India’s capital is a rollicking city that goes beyond the often-used urban adjectives of busy, lively, and fun loving. New Delhi brings all those qualities to a new level and adds a unique flair. Imagine bustling bazaars with saris and spices in every imaginable color. Envision overcrowded streets with mopeds zooming between the cars. Picture grand monuments and other worldly temples. Breathe in the curry and pepper scent of street-side snack carts. This Hindi-speaking city is a wild ride of new experiences for the curious and adventurous traveler.

Street food is a New Delhi specialty. Carts line the streets selling traditional Indian delights to go. A snack typical of north India is chaat: a pastry stuffed with savory items like potatoes and spices then deep fried; the pastries are topped with yogurt and chutney for immediate consumption.

New Delhi is also a fun place to explore the depth of Indian cuisine region by region without leaving the city. Many restaurants specialize in the cuisine of a specific region in response to demand from students far from their home region and workers who have migrated to Delhi from elsewhere in the country. Seek out barbecued pork from Coorg, Himalayan breads, and rose-yogurt lassi, a typical drink of Rajasthan.

One of the advantages of being in a big city like New Delhi is the wide variety of restaurants. In addition to Indian cuisine, you can sample food from many other cultures. Ethnic restaurants serve the cuisines of many countries including China, Iraq, Italy, and Korea.

New Delhi is an outstanding place to shop. Both traditional bazaars and Western-style shopping malls are sprinkled throughout the city. What you’re looking for will dictate where you shop. For example, Karol Bagh is the place to go for traditional Indian clothing like saris, but if you’re looking for international luxury brands, you can visit DLF Emporio. Khan Market is favored by local diplomats and is known for its many bookshops selling books in Hindi, English, and other languages.

Connaught Place is a huge shopping arcade. It is an historic bazaar, but today many Western and Western-style brands have infiltrated the market. It is kind of a hybrid of a traditional bazaar and a modern shopping mall. If you truly enjoy shopping, you shouldn't miss this market. You can also make a stop nearby at Cottage Emporium for handmade items from all regions of India.

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