Delhi Shopping Guide
Entry fees, opening times and fares in India change often. Please check before you travel.
New Planning with ChatGPT or Gemini? Paste the plan and we'll price it with real hotels and a car. Price my itinerary Delhi is the first of three stops on The Boutique Golden Triangle 5 nights · with Agra and Jaipur · from £430 per person See it →Delhi's markets still divide by trade: silver on Dariba Kalan, spices at Khari Baoli, export-surplus fashion at Sarojini Nagar, and air-conditioned malls when you need a break. Here's where to shop, what to buy, and how the bargaining works.
Market Guide
Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi)
What: One of India's oldest and busiest markets, laid out around 1650. Narrow lanes packed with shops.
Best for: Wholesale prices, traditional Indian goods, the experience itself
Specialised lanes:
- Dariba Kalan, silver jewellery, gems
- Kinari Bazaar, wedding trimmings, sequins, lace
- Khari Baoli, Asia's largest spice market
- Nai Sarak, books, stationery
- Ballimaran, shoes, leather goods
Tips:
- Go morning (9-11 AM) before crowds
- Bargain hard, start at 40% of quoted price
- Most shops close Sunday
- Metro: Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line)
Dilli Haat
What: Government-run craft bazaar showcasing handicrafts from all Indian states
Best for: Authentic handicrafts, regional textiles, souvenirs at fair prices
What to buy:
- Block-printed fabrics from Rajasthan
- Pashmina shawls from Kashmir
- Brass items from Moradabad
- Leather goods from various regions
- Pottery and woodwork
Entry: ₹30 (weekdays), ₹50 (weekends)
Location: INA (the original, open since 1994), with newer branches at Pitampura and Janakpuri
Tips:
- Prices are reasonable and fixed, mild bargaining possible
- State food stalls serve regional cuisine
- Less overwhelming than Chandni Chowk
- Metro: INA (Yellow/Pink Line)
Khan Market
What: Delhi's poshest shopping area. A double-storey arcade built in 1951 to house Partition refugee traders, now full of boutiques.
Best for: Books, upscale boutiques, coffee, gifts for people with taste
Key stores:
- Bahrisons, Khan Market institution, founded by a Partition refugee in 1953
- Faqir Chand & Sons, the market's oldest bookshop, trading since 1951
- Good Earth, premium Indian homewares
- Anokhi, block-printed clothing and home textiles
- Fabindia, Indian textiles, clothing, organic food
Budget warning: Coffee costs ₹300+, meals ₹1,000+, clothes are premium-priced.
Tips:
- Pleasant for browsing even without buying
- Best bookstores in Delhi
- Metro: Khan Market (Violet Line)
Sarojini Nagar
What: Delhi's famous budget fashion market. Export surplus and cheap trendy clothes.
Best for: Fashion on extreme budget, young shoppers
What to buy:
- Export-reject Western clothing (₹100-500)
- Trendy accessories
- Bags and footwear
Tips:
- Crowded always, especially weekends
- Check quality carefully, rejects for a reason
- Bargain aggressively (start at 50% off)
- Metro: Sarojini Nagar (Pink Line)
Janpath Market
What: Tourist-friendly souvenir market near Connaught Place
Best for: Quick souvenirs if short on time
What to buy:
- Hippie clothing
- Jewellery
- Small handicrafts
- Tibetan goods
Tips:
- Prices inflated for tourists, bargain hard
- Quality varies widely
- Convenient location near CP
- Better prices at Dilli Haat for same items
Lajpat Nagar Central Market
What: Busy South Delhi market with everything
Best for: Fabrics, ethnic wear, household items
Specialities:
- Wedding shopping (less hectic than Chandni Chowk)
- Mehndi (henna) artists
- Fabric shops
- Electronics
Tips:
- Less touristy than Chandni Chowk
- Bargaining expected
- Metro: Lajpat Nagar (Violet Line)
Where to Buy Spices
Khari Baoli
Asia's largest spice market, operating since the 17th century. Sacks of turmeric, chillies and dried fruit stacked to head height, and enough chilli in the air to make you sneeze.
Best buys:
- Whole spices (cumin, cardamom, cinnamon)
- Spice blends (garam masala, chai masala)
- Dried fruits and nuts
- Saffron (verify quality)
Tips:
- Wholesale prices, but shops sell retail
- Ask for sealed packets for travel
- Strong smells, sensitive noses beware
- Location: Western end of Chandni Chowk
Alternatives
- Dilli Haat, packaged spices from various regions
- Fabindia, organic, packaged spices (premium price)
- Modern supermarkets (Reliance Smart Bazaar and similar), packaged spices, everyday convenience
What to Buy as Souvenirs
Best Souvenirs
| Item | Where to Buy | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Spices & chai | Khari Baoli, Fabindia | ₹100-500 |
| Pashmina shawls | Dilli Haat, Kashmir emporiums | ₹2,000-20,000 |
| Block-print textiles | Dilli Haat, Anokhi | ₹500-3,000 |
| Miniature paintings | Dilli Haat, Cottage Industries | ₹500-5,000 |
| Brass items | Dilli Haat, Chandni Chowk | ₹200-2,000 |
| Leather goods | Chandni Chowk, Dilli Haat | ₹500-5,000 |
| Silver jewellery | Dariba Kalan | ₹500-10,000 |
| Silk scarves | Dilli Haat, Khan Market | ₹300-2,000 |
Skip These
- Anything sold at monument entrances (overpriced, poor quality)
- "Antiques" (usually fake)
- Gemstones from unknown shops (scam-heavy)
- Electronics from non-established stores
Government Emporiums
What: Fixed-price stores run by state governments, selling authenticated regional products
Main location: Baba Kharak Singh Marg (near Connaught Place)
Best ones:
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, all-India selection (on Janpath, round the corner)
- Kashmir Emporium, pashminas, carpets, papier-mâché
- Rajasthan Emporium, textiles, jewellery, blue pottery
Advantages:
- Fixed prices (no bargaining)
- Authenticated goods
- Quality guarantee
- Tax receipts
Disadvantage: Higher prices than markets
Bargaining Guide
Where to Bargain
Yes: Chandni Chowk, Sarojini Nagar, Janpath, Lajpat Nagar, street vendors
Mild: Dilli Haat (5-15% possible)
No: Malls, Khan Market boutiques, Fabindia, government emporiums
How to Bargain
- Ask the price, vendor quotes high
- Show mild interest, don't seem eager
- Counter at 40-50% of quoted price
- Negotiate toward middle, expect to pay 60-70% of first quote
- Walk away, often triggers final offer
- Don't bargain if not buying, wastes everyone's time
Tips
- Compare prices at multiple shops first
- Cash gets better prices than card
- Early morning vendors may be more flexible
- Stay friendly, it's a game, not a fight
- If you're happy with the price, you got a good deal
Clothing & Textiles
For Traditional Indian Wear
Fabindia, Reliable chain for kurtas, sarees, home textiles. Fixed prices. Multiple locations.
Cottage Industries, Government emporium near CP. Wide selection.
Chandni Chowk fabric shops, Wholesale prices, overwhelming selection. Bring a local or guide.
For Western Fashion (Budget)
Sarojini Nagar, Export rejects, trendy Western clothes. ₹100-500 per item. Quality varies.
Janpath, Hippie-style Western clothes. More bohemian aesthetic.
Malls
If you need air-conditioning, fixed prices, and modern retail:
- Select Citywalk (Saket), the best selection
- DLF Promenade (Vasant Kunj), International brands
- Ambience Mall (Vasant Kunj), Massive, everything
- Pacific Mall (Subhash Nagar), West Delhi option
Practical Tips
Timing:
- Markets open 10-11 AM, close 8-9 PM
- Weekly closing days vary: Chandni Chowk and Khan Market shut on Sundays, Sarojini Nagar and Lajpat Nagar shut on Mondays, Dilli Haat and the malls open every day
- Chandni Chowk closed Sundays
Payment:
- Cash preferred in traditional markets
- UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe) widely accepted
- Cards at malls and upscale shops
Shipping:
- Most shops in Dilli Haat and emporiums can ship internationally
- Get proper receipts for customs
- Carpets and textiles ship well
What to wear:
- Comfortable shoes (lots of walking)
- Light clothes (markets get hot)
- Bag you can secure (crowds are pickpocket-friendly)
For areas with shopping, see our neighbourhoods guide.