Where to go and see some good crowd AND have a good time when you are in New Delhi. Minus the geographical trivia and tidbits.....
This ain't a geography lesson
This review contains a few tips by someone who has experienced Delhi first hand, as a student with only pocket money as well as a well-paid professional with a big fat paycheck and no family expenses.
Read others too, please.
A mouthshut member planning a trip to Delhi asked for places to hang out and that's what I would primarily focus on. Moreover, Delhi is too big for any of us to cover alone... LOL.
To know more about this interesting city, I strongly advise readers to read and rate my fellow writers on mouthshut who have written very good and engaging reviews on the topic.
Places to hang out.
Okay... this one should be easy. I spent my student life in Delhi. And we had our favourite haunts. Here are a few...
1. Connaught Place (New Delhi)
The market is in two concentric circles, the outer circle that covers the circumference and the inner circle. This way, navigating the market is pretty easy but going back to a shop can be pretty challenging coz all the avenues look the same. It's too symmetrical.
Almost everything you need can be found here, except good bargains. (Exceptions are handicrafts and books sold on the footpaths. The ladies from Gujarat and Rajasthan selling knick knacks and jewellery on the pavement can speak good English and strike a good bargain.)
This market is the place to hang out when the weather is good and you want to move in wide open spaces and not crowded lanes. Good for window shopping while you walk hand in hand with your best friend.
Fast food chains and restaurants are plenty, including international pizza and ice cream outlets and our desi Nirulas as well.
I suggest you try the cold flavoured milk shakes (Rs 15 each) at Caventers (a small little shop between the inner and outer circle, in M block I think). Best on a warm, humid day.
Inside the inner circle is Palika Bazar, an underground market famous for its bargaining. Best visited, like Janpath, with a local who knows the going rates of things. Fake products aplenty at both.
2. M-Block Market, Greater Kailash
This is in the midst of a residential area unlike Connaught Place. Getting to the market may be a little tough if you are new and driving on your own.
This is not as grand a shopping area as Connaught Place but quite upmarket. The hep crowd is found here.
People come here to 'hang out' and watch the crowd rather than seriously shop although major brands are available here.
The 'meetha paan' of Prince paanwallah is very popular among all visitors here.
3. Ansal Plaza
The best bet to beat the Delhi heat AND hang out is to go to Ansal Plaza. It's an indoor mall and it's air conditioned. Phew... that's such a relief in a city like Delhi.
The brands are all here, the crowd is all here, and there are no silly lanes like the open markets. Of course, there is no scope finding bargains here. Just branded stuff.
4. Sarojni Nagar Market, Sarojni Nagar
If you want to hang out, and see the Delhi crowd, AND get a good bargain, visit Sarojni Nagar market. Mostly preferred by youth because you can get the season's latest fashion here at bargain prices. Lots of shops, lots of lanes, lots of 'chatpata' snacks. But this market is visited mostly for readymades, that too for the youth.
5. Central Market, Lajpat Nagar
If you want to hang out, and see the crowd, and do some serious shopping and bargaining for many types of items, visit this market.
Lots of stuff, lots of people. And the shops stock the best brands and the medium ones... so you get the best of both worlds. Shoes, crockery, electronics, cloth, it's all available here.
I have seen ladies getting henna (mehndi) painted on their hands in this market, sitting with the 'artists' on the footpath. They must be really good in their art I guess.
6. Lajpat Rai Market, Chandni Chowk, Nayee Sarak (Old Delhi)
These markets in Old Delhi are NOT recommended when you want to window shop or 'hang out'. But when you are really really serious about buying something. You will go crazy looking at the variety and specialisation of these markets. All these markets are located in Old Delhi, one after the other.
'Nayee Sadak' is the place for all the course books of India. 15-20% discount is the norm on all new books. Second hand books also available. A huge stationery wholesale market is also here.
'Chandni Chowk' is like the 'Connaught Place' of Old Delhi.... all kinds of shops... there is a whole 'Camera' market behind Chandni Chowk - a photographer's heaven. Also in the vicinity is the Lajpat Rai market for electronics, watches, video games.
These places are pure business, no fun. Unless you are a businessperson yourself.
7. Karol Bagh
This area is touted to be the largest wholesale market in Asia !! And it is intimidating. One road selling 'barsaatees' (raincoats). One road with only sellers of 'school bags', one with sellers of 'crockery' ... the list of products and roads dedicated to them is almost endless.
In this area, you will find Ghaffar Market, on Ajmal Khan Road, best for electronics, video cameras and most importantly - mobile phones (new and second-hand, gray market).... all at negotiable rates.
Karol Bagh is also THE area for wedding shopping. Must be the variety of clothes and crockery here that bring in the marriage shopper.
8. Dilli Haat, opposite INA Market.
This is my all time favourite place in Delhi, alone or with friends, especially with a date !!
It's a park cum handicraft market cum eating joint. Shops are let to artisans to sell their work. Lots of trees. Benches. Permanent food stalls of Indian states. Family atmosphere.
A nominal entry fee prevents unnecessary crowd. The atmosphere is relaxed. See and buy handicrafts directly from artisans, taste delicacies from all over India at different stalls. The prices of the food and even the menu are pretty much fixed and reasonable. Eat at the open benches and feel like you are on a picnic.
Good place to take your date out, and sit in peace, shop in peace, eat in peace. I recommend the Delhi stall, the Rajasthani stall and the Punjab stall for food. Paid parking is easily available on most days.
Footnote
This list is in no way complete. There is Atta Market in NOIDA, Community Centre near Escorts - Okhla, there is Lakshmi Nagar Market, too many to cover. But since we are talking of hanging out, some other places worth mentioning are around Priya cinema in Vasant Vihar, and Anupam PVR cinema in Saket.
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