By Editors
This article has been updated. Find the updated version, here.
Delhi has this amazing ability to harbour quiet, hidden treasure troves, smack in the middle of highly populated South Delhi neighbourhoods. Enter Shahpur Jat. Sandwiched between South Delhi’s premier Panchsheel Park, and chopsticks famed Asiad Village, there comes to life Delhi’s enclave of alternative culture and urban bohemia, juxtaposed with traces of rural village life. More than lehengas and wedding trousseau suppliers, Shahpur Jat has steadily gained a reputation for all things avant garde, with its vintage inspired cafes, kitschy interior havens and on-trend fashion and accessory outlets that supply everything from a stapler to a well tailored suit.
From artist studios, cafes modelled on camaraderie and fashion fabricated from all things natural, to high-end boutiques and concept stores, LBBD presents its handpicked favourites, to help make sense of the maddening alleys of Shahpur Jat.
FASHION HANDBOOK
Nimai | They showcase jewellery labels from across the country, offering a range of occidental and more modern-esque pieces. Make a pit stop, all you jewellery junkies - if not for the accessories, then for the vintage-inspired, bright interiors.
Where: 8, Peacock Lane, Behind Dada Jungi House, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 9811722969; Price Range: Moderate-high end
Facebook Page here
Al Artz | Bathed in pink, this quaint store is full of quirky handmade and hand painted art goodies, from shoes, bags, mugs and cushions to Keep Calm posters. LBBD’s Punjabi pick goes to the Thand Rakh Te Lassi Pee poster!
Where: 5C, Jungi House, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 9811970891; Price Range: Reasonable
Facebook Page here
Second Floor Studio - Next Door | Second Floor Studio’s cousin, it offers suede jackets, elegant furs and vintage accessories. With an extravagant rack of clothing, this store is splurge-worthy.
Where: 418, Shahpur Jat; Price Range: Moderate to high-end
White Champa | Anjana Das's baby, White Champa blends European style tailoring with Indian fabric and embroidery. Their tunics and pants are perfect for the enviable Delhi summer.
Where: 125B, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 011 41023460/9873825563; Price Range: INR 3,000-10,000
Facebook Page here
Lila | With a minimalistic approach to design, Lila specialises in retailing affordable, ready to wear tunics, pants, skirts and more. What stands out is that every item of clothing is made from pure, natural and organic fabrics that are both locally sourced, and fabricated.
Where: House No 8, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 011 26493958; Price Range: INR 1,000 onwards
Facebook Page here
Sahiba Singh | Think racks of clothes in cooling pastel hues and deep tones, in quintessential summer fabrics - chiffon, silk satin and cotton. A must visit for casual evening and work wear.
Where: 87 A, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 9810618987; Price Range: INR 3,700 onwards
House of Blondie | House of Blondie has a wide selection of statement necklaces, bibs, moustache adorned accessories and our favourite fashion piece: John Lennon sunglasses. A vintage inspired concept store, they echo current trends with their fashion and accessory line.
Where: 5G, Jungi House, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 8860139864; Price Range: INR 500 {accessories} and INR 1,000 {clothing} onwards
Facebook Page here
Les Parisiennes | Set up in an erstwhile haveli, Les Parisiennes is a unique concept store that retails carefully curated women’s wear, menswear and home accessories, and even houses a French café!
Where: 5 B, Dada Jungi House, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 011 26490203/8826518943; Price Range: INR 800 onwards
Facebook Page here
Olivia Dar Accessories | Well-known for her embroidered silk collars, self-invented wrap bracelets and Shibori belts; she has created pieces for Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, among other labels. Embellish your wardrobe with her rock-chic, daring and glam designs.
Where: 5H, First Floor, Jungi house, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 9999386020; Price Range: INR 1,000 onwards
Facebook Page here
Nirvana | Modern, chic, and casual, the collection at Nirvana is a refreshing take on fashion. They have a range of tee’s, accessories and cute scarves.
Where: 5K, Jungi House, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 9911143435; Price Range: INR 500 onwards
Melon | If you’re looking for contemporary Indian wear - casual anarkalis, crinkled skirts, jackets or tunics - Melon should spoil you for choice.
Where: 139, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 9810131433/sgill276@gmail.com; Price Range: On request
Facebook Page here
Also have a look at Kardo and Needle Dust.
DRINK AND DINE
The PotBelly Rooftop Café | Work up an appetite as you walk up four floors, only to be welcomed by a great view of Asiad Village. They have Bihari cuisine on the menu; we recommend the phish phingers, pakoras and masala chai. Watch their page for event listings.
Where: 116 C, 4th Floor, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 011 41612048/9811122764; Price for two: INR 900 {Approx.}
Facebook Page here
The Mad Teapot | Situated inside The Wishing Chair, it's the perfect place for a quick snack of sandwiches, coffee and cupcakes. We recommend you sample the Blackberry Tea from the exhaustive tea menu. They also organise high tea soirees, if you’re in the mood to put on your pearls.
Where: 86 A, The Wishing Chair, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 011 46572121; Price for two: INR 600 {Approx.}
Facebook Page here
Coffee Garage | Neighbours with the now nearly iconic TSG, Coffee Garage is small, but is popular for its sandwiches and coffee.
Where: C 116, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 7838537926; Price for two: INR 300 {Approx.}
Facebook Page here
Old Town Café | A cupcake conservatory, Old Town Café bakes and sells handcrafted cupcakes, comfort food and muffins. They also offer take-out and delivery services.
Where: 111, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 9910070342; Price for two: INR 400 {Approx.}
Facebook Page here
Sweet Nothings | Owned and run by Avanti Mathur, these Sweet Nothings have us getting out of bed for their decadent, handcrafted and custom made cakes and chocolates.
Where: 213 A, First Floor, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 9818324443, Price for two: INR 600 {Approx.}
Facebook Page here
Anandini Himalaya Tea Boutique | Each handmade tea blend here is infused with flavours of flowers and herbs from the Himalayas. We recommend the Green Tea with Rhododendron flowers & Himalayan Tulsi.
Where: 12A, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 9811183344; Price for two: Depends on the type and quantity
Facebook Page here
Ivy & Bean | Australian cuisine specialists; Ivy and Bean also houses an Honesty library, where customers are free to select or add books to the existing collection.
Where: 119, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 8800665972; Price for two: INR 1,500 for {Approx.}
Facebook Page here
The Gourmet Jar | Fresh, homemade, preservative-free jams and preserves in delectable flavours. We use delectable courtesy the orange whiskey, mulled wine and gooseberry cinnamon flavoured jams.
Where: 8A, Shahpur Jat; Price Range: INR 300 for a jar
Facebook Page here
The Yoga Cafe | Their threefold approach - Fitness, Food and Paraphernalia, where the three are seamlessly interwoven into all the services and products. This should be your pick if a healthy, gluten and guilt free meal is on the cards; and for everyone looking to do yoga, they organise yoga sessions twice a day {7 am and 7 pm}.
Where: 143, First Floor, Shahpur Jat; Price for two: INR 550 {Approx.}
FURNISHINGS
The Wishing Chair | While we’re still wishing on the Wishing Chair to re-furbish our bedrooms, you can try and do it yourself by choosing from their range of innovative and unique home accessories. Think inscribed tin cans in pastel hues, ‘magic potion’ jars in silhouettes of blues and greens, cushions, mirrors and kitschy trunks.
Where: 86A, Shahpur Jat; 011-46572121; Price Range: INR 700 onwards
Facebook Page here
Second Floor Studio | With bare-brick walls and sofas too pretty to sit on, Second Floor Studio brings brands 1701, En Inde and Olivia Dar under one roof, and presents a modern take on vintage inspired furniture & accessories. If you’re not looking for heavy pieces, the bright printed cushions and Nappa Dori trays are your better bets.
Where: 417 Shahpur Jat; 011-41420324; Price Range: INR 800 onwards
Facebook Page here
The Indi Store | Founder and product designer Alex Davis showcases furniture, lighting and kitchenware modeled with an artistic mix of stainless steel, ceramic and wood. Although pricey, each product has a distinctive style, and transcends functionality into art. Where: 143 Shahpur Jat Contact: 011 26495473/5817. Email: indi.store@gmail.com; Price Range: High-endAN ALTERNATIVE VILLAGE WISHLIST
Fender Music Academy | A popular recording and rehearsal space for many of our favourite Indian bands, walk by on a weeknight and you might get a free demo of a jam session. Fender is also a formal music academy; sign up if you’re looking to learn a new instrument.
Where: 113, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 011 4166 7570, 9999252006; Price: INR 250 per hour of studio time and INR 4100 per month for music lessons
Facebook Page here
Printer’s Devil | An archival print space, Printers Devil is run by Akshay Mahajan {a brilliant photographer himself}. They are a professional photographic lab and specialist printers for artists and photographers around India.
Where: 252/A2, Shahpur Jat
Contact: 088 26 126416; Price Range: INR 400-10,000 {depending on your scope of work}
Facebook Page here
St. Art Delhi 2014 | St. Art Delhi presents the first ever Street Art Exhibition in India - ‘This is Not Street Art.' It showcases a collection of artworks created by {invited} artists in their studios, along with site-specific installations, produced in the capital for the occasion. From drawings to canvasses, stencil and posters, to life-size, site-specific installations, the exhibition gives a deep insight into the post-graffiti phenomenon of Urban Art.
Where: Shahpur Jat Village; When: 2nd February-28th February
For further information on artists, schedule and events, click here
Atre Yoga Studio | Bringing yoga to SPJ is Zubin Atre with The Atre Yoga Studio. Spend your evenings stretching and relaxing while losing some Lbs. or by enjoying the numerous classes offered in tranquility.
Where: 252-A, Nanak Bhavan, Shahpur Jat; Price: On request
For further information, have a look at their website here.
Notes in our Little Black Book |
We recommend you enter from Bank of India/Potbelly side. Make your way to The Wishing Chair, and pick up your map to SPJ here. It makes walking around a lot easier. Keep a bottle of water handy- there’s a lot of walking, and you’ll need it. SPJ has more than enough shops, stores and winding alleyways for you to explore. That said, be a little careful about wandering off too deep into the heart of the village.