The Emperor's Court,
Open Till 3 AM.

When the rest of Chicago closes its kitchens, Devon Avenue is just warming up. Our tandoor stays lit until 2 AM on weeknights and 3 AM on weekends, which makes Delhi Darbar one of the few halal late-night restaurants in Chicago serving fresh — not reheated — food after midnight.

The late crowd orders differently. Chicken boti and beef seekh kabab come off the grill in minutes; a bihari roll travels well; and nihari, which has been simmering since the afternoon, reaches its peak depth right around midnight. If it's your first late visit, order the Mix Platter and watch the grill work.

Carryout is open online until close — and yes, the Buy One Get One 50% off deal applies at 2 AM too.

Nihari takes its name from the Arabic nahar — morning — because in the courts of Old Delhi it was eaten at dawn after simmering all night. Beef shank cooks slowly with ginger, fried onion and a closely guarded spice blend until the marrow gives the gravy its signature body.

At Delhi Darbar we've made nihari the Pakistani way since 1986: slow, patient, never rushed, finished with julienned ginger, green chili and a squeeze of lemon. Regulars order it with tandoori naan for dipping and nothing else.

Try the classic Beef Nihari, or the connoisseur's Brain Nihari — a Devon Avenue delicacy few kitchens still make.

Feeding a hundred people well is a different craft from feeding four. Our catering kitchen has done it for decades: degs of biryani sealed for the journey, seekh kabab grilled in waves so the last tray is as hot as the first, and nihari that holds its depth in the chafing dish.

For a typical event we suggest one kabab, one curry, one biryani, daal, naan and dessert — roughly one and a half portions per guest. Everything is 100% halal-certified.

Book two weeks ahead for weekends, and call us at (773) 338-1818 to plan the menu around your budget.