Few things capture the soul of North India quite like a roadside dhaba — a steel tumbler of cutting chai, a slab of fresh white butter melting on a smoky tandoori paratha, dal makhani that has been simmering since dawn, and the unmistakable hiss of the iron tawa. In Gurgaon, that dhaba culture has a special twist. Sandwiched between the old city's lanes, the glass towers of Cyber Hub and the long ribbon of NH-48 heading to Jaipur, you can find everything from a Rs. 90 paratha-and-butter breakfast to a sit-down dhaba thali with truffle-shaved kebabs. This updated May 2026 guide rounds up the dhabas locals actually return to — for late-night drives, Sunday family lunches, and the legendary Murthal weekend run that every NCR foodie owes themselves at least once.
What Exactly Is a Dhaba?
A dhaba is, in the strictest sense, a roadside truckers' eatery — usually open through the night, usually serving Punjabi and northern home-style food, almost always with charpoys (woven cots) for seating, and always centered on a working tandoor. Today the word stretches across a much wider spectrum: from genuine highway shacks on NH-48 and NH-44 to polished urban "dhaba-themed" restaurants in malls. What they share is an ethos — generous portions, hearty Punjabi flavour profiles (think tomato-onion-ghee), tandoori breads cooked to order, and prices that respect a working person's wallet.
Gurgaon, sitting on the Delhi–Jaipur highway and an hour's drive from Murthal (the unofficial dhaba capital of NCR), is uniquely placed. You can have an authentic late-night dhaba experience inside the city limits, spend an afternoon at a highway pit-stop on the Sohna Road or NH-48, or make a proper road trip out of it.
Best Dhabas in Old Gurgaon & Within the City
These are the dhabas locals swear by — the ones with regulars on first-name terms, sticky menus, and decades-deep recipe books.
1. Dheeraj Vaishno Dhaba, Udyog Vihar
Dheeraj Vaishno Dhaba is one of the oldest pure-vegetarian dhabas in Gurgaon and a lunch institution for Udyog Vihar's office crowd. Despite the chrome and glass that has come up around it, the kitchen still runs on the same simple principle: home-style sabzi, fresh tandoori rotis, and dal that has the right amount of ghee. Try the Paneer Butter Masala with a butter naan, or the no-fuss Rajma Chawal thali. Price for two: roughly Rs. 400-500.
2. Gulshan Dhaba, Old Railway Road
If you want a taste of the original, pre-Cyber-City Gurgaon, head to Gulshan Dhaba on Old Railway Road. It's small, busy, and entirely unbothered by trends. Order the Butter Chicken with a stack of butter rotis, or the Dal Makhani that has been on the slow flame since morning. The tandoori chicken here, marinated overnight, is one of the better versions in old Gurgaon. Price for two: around Rs. 600-800.
3. Romi Da Dhaba, DLF Phase 4
Romi Da Dhaba in Sushant Vyapar Kendra is a Phase-4 favourite — a true neighbourhood spot that pulls in office groups by day and family dinners by night. The Butter Chicken is the headline act, but regulars insist on the Mutton Seekh Kebab and Malai Kofta. It is also surprisingly affordable for the area: a meal for two lands at roughly Rs. 500-700, and there is a generous magicpin saving on top.
Best Highway-Style Dhabas (NH-48 & Sohna Road)
These are the spots designed for road trippers, late-night drivers, and anyone who wants the highway-dhaba ambience without leaving Gurgaon.
4. Shri Ram Dhaba, Sohna Road
If you have ever taken the Sohna Road exit hungry, you have probably stopped at Shri Ram Dhaba. It is a true pure-vegetarian dhaba — Vaishno style — and it absolutely nails the basics. Don't miss the Paneer Paratha served with white butter, and the Dal Makhani that gets a final tadka of ghee at the table. The masala chhachh (spiced buttermilk) is the perfect Gurgaon-summer cooler. Price for two: about Rs. 350-500, making it one of the most wallet-friendly options on this list.
5. Dhaba on Highway, Sector 17
True to its name, Dhaba on Highway recreates the NH-48 truckers'-stop experience in Sector 17. Think charpoys, brass utensils, lanterns, and a smoky live tandoor station. The Sarson Da Saag with Makki Di Roti is a winter must, and the Tandoori Chicken arrives still sizzling on the cast-iron plate. Great for a long Sunday lunch with friends. Price for two: roughly Rs. 800-1,000.
6. Khadak Singh Da Dhaba, Sector 83
Out near the New Gurgaon side off NH-48, Khadak Singh Da Dhaba is a sprawling, high-volume highway-style dhaba popular with families on weekends. The big-portion Dhaba Special Chicken Curry and the Lacha Paratha stack are the signatures. The outdoor seating with hanging lights and the loud Punjabi music make this a fun group destination. Price for two: about Rs. 700-900.
Best Highway Trip Worth Making — Murthal & NCR Outer Ring
Some dhabas are worth a tank of fuel and a 90-minute drive. The Gurgaon-to-Murthal run (via Dwarka Expressway and the Eastern Peripheral) is an NCR rite of passage, especially on a foggy winter morning.
7. Pind Balluchi, Sector 29
Before you head out of the city, Pind Balluchi at Sector 29 deserves its own pilgrimage. The Pind chain has been running since 1996 and has perfected the "village-themed" sit-down dhaba experience — wooden charpoys, brass thalis, live folk music on weekends. Order the legendary Dahi Ke Sholey (crisp dahi-stuffed dumplings), the Pind Special Dhaba Meat, and finish with Murg Malai Tikka. Price for two: approximately Rs. 1,800-2,200, fitting for the experience.
8. Pirates of Grill, MGF Mega City Mall
Strictly speaking, Pirates of Grill is a barbecue buffet, not a dhaba in the traditional sense — but the live grill, dal-makhani-and-naan section, and the kebab-platter-as-main-event approach make it a brilliant pre-Murthal pit stop or a "Murthal at home" alternative for those without a car. The unlimited starters spread (think Tandoori Chicken, Mutton Seekh, Paneer Tikka and a dozen vegetarian counterparts) is the headline. Price for two: around Rs. 1,500-1,800 for the buffet.
Best Dhabas for Late-Night Cravings
2 a.m., post-clubbing, post-flight, or post-deadline — Gurgaon's dhabas come alive at the hours when most kitchens are shut.
9. Dhaba HR 26, Sector 54 (Golf Course Road)
Dhaba HR 26 is named after the Haryana RTO code — a wink to its dhaba roots — but the experience is far from rustic. It is one of Golf Course Road's go-to late-night spots, with a smart fit-out and a heavy hitter menu. Try the Murgh Makhani (their version is creamy without being overly sweet), the Mushroom Malai Tikka, and the indulgent Chicken Thali. Price for two: about Rs. 1,400-1,600.
10. Dhaba 29, Sector 29
Smack in the middle of Gurgaon's nightlife district, Dhaba 29 is a smartly executed "fancy dhaba" that stays open through the late hours. Bring a group and order the Dhaba Mutton, Ajwaini Paratha stack, and Butter Naan. The bar list is solid for a dhaba-themed restaurant — a useful detail when you are pivoting from a Sector 29 night out to dinner. Price for two: roughly Rs. 1,400-1,600.
Best Vegetarian Dhabas
Gurgaon has an excellent run of dedicated Vaishno (pure-veg) dhabas — they tend to be cheaper, faster, and unbeatable for parathas.
- Shri Ram Dhaba (Sohna Road) — paneer parathas and dal makhani.
- Dheeraj Vaishno Dhaba (Udyog Vihar) — best rajma chawal in the area.
- Punjabi Angithi by Vegorama (Sector 85) — a newer-generation pure-veg dhaba on the New Gurgaon side, with a strong tandoor program. The Soya Chaap Tikka and Paneer Lababdar are crowd favourites. Price for two: around Rs. 600-800.
The Dhaba-by-Claridges Bonus: Mall Dining With Dhaba Soul
11. Dhaba by Claridges, Cyber Hub
Dhaba by Claridges at Cyber Hub is the dressed-up cousin in this list — but it earns its place because it brings the dhaba menu (and the rustic plating) to the office crowd that cannot escape to the highway. The Balti Meat, Dhaba Murgh Roast, and a beautifully smoky Tawa Mutton are the signature trio. Price for two: about Rs. 1,700 plus taxes — premium, but it shows where modern Indian fine-casual is heading.
Pricing & Specialty At a Glance
Here is the cheat sheet for picking the right dhaba for the right night out:
- Under Rs. 600 for two: Shri Ram Dhaba, Dheeraj Vaishno Dhaba, Romi Da Dhaba, Gulshan Dhaba.
- Rs. 600-1,000 for two: Khadak Singh Da Dhaba, Dhaba on Highway, Punjabi Angithi by Vegorama.
- Rs. 1,200-1,800 for two: Dhaba HR 26, Dhaba 29, Pirates of Grill (buffet), Dhaba by Claridges, Pind Balluchi.
- Best for parathas & butter: Shri Ram Dhaba, Dheeraj Vaishno, Khadak Singh.
- Best for butter chicken: Romi Da Dhaba, Dhaba HR 26, Gulshan Dhaba, Dhaba by Claridges.
- Best for late-night: Dhaba 29, Dhaba HR 26, Pind Balluchi.
- Best for a road trip: Pind Balluchi (in-city version), or push out to Murthal's Amrik Sukhdev for the full experience.
The Murthal Question — Is It Still Worth the Drive?
Yes, but plan it right. Amrik Sukhdev (founded 1956 by Sardar Prakash Singh) on NH-44 at Murthal remains the most famous paratha stop in NCR — the menu still revolves around freshly made aloo, aloo-pyaaz, mooli, gobi, paneer, and paneer-pyaaz parathas, served with house-made white butter, dahi and pickle. Per-piece pricing sits around Rs. 80-120 and a full breakfast for two lands at Rs. 350-500. From Gurgaon, take the Dwarka Expressway to the Eastern Peripheral and exit toward Sonipat — about 75-90 minutes door to door if you leave early enough to beat the Delhi border traffic. Best time to go: 7-9 a.m. on a winter Sunday, when the parathas are fresh and the queue is manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which is the best authentic dhaba in Gurgaon?
For pure authenticity (not a themed restaurant), Dheeraj Vaishno Dhaba in Udyog Vihar and Gulshan Dhaba on Old Railway Road are the closest you'll get within the city limits. For the upgraded "modern dhaba" experience, Pind Balluchi in Sector 29 and Dhaba by Claridges at Cyber Hub are top picks.
Q. Which dhabas in Gurgaon are open 24 hours / late at night?
Dhaba 29 in Sector 29, Dhaba HR 26 on Golf Course Road, and Pind Balluchi run late into the night (typically until 1 a.m.). True 24-hour dhabas are mostly on the highway side — Khadak Singh Da Dhaba (Sector 83) and dhabas along NH-48 keep longer hours.
Q. What is the average price for two at a Gurgaon dhaba?
Rs. 350-600 for a no-frills neighbourhood dhaba, Rs. 700-1,000 for a highway-style dhaba with tandoori spread, and Rs. 1,500-2,000 for the upmarket dhaba-themed restaurants in Cyber Hub, MG Road and Sector 29.
Q. Are dhabas in Gurgaon vegetarian-friendly?
Absolutely. Shri Ram Dhaba (Sohna Road), Dheeraj Vaishno Dhaba (Udyog Vihar) and Punjabi Angithi by Vegorama (Sector 85) are dedicated pure-vegetarian dhabas. Most others have separate vegetarian sections with paneer dishes, dals and breads.
Q. Is Murthal worth the trip from Gurgaon for parathas?
For first-timers, definitely yes — Amrik Sukhdev's tandoori paratha-with-white-butter experience is genuinely iconic and the drive is short. For repeat visits, you'll likely want to combine it with a pit stop at one of the Gurgaon dhabas above to make the day feel complete.
Q. Can I order from these dhabas on magicpin?
Yes — most of the dhabas listed here have menus and offers live on magicpin (you'll usually find a 10-50% saving). Click any of the merchant links above to see the latest price-list and place an order, or pick up vouchers for a sit-down meal.
Whether you're after a Rs. 90 paratha breakfast, a smoky NH-48 sit-down with friends, or a fancy dhaba-themed dinner that won't leave the city, Gurgaon has a version of the dhaba experience for every mood and every budget. Pick a name from this list, leave room for one more roti, and remember — the second helping of butter is non-negotiable.
