Shopping in Delhi by Delhi hotels

As a local or as a tourist, shopping in Delhi is an experience that you will thoroughly enjoy. The city offers a plethora of items for every kind of shopping need. History reveals that even in ancient times, Delhi has been an important trading centre in North India, as evidenced by the names of many of its areas such as Sheikh Sarai and Yusuf Sarai, which are drawn from the ancient trading towns of Delhi. Delhi is often viewed by many travellers as a bargain hunter's paradise, with products ranging from custom-made suits to eyeware, which are available at a fraction of what they would normally cost in the West.

Popular shopping items in Delhi include world renowned Leather products, beautiful fabric and absolutely stunning art work! Take your pick, the items are surely worth every rupee.

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It's great to go shopping in Delhi. Our Delhi shopping guide below will tell you how to get the best deals and the best places to shop in Delhi. And after working up a hunger shopping, make sure you stop for some tasty food and relax in one of the great Delhi restaurants. For more general Indian shopping information, check out our India shopping guide.

Delhi Shopping Guide

Delhi is a delight for the shopper in you whether it is the crowded Chandni Chowk bazaar in old Delhi, or that hub of activity, Connaught Place, or the fashionable markets of South Extension. They offer the entire spectrum of shopping items ranging from clothing, jewellery, fashion accessories, art, artefacts, handicrafts, furniture and furnishings, consumer electronic goods and much more - in short, everything that a shopper would fancy.

The city has high-end boutiques and shopping arcades that offer the best of haute couture, designer garments, precious stones, brassware, ivory and wood work, terracotta and pottery and antiques for the discerning buyer. The shopping centres of Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar and Karolbagh offer a wide choice for the avid shopper and you could go to any of these markets, depending on where you are staying.

Jewellery

Delhi is famous for the jewellery masterpieces crafted by its skilled artisans - Meenakari, Kundan and Navratan (jewellery studded with nine different coloured stones reflecting the nine planets) jewellery are prime examples. Apart from jewellery made of gold, silver and precious gems, Delhi's markets also offer a variety of costume jewellery. Bangles - oxidised and crafted out of other metals and glass - are available in a riot of colours and designs. The zari and zardosi skills of Delhi artists are also well known.

Local Handicrafts

When it comes to furniture and furnishings, among the other usual items on sale, you will also come across exquisitely crafted chairs, stools and window screens (called ‘chiks') made of bamboo, finely woven Afghani Herati carpets in a rainbow of colourful motifs, and terracotta lamps, flower vases, and even crockery.

Among other unique items, delicately carved ivory jewellery and objects d'art (among other things, chessboards and letter openers) and well-styled leather garments and accessories (belts, handbags, wallets, and shoes) are popular items on sale.

For traditional craft items, you could visit the Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan which stocks a wonderful range of ethnic craft items such as terracotta lamps, flower vases and crockery. For souvenirs and gift items such as rosewood and sandalwood curios, ethnic fabric, stones and bead jewellery, the Central Cottage Emporium at Janpath and the shops at Hauz Kaus and Dilli Haat are the places to visit. If you are looking for antiques, you could visit the Sundernagar Market which is also well known for its silver jewellery.

Where to Buy

One of the oldest and popular shopping areas in Delhi is Chandni Chowk which is famous for its range of saris, silver jewellery, zari, zardosi, kota and ginari work. Around Chandni Chowk, you can also visit Katra Neel, Kinari Bazaar, Old Lajpat Rai Market, Bhagirath Palace, Dariba Kalan, Ballimaran, Chhatta Chowk Bazaar and Moti Bazaar. In Karol Bagh, you can pick up beautiful Indian garments and bridal wear, try on a range of shoes, and feast your eyes on amazing jewellery of great craftsmanship. Arya Samaj, Bank Street, Ajmal Khan Road, and Ghaffar market are the other shopping options around Karol Bagh.

The shops in Connaught Place in central Delhi offers an eclectic range of items for sale. You will find an amazing array of garments, fashion accessories, jewellery handicrafts, and even a range of electronic goods and books. Apart from the inclusive Delhi shopping markets such as Inner Circle, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Janpath and Palika Bazaar at Connaught Place, you could also visit the various shopping malls in Delhi that offer the entire gamut of shopping services in one destination. The popular malls are AEZ Square, CTC Plaza, DLF City Centre, Shoprix Mall, Ansal Plaza, and Shipra Mall.

For budget shopping in Delhi, the Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar markets offer reasonably priced handicrafts, garments (including branded labels at low prices), shoes, bags, and other fashion accessories.

Shopping Places

Old Delhi Markets

Chandni Chowk and the bazaar inside Lal Qila are good areas to hunt for bargains. On the streets behind the Jama Masjid, many shops sell metalware curios and old utensils, and one street specialises in paper and stationery, some of it handmade and hand-printed. On Dariba Kalan, stalls are filled with silver and gold jewelery. Except for the Lal Qila bazaar, most businesses in Old Delhi shut down on Sunday.

Address : Lal Qila, Delhi

Sarojini Nagar, Delhi

One of the most economical markets in Delhi. Here you will find clothes for all tastes and styles. Primarily set up as a refugee rehabilitation market (for the refugees during India's partition), it has now acquired something of an international flavour. The clothes that are to be found here are generally rejects from the export units all over India. For instance, a shirt that was meant for Arrow or Gap which has a minor defect too small to be noticed, ends up here. The market also boasts some shoe stores where you can buy decent quality shoes at ridiculous rates (especially when compared with UK or the US). You can also buy local pottery utensils.

Address : Delhi

Santushti Shopping Arcade, Delhi

Located opposite Samrat Hotel, Santushti has a handful of exclusive shops set in manicured lawns features handmade pottery to fabrics to high fashion garments. Closed on Sundays.

Address : Opposite Samrat Hotel, Delhi

Ambawatta Complex, Delhi

Ambawatta Complex is a high fashion shop, it features furniture and furnishings at the Good Earth shop.

Address : Located at Mehrauli Village, about 15km southwest of Connaught Place.

The State Emporium, Delhi

The State Emporia showcases handicrafts and handlooms of the regional states at reasonable prices. They have good pieces from all over India. (Sundays closed). Timing: 10.00 to 19.00 hrs.

Address : Located at Baba Kharak Singh Marg off Connaught place

Ansal Plaza, Delhi

Ansal Plaza offers department store, numerous clothes shops including a small branch of the UK's Marks and Spencer, toys, music and furniture.

Address : Located in Khel Gaon Marg

Phone : 011-26261305

Kumar Gallery, Delhi

Specialises in original tribal statues, old dhurries, Tibetan carpets and furniture, miniatures, temple art and contemporary paintings by India's finest artists.

Address : Delhi

Gems 'n' Jewels, Delhi

A small shop in Lal Qila, has good miniature paintings and silver jewellery.

Address : Lal Qila, Delhi

Shivam Zari Palace, Delhi

Offers inexpensive Hindu wedding paraphernalia-turbans, fabric covered boxes, torans and tiny brass gods dressed per your choice.

Address : Delhi

Singh Copper and Brass Palace, Delhi

Has an entire building filled with old and new Indian Brass, copper and wood handicrafts.

Address : Delhi

Sundar Nagar Market, Delhi

Specialises in jewellery and precious gems, tribal and indigenous curios, artifacts and artwork. Closed on Sundays.

Address : Delhi

Khadi Gramadyog Bhavan, Delhi

This shopping center has a fascinating assortment of goodies ranging from handmade paper to khadi cotton.

Address : In Connaught place, in the Regal Building

South Extension, New Delhi

Located on the Ring road, in the south of New Delhi, it is one of the most posh marketplaces promising an international shopping experience. The south Extension has two parts, one in Greater Kailash and the other in Defence Colony. These markets are famous for good quality high priced designer stuff of major Indian and International brands, such as ready to wear garments, jewellery, footwear and other accessories. Formals from Givo, Van Heusen and Louis Phillepe, casuals from Levi's, Pepe and Wrangler, Eye care by Ray Ban, Reebok accessories, Fabrics of renowned brands like Dormeuil, Reid& Taylor, Holland & Sherry, Raymond, Digjam as well as intricately hand embroidered Shervanis, Bandgalas and Jodhpuries are available.

Address : Ring Road, south of New Delhi

Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Delhi

Under one room you will find a spectacular display of Indian handlooms and handicrafts. Prices are fixed and quality is assured.

Address : Located in Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan, Janpath,

Phone : 011-2372 5035

Dilli Haat (Food & crafts bazaar), Delhi

The only place in town where traditional handicrafts and food delicacies, representing various states of India is available. More than 60 stalls sell products from different areas of India and 25 stalls offer regional food. Open air cultural performances occur daily mid-afternoon until evening. It is open from 1100 hrs. To 2200 hrs.

Address : Delhi

Hauz Khas Village, Delhi

Restaurants, Art Galleries & stylish boutiques abound, and it is possible to shop for everything from antiques to high fashion. Closed on Sundays.

Address : Located southwest of town, about 10km from Connaught Place.

Chandni Chowk, Delhi

The old and the new in Delhi is often represented by the Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Bazaar), the ancient market of the Mughals and the main street of the old city of Delhi. Located 6km north of Connaught place, it is a crowded colourful market bustling with shops, craftsmen's workshops, hotels, mosques, temples and the lanes are filled with all kinds of vehicles, pedestrians, astrologers, sidewalk photographers, shoe menders etc. A maze of fascinating little lanes leads off this avenue and some of its shops deals exclusively in brocades, braids, silver or pearls. Kinari Bazaar deals with all bridal trimmings. One of the beautiful and peaceful lanes here is Naughara gali, which leads to an exquisite Jain temple and lined with havelis. Chandni Chowk, begins from the Red Fort and goes up to the Fatepuri Mosque and then by the Connaught place in New Delhi. Closed on Sundays.

Address : Located 6km north of Connaught place

Connaught Place, Delhi

Connaught Place, an immense shopping complex built by the British, comprises concentric circles containing shops and boutiques that display everything from gold, diamond ornaments to electronic goods, hotels and restaurants, etc. In the centre of the complex, there is a park ornamented with flowering trees and fountains. This is one of the major shopping centers in Delhi and the best place to start browsing are the fixed price Government Emporia of many Indian States located close to this complex on Baba Kharak Singh Marg. There is also an air-conditioned underground market called Palika Bazaar close by. Closed on Sundays.

Address : Delhi

Shopping in Delhi

Shopping Places

Old Delhi Markets

Sarojini Nagar, Delhi

Santushti Shopping Arcade, Delhi

Ambawatta Complex, Delhi

The State Emporium, Delhi

Ansal Plaza, Delhi

Kumar Gallery, Delhi

Gems 'n' Jewels, Delhi

Shivam Zari Palace, Delhi

Singh Copper and Brass Palace, Delhi

Sundar Nagar Market, Delhi

Khadi Gramadyog Bhavan, Delhi

South Extension, New Delhi

Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Delhi

Dilli Haat (Food & crafts bazaar), Delhi

Hauz Khas Village, Delhi

Chandni Chowk, Delhi

Connaught Place, Delhi

Local time: 12:10:09 PM

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