DELHI

New Delhi is unlike any other city in the world. For many travelers this means that their first visit is one marked by sensory overload—by chaos and color, pollution and poverty, enticing smells and exotic history. While it is certainly not an easy place to travel, when you visit New Delhi, India the uniqueness and the vibrancy of the culture are exactly what make it such a fascinating place to explore.

1. Monuments and relics abound

Many monarchs have established their kingdoms in Delhi since the 11th century, so it goes without saying that the city is a library of historical monuments – every neighbourhood will have some kind of fort or ruin. These monuments are also marvels because of their architectural style, influenced by Persian, European, Islamic and Indian designs.

In Delhi, you will find fascinating historical monuments and historic structures that showcase India’s unique heritage. Beautiful ancient buildings perfectly combine with modern structures to bring out a rich Indian heritage. Delhi was ruled by the Mughal empire and by the British, therefore its present day sites include an eclectic mix of buildings. Some of the most famous constructions in Delhi include the tall minaret known as Qutub Minar, one of the largest and oldest masjids known as Jama Masjid and the India Gate for the homage. Additionally, there are prominent modern-day places to visit, including museums, gardens, the metro system, and modern temples like the Bahai Lotus Temple.

2. Shopping opportunities

In Delhi shopping can become a memorable experience in itself. Flea markets such as Sarojini Nagar and Janpath have significantly discounted products while market places such as the Khan market and Connaught place offer branded products. Other famous market places in Delhi are Palika Bazaar, Gaffar Market and INA Market. You can do lots of shopping in Delhi on a budget, from clothing jewelry, footwear, scarfs, bags with the sounds of shoppers and sellers adding up to a true experience of the senses.

Delhi’s street food is so much more than just North Indian – due to considerable northeastern settlement, Delhi is also famous for momos, a steamed rice cake filled with meat or vegetables. Try the different flavours of paranthe (flatbreads) as well as the famous matar kulchas and gol gappe.

3. Diverse Cuisines

Delhi is a popular tourist destination because it offers a wide range of tasty Indian cuisines that leave memorable tastes to every visitor’s tongue. You can enjoy Mughalai cuisine, steamed rice cakes filled with veggies, the famous parantha, meat paste called momo, and the mouth-watering chaats of the Nagar market. From the eateries to street food, everything is worth giving a try in Delhi. Tangy gol gappe and matar Kucha are well-known street foods. Apart from the street food, various eateries and restaurants offer the best delicacies from all over the world, and you can even take coffee and relax if that is all you want.

4. Events and Festivals

You will find popular festivals and events that happen all year round in Delhi. From cultural shows, food festivals, religious events, theatrical play festivals, etc. The Grub Festival is famous for entertainment, music and is the biggest food festival in Delhi. There is the London market shopping festival, Qutub festival for cultural performances, Delhi international jazz festival and Holi Festival, among others.

5. Wide range of luxury properties

New Delhi, being India’s capital city is a very welcoming metropolis. Travellers visit from all walks of life and in the city there are multiple options of stay. From luxury properties to budget stays, there is a wide range of options. Be it the Taj Hotels or the Oberoi or the boutique properties in Hauz Khas or even swanky hotels near the airport, staying in Delhi is a wonderful experience.

New Delhi is unlike any other city in the world. For many travelers this means that their first visit is one marked by sensory overload—by chaos and color, pollution and poverty, enticing smells and exotic history. While it is certainly not an easy place to travel, when you visit New Delhi, India the uniqueness and the vibrancy of the culture are exactly what make it such a fascinating place to explore.

1. Monuments and relics abound

Many monarchs have established their kingdoms in Delhi since the 11th century, so it goes without saying that the city is a library of historical monuments – every neighbourhood will have some kind of fort or ruin. These monuments are also marvels because of their architectural style, influenced by Persian, European, Islamic and Indian designs.

In Delhi, you will find fascinating historical monuments and historic structures that showcase India’s unique heritage. Beautiful ancient buildings perfectly combine with modern structures to bring out a rich Indian heritage. Delhi was ruled by the Mughal empire and by the British, therefore its present day sites include an eclectic mix of buildings. Some of the most famous constructions in Delhi include the tall minaret known as Qutub Minar, one of the largest and oldest masjids known as Jama Masjid and the India Gate for the homage. Additionally, there are prominent modern-day places to visit, including museums, gardens, the metro system, and modern temples like the Bahai Lotus Temple.

2. Shopping opportunities

In Delhi shopping can become a memorable experience in itself. Flea markets such as Sarojini Nagar and Janpath have significantly discounted products while market places such as the Khan market and Connaught place offer branded products. Other famous market places in Delhi are Palika Bazaar, Gaffar Market and INA Market. You can do lots of shopping in Delhi on a budget, from clothing jewelry, footwear, scarfs, bags with the sounds of shoppers and sellers adding up to a true experience of the senses.

Delhi’s street food is so much more than just North Indian – due to considerable northeastern settlement, Delhi is also famous for momos, a steamed rice cake filled with meat or vegetables. Try the different flavours of paranthe (flatbreads) as well as the famous matar kulchas and gol gappe.

3. Diverse Cuisines

Delhi is a popular tourist destination because it offers a wide range of tasty Indian cuisines that leave memorable tastes to every visitor’s tongue. You can enjoy Mughalai cuisine, steamed rice cakes filled with veggies, the famous parantha, meat paste called momo, and the mouth-watering chaats of the Nagar market. From the eateries to street food, everything is worth giving a try in Delhi. Tangy gol gappe and matar Kucha are well-known street foods. Apart from the street food, various eateries and restaurants offer the best delicacies from all over the world, and you can even take coffee and relax if that is all you want.

4. Events and Festivals

You will find popular festivals and events that happen all year round in Delhi. From cultural shows, food festivals, religious events, theatrical play festivals, etc. The Grub Festival is famous for entertainment, music and is the biggest food festival in Delhi. There is the London market shopping festival, Qutub festival for cultural performances, Delhi international jazz festival and Holi Festival, among others.

5. Wide range of luxury properties

New Delhi, being India’s capital city is a very welcoming metropolis. Travellers visit from all walks of life and in the city there are multiple options of stay. From luxury properties to budget stays, there is a wide range of options. Be it the Taj Hotels or the Oberoi or the boutique properties in Hauz Khas or even swanky hotels near the airport, staying in Delhi is a wonderful experience.

Delhi is a city unlike another. The capital city of India is a city of charismatic contrasts. The layers of history, culture, architecture and people have created an unique charm that few remain untouched by its one-of-a-kind bliss. The starting point of most India tours and most importantly the coveted Golden Triangle Tours, Delhi is truly unmissable! 

Bringing two worlds together, the old and the new, Delhi has eight cities to its name, the oldest one dating back 3000 years back. With passing time the city went on adding layers to it, creating a colorful kaleidoscope. Explore the Mughal charm in Old Delhi or the days of the Raj in the New Delhi and with ruins of empires in the Qutub Complex, Purana Qila, Siri Fort and Lodhi Gardens. Savor the mouthwatering taste of street food or the fine dining restaurants. Enjoy the comforts of luxury living at the hreiatge hotels or one of the best resorts in the city.

To make your Delhi tour all the more amazing, here is all that you can add to your itinerary.

Old Delhi Heritage Walking Tour

Navigate the fascinating bylanes of Old Delhi soaking in the rich heritage on a walking tour. A well-informed guide will help you relive the history of this ancient city. Explore historical mansions, bustling bazaars, beautiful temples and shrines. Stop at the colourful stalls to observe the craftsmanship of local artisans at work.

Old Delhi Street Food Walking Tour

Embark upon a foodie adventure through the bylanes of Old Delhi. Make your evening special as you savor the best of street food delights of the city in the original nooks and corners of Chawri Bazaar and Chandni Chowk. An expert will guide you to the popular eateries, reputed for their authentic delicious fares along with hygiene and superior quality. Relish delectable kebabs, mouthwatering butter chicken, juicy jalebis, ghee oozing aromas, crispy aloo chats drenched in a miscellany of chutneys, refreshing glass of masala chai, selection of sweet kulfis and more. For even the largest appetite the quantity of the food is satisfying.

Gandhi’s Delhi Tour

For those interested in knowing the history of Mahatma Gandhi, the “Father of our Nation”, this tour, visits the sites in Delhi that played an important role in the life and death, of Mahatma Gandhi Accompanied by an expert guide who will regale you with stories, stops include the poignant Gandhi Smriti, his last residence and the scene of his assassination and the National Gandhi Museum, where many of his personal effects are on display, including the dhoti and shawl he was wearing when he died. Finally head to Raj Ghat, on the banks of the Yamuna River, where a simple marble platform with an eternal flame marks the spot where he was cremated in 1948.

High Tea at The Imperial Hotel

An icon of Delhi, The Imperial Hotel finds its place among cherished sights of the city, especially their award winning tea lounge, The Atrium. The classy heritage setting of the lounge sets the ambiance for a luxurious high tea experience. Savor a classic three tiered high tea or a mouthwatering buffet spread, complemented with an array of teas. Spend moments of bliss with some of India’s finest teas.

Cooking Class /Demo of Gourmet Indian food

An excellent half day out for those interested in Indian Cuisine.  Enjoy a cooking class alongwith a sumptuous meal with Jyoti and her family at their home in Delhi.  A delicious home cooked meal prepared by you and Jyoti together during the class.  Chat with her and get a glimpse of contemporary India in urban cities.

Akshardham Tour

The Akshardham temple complex is said to be one of the largest Hindu places of worship in the world. In the complex, in addition to the main Swaminarayan temple, there are delightful gardens, musical fountains, as well as audio and video shows showcasing India’s history and religion.

Bicycle tour of Old Delhi

This tour take you into the 17th century city built by the Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame. You ride into the once glorious city comprising the impressive Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Spice Market, and Chawri Bazar. The tour offer you more than the monuments by providing you a real life experience of this old town waking up in the morning by taking the off beaten paths and lanes of this unique city. It also offer you a chance to have the same Chai (Tea) that local wake up to before heading out to their respective job. The tour end with a stumptous breakfast to prepare you for your next adventure.

Dinner at Bukhara Restaurant at Hotel ITC Maurya in Delhi

The Bukhara Restaurant , known for it’s North Western Frontier cuisine, is one of New Delhi’s most famous and celebrated restaurants, which has played host to various celebrities and Heads of State. A culinary delight not to be missed, Bukhara is famous for it’s Kababs , leg of Lamb and it’s Tandoori breads.

Fixed Menu Dinner at Indian Accent Restaurant at Hotel Lodhi in Delhi

One of New Delhi’s most famous restaurants, run by the renowned Chef Manish Mehrotra, Indian Accent has been featured in the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2018. It been awarded the San Pellegrino Best Restaurant Award in India by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2019 for the fifth consecutive year. It has also been rated as the No.1 Restaurant in India by TripAdvisor for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Indian Accent has been awarded the Number 1 Restaurant in India by Condé Nast Traveller and Himalayan Sparkling Top Restaurant Awards.  Indian Accent showcases inventive Indian cuisine by complementing the flavours and traditions of India with global ingredients and techniques. 

I love the streets of Old Delhi as the colorful markets, mouthwatering food and monuments just transport me into another world, where everything is so captivating and beautiful. I know I may sound foolish when I say that because many people get apprehensive over the thought of visiting there, saying it’s too crowded and noisy, but for me, it holds a charm that remains engraved in my heart. Searching through the pictures of Old Delhi for some project work ignited emotions and memories of my childhood days. I immediately decided to relive the magic of Old Delhi with my family members.

It was a foggy Sunday, around 7 AM in the morning and nearly all the roads leading to the famous Chandni Chowk market wore a deserted look. I was quite surprised and began to wonder where have all the people gone? The cows sitting in the middle of a road and blocking your path and no near-deafening traffic noise? It was so quiet. Before I could figure out the reasons, the Red Fort was to my right, magnificent and enveloped by a thick blanket of fog.

The gates of the Fort were not open yet so I decided to wait for some time and shared fun-filled moments with my family members sitting on the steps leading to the Fort. After a few hours, the sun touched the sky and I could feel the rays giving the much-needed warmth to the body. I could see the Chandni Chowk coming back to life with the shopkeepers beginning to set up their shops along the road and people moving fast here and there through the narrow lanes.

After spending an unforgettable time in the Red Fort and clicking lots of pictures, we all began to feel tired and hungry. We had skipped breakfast and were famished. So, without wasting any time, we marched towards the popular ‘Paranthe Wali Gali’ to satiate our hunger. 

After meandering like a snake through the narrow lanes, we reached through the Pt. Kanhaiyalal Durga Prasad Paranthe Wale's shop. Different kinds of lip-smacking Parantha, Indian bread made of wheat flour and can be stuffed with several different things ) options listed on the menu only increased our hunger. I was quite amazed by the photographs on the wall that showed famous personalities like Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Shrimati Indira Gandhi or Amitabh Bachchan dining at the shop.

My short trip to Old Delhi was completely magical that just can’t be expressed in words but only felt and experienced. Hey! WAIT! More coming up in Part 2 about the architectural charms of Old Delhi. Stay tuned… you thought that the magnetizing charm of the place could be penned down in just one post?

Manish Pandey is filled with passion for travelling different places and sharing experiences through his blogs. A blogger for the past four years, he dreams to explore length and breadth of the country and publish his own travel stories book someday. When he is not traveling, Manish likes to fulfill his love of photography and read lifestyle blogs.

New Delhi is fast turning into a gourmet travelers paradise, with excellent restaurants and eateries. Of course Delhi is home to well known Indian Restaurants like the Bukhara and the Warq, but, in addition, Delhi offers a multitude of fine dining and casual restaurants with other global cuisines as well. For special occasions, there is the Orient Express fine dining French Restaurant, and for casual Bistro style Italian cuisine, there is the Diva Café. The list below has our selection of the Best Dining experiences that the city has to offer.

Indian Cuisine

1. Bukhara: Located at the ITC Maurya Hotel, is perhaps Delhi's (or rather India's) best known Indian restaurant. World-famous for its North-West Frontier cuisine, Bukhara brings alive the rustic flavours of North-West Frontier cuisine traditionally prepared in a clay oven (tandoor). The ambiance is decidedly rugged and you can even watch your meal being prepared through the open display kitchen, visual treat not to be missed. Rated amongst the top 50 restaurants in the world and the finest restaurant in Asia by "Restaurants" magazine. Expensive, but not to be missed.

2. Masala Art: Located at the Taj Palace Hotel, is a modern, contemporary Indian restaurant. For all those who think that light, healthy Indian food is an oxymoron, Masala Art is the answer. A show kitchen, contemporary décor, and a superb menu is the recipe that makes Masala Art a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

North India Restaurant

3. Punjabi by Nature: Located in the Ambience Mall in Vasant Kunj, this is an excellent choice for authentic North Indian cuisine. Good value for money.

4. Veda: Located in Connaught Place, right in the heart of town, is a recent addition to Delhi's list of fine dining Indian restaurants. Designed by the famous fashion designer, Rohit Bal, this stylish bar and restaurant, serves excellent north Indian food, and has interesting tasting menu options.

5. Varq: Located at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Varq is the capital’s newest restaurant offering a modern Indian gourmet dining experience with the authenticity of taste and artistic presentation created by celebrity Chef Hemant Oberoi. Varq retains the Indian traditional way of cooking while using exotic ingredients like sea bass, diver’s scallops, goose liver, halibut, sand crab and Karachi prawns.

6. The Great Kabab Factory: With 2 convenient locations, one of which is at the Radisson Marina hotel in Connaught Circus, and the second at the DLF Mall, Saket, the Great Kabab Factory offers a unique and fun-filled dining experience. They have a fixed menu dinner, comprising of over half a dozen kebabs, followed by Biryani's, lentils, etc, culminating with at least four different Indian desserts, all served to you at your table.

7. Swagat: Located in the Defence Colony Market in South Delhi, Swagat is an informal family dining Restaurant. Swagat serves authentic Mangalorean seafood specialties and Chettinad cuisine, both cuisine styles from Southern India, known for their rather spicy dishes. Good value for money.

8. Dhaba: Located at the Claridges hotel in New Delhi, the name Dhaba stands for a roadside eatery popular amongst truckers travelling on highway routes. The restaurant has an authentic Indian Dhaba design and good Indian food.

Other cuisines

1. Diva (Italian): Located in the M Block, Greater Kailash (II) market in South Delhi, Diva is a fine dining Italian restaurant managed lovingly by owner cum chef Ritu Dalmia. Diva boasts of authentic Italian food and has a great wine list as well.

2. Orient Express (French): Located at the Taj Palace Hotel, the Orient Express is a posh replica of a Pullman Orient Express train carriage, and is regarded as the city's most stylish and expensive European restaurant, and has won the best European restaurant award for five years in succession. The four-course journey is inspired by the countries through which the Orient Express passes on its Paris-to-Istanbul run, and is likely to include items such as Camembert soufflé with paprika sauce, pan-seared reef cod with raw papaya salad, and the extremely popular oven-roasted New Zealand rack of lamb, encrusted with herbs and almonds and served with lamb jus. Well worth a visit.

3. Spice Route (Pan Asian): Located at the stylish Imperial Hotel in New Delhi, the Spice Route was voted one of the top 10 restaurants in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, and it certainly lives up to its promise with a vast menu that makes the mouth water at the variety of flavors and ingredients. The decor alone is worth a visit -- every nook and cranny is hand-painted by temple artists flown in from Kerala, and antique beams, pillars, and ceilings are all imbued with meaning. As indicated by the name, the menu takes you on a complex culinary journey, from the Malabar Coast to Sri Lanka, Malaysia to Indonesia, Thailand to Vietnam. Service is superb -- smart, discreet, and helpful.

4. House of Ming (Chinese): Located at the Taj Mahal hotel, is arguably the premier Chinese restaurant in Delhi. The House of Ming serves both, Schezuan and Cantonese style Chinese cuisine and enjoys the patronage of the hauté and happening in the city.

5. Flavours (Italian): Located in Defence Colony, just off the Ring Road in South Delhi, known for its genuine home-style Italian cooking. Very good value for money.

6. Setz: The latest addition to Delhi's list of chic, modern eateries, Setz is located in the DLF Emporio designer mall in Vasant Kunj, South Delhi. A huge restaurant with no less than 320 covers and seven different kitchens, Zest offers Indian, Arab, Italian, Thai, Chinese and Japanese cuisine.

7. Lodi-The Garden Restaurant: Set in the beautiful Lodhi Gardens in Central Delhi, the Lodi Restaurant, offers Mediterranean and European cuisine. A great place for alfresco dining,  both for Lunch or Dinner.

8. Olive at the Qutab (Italian): A fine dining Italian restaurant, very close to the Qutab Minar in South Delhi, Olive offers excellent Italian food in an Alfresco setting.

The author, Kapil Goswamy is the CEO of Trans India Holidays, New Delhi.