The past decade has seen trendy boutiques and cafes mushrooming along the area’s muddy lanes, amid old havelis (traditional Indian mansions). Here’s what to see, eat and do in the historic enclave
1. Go vegetarian at Greenr Cafe
What’s touted as India’s first ‘plant meat’ cafe offers sustainable alternatives to meat – its lentil burger with red pepper coulis and goat’s cheese is highly recommended – and hosts everything from art events to cooking workshops. Customers can also pick up handcrafted chocolates and cold-pressed juices to go.
2. Get your arm candy customised at Al Artz
Go bespoke and have your favourite bag, shoes or T-shirt hand-painted with a design of your choice at this colourful boutique. You can also choose from a range of pop-art-inspired accessories, some of which come with a local twist – think cushion covers adorned with colourful paintings of men and women in traditional Indian garb.
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3. Purchase chic clothes with traditional flair at Lila
Minimalistic menswear and womenswear in solid colours are what this boutique is known for. It uses natural, locally sourced fabric such as hand-woven cotton, turning them into kurtas (traditional Indian tops), loose-fitting dresses and jackets. Don’t miss out on its hand-embroidered scarves with elephant prints.
4. Enjoy a novel over coffee at Ivy & Bean
Select a book from one of the shelves lining this charming cafe decorated with birdcages and fairy lights, and savour prose over three-cheese quesadillas at the alfresco area. Also popular are its Vietnamese iced coffee and roasted-chickpea burger.
5. Meet adorable pooches at Puppychino Cafe
Don’t leave your pooches out when gifting loved ones with souvenirs. Aside from the pancakes and muffins catered to dogs, Delhi’s first dog cafe also offers a range of smart-looking pet accessories such as leashes, collars and bows. Canine parents can fuel up on pizza, pasta and mezze platters while watching pups at play. Make sure you say hi to Bobo and Bumper the labradors, and Simba the husky – Puppychino’s adorable residents (below).
6. Sample region-specific cuisine at The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe
This restaurant with a cosy rooftop area overlooking greenery serves rustic, home-style cooking from the state of Bihar – known to bring on the heat by infusing its dishes with smoked red chillies. Try their Litti (whole-wheat balls stuffed with spiced chickpea flour, served with aubergine), Ranchi ka Pulao (pilaf rice with aubergine, lentils and peanuts, served with pickle and tomato chutney) and Ghugni Chura (beaten rice with black chickpea curry; below).
7. Purchase items to beautify your home at The Wishing Chair
Pick up quirky, whimsical home accessories at The Wishing Chair. From hand-painted plates, pastel animal-inspired cushions and jewellery holders to napkin rings, cups and saucers and indoor planters, items are carefully curated with the contemporary home in mind. For a splash of colour, don’t miss their ocean-themed 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea homeware collection, which features watercolour painting-like prints of marine life.
– TEXT BY KALPANA SUNDER
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED, THE WISHING CHAIR, PUPPYCHINO CAFE, THE POTBELLY ROOFTOP CAFE
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
