We’re sure you’ve heard the many thousands of things to check out in Chandni Chowk, but we swear this one is awesome, because Anubhav Sapra from Delhi Food Walks told us. And, you know, he knows, unlike Jon Snow.
The 'Must Not Miss' Old Delhi Dessert List {Under 100 Rupees}
Deepak Deewan Fruit Cream
One of the only surviving ice cream cart vendors in Old Delhi, Deepak Diwan has been in the business for around 35 years, with copious amounts of soft cream topped with banana, pineapple, mango and apple, with a final dollop of jam.
P.S.: He’s only in business post 5pm.
Where: Deepak Diwan, Outside Gali Piyao Wali, Dariba Kalan
Price: INR 20 per cup
Watermelon Roohafza Shake
They also call it ‘Sherbet-e-pyaar-mohabbat-mazaa‘, a genius name for a drink synonymous with having grown up in India. All glasses are topped up with pieces of watermelon to really help the flavour kick in.
Where: Street carts in Bazar Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid
Price: INR 10 per glass
Kanwar Ji Confectioners
Some times, we’re reminded of the joys of Indian drinks, case in point being the Kesar Pista Badam Milk. It’s important you drink down this fruit cream to get ready for the next dessert on this trail.
Where: At the entrance of Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk
Price: INR 50 per bottle
Kuremal Ki Kulfi
Kuremal Mahavir Prasad Kulfiwale slays the kulfi game. So maybe get that milkshake at Gianis and save up for this. They have mango, pomegranate, blackberry, guava, litchi, rose, pan and rabri flavoured kulfis. They’re also most popular for their stuffed kulfis, and we mean stuffed with mango, anar, orange and apple.
P.S.: They shut shop at 9.
Where: Kucha Pati Ram, Bazar Sita Ram
Price: All stuffed kulfis priced at INR 200; others at INR 50
Ved Prakash Lemon Wale
Okay so maybe it ain’t all desserts, but the Lemon banta at Ved Prakash is the perfect savoury antidote to all the meetha coming up. Better than the banta is their story—originally started by his grandfather, Mr Prakash is a third generation owner of the stall, and they’ve worked with engineers from Germany to carbonate the bottles. As for slightly run-down interiors, it is his MO, since he knows the penchant tourists have for a little, quaint, old store.
Where: Opp. Town Hall, Chandni Chowk
Price: INR 15 per glass
Akhil Ahmed's Gur Ka Sharbat
You’re thinking exactly what you can expect; it’s a juice of jaggery flavoured with lemon.
Where: Gali Pahadi Imli, Bazar Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid
Price: INR 5 for a glass
Giani's Faluda
Served in glasses, filled to the brim with falooda, then kulfi, and topped with crushed ice. See why you needed the banta now?
P.S.: If you’re not a kulfi fan, Anubhav recommends their rose, pineapple, mango and/or banana milkshake.
Where: Church Mission Road, Fatehpuri
Price: INR 70 per glass
Amritsari Lassi Wala
You’ve probably already heard of them even if you haven’t tried them out yet. They have six different types of lassis, including rose badam, namkeen jeera, mango, banana, kesar badam and malai.
Where: Fatehpuri Chowk
Price: Between INR 20 and 50 a glass
Bade Miya Ki Kheer
The Siddique family’s kheer shop is a hop, skip and a jump from the Chawri Bazaar metro station. Ask for Jamaluddin, and he will keep you entertained with one too many stories while you eat the best kheer of your life.
Where: Lal Quan, Chawri Bazar
Price: INR 30 per plate
Enlist for one of the Beat the Heat walks organised by Delhi Food Walks. Find out more here.