Delhi, India – A Shopper’s Paradise

Delhi is one city in India that has the space for gargantuan malls and with the influx of global brands into the Indian market, you can be sure to find both Indian and designer names under one roof (or one sky) in this city.

Select CityWalk in Saket is one of the newer and more comprehensive malls in terms of its offerings: tons of mid-range stores for apparel and home, in addition to several baby options such as Mothercare, UCB and Crocs.

The food court is reasonably priced and diverse and you can opt for a pasta or dosa for baby as non- spicy options. Bonus points to Select City Walk for being the only mall in Delhi with a nursing room. (Breast feeding in public is not common in India – you can do it, just be prepared for spectators).

A more upscale mall is the DLF Emporio in Vasant Kunj. If you are from the West and yearning for a taste of home, you will feel comfortable here amongst the Gucci and Jimmy Choo logos that we all know and love so well. The top floors house some of the best of India’s contemporary designers and it definitely worth a look. There is nothing really for kids at this mall, but if you want to step away from the chaos into a seemingly more civilized environment for a few hours, this should be your destination.

Or you can sink your teeth into what Delhi does best when the weather is good: the outdoor markets.

In the fall and winter months, Dilli Haat is an open-air market and fair where producers bring their wares directly to the customers. You can buy gorgeous handwoven paper, silks and shawls, and handmade toys for a fraction of the price of regular retail. Plus when the weather is good, it’s a very pleasant afternoon to spend with the kids. A small entrance fee applies and you should expect to bargain.

Another very popular outdoor shopping complex, and much more high-end is Santushti, deep in the heart of politically-heavy Chanakyapuri. This is not a place for bargains, and its 30 or so stores offer everything from jewelry to household treasures to clothing. Because of its location and exclusivity, it is a favorite with expats and diplomats and its well-maintained gardens can be a quiet sanctuary for the baby to nap while you do a few rounds. For kids especially check out Le Village, with its high-end, Indian-inspired clothing for kids.

The Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhavan at Baba Kharak Singh Marg offer a great opportunity to shop for Indian handicrafts and handlooms and although it is outdoors, the stores are located in a convenient line, connected by a shaded, dirt-free corridor. This means that you can actually push your pram down the street! (WOW!). Beware though: many stores have an upstairs or downstairs with no lift! This is actually one of my favorite places to shop in Delhi.

One of my favorite neighborhoods in Delhi for shopping is Hauz Khas Village, located right next to the Deer Park. HKV as the locals call it is a maze of winding streets and hidden treasures and is difficult to navigate with a stroller, which is why its proximity to the Deer Park is so convenient. Drop the kids off with your partner and spend a few hours discovering stores, cafes, art galleries and restaurants that represent the best of Delhi, old and new. Whether it’s kids’ wares at Lola’s World, artefacts and handicrafts at Country Collection (they ship all over the world), stylish canvas and leather goods at Nappa Dori, recycled paper and products at Swechha, or retro film posters at All Arts, your spirits will be lifted by all the retail therapy at HKV.

Finally, Khan Market is very popular for contemporary and trendy designers sporting the only ones in the nation of boutiques like Kavita Bhartia and Ogaan Closet, which specializes in Western wear. I am sad to say that Khan market is NOT a baby-friendly location with unpaved roads and most of its delightfully upscale treasures on second and third floors with narrow steps and no elevators. If you are a true fashionista you may want to get a babysitter, or else give this one a miss altogether.