Do you remember the good old days when Hauz Khas Village was an undiscovered gem laden with art galleries, quirky cafes and antique stores? Soon after, when it became popular, commercial eateries and restaurants rapidly sprouted there, oversaturating the beauty of the place. No wonder people avoid it like the plague now! What if you told you we’ve discovered another hidden gem in the city, that will take you back to the glory days of HKV? Scroll below to read all about Champa Gali, but keep it within your inner circle because we don’t wanna lose this one to capitalism too, okay? *wink*
Things To Do In Champa Gali
Hidden in a tiny bylane in Saidullajab, which is behind Saket, locating Champa Gali can be a task if you’re coming here for the first time (talk about taking the term ‘hidden gem’ literally!). We recommend taking the metro or an auto since you won’t be able to find parking here. You also might have to ask around to find the exact location. Here’s what you can eat, drink, shop for and experience in the counter-culture paradise of Delhi!
Grab breakfast/coffee at Blue Tokai
Zomato
Blue Tokai has quickly emerged as one of the best coffee roasteries in India, and they have outlets all over the city. The Champa Gali location serves the same excellent quality of coffee and is done up with gorgeous interiors. We love the cold brew and sea salt cookie for a quick bite, but if you want a proper breakfast try the Guacamole On Toast or the Coffee Pancakes.
Did you know: Champa Gali got its name from all the Champa plants that Blue Tokai bought to decorate the street when they first opened!
Shop at People Tree
You’ve probably bought stuff from this eccentric brand back in the day when they had a store in central Delhi. It’s time to relive those college memories and shop for quirky stationery, cheeky graphic t-shirts, hand-printed kurtas and organic skincare products. In fact, the shop has so many zany things to offer, that you’ll lose track of time browsing through all the items!
Grab lunch at Pho King
If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine, a meal at Pho King will be an absolute delight. They specialise in Vietnamese food and offer a wide variety of items, from salads to–of course–pho! We personally loved the Pad Thai noodles, and the Vietnamese Pho was like a warm hug in a bowl. We have a feeling this is going to become our favourite winter hangout!
Read a book at The Reading Room
Once your belly is full of all that mouth-watering Vietnamese food, take a break by catching up on some reading at The Reading Room. Fun fact: if you donate a book to their library, you will get served a piping hot cup of chai in return–a fair exchange in our opinion! It’s the perfect place to spend a quiet leisurely afternoon.
Have an evening snack at Jugmug Thela
Speaking of chai, if you’re craving something to nibble on, head to Jugmug Thela, which is modelled after–you guessed it–a chai thela. Besides serving delicious masala chai, you can also grab coffee, sandwiches and dessert. Our personal favourite was the classic cold coffee + brownie combo, but feel free to explore other options!
Buy some knick knacks at Jugaad
Run by a non-profit organisation by the same name, you’ll find cute and unique hand-crafted items at Jugaad including bags, notebooks and handmade trinkets. They transform rags, cloth cuttings, discarded cd’s, news and waste paper, jute bags, plastic rice bags, old tyres into beautiful products. What’s even better? The products are made by local rural women and other women groups from some slum clusters in Delhi. So pick a quirky decor item for your house or buy yourself a block-printed wallet–the options are endless. Plus, you’ll also be contributing to a good cause at the same time.
So make sure you soak in everything that this lovely little gali has to offer–before everyone else finds out about it!
Featured Image: Instagram
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