Moving to Delhi can be taxing. It's fast, extensive, and constantly changing. However, it has always been a shopping haven for shopaholics, or just people who love to try new things, and explore new places! (Coming back to that later) Markets in Delhi are plenty, and pretty great too! So, if you're a newbie in town, here's a lowdown on some of the most famous markets in Delhi, and what all they have to offer.
For everything new in town, check out this.
Situated in the famous neighbourhood of Delhi's Lajpat Nagar, Central Market is a labyrinth worth exploring. You'll find pretty much everything here from shoes, clothes, home decor, to fabric, across several budgets.
Recommended For: Reasonable ethnic wear, fabrics and costume jewellery. You'll find a massive range of pre-stitched, semi-stitched, and unstitched salwar suits great for everyday wear or for mass gifting during weddings at Lajpat. Our favourites are Ghoonghat Dupatta for dupattas and stoles, KC Creations and Ramjisons for fabrics, and Dolma Aunty Momos for grabbing a bite.
LBB Tip: Best to rely on metro services (Lajpat Nagar metro on the pink and violet line) because parking space and autos, are unreliable options.
Check out the full Lajpat Nagar guide here.
If you've seen any movie, or video that features Delhi, there has to be a shot of the iconic white buildings of Connaught Place. A go-to for every single Dilliwala, Connaught place is not just the perfect place to meet up, and hang out, but also shop and eat to your heart's content.
Recommended For: Retail outlets of leading brands, large hub of eateries, phone accessories, and junk jewellery. Our favourites are Cha Bar for books and chai, Keventers for some mean milkshakes, Kalpana for gorgeous sarees, The Shop for home décor, Balujas for footwear and Mohan Singh Place to get jeans & trousers stitched.
Pro Tip: Check out the full Connaught Place guide here.
Situated in the busy neighbourhood of Karol Bagh, the market here offers things quite similar to Lajpat Nagar. The good thing though is that there's more space for bargaining here! On Mondays, while the shops are closed, Ajmal Khan Market that takes place where vendors sprawl out on either sides of the road with quite impressive options!
Recommended For: Wedding shopping and cheap clothing. The market's got different streets dedicated to different categories: Gaffar Market for cheap electronic needs, Silver Street/Bank Street for traditional jewellery, and Ajmal Khan Road for inexpensive readymade garments.
Needs no introduction! We all know the super famous Sarojini Nagar market (newbie or not) and all that it has to offer. (Which is A LOT)
Recommended For: Affordable fashion - be it clothing, accessories, bags or footwear.
LBB Tip: To get a great bargain, try to plan your visit on an early weekday morning, when the crowds are thin and shopkeepers are desperate to make their first sale.
Check out the full Sarojini Nagar guide here.
Usually when people mention Old Delhi, we think food. And yes, while food is a huge part of Old Delhi (hello to the best qormas, and kebabs in town) you'll also find literally everything here with it being large collection of markets, this place is a shopper's paradise indeed.
Recommended For: Chandni Chowk for bridal stores and street food, Nai Sadak for wholesale stationery items, Chawri Bazar for brass/copper items and invitation cards, Daryaganj for the Sunday book market, Dariba Kalan for stunning silver jewellery, Bhagirath Palace for all kinds of lights, Kucha Choudhary Market for cameras and accessories, Kinari Bazar for lace & latkans, Meena Bazaar for souvenirs and Khari Baoli for spices.
Check out the full guide on Old Delhi's markets here.
Home to the fanciest stores in Delhi, Khan Market is always bustling with new cafes, and shops opening up, while the iconic ones stay intact. It's the perfect blend of old and modern, which we love.
Recommended For: Shopping in posh stores and elegant dining options. Our favourites are Café Turtle for books and coffee, Good Earth for beautiful home décor & furnishings, Amrapali for silver jewellery and Big Chill for everything on their menu.
Check out the full Khan Market guide here.
If you own electronics, you've heard of Nehru Place or at least one person telling you to either go buy stuff from there, or get your stuff fixed from there. Apart from that if you've ever wanted to buy fabrics, we bet Nehru Place has cropped up in the conversation.
Recommended For: All electronic and printing needs, ample fabric shops.
An iconic place for shopping the best of the best brand names and all that they have to offer. South Ex is a haven for shopping for pretty much anything you want. It's divided into two parts—I & II (situated on either side of Ring Road). A few of our favourites are Nalli & Greenways for silk and handloom sarees, Frontier Raas for bridal shopping, and Tanishq for diamond jewellery.
Recommended For: Wedding and Indianwear for both men and women, and designer jewellery.
If you're a newbie in town, or simply unfamiliar with the area, we recommend taking a friend along here. Bustling with places to eat, and shop at, Paharganj market is a sweet spot for people who love shopping on a budget.
Recommender For: Budget eating joints and shops full of junk jewellery, leather bags & chappals.
GK II M block market, is always Bursting with restaurants, coffee and dessert hotspots, branded clothing stores and home decor stores, it definitely is one of the best markets to get all your needs fulfilled. From Iconic Nik Bakers where you can gobble up on some yum food, to Nalli's for silk sarees, you've got everything here.
Recommended For: Trendy apparel, faux leather bags, junk jewellery, fab footwear and plenty of fast food outlets. It's an upmarket version of Sarojini Nagar. So, the products here will be a tad more expensive, but better in quality.
Pro Tip: Check out the full GK II guide here and for GK I here.
One of the most fun markets to traverse is the Tibetan market, Gujrati market, and the flea market in Janpath, and the Janpath main market itself. Expect to spot great options for shoes, clothes, and home decor stuff.
Recommended For: Junk jewellery, cheap clothing, handicrafts, artwork, trinkets, jholas, and kohlapuris
Check out the full Janpath guide here.
If you love handicrafts, handwoven, and handmade stuff, Dilli Haat is the place to go for the most stunning clothes, home decor, and jewellery. Plus lets not forget the the sprawl of India state-wise restaurants.
Recommended For: Handicrafts, pottery, and furniture.
Pro Tip: For the full list of Delhi's OG markets, days they're closed on, and how to reach there, check out this!