Delhi, the dynamic, bustling Indian capital is part economic and bureaucratic powerhouse, and part living museum, with ancient temples, beautiful colonial edifices, and historic gardens around every corner.
9 am
Start out with a hearty breakfast at your hotel, the stunning Leela Palace. Located in the leafy Diplomatic Enclave, the hotel is widely regarded as one of the finest in India. Breakfast is served in The Qube, a glass-encased restaurant located on the lobby level, with views across manicured lawns. Here, you can get your strength up with a sumptuous buffet of local and international flavours, with dishes prepared in lively open kitchens and laced with traditional Indian spices and herbs.
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10 am
Time for some heritage, and there’s no better spot than the city’s Red Fort. This beautifully preserved 17th-century fortification was constructed in 1638 by the Mughal emperor Shan Jahan, within the walled city of Old Delhi, and served as his imperial home. Now protected as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the fort is popular with tourists stopping by to wander through the marble-clad pavilion of Diwan-i-Khas, with its pillars decorated in floral carvings and semi-precious stones, and down the banks of the Stream of Paradise, a water channel that is fed by the nearby Yamuna River.
Noon
From the Red Fort head south to the gentrified neighbourhood of Hauz Khas in southern Delhi. Once part of Siri, the second medieval city of India, Hauz Khas was best known for its royal water reservoir. However, over the past years, the district has become a chic commercial and business hub and home to galleries, book stores, and coffee shops. Be sure to keep your eyes open for great locally-produced textiles and homewares, as well as Indian fashion brands.
Also make time to stop by the iconic Qutub Minar, also in southern Delhi. The world’s tallest brick minaret at 72.5m, it’s one of the earliest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture and can be easily reached by the Delhi Metro or taxi.
1 pm
Also down the road from Hauz Khas, you’ll discover one of the city’s coolest little hideaways. Fio Country Kitchen & Bar is located within the Garden of Five Senses, one of the city’s most beautiful parks, and served delicious traditional and contemporary takes on rural Indian cooking. Here you’ll rub shoulders with the city’s cool young crowd, many of whom are students looking for tastes from home.
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3 pm
Walk off your meal with a stroll through the tranquil Persian gardens of Humayun’s Tomb. The final resting place of the Mughal Emperor Humayun, and designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, this stunningly beautiful ossuary was a leap in design terms and the 12-hectare, Unesco-protected Char Bagh Garden, in which the main building is situated, makes for a peaceful respite from the bedlam of the city. Also be sure to check out the Tomb of Kokah, the all-important royal barber, which dates back to 1590.
5 pm
Take some time out to stroll the alleyways and lanes of the Basant Lok Market. Known locally as Priya’s, this is a favourite among the city’s youth, especially university students, who congregate at one of the last independent cinemas. Basant Lok offers everything from high-end fashion right through to quirky little boutiques. These are the stores that are resisting the move to the big malls, and some great bargains can be found. You can try plenty of gourmet treats at stores like Modern Bazaar or Le Marche, have your fortune told, sip fair-trade coffee, or hit the street-side pan shacks for hunks of chocolate wrapped in betel nut leaves.
7 pm
It’s time for a tipple at the iconic 1911 bar at the Imperial Hotel. Paying tribute to the historic milestone that saw Delhi become the seat of power, think soft Montana leather chairs, period portraiture, a glossy island bar, and stained glass windows. Be sure to try their dirty gin martinis, served straight up with the finest London Dry.
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9 pm
Dine late as the locals do and head back to the Leela Palace for the exciting culinary creations of Megu, the city’s newest fine-dining Japanese restaurant. With a name that means “blessing”, Megu brings modern sushi and sumibiaburiyaki dishes to the Leela Palace in elegant and sophisticated surroundings. Also, be sure not to miss out on its extensive collection of rare sakes and sochus.
Midnight
Finish your night off down the road with the city’s beautiful at Soho Bar at The Ashok Hotel. This opulent watering hole is famed for its sleek and modern interiors, smooth beats, and affluent clientele. Be sure to talk your way into the exclusive Diamond Lounge to rub shoulders with Delhi’s elite, and leave room for one of the bar’s signature cocktails.
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