Chandni Chowk Area Guide: Food, Shopping and How to Reach

Chandni Chowk is a historic market in Old Delhi, famous for its 17th-century heritage, food, and shopping. You can reach the market via Chandni Chowk Metro Station on the Yellow Line, Gate No. 5.

Designed by Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Shah Jahan, Chandni Chowk shows the historic snapshots of Old Delhi, its markets, palaces, and atmosphere. Being part of the imperial capital of Shah Jahan, it was originally built with reflecting pools that gave it the name Chandni Chowk, or Moonlight Square. Today, not only for the residents of Delhi, but for foreign tourists as well, This area is a center of historic fascination, shopping in chaotic markets, and spicy, hot street food.

Thus, if you are preparing to visit this market for the first time, you must know how to reach it and what you can see, experience, and enjoy here.

A Brief History of Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk is considered one of the busiest, as well as oldest, marketplaces in Old Delhi. It was built in 1650, or the 17th century, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. However, the architecture of the market was designed by his favorite daughter, Jahanara Begum.

After the revolutionary revolt of 1857, the British changed the landscape, destroying the central canals and replacing them with roads and other architecture. The famous Gothic-style clock tower was also built by the British between 1870 and 1874.

After the British left in August 1947, the Indian Tricolour was hoisted on its iconic Clock Tower or Ghanta Ghar, replacing the Union Jack. There was also a statue of Queen Victoria in front of the Town Hall, reflecting the cruel British colonial rule. However, it was eventually replaced with a statue of a nationalist leader, Swami Shraddhanand.

Then, the Chandni Chowk market slowly transitioned into a vibrant shopping, food, and historic destination. Today, when thousands of travelers from across India and worldwide visit Delhi, this market always stays on their bucket list.

Things to Do in Chandni Chowk Delhi

Here are some of the best things you can do in this market:

1. Shop at the Vibrant Bazaars

Chandni Chowk Delhi, is not a single market; it is a colorful combination of various bazaars that make up the soul of the destination. Ranging from spices, fabrics, jewellery, leather goods, and so many other things, you can shop for many things at these markets.

Here are some of the markets in this area you can visit:

• Kinari Bazaar: Wedding decorations, lace, ribbons, trims, and craft supplies
• Dariba Kalan: Silver jewellery, traditional jewellery, and perfumes
• Katra Neel: Fabrics, dress materials, sarees, and textiles
• Chawri Bazaar: Wedding invitations, paper products, stationery and hardware
• Fatehpuri Market: Spices, groceries, dry fruits and traditional food products

2. Visit Historic Places

Besides this 370-year-old market, you can also explore several historic places. Here are some of them:

• Red Fort (Lal Qila)
• Ghantaghar (Clock Tower Site)
• Haveli Mirza Ghalib
• Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib
• Fatehpuri Masjid
• Gauri Shankar Mandir

3. Street Food and Local Cuisine

Streets of this historic market are filled with spicy, tangy, and iconic flavors, with some of are decades of years old. From quick snacks to a complete lunch, there is so much to taste in this special market.

Some of the most famous food in Chandni Chowk you can take delight in:

• Paranthe Wali Gali
• Chole Bhature
• Jalebi and Kachori
• Rabri Faluda
• Nihari and Khamiri Roti
• Mughlai Kebabs
• Lassi and Kulfi

4. Best Restaurants in Chandni Chowk

When you visit this area, you cannot stop yourself from tasting the most famous North Indian and rich Mughlai dishes, along with sweets during your lunch. Apart from the spicy street food, there are several famous restaurants in Chandni Chowk that you can visit if you are with your family, loved ones, or friends.

In addition, it does not matter if you are vegetarian or you love to eat non-vegetarian food; there is a wide variety of restaurants in this market that offer you so many delicious cuisines. You can choose stuffed parathas, chole bhature, buttery chicken, mutton sheekh, or any other Chandni Chowk food that you would love to taste once.

Here are some of the best restaurants in Chandni Chowk you can visit:

• Kake Di Hatti
• Bhaja Govindam
• Aarohi Veg Restaurant
• Al Jawahar Restaurant
• Karim’s
• Rehmatullah Hotel

How to Reach Chandni Chowk

This market is located in Old Delhi and is accessible through the Delhi Metro. So, if you are taking the metro, remember that you need to change to the Yellow Line, which takes you directly to the Chandni Chowk Metro Station. From there, take the exit from Gate No. 5. There are also alternative stations you can take, such as Lal Qila and Chawri Bazar.

Other options include the DTC buses, auto-rickshaws, or private taxis are also available. However, the taxi may not take you inside the market because of the heavy crowd.

Best Time to Visit Chandni Chowk

The best time to visit Chandni Chowk market is generally from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm during the weekdays, especially Tuesday to Saturday. Avoid visiting during the peak crowd hours and weekends.

Go through the table mentioned below to plan your visit to the Chandni Chowk Delhi market.

Conclusion

Chandni Chowk Delhi, is a vibrant destination in Old Delhi that features various historic landmarks, architecture, and markets. Being a 370-year-old destination, the market shows us what Delhi may have looked like during the 17th century. For travelers, it features various exciting things to explore, from years-old architecture to the most famous Chandni Chowk food eateries, such as Parathe Wali Gali and restaurants with Mughlai and North Indian dishes.

If you want to know about other markets in Delhi, such as Janpath Market, Lajpat Nagar, Dilli Haat (INA), and Connaught Place (CP), you can visit DDelhi platform. We feature detailed guides of many such places in Delhi, along with experiences, places, and food to explore. Thus, by looking at the guides mentioned on our platform, you can experience the capital of Delhi at its fullest.

Also Read: Connaught Place Area Guide: Shopping, Food, Nightlife And More