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The Imperial
For the heritage
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Delhi, India
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India’s capital is a place of continual reinvention: At least seven other distinct cities have stood here at some point in history. Landmarks from this motley legacy include the Red Fort of the 17th–century Mughal empire and the palatial Rashtrapati Bhavan, originally a residence for the British viceroy. Today, the sense of living history co–exists with the contemporary, including a flourishing art scene and stylish, boutique–filled neighbourhoods.
Due to COVID-19, please contact businesses directly to determine their current business operations before travelling.
Where to Stay
- The pool at The Oberoi, Gurgaon hotel in Delhi, IndiaThe Oberoi, New DelhiFor old-school hospitality
- delhi-scarletteScarletteFor a feels-like-home stay
Eat & Drink
Modern Indian cuisine at Indian Accent Tuck into tikka–style pork tacos, served with a hearty Punjabi lentil curry, a highlight of chef Manish Mehrotra’s menu. Save room for the chocolate balls spiked with Old Monk rum, arguably India’s most significant gift to the world.
After–hours drinks at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar With its pale wood interiors, fresh salads and single–origin coffee, Perch is a popular café lounge for breakfast meetings and working lunches. It’s also one of the few dedicated wine bars in the city, transforming into a relaxed spot for an after–work glass of vino; choose from the extensive selection of reds and whites from France, Italy and New Zealand.
Thin crusts at Leo’s Artisan Pizza For the freshest veggies on the thinnest–crust pizza, head to this cool minimalist restaurant with sunlit interiors. Bite into a mozzarella and arugula–loaded slice – hot from the wood–fired oven – while checking out cute wall–mounted photos of namesake Leo, the owner’s dog.
Street food at Paranthe Wali Gali This lane in Chandni Chowk is chockablock with food stalls dedicated to parathas, Indian breads stuffed with savoury fillings. Try the paneer (cheese), methi (fenugreek) and bhindi (okra) parathas from stall number 36.
Sunday brunch at Olive Bar & Kitchen This Mediterranean–inspired garden restaurant is a Delhi classic for its proximity to the towering Qutub Minar monument and for its setting in a restored haveli (mansion). On Sundays, the sunlit courtyard buzzes as the brunch crowd dines on thin–crust pizza.
NOLA–inspired cocktails at Piano Man Jazz Club This 1950s American–style bar serves Sazeracs that are as smooth as the jazz. Take in an acoustic live gig while sipping New Orleans–inspired cocktails.
Perfect brew at Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters Tea–loving Delhi gets a java jolt with Blue Tokai, a coffee shop that roasts single–estate beans from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Their quaint Saket location is devoted to serving a great brew, which pairs perfectly with a slice of their banana–walnut bread.
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What to Do
Ancient history at Lodhi Garden Explore the ancient tombs and Lodhi–era ruins in gardens next to the Islamic Centre, then hop across to Khan Market to browse bookstores and get coffee and cake in the tiny street–facing cafés.
Masterpieces at National Gallery of Modern Art Situated in the iconic Jaipur House, the National Gallery of Modern Art features work from 1850 onwards, including works from old masters like Raja Ravi Varma and Abanindranath Tagore. Don’t miss the permanent collection featuring over 100 pieces from Amrita Sher–Gil, a pioneer of the modern art movement in India.
Gallery tours in Hauz Khas Village Once a residential area, this south Delhi neighbourhood is now home to trendy galleries, cafés and boutiques. Tour the medieval water tank, mosque and tombs of the nearby Hauz Khas complex; then pop into Elma’s Bakery for a slice of carrot cake.
Street art at Lodhi Art District Visit the city’s first public art district, where vibrant murals from more than 25 international artists are displayed on the walls of Lodhi Colony. Located between Khanna Market and Mehar Chand Market, the vibrant street art has reinvigorated the neighbourhood.
Modern minimalist homeware at Good Earth Delhi’s go–to store for contemporary design stocks sustainable home decor with a quintessentially Indian esthetic. Drawing inspiration from rituals and locations across the country, the elegant dinnerware features motifs of temple elephants and Kerala landscapes in pale pastel shades. After shopping, step into the colourful rooftop café for cold rice–paper rolls.
Luxe Indian jewellery at Amrapali Traditional Indian jewellery is made modern at Amrapali, a luxury name known for working with skilled artisans across the country to handcraft statement designs. With everything from chunky necklaces laden with gemstones to stylish silver earrings inspired by tribal designs, this is a classic place to find gifts to take home.
Local crafts at Dilli Haat The best of Indian handicraft from every state of the country finds a place at this open–air market. Once you’re done haggling for Kashmiri shawls and jute baskets, try juicy pork momos from the Nagaland food stall.
Fashion–forward saris at Ashdeen Ashdeen Lilaowala’s saris are reviving traditional Parsi Gara embroidery. Lilaowala travelled through Iran and China to trace the origins of the intricate craft, resulting in next–level saris that are bringing elegance back: a cheeky flash of skin winking through folds of heirloom–worthy satin, stitched with cascades of flying cranes.
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