Summer, monsoon and humidity in this City brings out a lot of things- SPF 50, the biggest and baddest sunglasses, endless excuses for not stepping out, and daydreaming about that much needed vaycay in the Swiss alps. While all of us may not have the luxury of chilling out of town, there’s plenty of chilling {literally} possible within Delhi- over good food, cold drinks, and refreshing desi sweets, that guarantee keeping you calm, cool and collected over the next couple of months.
Get set for our Cold Food Trail!
CHUSKI
You know you’ve spent too much time at India Gate if your childhood memories feature far too many trips to Lovely chuski waala. But, why not? Crushed ice, dolloped with a sugary sweet syrup in flavours like kala khatta, rose, tiranga, elaichi, and molded into a little popsicle- this is summer sweetness at its best.
Our favourites |
Lovely Chuski | Maan Singh Road, India gate
Yadav Chuskiwale | Kamla Nagar Market
Chuskiwala | GK 1 M Block market, Prince Paan Corner
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KULFI
Ordinary summer nights of our childhood suddenly became exciting when we were taken out for this cooling dessert. This Delhi favourite is ideal if you’re craving something sweet in the middle of the day, or a desi dessert after dinner.
Our favourites |
Nathu’s | Bengali Market
Roshan Di Kulfi | Karol Bagh
Kuremal ki Kulfi | Sitaram Bazaar
Def Col kulfi wala | Outside Moet’s restaurant, Defence Colony Market
Krishna di Kulfi | Pandara Road Market
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LASSI
Meetha, namkeen, as you like it, this drink brings back memories of many a Amritsar trips. But Delhi isn’t too far behind with its local offerings.
Our favourites |
Motelal ki Dukan | Chandni Chowk {turn right after the Sheeshganj Gurudwara}
Bille de Hatti | Kamla Nagar
Amritsar Lassi | Fatehpur Masjid
Lassiwala | Lajpat Nagar
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FRESH FRUIT JUICES & SHAKES
You could keep yourself hydrated by sipping on water and nimbu-paani, or you could switch it up and refresh yourself with a brain-freezing-cold juice or a decadent shake.
Our favourites |
Juice Stand next to Bombay Bhelpuri Wala | For mausami juice, mixed fruit juice, and pomegranate juice.
Where | South Extension, Part II
Nutritious Nation | Cinnamon twist and berry smoothie.
Where | M-45, GK-2, M Block Market ; Contact no. | 011 41587722; Price | INR 100- 120 {Approx}
All American Diner | Thick chocolate shake
Where | India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road ; Contact no.| 01141220000, 01143663333; Price | INR 100 {Approx}
Smokehouse Deli | Watermelon + mint juice
Where | Branches at Khan Market, Vasant Kunj and Hauz Khas Village ; Price | INR 200 {Approx}
Nourish Organics | Fig & banana smoothie
Where | 30, Meherchand Market; Price | INR I20 {approx}
Cafe 88 | Chocolate shake
Where | 132-134, Meherchand Market; Contact No. | 01149051888; Price | INR 200 {approx}
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COLD COFFEE
Whether you’re a caffeine addict or not, this is THE quintessential summer drink. Laden it with whipped cream or ice cream {or both}, add a cool flavour like hazelnut, almond or vanilla, and make a perfect blend for the summer!
Our favourites |
Depaul’s | One can argue that this is where Delhi’s cold-coffee culture began; We love the blend of coffee they use.
Where | 22, Janapath Bhawan, Janpath, Connaught Place; Contact no.| 01123328214
Nathu’s Pastry Shop | Because nothing screams nostalgia like Nathu’s cold coffee with a sandwich to go with it.
Where | Bengali Market ; Contact no.| 01123713601
Keventers | Predominantly known for making the best shakes in town, Keventers does a mean cold coffee as well.
Where | 17 A, Connaught Place ; Contact no.| 01123713573
1911 | The old-world English charm of this cafe makes their creamy cold coffee all the more enjoyable.
Where | The Imperial, Janpath Lane, Connaught Place; Contact no.| 01123341234
Café 88 | The new, hot & happening café has a massive menu of iced lattes to choose from.
Where | 132-134, Meherchand Market; Contact no. | 01149051888
United Coffee House | This CP Heritage has seen our grandparents, parents and us enjoy this summertime drink.
Where | E 15, Connaught Place; Contact no. | 01123411697
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COCKTAILS
‘One martini is alright. Two are too many, and three are not enough.’ James Thurber
From martinis to margaritas, and cosmopolitans to daiquiris, this season’s all about serving it shaken or stirred.
Our favorites |
Set’z | Strawberry Margarita and Cosmopolitan
Where | 3rd Floor, DLF Emporio Mall, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj; Contact no. | 01143119999; Price | INR 500 {Approx}
Smokehouse Deli | Martinis and mojitos
Where | Branches at Khan Market, Hauz Khas Village and Vasant Kunj; Price | INR 300 {Approx}
Keya | Sangria Pitcher
Where | 122/124 Ground Floor, DLF Promenade Mall, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj; Contact no. | 9560715544; Price | INR 700 {Approx}
PCO | With ace mixologist Arijit Bose handling the menu at PCO, any and every cocktail here is fabulous.
Where |D4, D Block Market, Vasant Vihar; Contact no. | 01146062444; Price | INR 500 {Approx}
Blue Bar | Cosmopolitan & dirty martini
Where | Taj Palace Hotel, Diplomatic Enclave, Sardar Patel Marg; Contact no.| 01126110202; Price | INR 800 {Approx}
Hard Rock Café | Margaritas, all the way!
Where | M 110, 1st Floor, DLF Place Mall, Saket; Contact no.| 01147158888; Price | INR 400 {Approx}
Underdoggs | LIITS
Where | Branches at Vasant Kunj and Gurgaon; Price | INR 450 {Approx}
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SALADS
Mughlai and Chinese can wait till winter- we’re all about keeping our food simple, light and refreshing for right now. If you thought salads was just a bunch of leaves and plants thrown together, you’re highly mistaken. These restaurants serve some fantastic homemade renditions with decadent additions
Our favourites |
Café at Hyatt | Salads are tossed to your liking, and with ingredients of your choice.
Where | Hyatt Regency, Bhikaji Cama Place; Contact No. | 01166771306; Price | INR 1500 {Approx}
Olive {Mehrauli} | Feta cheese & green apple salad
Where | One Style Mile, Haveli 6, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli; Contact no.| 01129574444; Price | INR 400 {Approx}
Chez Nini | Beetroot and dill Lace salad & warm greens salad.
Where | 79 & 80, Meherchand Market, Lodhi Colony ; Contact no.| 01149050665; Price | INR 400 {Approx}
360 Degrees at The Oberoi | Goat Cheese salad {best in town!}
Where | The Oberoi, Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg; Contact no.| 01124363030; Price | INR 600 {Approx}
Big Chill | Blue Pear, Chicken Caesar and Smoked Chicken salads are a cut above the rest.
Where | Branches at Khan Market, Kailash Colony, Saket & Vasant Kunj; Price | INR 300 {Approx}
Smokehouse Deli | Chicken asparagus salad
Where | Branches at Khan Market, Hauz Khas Village & Vasant Kunj; Price | INR 300 {Approx}
Latitude 28 | Prawn & avocado salad and Quinoa salad {with avocados, olives & cherry tomatoes}
Where | 9, 2nd Floor Khan Market; Contact no.| 01124621013; Price | INR 400 {Approx}
Café Diva | Asian sesame salad
Where | N8, N Block Market, GK1; Contact no.| 01141011948; Price | INR 400 {Approx}
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COLD SOUPS & GAZPACHO |
Originating from Spain, gazpacho was once a combination of stale bread, olive oil and garlic, with water or vinegar. Today, gazpacho has become a generic term for fruit or vegetable based cold soups. Very few places get this exotic {and apparently fairly easy to prepare} cold soup right, and here’s where we go.
Our favourites |
Cafe Turtle | Watermelon Soup & Cold Pesto Soup.
Where | Branches at Khan Market, GK1 & Nizamuddin East; Price | INR 200 {Approx}
Olive {Mehrauli} | Chilled Gazpacho
Where | One Style Mile, Haveli 6, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli; Contact no.| 01129574444; Price | INR 300 {Approx}
Chez Nini | Green Gazpacho
Where | 79 & 80, Meherchand Market, Lodhi Colony ; Contact no.| 01149050665; Price | INR 290
Cheri One Qutub | Chilled Monsoon Gazpacho
Where | 1501, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli; Contact no. | 8800480048; Price | INR 330
Nourish Organics | Tom Kha Soup {served cold}
Where | 30, Meherchand Market; Price | INR 120 {approx}
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FROZEN YOGURT
If {like some of us at LBBD} you’re trying to keep your waist in check, frozen yogurt makes for the most divine dessert. Who said we can’t go crazy with toppings?
Our favourites |
Big Chill | BEST. IN. TOWN. We recommend the peach and strawberry frozen yogurts.
Where | Branches at Khan Market, Kailash Colony, Saket & Vasant Kunj; Price | INR 200 {Approx}
Yogurberry | Chocolate & passionfruit yogurt, topped with white chocolate.
Where | Branches at GK1, Punjabi Bagh & MG Road; Price | INR 150 {Approx}
Cocoberry | We stick to their original, and top it up with lots of fruit.
Where | Branches all over Delhi; Price | INR 150 {Approx}
Red Mango | If we had to pick a winner in our FroYo trail, it would be Red Mango for their sonoma strawberry yogurt.
Where | Branches at Vasant Kunj, Gurgaon, CP & Saket; Price | INR 250 {Approx}
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ICE CREAM & SORBETS
The most obvious addition to any cold food list, this is the season to dig in to every Haagen Daas, Mango Duet, Choco Bar, or even a 5 rupee biki max you can find. Some places are giving good ol’ kwality walls a run for their money though…
Our favourites |
Big Chill | Our favourites are the strawberry, chocolate oreo, mint chocolate chip.. and who are we kidding, everything else too.
Where | Branches at Khan Market, Kailash Colony, Vasant Kunj & Saket; Price | INR 200 {Approx}
Cream Bell’s Ice Cream Sandwich | Moveover BikiMax. Cream Bell does it better! {And it’s also twice the size}
Where | Ice cream stands all over Delhi; Price | INR 30 {Approx}
Nirulas | Three words for you- Hot chocolate fudge. Enough said!
Where | Branches all over Delhi; Price | INR 200 {Approx}
Giani’s | This local company has found a foothold in every corner of our city. Our favourite is the belgian chocolate ice-cream.
Where | Branches all over Delhi; Price| INR 100 {Approx}
Gelato Roma | Delhi’s most authentic Italian Gelato, and the hazelnut flavour is the best of the lot.
Where | 36, 3rd Floor, Hauz Khas Village; Contact no.| 9873218402; Price | INR 150 {Approx}
Whipped | Bailey’s Ice cream
Where | E- 556, GK2; Contact no. | 01130146022 ext.869; Price | INR 100
India International Centre | Honey and fig ice cream
Where | #40, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate; Contact no. | 01124619431; Price | INR 60 {Approx}
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Have a chilled Summer!
Please note | Restaurants change their menu from time to time. All recommendations have been tried, tasted and tested, and come from LBBD writers.
The post The BIG Chilled Food Guide appeared first on Little Black Book, Delhi.