New Delhi Travel Guide

Delhiites love to flaunt their heritage of Maharajas and dynasties. And hence it is one of the prominent cities when it comes to the art of dining out. The city is full of restaurants, and almost all the upscale ones have a grand and regal air about them. The most favored cuisine is Indian, i.e. Mughlai and Tandoori. Still, international cuisines are thriving in Delhi like never before. Although a step behind Mumbai's nightlife, Delhi is fast catching up and finally breaking the five-star monopoly. With the choices spilled all over the extensive city, here are a few pointers.

South Delhi/Greater Kailash/South Extension This is the fashionable district and people aspire for an address in this area. It has shopping centers, designer boutiques, coffee shops, malls, and some pretty good restaurants and clubs. Most of the city's nightclubs and bars are situated here. There are many designer resto-bars too, such as Shalom, Olive Bar and Kitchen, Buzz, Diva, Suede, and Punjabi By Nature. Be it a restaurant in the middle of the scenic deer park (Park Baluchi), a bar amidst a rural village (The Rooftop Bistro), or a nightclub next to McDonald's and a cinema hall, the dining and drinking culture is very successful in adapting itself to Delhi's diverse mini-habitats.

Central Delhi/Connaught Place Most of the bars and restaurants in the high-rises offer a spectacular panoramic view of Delhi. Be sure to dress up and bring plastic money when dining at The Imperial or enjoying spirits at Patiala Peg. Head towards Nirula's for its 21 varieties of ice creams or to the Yellow Brick Road, an all-night coffeehouse with the best pastries in town. For an after dinner drink, go to Agni at The Park or any of the five-stars' elegant lounge bars with live music.

North Delhi/Chandni Chowk Get a real flavor of Indian hospitality at the street-side cafes of the historic Chandni Chowk where some restaurants are more than a hundred years old. Or visit the oddest, most eccentric Chor Bazaar, a restaurant named the "Market of Thieves," serving Indian cuisine at Hotel Oberoi Maidens.

Dilli Haat This complex houses many small shops displaying extraordinary traditional Indian crafts. But in addition, it is a powerhouse of regional cuisines. Kiosks run by different Indian states offer their authentic food. You can find Assamese, Tamil, Gujarati as well as Goan cuisine here. While you may savor Punjabi food at Punjabi By Nature, you'll see that everyday is a carnival at Dilli Haat.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 684