Where to Buy Authentic Gifts and Souvenirs in Delhi
Delhi is a shopper’s paradise. There are numerous specialty markets, malls and handicraft shops in Delhi, but which ones sell authentic gifts and souvenirs, and aren’t going to scam tourists?
After years of living in Delhi, I have fine-tuned my list of places I turn to for authentic gifts and souvenirs, including a few local secrets. While you always have to be cautious, these spots are the real deal, and are less likely to rip you off.
Where to Buy Authentic Gifts and Souvenirs in Delhi
These are my favourite places for gift and souvenir shopping in Delhi. You’ll find authentic Indian products in these spots, and I’ve included a few insider gems for you.
1. State Emporiums on Baba Kharak Singh Road
If you want authentic handicrafts and cultural items from all across India, head over to the state-run government shops in Connaught Place. Practically every state in India has its own shop, and each one sells local, state produced items.
You’ll find tea from Assam, cotton and silk shawls from Bihar, woolen socks and sweaters from Himachal, pearls from Telangana, Kashmiri carpets and pashminas, plus a host of other handcrafted items.
There are 4 blocks of these state emporiums, all conveniently located along one side of Baba Kharak Singh Road. It’s a great place to get some shopping done and prices are usually reasonable.
👉 This area is rife with touts who try to steer tourists to shops where they earn a commission. Ignore any man who approaches you. The best products and the best prices are at these state-run emporiums.
There’s a decent coffee/snack house right in the middle of the emporiums called Coffee Home. It’s canteen style and a good spot to take a break. They have a nice outdoor area if it’s not too hot.
- Hours: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm (hours can vary), daily
- Location: Baba Kharak Singh Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi (between Block P of Connaught Place and the Shivaji Stadium metro entrance)
- Nearest metro station: Rajiv Chowk (Yellow or Blue lines), exit Gate 7
2. Dastkar Nature Bazaar
This terrific outdoor market sells a diverse selection handmade, handwoven, organic, herbal and recycled products. It’s a favoured market of locals who want quality handicrafts.
Dastkar is open all the time, but every month it hosts a fair which is always worth attending. You’ll find a large group of local artisans selling their own products. Check their website for events: Dastkar Nature Bazaar.
There’s a small food court onsite if you want to eat or drink something.
- Hours & entrance fee: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, daily (closed Wednesday, but open every day during the monthly fair); INR 40
- Location: Anuvrat Marg, Desu Colony, Chhatarpur
- Nearest metro station: Chhatarpur (Yellow line), exit Gate 2
3. Dilli Haat INA
Delhi’s most popular handicrafts market is a great place to shop for souvenirs and gifts, especially if you’re short on time. It’s conveniently located in South Delhi, next to a metro station.
It’s a bit more commercial than Dastkar Nature Bazaar, but the selection of crafts, arts and textiles is excellent and always changing. Just make sure what you purchase was actually made in India.
Dilli Haat is laid out like a traditional village market and very pleasant to walk around. There’s an excellent outdoor food court with foods from all over India.
❗Important: There are 3 Dilli Haat markets in Delhi. Make sure you go to the INA location. It is the best by far. There is also a Delhi Haat INA store in Saket – do not go there by mistake.
- Hours & entrance fee: 10:30 am – 10:00 pm, daily; INR 100
- Location: Maharaja Argensen Marg, Kidwai Nagar West, New Delhi
- Nearest metro station: Dilli Haat INA (Pink and Yellow lines), exit Gate 5
4. Khan Market
You will be able to find all sorts of wonderful Delhi souvenirs and gifts in Khan Market. This is Delhi’s favourite upscale market and there’s excellent shopping here!
Whether you want art, jewellery, fancy stationary, chocolates, beauty products or Indian clothing – it’s all in Khan Market. Not only that, but there’s fantastic coffee shops and restaurants in case you need a break.
These are my favourite shops for Indian souvenirs and gifts:
- Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (shop hours vary), daily
- Location: Rabindra Nagar, New Delhi
- Nearest metro station: Khan Market (Violet line), exit Gate 4
5. Soma and The Shop in Connaught Place
These are two different stores in Connaught Place that sell high quality hand-crafted Indian textiles.
Soma and the shop both have a beautiful selection of Indian style bedding, cloth bags, table linens, and clothing in traditional block print designs. Prices are very reasonable.
- Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, daily
- Location: Connaught Place, New Delhi
- Nearest metro station: Rajiv Chowk (Yellow or Blue lines), exit Gate 7 for the shop or Gate 2 for Soma
6. INA Market
Indian food is some of the best in the world and it’s largely because of the fresh spices. If you want to try and get that flavour at home, pick up some Indian spices at INA Market.
I know you’ve heard of the famous Old Delhi spice market, but honestly, the spices are just as good at INA Market, and you’re a lot less likely to get ripped off. This is where Indians and expats who want good quality ingredients do their shopping.
Ask a shop keeper to point you in the direction of the spice shops – they’re all around one section.
- Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, daily (closed Monday)
- Location: Sri Arobindo Marg, New Delhi
- Nearest metro station: Dilli Haat INA (Yellow and Pink lines), exit Gate 2
7. Shaw Brothers in Defence Colony
What could make a more special gift or souvenir than a pashmina shawl from Delhi? Pashminas are beautiful, elegant, and versatile. They will last decades if cared for properly.
Shaw Brothers in Defence Colony is a reputable shop and has a large variety of scarfs and shawls. Even still, be careful buying a pashmina.
Vendors are notorious for claiming an item is 100% pashmina when it is not. Keep in mind pashminas are made by hand and very expensive. There is no such thing as a $50 USD pashmina.
👉 Before shopping for pashminas, I strongly recommend you read how to buy a real pashmina. This is the one item tourist and expats get scammed on the most.
- Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, daily (closed Monday)
- Location: D-47, Defence Colony, New Delhi
- Nearest metro station: Lajpat Nagar (Pink line), exit Gate 3
8. Lota Shop at the National Crafts Museum
This wonderful little museum has a fabulous shop that sells all sorts of local handicrafts, art and jewellery, much of it at reasonable prices.
The museum itself is well worth a visit, even Michelle Obama visited when she was in Delhi. You could easily combine some sightseeing with shopping, and conclude by having lunch at one of Delhi’s best cafes, Cafe Lota, which is at the museum.
- Hours: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, daily (closed Monday); shop and cafe are free to enter, the museum has an entrance fee of INR 300
- Location: Bhairon Marg, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
- Nearest metro station: Supreme Court (Blue line), exit Gate 4
9. Kumhar Colony (Potters Village)
If you want traditional pottery pieces, this is where to come. It doesn’t get more authentic than this. This little neighbourhood is where the potters live and make their pottery. If you look up, you’ll see kilns on the roof tops.
Depending on the time of year and which religious festival is around the corner, the selection will vary. Most potters sell pieces from shop fronts in their homes.
Coming here is like stepping back a hundred years. You’ll see mounds of clay in the lanes and potters at their wheels, but I’m not sure how much longer it will last. The government has been shutting down the wood burning kilns.
- Hours: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, daily (closed Monday)
- Location: near Bindapur Road, Uttam Nagar
- Nearest metro station: Uttam Nagar East (Blue line), exit Gate 2
10. Haldiram’s
Haldiram’s is a very popular casual restaurant chain that also makes and sells packaged snacks and sweets. These snacks are cheap, pack well and make excellent gifts for foodies back home.
Savoury snacks, called ‘namkeen’ are an Indian favourite. In fact there are specialty shops which sell only namkeen, but Haldiram’s is your best bet because the quality is very high.
You will see Haldiram’s everywhere in Delhi. Don’t hesitate to eat there as well, the food is terrific and very budget friendly. Everyone I know eats at Haldiram’s – Indians and expats.
- Hours: hours vary by store, but generally 9:00 am – 10:00 pm (locations in malls will keep mall hours)
- Location: all over Delhi – Haldiram’s store locator
11. Amar Colony Furniture Market
Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you buy furniture as a Delhi souvenir or gift! Besides re-purposed and vintage furniture, this market has a great selection of unique and colourful knobs, handles, and small home decor items.
The market is often called the secret furniture market. It’s tucked away down a path and a little hard. The path is directly across from the shop at A-34 on the same street as Dhaniya da Dhaba (excellent local food, by the way). If you can’t find it, just ask one of shop keepers, everyone in the area knows the market.
Make sure you bargain here. The prices are always inflated for tourists.
- Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, daily
- Location: Block A, Amar Colony
- Nearest metro station: Moolchand (Violet line), exit Gate 1
The Wrap-up on Where to Buy Authentic Gifts and Souvenirs in Delhi
This list should have all your gift and souvenir shopping in Delhi covered! These are the places I go to and bring my guests when they visit. Some are really off the beaten path where you won’t see many tourists, but you will find some of the most authentic souvenirs and gifts in Delhi.
Looking for more? You might also like…
- How to Buy a Real Pashmina
- 25 Best and Cheapest Markets in Delhi and What to Buy
- Riding the Metro: the Best Way to Get Around Delhi
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing
