ‘it is not the destination but the journey that matters’; especially when you are on a road trip, zipping across a 6-lane highway and have a bunch of your favorite people for company. More so, when that highway becomes India’s national highway 1 (NH 1). NH 1, besides being a well planned and well-laid out highway is also a foodie’s heaven.

Covering a distance of about 456 km and running through 3 states, NH 1 is one of the longest and oldest highways in the country. NH 1 starts at the Wagah Border, running down to Amritsar passing through Jalandhar, Phagwara, Ludhiana, Rajpura, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat and terminating in Delhi’s Outer Ring Road. Enroute, every stop, every city boasts of some famous dhabas that have been serving by passers, truckers and travelers alike, for decades now. With time and new generations, the places have gone on from being basic to getting swanky, chairs have replaced the charpoys, the open air has given way to air-conditioned halls, fancy printed menus in place of the friendly dhabe-wala guy telling you the day’s specials, an array of Chinese/continental fare added too. But the beauty of these places still remains their food, the good-old, feel-good Punjabi fare of paranthas, lassi, dal makhni, mutton curry and shahi paneer.

The loyalty and brand value these places command can be judged from the fact that these dhabas have become destinations in themselves. People often drive down to these places for a Sunday brunch or for a late dinner post party-hopping.

So we decided to make this list of the 7 best dhabas (listed here in random order) you cross on NH . You just have to decide when you want to drive down there next.

1. Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba/Gulshan ka Dhaba/Pahalwan Dhaba at Murthal

Murthal, a small village close to Sonepat and about 60 odd km away from Delhi, is the first stop on our gluttonous journey along NH 1. Once a cluster of small dhabas catering to truckers are now a popular, leisure “long drive” destination from Delhi that every parantha lover undertakes once in a while. Sukhdev Dhaba happens to be the swankiest of these. In fact, retaining their modest beginnings, they have taken the meaning of dhaba a notch or two higher what with clean washrooms, air-conditioned sitting, uniformed service staff, ancilliary shops selling pickles to toys right in the premises. Its popularity can be seen from far with the almost always full parking lot, whatever time of the day it may be.

Head there for some scrumptious and authentic ‘Murthal ke paranthe’. The paranthas are made in a tandoor and loaded with dollops of white butter. Ask for Amul butter if you prefer it. Aloo, aloo-pyaaz, gobhi, paneer and mix paranthas are the all-time favorites and most ordered items on the menu. Wash it all down with a big glass of lassi or a sweet-milky tea. Of course there are the usual other items too but paranthas are the biggest draw. You would know why when you tuck in to one.

So, even if you do not have a big-Punjabi wedding to attend in Kapurthala, you can still drive down these 60 km from Delhi, enjoy dhaba food at its best and be back home in a matter of hours. Let paranthas be the reason!

2. Haveli at Karnal

Drive further from Murthal, crossing Panipat and at about 140 km lies a Punjabi-themed, village-styled restaurant aptly named, Haveli. Built like a haveli, this place has become a must-visit stopover for anyone traveling on NH 1. Right from its palace like entrance down to the décor, sitting arrangement, shops selling ethnic ware, traditionally dressed staff to the last detailing of the thalis your food is served in, this is THE place for a good hearty Punjabi meal on the highway.

Enjoy a delicious pure vegetarian meal with paranthas, dal makhni, puri chhole, lassi and jalebi finding a special holler in the menu.

Dancers dressed in traditional attire performing bhangra to dhol beats add to the charm and grandeur of the place. Definitely a must-visit.

3. Mayur Dhaba at Karnal

Again a popular choice amongst travelers for years, Mayur Dhaba is a place to stop by if you are craving for some non-vegetarian food. Though Haveli is supposed to be the most frequented eating joint in the area, you will find the serious butter chicken lovers stopping only at Mayur Dhaba as that is their best-selling and most famous item on the menu.

4. Puran Singh ka Mashoor Vishal Dhaba at Ambala

Reach Ambala Cantt and you will be surprised by the sheer number of Puran Singh dhabas staring at you, inviting you in, all claiming to be the original one. However, Puran Singh ka Mashoor Vishal Dhaba is believed to be the one started by Puran Singh and later taken over by the man who used to sell him mutton and chicken. Vijender Nagar, who took over the whole brand, never compromised on the quality and legacy that brand Puran Singh ka Mashoor Vishal Dhaba stood for.

Famous for its non-vegetarian fare, you will lick your fingers off with their delicious signature dishes - mutton curry, keema kaleji and chicken curry. There is no crossing Ambala without a halt here!

5. Zimidara Dhaba at Sahnewal/Ludhiana

One of the few dhabas on the way where you still get the server verbally rendering the menu.

Originally started as a vegetarian only place, it now has another space adjoining the original which serves non-vegetarian food. Drop by for some good-old delectable favorites of dal makhni and kadhai paneer amongst many others. By the way, did we mention you get a jug full of buttermilk, complimentary with your order? 

6. Lucky Dhaba at Jalandhar

Successfully running and feeding hungry travelers since 1967, Lucky Dhaba has been one of the most popular dhabas on the highway crossing Jalandhar. Having undergone renovation and now in a refined avatar with all modern amenities, Lucky Dhaba has retained the food quality its patrons have been coming back for over all these years. Despite the stiff competition that the joint may be surrounded by (Haveli being pretty close), it has held on to its own purely for the delicious food and service. Their all-vegetarian menu has a few stars in it like shahi paneer, dal makhni and kheer.

7. Haveli at Jalandhar

This Punjabi-themed restaurant is the new attraction on the highway and has been successful in getting footfalls. Their elaborate Punjabi décor, lip-smacking vegetarian fare and cultural souvenir stalls bring alive rural Punjab for an ordinary traveler. One bite in to their butter-laden paranthas, creamy lassi, makki ki roti and sarson ka saag and your head travels straight in to a field, sitting on a tractor and breaking into a Bhangra step!

There are highways and then there are highways. If you love long drives, if food is the motivation behind a lot of things that you do and if you happen to frequent the Delhi-Amritsar route often, then you know NH 1 is just not another highway. Get your car keys and head to the highway. There is no better reason than food. And sinfully good food at that!

Naina Madan

From CA to advertising to writing, life has been a true roller-coaster ride. Not that I mind it. When not figuring out how to earn money to finance the travel, coffee and books, I am day-dreaming the travel, the coffee smell and virtually sniffing through new released books.

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