India
With a rich culture and majestic heritage buildings, India will always be one of the world’s most fascinating destinations. Travelling to India is different than travelling to any other Asian country, it’s much more complex, challenging and overwhelming at times. Indians very strongly maintain their traditional way of life. Your behaviour, attitude and the way you dress will have a tremendous impact on how you will be treated. However even if you cover up and behave appropriately, you probably still won’t be able to avoid stares and attention, which often can be very annoying and make you feel uncomfortable. So yes, visiting India will be a culture shock, but without a doubt, it will also be an unforgettable experience that will broaden your horizons. During our trip to India, we visited Delhi, the official capital of India and Agra, home to the majestic Taj Mahal.
Agra
Agra is home to India’s most famous attraction, the majestic Taj Mahal, a mausoleum that was constructed under Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died after giving birth to their child.
Where to stay in Agra?
The Grand Imperial
The Grand Imperial is a lovely heritage Hotel in Agra. Upon arrival, we received a warm welcome in traditional Indian way with a flower garland, cold juice, and tilaka (a dot on forehead) from an amazing Sahaya. The hotel provides a tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the street life in an old-world atmosphere, and this is what we most enjoyed about this hotel. The suite was spacious and traditionally decorated which added to the ‘old charm feel’ of the place. It opened out to the pool at the back and garden at the front. The breakfast, however, could be improved.
Address: 32/107a Mahatma Gandhi Road, Agra, India
Best spots for foodies in Agra
Pinch of Spice
Pinch of Spice is a nice place to enjoy a relaxing meal in Agra. It has a comprehensive English menu, the ambience is pleasant and clean, and the food is quite good. Consequently, it’s very popular among tourist. The portions were huge, bear that in mind, so you don’t over-order. They also have an extensive drink menu including beer, wine and cocktails.
Address: 1076/2 Fatehabad Road | Opposite Hotel ITC Mughal, Agra, India
Peshawri
Peshawri is located at a 5-star ITC Mughal Hotel. The decor and ambience are elegant, but not overly fancy. The food is meant to be eaten with your fingers, which we really enjoyed. They specialise in kebabs rather than curries; therefore, you won’t find many sauce-based dishes or rice on the menu. The food tasted alright, but we found it to be quite pricey, for what essentially were very simple dishes.
Shehenshah at The Grand Imperial
As we were staying at The Grand Imperial Hotel, we had a couple of meals at Shehenshah restaurant. Overall the food was okay, nothing outstanding but certainly a good option if you don’t want to leave the hotel.
Address: 32/107a Mahatma Gandhi Road, Agra, India
New Delhi
New Delhi is a capital of India, located in the north-central part of the country. It’s a bustling and colourful city but also chaotic and polluted with insane traffic. A city of contrasts where ancient tries to blend with modern.
Where to stay in New Delhi?
Shanti Home
Shanti home can be described as a peaceful oasis in the chaotic city of New Delhi. It feels more like a guest house than a hotel. Every floor has common areas with TV, books and games. Our room had a balcony and was well maintained, nicely decorated and clean. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and the service was exceptional. We were warmly greeted with the flower garlands, tilaka (a dot on forehead) and cold mango juice. The breakfast was served at the charming rooftop. It consisted of fruits, fresh juice/lassi, coffee/tea, choice of eggs, crepes and cereals and an Indian dish of the day, everything was made to order. The only downside is that is that Shanti Home is a long way from the centre and main tourist sites. During the rush hours, it may be challenging to find a taxi. So this is not the place for you if you prioritise proximity to the city centre.
Address: A-1/300, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
Foodies spots in New Delhi
The Lantern Terrace Garden Restaurant at Shanti Home
As we were staying at Shanti Home, we had a few meals at The Lantern Restaurant. The ambience at the rooftop is charming, you can hear all the chaos of Delhi, but still feel relaxed in a serene environment. It’s nicely decorated and feels very cosy, a great place to chill after a busy day. They also have fans, that will keep you cool. The beer is ice-cold and served in a chilled glass. The food was very nice, especially the Kandhari Kofta, which was delicious!
Address: A-1/300, Janak
Saravana Bhavan
Saravan Bhvan is a South Indian vegetarian restaurant with a great location in central Delhi. They have a very extensive menu; we would recommend trying mini tiffin and one of their delicious dosas. You may also want to try their famous Tamilnadu thali, which is served between 12:00 – 16:00, unfortunately, we’ve missed it. All the meals are value for money, very tasty and served in a hygienic environment.
Address: Saravana Bhavan Janpath Road, New Delhi, India
Gulati
It’s a great place to try an authentic Indian cuisine in a nice ambience. It is mostly frequented by locals, but it’s popular among tourists as well. They have a vast menu which includes a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The food was very good, and the staff polite. They don’t serve alcohol at this restaurant, but they have a good selection of Indian drinks, mocktails and fresh juices.
Address: Shop No. 6, Shri Barda Ukil Marg, New Delhi, India
Hauz Khas Social
Hauz Khas Social is a modern bar/restaurant overlooking the lake. It’s very cool place to hang out, with a chill-out vibe and an extensive food and drink menu. We loved the concept; they serve traditional Indian food with a modern twist and a range of western dishes like tacos, pizzas, burgers, but with an Indian twist. Everything is also reasonably priced. The staff is very friendly and overall our experience was great.
Address: 12 Aurobindo Marg | Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, India
