Food is a love language for all of us Delhiites who live to eat, and one iconic place where you are guaranteed to lose your mind over delicious food is Pandara Road! There's no way you can be an alien to Pandara Market if you have been staying (or have relatives staying) in Delhi for a long time, the place is a regular haunt for families looking for wholesome comfort food that has upheld the legacy of Pandara Road all these years. While the OG foodies need no introduction to the famous Pandara Market—the heart and soul of Delhi's food scene—but for those uninitiated, be our guest as we take you through our day out on Pandara Road.
The Ultimate Pandara Road Hood Guide: The Best Places To Eat & Explore
Places To Eat
Ichiban
Our first stop on our binging day out was Ichiban, a warm and cosy pan-Asian restaurant serving delicious oriental food (with hints of desi Chinese). The place might be small in comparison to its neighbouring eateries but always has vacant dining spots, thanks to the quick and efficient service. The ambience is chill and moody with peppy tunes playing in the background and guests leisurely chatting away while gorging on delicious food. Our favourite part however was the complimentary pickled cucumbers that were exceptionally snackable (read: sour and crunchy), the not-so-fermented kimchi might not be everyone's favourite but nevertheless a good attempt.
What we ordered: Special Shanghai Crystal Dumplings
Gulati's
Our second stop was Gulati's, the famous family restaurant that's been ruling people's hearts (and bellies) for decades. Gulati's has been a hotspot for scrumptious North Indian food that brings a smile to your face the moment you take your first bite. The iconic restaurant has managed to keep its old-world charm intact with certain elements like booth-styled seating and walls clad with mementos. Moving to the food, the restaurant is a must-visit for those wanting to experience authentic Mughlai food, from succulent galouti kebabs to aromatic biryanis, the taste's unmatchable. Mind you, the place is always jam-packed, so your best bet is to visit for lunch on weekdays.
What we ordered: Mushroom Galouti Kebabs and Paneer Tikka
Havemore
Nothing in this world equates to the satisfaction that Delhi people get from butter chicken and dal makhani. Havemore, another iconic restaurant in Pandara Market serves THE best butter chicken and dal makhani in the city—you truly are missing out if you haven't visited yet. The interiors and vibe of the place are quite modern and luxurious, and could easily compete with any swanky dining spot. Havemore is a hit among tourists wanting to taste sinfully rich and delicious North Indian food that causes an explosion of flavours in the mouth. Since the place is always packed (especially during nighttime), you might have to wait to get a table but trust us, the hassle is totally worth it!
What we ordered: Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani and Butter Naan
Krishna Di Kulfi
To end our meal on a sweet note we went to Krishna Di Kulfi, a kulfi shop tucked in the corner of Pandara Market. The shop has the warm and cosy feels we associate with an old-school sweet shop and has witnessed major celebs enjoying their delicious kulfi like Rajesh Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha and Kunal Kapoor to name a few. The third generation of the owner's family is currently managing the shop and can be seen greeting the customers with a heartwarming smile. From classics like kesar pista to fresh flavours like coconut, they have a variety of kulfis available along with different softies and Indian sweets to choose from.
What we ordered: Malai Kulfi, Kesar Pista Kulfi and Blueberry Softie
Other spots that you can check out in Pandara Market for amazing food are Chicken-In and Pindi. Find out more about them here. The market also has Baskin Robbins and Giani's outlets that you can visit in case you want to give kulfi a miss. There's also a tiny paan shop, which is your best shot at post-greasy meal digestives.
Things To Do
Bikaner House
To burn off a few calories, walk your way down to the Bikaner House, hardly five minutes away from the market on foot. Bikaner House is an art and cultural hub that exhibits beautiful artwork collections and always has some or the other fun event happening in their ballroom. Head to Vayu, for a showcase of the best Indian handicrafts and designs or take a stroll around Chandni Bagh to enjoy the evening breeze.
National Gallery of Modern Art
For art connoisseurs wanting to spend their day admiring impeccable artworks and infrastructure, head to the National Gallery of Modern Art, you wouldn't want to leave the place after you experience the splendour and essence of culture that the place is guarding. While it may take a whole day to explore each corner, do make sure that you check out the new wing that's home to some of the best contemporary works of art.
India Gate
End your day by taking a drive around the India Gate, the famous monument located along the Rajpath. You can also rent out an electric bike for the same if you are feeling adventurous. And with the Parliament area having been recently renovated, the drive's guaranteed to be picturesque if we ignore the traffic.
Khan Market
Khan Market needs no introduction, the most happening market place that's also popularly known as India's most expensive market is home to some of the best designer stores like AM PM, Ogaan, etc. along with street shops selling beautiful kurtas and accessories. Pandara Road is merely five to seven minutes away from Khan Market which makes it even more convincing to plan your meal there.
P.S. If you wish to explore Khan Market a bit more then head to our super helpful Khan Market Hood Guide here.
