Exploring India

If you’ve got the time, we totally recommend that you get some travel in before or after the wedding. India is a stunning and incredibly diverse place, and early to mid March is just about the best time of the year to visit. Let us know where you plan to go — we can connect you with a super helpful tour provider whom we and others have used before.

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Places to go

  • The Golden Triangle

    Delhi, Rajasthan (especially Jaipur and Udaipur) and the Taj Mahal is a very popular trip — and accessible by train, car or very short flights.

    This is your classic India: temples, colour and people all around.

  • The South

    India’s south feels like a different country. Goa and Kerala are a few hours’ flight from Delhi, and you can find lush forests, gorgeous beaches and lakes, and a more relaxing experience.

  • Up North

    If you want cool weather and mountains, the Tibetan home of Dharamshala is a real highlight. Ladakh and Manali are epic but it will likely be too cold.

  • Iconic cities

    Mumbai is super cool, but in some ways it is even more hectic than Delhi. Think cool bars, galleries and shops.

    If you’re looking for the most spiritual experience with a full dose of India, nothing tops Varanasi and Amritsar.

  • Safari

    There are epic national parks scattered around India, where you can find Bengal Tigers, Asian Elephants, Indian Leopards and One-Horned Rhinos, among other amazing animals. Some of these parks might be closed in March, but some should be open.

Exploring Delhi

Delhi sometimes gets a bad wrap because of its massive population and the air pollution in the winter months. But there’s actually a huge amount to see in India’s capital, and in March, the air is clear and the sky is blue!

Indian Food (try book in advance):

  • Jamun is our personal favourite (modern North-Indian, classy but not too fancy).

  • Indian Accent is one of the nicest restaurants in India. Delicious, multi-course tasting menu. Approx. $100/head.

  • Gulati is iconic, messy, rich Indian food. A full experience. (There’s a vegetarian equivalent next door).

  • Hauz-Khas Social is a really fun, hip vibe on a rooftop, with cool drinks and Indian snacks and more substantial food. Head to the rooftop and if it’s full, tell them you have a reservation (never fails!)

  • Cafe Lota is a tasty and more casual feed, located in the national craft museum.

  • Carnatic Cafe has the best dosas in Delhi.

  • Lazeez Affaire is another great spot for North-Indian food.

  • Plus, many of the nice hotels have great Indian options in their restaurants.

Brunch

  • CAARA at Ogaan is our go-to for Aussie breakfasts and all Western food (breakfast, lunch or dinner). We eat there all the time.

  • Eleved is trendy, healthy, Indian-themed breakfast within a Yoga studio and a cute shop.

  • Fig at Malcha has great coffee and a relaxing Western feel.

  • Perch and Grammar Room are great little Western spots in Khan Market.

  • Greenr (in GK1) is a healthy and vegan option.

Non-Indian Dinner

  • Many of the really nice restaurants are in the hotels, but here are some others that we frequent fairly regularly.

  • Olive is excellent Mediterranean food, but 30-45 minutes (traffic depending) from the wedding location.

  • Mesa is a nice modern-European restaurant close to most things.

  • Tres is higher-end modern-European food next door to Mesa.

  • There are lots of other really nice Western places in Khan Market, Lodhi Colony and Basant Lock.

    Bars/Drinks

  • The Piano Man Jazz Club (in Safdarjung)

  • Red (in Vasant Vihar)

  • Cirrus 9 (rooftop bar in the Oberoi)

  • Strangr

  • Summer House (more party vibes)

  • The Imperial Hotel has really cool bars you can visit too


    Sights and Activities

  • Old Delhi is a must visit if you have time, energy and a bit of courage. But it’s a big effort, so only go there if you can do it before or after the main wedding events (either Friday or earlier, or Monday or later). We recommend the tour company Delhi by Locals, run by our favourite guide, Pradeep. Message him on WhatsApp at +91 95996 79235. He has a food tour and a regular sightseeing tour.

  • Lodhi Gardens is a beautiful park next to our house. We’ll be there for the yoga but it’s still worthwhile to explore the tombs inside yourself. Free entry.

  • Humayun’s Tomb (think a mini Taj-Mahal) and Sunder Nursery is a temple and garden complex 10 minutes away from the Chanakyapuri area. It will only take you 1-2 hours to explore this magnificent area, plus there’s a great dosa place called Carnatic Cafe inside Sunder Nursery. Buy tickets at the gate.

  • Safdarjung’s Tomb is a five-minute walk from Lodhi Gardens, and equally grand. Buy tickets at the gate.

Shops

  • Khan Market is a very popular outdoor shopping market with a range of differently-priced options. They include Fab India (great for cheaper homewares, men’s linen basics and more), Anokhi (for hand-block dresses, quilts, men’s shirts, scrunchies etc.), Good Earth (for nice Indian-style homewares, as well as sarees and jewellery on the top floor), Ogaan (high-end Indian designers) and Nicobar (homewares and fashion). There are plenty of other modern and fun shops too.

  • Mogha Jewellery, located in the Hotel Meridian, is where pretty much every expat in Delhi buys jewellery. It’s the highest quality, much cheaper than Aus, and fantastic service. Recommend 10/10.

  • In Lodhi, head to The Shop meharchand market for beautiful Indian fashion, homewares and crafts.

  • Janpath Market is a more traditional, Indian-style market with clothing and textiles, plus some funky jewellery.

  • Dilli Haat and INA Market are opposite one another. Dilli Haat is a paid entry shopping market with different stalls representing different regions of India. It’s good for souvenirs and to soak in the atmosphere. INA Market is where we do our local grocery shopping. If you want to check out what a traditional Indian fruit and veg market looks like, this is your place. Plus there are great tailors.

  • For fabrics, head to HP Singh in Nehru Place. There are loads of fabric shops around, but this is the Mecca, with six floors of linens, cottons, wools and more.

  • Finally, Hannah has a Belarussian contact in a market near the High Commission who sells super cheap off-the-rack designer clothes. Contact her to get the details.

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