New Delhi is a melting pot of thousands of years of heritage, cuisine and architecture simmering with a ton of contemporary culture. I have explored every nook and cranny of this lovely city and I could spend many more months here without running out of things to do. If you only have a single day in the city of Delhi though then it is imperative you plan strategically to get the best out of this city. This itinerary includes all the best places to visit in Delhi in one day. I have curated this itinerary to include the top picks from the monuments, restaurants, and cultural attractions that Delhi has to offer. Your one day trip to Delhi will be remembered by you for years to come.
Your one day trip to Delhi starts with delicious Parsi breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants in Old Delhi. Next in our list of places to visit in Delhi in one day is the grandiose Jama Masjid, looming over Chandi Chowk or the Moonlight Square with the largest spice market in Asia. Afterwards on our one day trip to Delhi we make our way to restaurant – Jamun which offers contemporary Indian cuisine. Later we spend a lazy afternoon in the expansive Lodhi Gardens before driving over to Qutub Minar in the evening to see some of the most amazing Islamic architecture. Lastly on our list of places to visit in Delhi in one day is YETI – The Himalayan Kitchen with the most delicious Himalayan food you have ever tasted to finish off the day.
Wondering where to have the best authentic cuisine in Delhi ? Checkout – 30 Best Restaurants in Delhi for the International Traveler.
Breakfast @ Rustom‘s
Parsi culture is an integral part of India and one of our first stops on our list of places to visit in Delhi in one day is a Parsi restaurant. Cultivated by the Persian migrants that settled in Northern India this culture is known for its amazing cuisine. My favorite Parsi restaurant in Delhi is located at the Mengusi Parsi Dharamshala near the old city. For your one day trip to Delhi, you cannot miss out on the Parsi food here. The decor reminds you of old British India lodges with wooden tables and white embroidered cloth napkins gently laid out. The staff and chefs take immense pride in their jobs and create a unique experience for you. The best of course is the food – recipes which have been passed down from generation to generation. For our lunch we chose the Makkai Na Pattice, piping hot sweet corn and potato patties dripping with cottage cheese. We chased this with a Palak Patta Chaat made with crispy spinach and spiced curd, potato, chickpeas, served with tangy chutneys. For desert we chose the traditional caramel custard, a Rustom’s signature dish. The baked egg custard is served with thick sweet caramel sauce that intoxicates your senses.
Address: Rustom’s Parsi Bhonu, inside the Delhi Parsi Anjuman, Bahadur Shah Zafar Road, Opposite Firozeshah Kotla Stadium, Near Maulana Azad Medical College Campus, New Delhi – 110002.
Hours: 9AM-10PM
Chandni Chowk + Jama Masjid morning
After having stuffed ourselves with some of the best cuisine on our one day trip to Delhi, we move on to the second stop on our places to visit in Delhi in one day. Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India and a gem in the world of Islamic architecture. Thousands of people come to pray here every single day. The pools in the middle are used by the devotees to wash themselves before prayer. One of the reasons this is in the top places to visit in Delhi in one day are the two minarets rising up into the sky. You can climb one of these lovely minarets for a bird’s eye view over the entire city. Since this is a place of worship, women should carry a shawl or scarf to cover their heads before going inside.
After having marveled at this grandiose mosque make your way to the market that surrounds it. Chandni Chowk or Moonlight Square is the oldest market in Delhi. It used to be frequented by Mughal kings and now hosts the largest spice market in Asia. If you imagine India to be filled with people, cows and rickshaws you are probably imagining Chandni Chowk. Of all the places to visit in Delhi in one day, Chandni Chowk is quintessentially Indian in every sense.
The two locations to visit on your one day trip to Delhi in Chandni Chowk are Khari Boali, the spice market and Dariba khan, the silver market. When I went to Khari Baoli I was trying to find this particular rooftop which is great for Instagram pictures and the air was saturated with spices to the point that my driver walked straight into a wall trying to breathe and I who did not know the way proceeded to get wildly lost in the market. This market is an experience for sure. The best way to sample it, is to make your way to both Khari Baoli and Dariba Khan and take your time walking around the market and exploring the shops.
Lunch @ Jamun
After the hectic morning filled with sounds, smells and colors you will be more than glad to sink into one of the bamboo chairs at Jamun. The restaurant focuses on the recipes your grandmother made with simple ingredients and age old Indian recipes. The tables are lined with copper plates and bougainvillea branches hang heavily on the windows. This restaurant has put the most lovely contemporary twists on traditional Indian dishes. I visit here every time I go home to Delhi and it never ceases to amaze me. For your lunch order the Kerala Raw Mango Curry with coconut milk and curry leaves floating in the tangy hot sauce. The Hand-Picked Bagara Baingan pairs perfectly with this. The aubergines in this dish are filled with coconut and sesame paste in a peanut gravy. Of course to have with these you need to order some rotis to scoop them with. To finish off your lunch, order the local Gulab Jamun for desert. You do not know how deeply sugary a dish can be unless you have had a Gulab Jamun. Jamun is a gastronomical wonder and it is a must for your list of places to visit in Delhi in one day.
Address: 17, Main Market Rd, Block 13, Lodi Colony, New Delhi – 110003
Hours: 12PM-11:30PM
Lodhi Gardens + Humayun’s Tomb
After your heavy lunch at Jamun you are going to be tired. Good news is that the lush and vibrant Lodhi Gardens are just a walk away. Of all the places to visit in Delhi in one day, this is the only one where you can appreciate the flora and fauna of India which is unlike any other. You can either walk around the garden in a loop which takes 40 minutes and explore the Tughlaq dynasty monuments that are the keystones of the gardens or you can chill in the gardens and have a quick nap in the winter sun. The 90 acre area is famous for its Bara Gumbad and Sheesh Gumbad which are the largest structures that have survived since the Tughlaq dynasty. The gardens also boasts a glass house, rose gardens and the National Bonsai Park. My favorite way to spend time at Lodhi Gardens is to walk around for a while and then find myself a quiet spot near the tombs to relax.
You can either spend your afternoon exploring the gardens or if you are already recharged then head over to Humayun’s Tomb a quick car ride away for our next stop on your one day trip to Delhi. Humayun’s Tomb is a famous tourist spot and one of the top places to visit in Delhi in one day. The monument is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. The tomb was built after the death of the emperor Humayun by his wife to honor him. It is situated near the grave of the Sufi Saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. It is believed in Islamic culture that being buried near a saint’s grave gives you access to heaven after death. For this reason this became a very significant burial site which hosts other tombs of Nila Gumbad, Isa Khan, Bu Halima, Afsarwala, Barber’s Tomb and the Arab Serai that should not be missed.
Qutub Minar
Our last stop on our list of places to visit in Delhi in one day before we sit down for dinner is Qutub Minar. Qutub Minar is a 73 meter tall red stone minaret built by the first Islamic king of India, Qutub-ud-din Aibak. The entire Qutub Complex that hosts other monuments from this era is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Qutub Complex includes the magnificent Alai-Darwaza, the Queeatu’i-Islam which is the oldest mosque in India and the Iron Pillar which is printed on the Indian currency known for not having rusted for over a 1000 years. I recommend hiring one of the guides outside the monument to give you the historical tour of this lovely monument. This is one of the most famous spots frequented by tourists and it is a necessity for your one day trip to Delhi.
Dinner @ YETI
To finish off the day I take you to a restaurant that brings you cuisine from the highest peaks of the Himalayas. One of the only restaurants in Delhi to serve Tibetan, Nepali and Bhutanese cuisine comes YETI. YETI is bold and it does not shy away from offering authentic dishes with a palate that you can only find in the snow capped mountains of the Himalayas. The soft Buddhist music, prayer flags and relaxed atmosphere will wash away the day’s tiredness as you eagerly wait for some of the best food you have ever eaten. My mom, sister and I shared a Tibetan Platter and a few Nepali and Bhutanese snacks. The dishes are so unique in taste, I do not consider myself apt enough to describe it in words. I can safely say it set our tongue on fire but the food was so good we would just take a sip of water and keep going. Never in your life again will you have the chance to taste this cuisine so do not miss this during your one day trip to Delhi.
Address: 30, Hauz Khas Rd, near Deer Park, Hauz Khas Village, Deer Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016
Hours: 12PM-11:30PM
Such a detailed itinerary of things to do in Delhi, especially places to eat.
I have not been to India yet. There is so much to see and so many places to go that it is hard to decide which city and region to go to. However, Delhi is number one on my list when I do visit. This itinerary will be very helpful.
Seems like a colorful place! That’s crazy about the strong smell of the spices. I’d love to visit one day!
Such great tips, thanks! Nothing better than finishing off the day at a good restaurant 🙂
I have a friend who lived in Delhi, and this sounds exactly how she would spend a day. I would love to try some Nepali and Bhutanese dishes at Yeti, especially after a visit to Lodhi Gardens. This is a good mix of city bustle and nature in Delhi!
Wow, this was so detailed and you clearly really are an expert on the area! Thank you for these tips, I haven’t been to India but it’s on my list so I will save this on Pinterest for when I do make it there 🙂