Non Veg Tandoori Starters in Connaught Place: What to Order Before the Main Course Arrives
Some meals are decided in the first ten minutes. If the starters arrive hot, smoky and juicy, you’re already happy, and the curry that follows is just a bonus. That’s why people who know their food in Delhi take non veg tandoori starters in Connaught Place seriously.
CP has plenty of places serving kebabs in Connaught Place, but ordering well is a skill of its own. Do you go for chicken or mutton? Creamy or spicy? One platter or three separate plates? This guide walks you through the non-veg side of the tandoor, one dish at a time, so you can order with confidence.
(If you want the bigger picture of what makes tandoor cooking special, we’ve covered that in our guide to what makes tandoor food taste different. Here, we’re going deeper into the starters themselves.)
Why Starters Deserve More Attention Than the Curry
Most people treat starters as a warm-up. In a tandoor-focused kitchen, it’s often the opposite. Kebabs and tikkas are cooked fast, at high heat, and they taste best within minutes of leaving the skewer. A curry can sit and still taste good. A tikka can’t.
So when you’re ordering non veg starters in CP, think of them as the main event. Order them first, eat them while they’re hot, and let the rest of the meal follow.
Chicken Starters: Where Most Tables Begin
Chicken is the safest and most popular route, and the tandoor gives you plenty of variety.
Chicken Tikka (6 pcs, ₹395) is the classic for a reason. Boneless chicken, bold masala, a good char on the edges. It comes with crunchy jaali and green chutney, which is exactly how it should be eaten. If you’re only trying one dish, make it this one. Anyone searching for chicken tikka in Connaught Place should start here.
Murgh Malai Tikka (6 pcs, ₹395) is the gentler cousin. It’s marinated in malai and curd, so the pieces turn out soft and mild rather than fiery. It works well for kids, for people who avoid heat, or for anyone who wants a break from red masala.
Chicken Lahsuni (6 pcs, ₹395) is for garlic lovers. The flavour is sharp and aromatic, so it pairs nicely with something cooling like raita or a glass of sweet lassi.
Chicken Seekh Kebab (6 pcs, ₹375) is minced chicken, spiced and shaped onto a skewer. The texture is soft and slightly crumbly, which makes it easy to eat with roti or on its own.
Kalmi Kebab (4 pcs, ₹375) and Stuffed Tangri (4 pcs, ₹395) are the picks for people who like to hold the bone and eat with their hands. If you’re curious about what goes inside the tangri, ask the staff when you order. It’s the kind of dish where a quick question gets you a better meal.
There’s also Arsalan Chicken Tikka (₹425) on the menu, a good option when you’ve had regular tikka many times and want to try something different.
And if you want the rustic route, Tandoori Chicken comes in half (₹295) or full (₹525), with an Afghan version (₹315 / ₹555) that’s richer and creamier.
Mutton and Fish: When You Want Something Bolder
Chicken is easy. Mutton and fish are where a tandoor really shows what it can do.
Mutton Seekh Kebab (6 pcs, ₹475) is the better choice if you want depth of flavour without much chewing. Mutton Barra (4 pcs, ₹725) is the opposite: a proper, meaty bite for people who genuinely love mutton. It’s a premium dish, so it suits a table that’s sharing.
For fish, the tandoor menu offers Ajwaini Fish Tikka and Lahsuni Fish Tikka, 6 pieces each, with a choice of Basa (₹425) or Sole (₹625). Ajwain gives a sharp, slightly earthy edge that cuts through the richness of fish, so a squeeze of lemon goes a long way. Basa is soft and budget-friendly, while Sole is firmer and a little more refined.
One more fish dish worth knowing: Amritsari Fish Fry (₹675). It isn’t tandoor cooked, but it’s crisp, tangy and a natural companion if your group loves seafood.
How to Build a Starter Order for Your Table
This is where most people go wrong, either ordering too little and waiting hungrily, or too much and not finishing it. Here’s a simple way to think about it.
Two people: One chicken starter and one kebab is enough. Chicken Tikka plus Mutton Seekh Kebab gives you contrast without overloading the table.
Family of four: Add a creamy dish for balance. Murgh Malai Tikka, Chicken Tikka and Chicken Seekh Kebab cover mild, bold and soft in one go.
Group of five or more: Skip the guesswork and go for the Tandoori Non-Veg Platter (4 items, ₹1055). At Pishori Dhaba, it comes with green chutney and lachha onions, and it’s built for sharing, so everyone gets a taste of everything and nobody argues over the last piece.
A small tip: don’t order every starter at once. Place the first round, then order a second when the table slows down. Tandoori food loses its best quality when it sits.
Chutney, Lemon and Drinks: The Small Things That Change the Meal
A good tikka is only half the experience. What you eat alongside it matters.
- Green chutney brings freshness and cuts through the char.
- Lachha onions with lemon add crunch and a little sourness, ideal with Chicken Lahsuni or fish.
- Sweet lassi (₹125) calms the heat if you’re eating something spicy, while fresh lime soda (₹75) keeps things light and clean.
Keep the drinks simple. Heavy sweet drinks hide the smoky flavour you came for.
A Few Honest Tips Before You Order
- Eat tikkas hot. Within five to ten minutes of arriving is the sweet spot.
- Ask about spice. Heat preferences vary, and a quick word with the staff saves a lot of regret.
- Mix textures. Pair one soft kebab (seekh or malai) with one with bite (tikka or barra).
- Don’t fill up on starters. Leave room for the main course, especially if you plan to order a curry or biryani.
Where to Find Us in CP
You’ll find Pishori Dhaba at H-8, Ground Floor, Connaught Place, New Delhi, 110001, on the Gauri Palika Bazaar side of H-Block. The nearest metro station is Rajiv Chowk, which is the easiest way to get here since parking in CP is always a struggle.
We’re open daily from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM. For orders or table bookings, call +91 92205 52537. You can also browse the full menu here or check how to reach us before you leave. Prices mentioned here are from our current menu, and taxes apply, so please confirm at the time of ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best non veg tandoori starters in Connaught Place?
Chicken Tikka and Murgh Malai Tikka are the most popular starting points. If you want something richer, Mutton Seekh Kebab and Mutton Barra are great picks.
Which non veg starter is mild and suitable for kids?
Murgh Malai Tikka is the gentlest option. It’s marinated in malai and curd, so it’s soft and not spicy.
Is there a fish option among the tandoori starters?
Yes. Ajwaini Fish Tikka and Lahsuni Fish Tikka are both available in Basa or Sole.
What should I order for a big group?
The Tandoori Non-Veg Platter is the easiest choice. It has four items, so everyone gets to taste a bit of everything.
What is the nearest metro station?
Rajiv Chowk is the closest metro station for most blocks in Connaught Place.
Final Thoughts
The best non veg tandoori starters in Connaught Place aren’t about the longest menu. They’re about ordering the right mix: one bold dish, one soft dish, something with a bone, and a good chutney. Start with Chicken Tikka, add a malai or seekh kebab, and bring along people who like to share. If you’d like to try it yourself, Pishori Dhaba is open every day at H-8, Connaught Place, and a quick call to 92205 52537 is all it takes to reserve a table.