'Aadhi roti', paneer butter masala: Spicy scoop from Rahul Gandhi's protest lunches

Whether you’re a foodie like Congress leader Rahul Gandhi or not, chances are you’ve seen videos of him enjoying a Khan Chacha roll amid the Opposition’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The video created quite a stir. And as Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc MPs continued the protest, their food trail served up one viral moment after another.On Wednesday, it was lunch at Sagar Ratna, Janpath. On Thursday, the MPs headed to Moets in Connaught Place. And yes, Congress’ social media handles gave us a glimpse of that! A video showing Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge, along with several other political leaders, walking into Moets’ newly opened branch went viral.Chaliye Shuru Karte Hain https://t.co/OlD7qcN74R— Congress (@INCIndia) October 8, 2026We dropped by Moets and Sagar Ratna on Friday afternoon, a day before the big, 10th October CJP protest. Security preparations were visible across the area, with auto-rickshaw drivers discussing the arrangements. Inside the two restaurants that had hosted the political bustle, the scene was .Sagar Ratna, which had been buzzing with MPs and police personnel during Wednesday’s lunch hour, was relatively quiet on Friday. Only a handful of tables were occupied, with families, solo diners and travellers scattered across the spacious restaurant. But the staff’s memories of that high-profile lunch were still fresh. Inside Sagar Ratna, Janpath. (Photo: Author) So, what did Rahul Gandhi eat? Paneer butter masala, apparently. But the real takeaway was how little he ate. “Bas aadhi roti hi khaai unhone,” a staff member recalled. In other words, just half a roti!Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, meanwhile, reportedly opted for ice cream.In the sprawling restaurant, which can comfortably seat around 150-180 people, Rahul Gandhi picked a table somewhere in the middle - neither right up front nor in the banquet-style seating area at the back.Sagar Ratna, by the way, is among Rahul Gandhi’s favourite dining spots. The Congress leader, who has often spoken about his love for food, has mentioned this iconic restaurant chain while talking about his go-to eateries in the capital.At Moets, Rahul Gandhi’s visit is still the talk of the townThings have changed at Moets since Thursday’s political lunch - both inside and outside the restaurant.For anyone who grew up in Delhi, Moets is a familiar name, synonymous with Mughlai cuisine, Chinese food and, of course, Defence Colony. But its newly opened Connaught Place branch, barely 15 days old, has suddenly found itself in the spotlight after Rahul Gandhi and nearly 100 other political leaders dropped in for lunch. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi after a lunch hosted by the party President for INDIA bloc leaders at Moets, CP. (Photos: PTI) Unlike Sagar Ratna, Moets was buzzing when we visited on Friday afternoon. Every table on both floors was occupied, with families, working professionals and international tourists making up the crowd.“The footfall has increased after yesterday’s lunch,” a staff member told us.And it wasn’t hard to see why. Rahul Gandhi’s name cropped up in conversations at several tables, with diners excited about eating at the same restaurant where the Congress leader and other MPs had lunched just a day earlier. Scenes at Moets, CP, a day after the INDIA bloc's lunch. (Photo: Author) The buzz extended outside, too. While we were clicking pictures of the restaurant, a man approached us and asked if we could take a photograph of him outside Moets on his phone. Once we obliged, he smiled and asked, “Kal Rahul Gandhi yahi aaya tha na?” (Rahul Gandhi was here yesterday, wasn’t he?)Clearly, the visit had given the new outlet something extra to talk about. The restaurant, particularly its maroon signboard, has become a popular photo backdrop, with people stopping by to click pictures after Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc MPs’ visit. (Photo: Author) What was on the menu for the MPs?Thursday’s lunch was quite a production. The restaurant received an emergency booking call around 9.30 am. By lunchtime, nearly 100 politicians had filled both floors, with police personnel deployed in the area.And the menu? A vegetarian spread.Instead of ordering a la carte, the group opted for a party package featuring dishes like badam shorba, dahi bhalla, dal makhani, assorted breads and ice cream. Such packages are priced at around Rs 1,299 per person, plus taxes at Moets.The MPs spent over 2-3 hours at the restaurant.The lunch went smoothly and the guests "really liked" the food.For a branch that has barely been open for a fortnight, it’s been quite a start. One day, it’s hosting nearly 100 political leaders; the next, diners are walking in, chatting about Rahul Gandhi and wondering if they’re sitting where the MPs sat.Now that the big protest day is finally here, will food talk once again be the main course of conversation? We’ll have to wait and see how the day unfolds.- Ends