Any gourmet in love with world gastronomy will have a special fondness for Italian cuisine. This beautiful rustic cuisine emerges from the wilds of Italy and finds a home in the snazzy locales of Delhi NCR. Every foodie worth his salt appreciates his pizzas and pastas. Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines in the city and shares equal love with Chinese food, which is a high praise indeed. As we ourselves are a huge Italian food buffs, we have our own set of favorites. ‘Caffe Tonino’ however leads the pack. It is our long-standing favorite when we want a no-frill hearty Italian fare in charming setting. The bistro is tucked in the heart of buzzing Connaught Place, New Delhi, near the PVR Plaza cinema building. Keep an eye out for the entrance of the bistro, it’s blink and miss.

If you have a date coming and are on lookout for a romantic yet laid-back place then Caffe Tonino would be ideal option. You will have a fun time wading through the bistro’s mouth-watering menu brimming with all the Italian classics. The bistro opens early, about 8:30 am, for breakfast crowd. You will find them dishing out flaxseeds pancake and sandwiches. For antipasti tuck into a plethora of appetizers like, spiedini di pollo, ali di pollo, bruschetta, antipasti misti, fritto di calamari e zucchine, baked stuffed potatoes with side salad and crostini. A cool Italian salad is delightful on hot summer days. Feast further on, peri peri chicken, panino con verdure, garlicpeno pizza, fettuccine con pomodoro e pure di porri, spaghetti alla norma, crespelle primavera, polenta ratatouille, Caffe Tonino square pizza and tagliatelle con Ragu di agnello.

Finish off your evening at Caffe Tonino with a plethora of Italian desserts. Farmer cheese cake, blueberry panna cotta, chocolate walnut brownie, tiramisu, fruit crumble with vanilla ice cream and lasagna al cioccolato con gelato, hits the right spot. Pair your dessert with their dessert coffee. Pop open a bottle of wine or stick with a non-alcoholic beverage to accompany your meal. Contrary to what you might think, Caffe Tonino is a surprisingly affordable restaurant. Much of it’s popularity is owed to it’s food but the décor certainly helps the matter. This enchanting sunlit bistro flows into different dining nooks. Chevron pattern flooring sets off beautifully against the exposed white brick walls. Framed photographs, light wooden furniture and soft ambient lighting, only adds to the appeal of this delightful bistro.