Connaught Place and Dilli Haat: Where to Shop in Delhi

Delhi is a good city for shopping, and the central area around Connaught Place has most of what a visitor wants. The trick is knowing which place suits which kind of purchase, and where to avoid paying tourist prices.

This guide covers Connaught Place, Janpath, Dilli Haat and the government emporiums.

Connaught High Street.

Connaught Place

Connaught Place is a circle of white colonial arcades at the heart of New Delhi. It has brand shops, bookstores, cafes and restaurants, and it is a pleasant place for a walk. Prices are fixed and the atmosphere is calm compared with the old city.

• Go in the late afternoon, when the arcades are cooler.

• Watch for touts, who offer to take you to a particular shop. Politely decline.

Janpath

Janpath runs from the circle, and its stalls sell scarves, bags, jewellery and souvenirs. It is the place to bargain, and the first price is usually far too high.

• Start low, at about a third of the first price.

• Check quality before you pay, especially for silver.

Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat, at INA, is an open-air craft market set up to bring artisans from every state to Delhi. It is organised, with a small entry fee, and it has a food court serving regional dishes.

• Buy: textiles, pottery, wood and metal crafts, and folk art.

• Eat: the food stalls offer dishes from different states.

• Timings: it usually opens in the late morning and closes late in the evening. Check the day's hours before you go.

Government emporiums

The state emporiums on Baba Kharak Singh Marg and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium on Janpath sell crafts at fixed prices. They are a safe place to buy carpets, paper-mâché and textiles if you do not want to bargain.

What to buy

• Textiles: block prints, pashminas and silk.

• Handicrafts: brass, wood and papier-mâché.

• Jewellery: silver and costume pieces.

• Books: from the shops near Connaught Place.

• Spices and tea: from the old city, if you go to Chandni Chowk.

How to shop well

1. Compare before you buy. Ask in two or three shops.

2. Insist on receipts for expensive items.

3. Be wary of guides who steer you to commission shops.

4. Carry small cash for stalls.

5. Check opening days. Many stalls close on one weekday.

Where it fits

Connaught Place sits near the India Gate area. See our India Gate guide for a combined afternoon.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to bargain?

Janpath.

Is Dilli Haat worth visiting?

Yes, for crafts and regional food.

Are Connaught Place shops fixed price?

Mostly, yes.

Where can I buy handicrafts without bargaining?

The government emporiums.

What is the best time to shop?

Late afternoon, October to March.

Plan your Delhi days with us

We bring a guide who knows the honest shops and the right lanes. Explore the Golden Triangle destination page or talk to a trip designer.

Photo credits

Connaught High Street: Dgp4004, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.