India
Feb 27th, 2011, 10:56 AM
#2
One stop shopping: Cottage Industries Emporium about a block from the Imperial Hotel Decent prices, honestly labeled, things from all over India in ope place with
A/C.
Khan Market: A big market with Anokhi, FabIndia, several housewares shops, bookstores, fabric shops with tailors, pet stores and even some gourmet food stores.
Santushti Market- good for some upscale shopping. Another Anokhi here, as well as a nice leather shop, jewelry shop and various home & fashion shops. The restaurant Basil & Thyme?)is a great place to have a peaceful lunch. It is in a walled compound so no one to bother you.
Dilli Haat- Market with lots and lots of stalls selling scarves, shawls, saris, and various other tourist stuff. Each booth represents an area of India. Teh vendors are nice, but pretty aggressive, and you should really know your types of fabric before you buy here. I'd love to have a dollar for every acrylic shawl that the vendor called "pure pashmina" or "very fine silk, madam"
If you'll be out for a full day, I'd hire a taxi by the hour. For short trips from spot to spot, auto rickshaws are fine. Always confirm price before you get in, and carry exact change.
I can't remember the actual name, but "the Ghandi store" near Connaught and the theatre is an interesting spot to go. I like the food section in the basement, and also the section with ayurvedic soaps, herbs, lotions and shampoos.
A/C.
Khan Market: A big market with Anokhi, FabIndia, several housewares shops, bookstores, fabric shops with tailors, pet stores and even some gourmet food stores.
Santushti Market- good for some upscale shopping. Another Anokhi here, as well as a nice leather shop, jewelry shop and various home & fashion shops. The restaurant Basil & Thyme?)is a great place to have a peaceful lunch. It is in a walled compound so no one to bother you.
Dilli Haat- Market with lots and lots of stalls selling scarves, shawls, saris, and various other tourist stuff. Each booth represents an area of India. Teh vendors are nice, but pretty aggressive, and you should really know your types of fabric before you buy here. I'd love to have a dollar for every acrylic shawl that the vendor called "pure pashmina" or "very fine silk, madam"
If you'll be out for a full day, I'd hire a taxi by the hour. For short trips from spot to spot, auto rickshaws are fine. Always confirm price before you get in, and carry exact change.
I can't remember the actual name, but "the Ghandi store" near Connaught and the theatre is an interesting spot to go. I like the food section in the basement, and also the section with ayurvedic soaps, herbs, lotions and shampoos.
Feb 27th, 2011, 04:24 PM
#4
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I'm also a fan of Cottage Industries Emporium. Delhi is massive. There isn't a "downtown". There are more stores, mall, and boutiques than you could visit if you had a year there. Same for food. Be picky about where you eat. Nothing can ruin your trip quicker than eating some bum food.
If you want quality goods, you won't find them in the open air flea markets. Stores are usually "final sale" so check your merchandise thoroughly before paying for it.
Be careful buying colorful cotton clothing. Too often it is not colorfast and the colors run terribly when you wash it. I generally avoid the dark reds, purple, brown, black. I had a really cute kurta pajama tailored and it was the red piping that ran onto the beige top and ruined the outfit - and that was with handwashing in cold water.
If you want quality goods, you won't find them in the open air flea markets. Stores are usually "final sale" so check your merchandise thoroughly before paying for it.
Be careful buying colorful cotton clothing. Too often it is not colorfast and the colors run terribly when you wash it. I generally avoid the dark reds, purple, brown, black. I had a really cute kurta pajama tailored and it was the red piping that ran onto the beige top and ruined the outfit - and that was with handwashing in cold water.
Feb 27th, 2011, 10:16 PM
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Since there have been some good shopping tips already, I'd just chip in a quick food recommendation, the A block market of Defence Colony. It is nearby to the New Friends Colony and is chock full of eateries.
Have a go at Swagath or Colonel's Kebabs if you want a full indian taste of non-vegetarian food. Another interesting option is Aka-Saka which makes fairly good Indo-Oriental cuisine which is basically Indian-ized versions of Chinese and Japanese food.
Have a go at Swagath or Colonel's Kebabs if you want a full indian taste of non-vegetarian food. Another interesting option is Aka-Saka which makes fairly good Indo-Oriental cuisine which is basically Indian-ized versions of Chinese and Japanese food.
Mar 1st, 2011, 12:19 AM
#6
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http://www.indiamike.com/india/delhi...tions-t111677/
above is useful for using the metro, and which stop matches which site or market. Loads of additional info on the Indiamike forum
above is useful for using the metro, and which stop matches which site or market. Loads of additional info on the Indiamike forum
Mar 1st, 2011, 01:52 AM
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New Friend’s Colony is primarily a residential area east of the NH 2 highway (which goes to Agra from Delhi). It’s green and relatively quiet. There is not a whole lot of shopping walkable from there, other than some in the Community Centre/New Friend’s Colony market,but you can get to more major shopping areas without a too much difficulty. The Khan Market and Defence Colonly shopping areas mentioned above are about 5 miles or so, and would take about 20 minutes by car. Rajpath and India Gate in Lutyens's New Delhi (and the Central Cottages Emporium), would be about the same. The Red Fort and old town areas would be about a half hour by car. There is no Metro (subway stop) in New Friend’s Colony at this point as far as I know. The Okhla rail station is probably a 10 minute drive, but I don’t know that I would use the trains as way to get to old or New Delhi, but see the Indian rail website for information as to train times. I suspect a taxi is going to be about your only option (auto rickshaw is cheaper, but will take longer, and in the April heat could be a bit uncomfortable). I agree you should hire a car and driver for the day, which should be more reasonable and more comfortable than taking taxis everywhere.
You should not be too far from the Friend’s Colony branch of Nathu’s Sweets in the New Friends’ market, which may be worth a stop. I have never had their meals, just their snacks. It’s very casual. The Manor Hotel has restaurants as well, I have not eaten there.
There is a branch of Karim’s Restaurant near Nizamuddin train station. This is something over 2 miles or so from the New Friends Colony area, and IMO is not walkable (mostly due to the lack of sidewalks). They have three outlets, but the one in Old Delhi near the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) is the original and probably the one to go to, see http://www.karimhoteldelhi.com/restaurants.html. (This is in many guidebooks and also showed up in the NY Times a few years ago.) Also near to the Nizamuddin railway station would be the Oberoi hotel, which has several good restaurants. For a recent list of restaurants generally in New Delhi see http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ravaranasi.cfm
The Good Earth shop in the Khan Market (one of my favourite markets) has quite a nice restaurant on the top floor (Latitude). Good for lunch or dinner. The shop has wonderful stuff, on the pricey side for some things, but others are reasonable. See http://www.goodearthindia.com/
Be prepared for some <i>really</i> hot temps in Delhi in April. Pace yourself and drink a lot of water.
You should not be too far from the Friend’s Colony branch of Nathu’s Sweets in the New Friends’ market, which may be worth a stop. I have never had their meals, just their snacks. It’s very casual. The Manor Hotel has restaurants as well, I have not eaten there.
There is a branch of Karim’s Restaurant near Nizamuddin train station. This is something over 2 miles or so from the New Friends Colony area, and IMO is not walkable (mostly due to the lack of sidewalks). They have three outlets, but the one in Old Delhi near the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) is the original and probably the one to go to, see http://www.karimhoteldelhi.com/restaurants.html. (This is in many guidebooks and also showed up in the NY Times a few years ago.) Also near to the Nizamuddin railway station would be the Oberoi hotel, which has several good restaurants. For a recent list of restaurants generally in New Delhi see http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ravaranasi.cfm
The Good Earth shop in the Khan Market (one of my favourite markets) has quite a nice restaurant on the top floor (Latitude). Good for lunch or dinner. The shop has wonderful stuff, on the pricey side for some things, but others are reasonable. See http://www.goodearthindia.com/
Be prepared for some <i>really</i> hot temps in Delhi in April. Pace yourself and drink a lot of water.
