A good walk in the greens followed by a good meal/drink in a
less crowded, open air space is perhaps one of the best ways to spend a good
evening. I have found it an essential to living a good life. So, if you are in Delhi
with some time in your hand and some stress in your head here is a list, which could
be useful!
#7 Deer park, HKV
Though this place is extremely done and dusted now, the deer park still holds its charm for a good evening stroll. Grab a cup of tea from the hawker at the gate and sit near the lake viewing the ruins and the sun set and you are all set. Deer park makes it to the list, as its not worth missing, but its #7 because every kid out of school in Delhi can be found strolling HKV gullies these days. You can of course end your walk in any of the multiple cafes!
#6 CP/ Shahpur Jat
Not exactly green, but the outer circle in CP with a circumference of about 1.5 km, and the inner circle with a circumference of about .9, is still not a bad place to walk. The gem is in the middle circle, café Tonino. An unexpected well groomed Italian place where the waiters help you taste and chose your wine and give complimentary olives out of no where. Food service is brilliant, if you ordered something and didn't like it as an afterthought, they change it - they do it, without asking!
Shahpur Jat, has been doing rounds in the news for a while now, but still it is one of the places where one can go and expect Under 26 to stay out! Ivy bean café, is one of the rarest places where one can go and sit in solitude on a Saturday night, while the nearby HKV is buzzing with noise and kids
#5 Buddha garden + Tea at Too Miki Tapas, Chanakyapuri
If you are a native you would have surely gone to Buddha garden on a school picnic and come back with fond memories of you know what! One of the underrated gardens, this place is surprisingly interesting and well maintained, just visit with an open mind! The best manicured part of the garden is towards the inside, outside being more jungle like.
When tired, get out and about 1-2 km away you have Too Miki Tapas café. Order either Tapas portions of good food, or better yet, have a chat with their Tea connoisseur. One of the best varieties of blended teas are found here and the guy and the staff really know their teas, their food and their customers. Whats more, the tea kettle, the surd owner and the girl waitress here are just awesome!
#4 Lodhi garden + The Lodhi restaurant
Another sufficiently highlighted place, but still it finds its name on the list because it is nearest to my home and because, well its awesome. The garden entry is open till 8pm, great place to jog, read a book, has open gym, has a bus stand just at the gate, and Jor Bagh metro station at the other gate - so really well connected.
#3 Hotel Diplomat, Chanakyapuri
This one is simply too good to be true. Near to airport, if you are visiting Delhi on a short trip, try the stay here. The prices are lesser than starting of the 5 stars and the resort like ambience right in the middle of the city will amaze you. The restaurant has good outdoor seating, and one can indulge in a relaxed 2 hour family dinner here. Around the hotel, is an excellent place to go for a stroll.
Expert tip: Have a 3 course dinner here and head to Too Miki Tapas on the parallel road for their brilliant tea post dinner!
This one is simply too good to be true. Near to airport, if you are visiting Delhi on a short trip, try the stay here. The prices are lesser than starting of the 5 stars and the resort like ambience right in the middle of the city will amaze you. The restaurant has good outdoor seating, and one can indulge in a relaxed 2 hour family dinner here. Around the hotel, is an excellent place to go for a stroll.
#2 Garden of 5 senses + Fio, Saket
An okaish garden, too much of PDA here, but alls well that ends in the menu of Fio.
Its on number 2, because the garden is very well maintained, lots of eating options inside and mostly because it has Fio adjacent to it.
Expert Tip: If Fio is too much on your pocket, because it is a stretch over the usual stretch, head to the nearby Rose Café!
An okaish garden, too much of PDA here, but alls well that ends in the menu of Fio.
Its on number 2, because the garden is very well maintained, lots of eating options inside and mostly because it has Fio adjacent to it.
#1 Aravali Bio-reserve + Monkey bar, Vasant Kunj
A jungle/a research project/an enigma right in the middle of south Delhi. The place has nature trails, it has deep valleys, rocky hills and a very mysterious hut inside. One day is certainly not enough to checkout this reserve. Still under construction, you need to have both luck and permission to find the trails open when you visit. Exit the trail towards Vasant Kunj and head to monkey bar for a drink and a game of pool. It makes to #1 because of the diversity of the Aravali area and because of its capacity to make you forget for an hour or two that you are in a city.
A jungle/a research project/an enigma right in the middle of south Delhi. The place has nature trails, it has deep valleys, rocky hills and a very mysterious hut inside. One day is certainly not enough to checkout this reserve. Still under construction, you need to have both luck and permission to find the trails open when you visit. Exit the trail towards Vasant Kunj and head to monkey bar for a drink and a game of pool. It makes to #1 because of the diversity of the Aravali area and because of its capacity to make you forget for an hour or two that you are in a city.
