Twelve-hour vegetarian buffets don’t sound very ‘Delhi’, but a quiet food revolution brews in Punjabi Bagh. In a city that famously loves its butter chicken and seekh kebabs, a different kind of culinary experience is going viral. A handful of newly opened vegetarian restaurants have started offering extensive buffets that remain open for a staggering twelve hours straight. The concept, first spotted last month, is now quickly becoming a buzzing phenomenon on Instagram Reels and food vlogs.
What makes these buffets special isn’t just the spread, which itself is impressive — over 75 items spanning condiments, main courses, fusion chaats and live dessert stations. What’s drawing the crowds is the relaxed, no-hurry atmosphere. There are no time slots. You come when you like, stay as long as you want, refill as many times as your appetite desires. In a city that’s always rushing, the idea of food without the pressure of time feels instantly comforting.
It’s about more than just food — it’s about culture. Delhi’s relationship with vegetarianism is nuanced. While street food often leans veg, restaurants are usually dominated by meat options. These all-day buffets quietly challenge that dynamic. They’re capturing something people seem to be yearning for: slow, communal eating. Dining that’s about the company as much as the cuisine. Perhaps a small resist against the fast-paced lives we lead.
Moreover, many of these buffets are family run. The stories behind them — siblings who left jobs to open dream eateries, mothers who helm the kitchen — lend warmth and character to the experience. It’s a beautiful reminder of the human touch in food. One such place, “Santosh Bhojanalaya” in the West Delhi belt, saw a queue wrap around the block last Sunday. Not for discounts. But for dal-baati and buttermilk done right.
Amid the noise of food influencers and algorithm-chased tastes, the long-format vegetarian buffet is a soulful pause. It tells us that even in a city addicted to scrolling, there’s room for slow bites and long conversations.
If you find yourself flustered, hungry or just curious, drop into one of these places. Bring a friend or two. Eat slowly. You might just rediscover the joy of food’s most underrated ingredient: time.
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