Defence Colony aka Def Col was initially built to house the retired defence personnel but is now known to be the residential area of the most affluent people of Delhi. The small market at Def Col has some great restaurants, bars, grocery stores, wine shops, florists, and boutiques. We present to you a curated list of all the places you should visit.
Pro-Tip: The nearest metro station is Lajpat Nagar.
The Goa gem Romeo Lane has now opened its second outlet in Delhi, in Defence Colony. An escapade filled with innovative food, culinary cocktails, immersive music, and eye-catching interiors, Romeo Lane is a must visit. We would personally recommend you to try their sushi, dim-sum, crispy chicken baos, and their special platter (non-veg.) It’s not only the ambience but also the food that makes this place LBB-approved.
Recommended For: Organic Cocktails, Lebanese platters, and Pan-Asian food.
Price For Two: INR 1,900
We cannot write about Def Col market and not mention Sagar Ratna. You’ll know you’ve reached Sagar when you see the long line outside. However, it’s a fast-moving queue and the Masala Dosa makes it well worth your while. One of the oldest South Indian restaurants in Delhi, Sagar Ratna has been serving delicious dosas since the 80s.
Recommended For: Dosas and Idli
Price For Two: INR 600
One of the oldest players in the game (established in 1962), Defence Bakery has many memories intertwined with it. This establishment has it all — bread, desserts, muffins, cookies, quiches, pizza, kathi rolls, foccacia, hot dogs, hummus, and more.
Recommended For: Baked goods
Price For Two: INR 300
AKU’s does juicy and succulent veg and non-veg burgers, and delicious shakes. They’ve got a menu full of lamb, bacon, and mushroom burgers that’ll put you in a food coma.
Recommended For: Burgers and shakes
Price For Two: INR 800
Established in 1985, Kent's has been a fixture in every Delhiites childhood, and a lot of our college life has been spent at this Defence Colony gem. In fact, their Mutton, Chicken and Veg Chilli Burgers have been a constant through bad break-ups and healthy crushes.
Recommended For: Burgers and rolls
Price For Two: INR 500
Known for their hand-tossed wood-fired pizzas, Amici is a classic Italian cafe also good for zuppa. Their variety in this department is limited but if you’re having the Alpine Mushroom Soup, all’s good.
Recommended For: Wood-fried Pizza
Price For Two: INR 1,200
The Turkey Project is a cosy restaurant that serves Italian-American comfort food and is definitely worth a visit and try. We recommend the cheese fries called ‘Fries Before Guys,’ the Greek salad 'A Walk Through Greece', the Chardonnay, and the mushroom pasta. The upholstery of the restaurant has been hand-stitched by rural women, which clearly portrays basics done right. There are charging points at each table and you can access their free Wi-Fi to sit and work here while sipping on their fresh sangrias.
Recommended For: Mushroom Pasta and Sangria
Price For Two: INR 1,400
Check out some other Iconic restaurants in Defence Colony that have survived the test of time.
Get spoiled for choice when it comes to designer bridal wear thanks to the numerous options that surround you in the cornucopia of fashion that is Defence Colony.
Well known for their understated elegance, regal tastes, and designer wedding wear for both brides and bridegrooms, Shantanu and Nikhil need no introduction. Inspired by the royal era, their designs are always a splash of colour, ranging from fuchsia to midnight blue with gold work.
Recommended For: Wedding couture
Known for designs on rich fabrics with luxurious, nature-inspired motifs, Rohit Bal’s creations flirt with both sophistication and quirk. They have seasonal collections on display at the store, ranging from ready-made suits and designer saris, to wedding lehengas, sherwanis, cocktail dresses and gowns.
Recommended For: Gowns and cocktail dresses
The nearly 30-year-old label has evolved to become one of the world’s leading designer brands. Exhibiting contemporary richness in design, the brand takes inspiration from India’s various cultures and heritage.
Recommended For: Luxury Pret
Block D in Def Col is known to have some great home decor and furnishing options. Here are our top picks.
Started by a woman who had the vision to renew pride in arts and textile designs, this store brings people closer to their home decor. The dedication to this vision has taken Sarita Handa from a leading export house to a major luxury retail brand. This brand brings out contemporary designs using traditional craft techniques. The store is located in the D Block.
Recommended For: Bed linen and furniture
Located in D Block, Atmosphere offers an exclusive collection of luxury drapery, upholstery, bed linen and accessories, it has added nine exclusive stores — eight of which are in India and an international presence in Dubai. You can expect minimalist aesthetics from their range that offers products that create an atmosphere that’s truly yours!
Recommended For: Upholstery and luxury drapery
If you are looking for a luxury, customisable home decor brand, head to Aux Home in Defence Colony. The store has furniture only on display and not for sale so that you can look at the style and feel the quality and get your own custom furniture and accessories made. You’ve to check in with the store before you visit.
Recommended For: Custom made furniture and lighting.
Most Def Col residents stock their fresh and exotic fruits and vegetables from this classic fruit shop in the main market. From seasonal fruits to imported fruits and vegetables, you will get it all here. They also have preserved and canned vegetables.
Recommended For: Exotic fruits and vegetables
Located in the central market, this is one of the largest stationery shops in the vicinity. You can find everything from pin board materials, DIY jewellery kits, ink pens, stationery items, and notebooks. You can also get photocopy and printing done here.
Recommended For: Stationery items
One of the oldest grocery stores in Defence Colony, The Taste has been in this place since 1969. From gourmet goods to organic groceries and fresh meat, you will be able to perform a successful grocery shopping spree here.
Recommended For: Groceries and Organic produce
Another good option for grocery shopping and organic products is Malik Bros. What they also have are gluten-free options and can promise you a good shopping experience.
Recommended For: Groceries, gluten-free foods, and personal care products
If you are a Hukka enthusiast, Defence Colony has an alley of stores that cater to it. However, this store has recently opened up and offers some of the best Hukkas in town with extensive variety and pre-mixed flavours. The Hukkas here range from INR 1,000 to over INR 30,000.
Recommended For: Hukkas and Flavour
Looking to get your coats and suits, or even your blankets cleaned? You’ve Broadway Dry Cleaners right in the front row of Defence Colony market.
Recommended For: Dry cleaning
Buy yourself or someone else you love flowers from Komal Florits. It has a variety of flowers from evergreen and seasonal, to some imported ones as well. The experienced florist at the shop would guide you through the perfect flowers for every occasion.
Recommended For: Flower bouquet
A hidden gem at the Def Col Market, Three L Library is one of the oldest stores in the market. Started in the 1960s they continue to have more than 15,000 to 20,000 books in a comparatively small bookstore. If you are looking for old books or even any academic books for that matter, chances are they will have them. Recently due to changing times, the library has transformed into a pizza shop with books being left on only two shelves. The manager who has worked there for more than 30 years told us that with changing times one is forced to change and surrender to the new world. We will continue to remember the library in all its glory.
Located at the center of the Defence Colony market, you can literally come here during the evenings or when the temperature in Delhi is sane and come here for a chill sit down session with or without company.
One of the cutest indoor play centres we’ve seen, Tumble House is a place where you and your kids (6 months to 12 years old) can have a gala time. This is also a great space to host kiddie birthday parties. Check it out.
The famous neighbourhood of Lajpat Nagar is literally a five-minute auto ride from Defence Colony so if you are done exploring Defence Colony might as well head there and explore Lajpat Nagar. We’ve got you a Hood Guide for this famous market as well.