Gourmet products local specialties and wines North India

It's no secret. After spending some time in India, the call of the chocolatine is beginning to be felt. Laurent Samandari has put an end to years of frustration in the French community by opening this "authentic French bakery-pastry shop". You'll find croissants, chocolate eclairs, baguette paysanne and savory snacks (quiches, puff pastries and pizzas). We recommend you to try the small macaroons, delicious. The price is rather French, but the taste is like the concept of the establishment: authentic.

This street is specialized in everything related to the traditional Hindu wedding. You can find decorations as well as accessories and even wedding outfits. Managed from generation to generation by middle-class families, these colorful shops are a pleasant stroll. The alley is particularly lively during the Dussehra festival. If you come here in December, you will find decorations for your Christmas tree at very low prices! Don't hesitate to branch off to Chandni Chowk and its alleys full of stalls.

Well occupied by temples, the avenue of Chandni Chowk also offers stores. On the opposite side of the street from the Jain temple, you will find second-hand electronic goods. On the side of the temples, you will see small stalls of toys to which succeed stores of traditional textiles offering sari, kurta and salwar really cheap. They are frequented by the working class of the city. You will notice in passing that these stores resemble the stalls found in the souks of Morocco. Here, they are called katras.

This set of stores and stalls punctuates all the alleys of the district. One comes here to stock up on Tibetan products at a lower price than at the Tibetan Market in Connaught Place: rosaries, bowls, thangkas, carpets, yak cheese, but also all the equipment necessary for an expedition in the Himalayas. Most of the stores are run by Tibetan refugees who welcome you with a smile and above all with calm. The combination of the two makes shopping very pleasant. Although the prices are fixed, one can usually negotiate.

Chawri Bazar is the largest supply market in Asia. On the one hand, you will find utensils such as copper pans or brass locks. More interesting for the passing visitor, aluminum dishes that you see everywhere in the popular districts and the famous tiffins, these small multi-level bowls that you can find here at a lower cost. On the other side, wholesalers sell paper by the roll and greeting cards. Rather intended for professionals, the market also welcomes individuals

The middle and upper classes come here to shop "chic" and eat "smart". In the 1950s, the people of Pakistan used to run book stores here. Today, there are a few bookstores, but mostly decorating and textile designer stores, international brands, watches, jewelry, music, cosmetics and beauty salons. In Khan Market, the quality is there, but the prices are higher than elsewhere. The market is also known for its dried fruit stalls.

The district is known to all budget travelers. Like its establishments, the prices of the stores that form its bazaar are rather cheap. Afterwards, we strongly recommend you to negotiate because the sellers tend to confuse tourists with piggy banks. You will find everything: cheap clothes, incense, statuettes, bedspreads, cushion covers, belts, shoes, costume jewelry. Beware of sellers who guarantee the authenticity of a product or its antique character. Perfect for those who like shopping more baba than bobo.

From powdered ginger to colander to cherry tomatoes to tea cups, INA Market is the perfect spot for those interested in cooking. Locals and expatriates alike come to this place known for its comprehensive fresh produce and staples. The stalls look like mini grocery stores and allow you to stock up in bulk. If you are a fan of Bollywood movies, have a look at the small DVD and CD stand (opposite the public toilets), you will find great classics and new releases with subtitles, at low prices.

It is impossible to come to India without tasting the kulfi, the favourite ice of children and adults. Here you are sure to have a quality product that has not been thawed and recongelé 10 times. It is a long ice pacifier, particularly creamy and sweet. The most famous is pistachio, but it also has rose, mango or cream (malai). The other specialty is the kulfi kulfi. It is a mixture of ice and vermicelli of corn starch sprinkled with syrup. Ideal as soon as the sun touches a little.

It is impossible to come to India without tasting the jalebi (pronounced "jélébi"), a fritter made of wheat, corn or chickpea flour, fried in cane sugar syrup. They are easily recognized by their serpentine shape and bright orange color. For once, all Delhiites agree: the best in the capital can be enjoyed at the Old Famous Jalebi Wala on Chandni Chowk. The kiosk located near the Sikh Gurudwara has been making sweet ribbons since 1884. It is fair to say that they have the knack and a well-developed recipe.

Divine Resort By The Ganges' café-restaurant has a pleasant modern setting with a terrace offering a beautiful view of the river. It offers good Indian cuisine, including tandoori specialties and snacks. However, what caught our attention more are the delicious pastries and cakes it offers: blueberry cheesecake, chocolate tarts, chocolate mousse... The room is air-conditioned and they also serve a real espresso: a perfect place for a snack!

This establishment has existed since 1887, it is a real institution. Here you can taste the finest pastries in Varanasi. There is a great deal of choice - we are also a little lost - but there are already and nothing prevents you from doing yours! There is no wine tasting on site, however. Located between the Burning Ghat and the Golden Temple, it's a little hard to find, so don't hesitate to ask for its location to merchants on the street.

A nice little café located on the^first floor of a building that is a bit difficult to find. Excellent espresso, homemade cakes , pleasant atmosphere. You can also eat quite decent meals (pizzas, burgers, momos, sizzlers, sandwiches...). The room is really nice with its wooden furniture, its old photos of Leh hanging on the walls and its small ladakhi space to leaf through the numerous books present there. Moreover you will do a good deed, the profits are given to the NGO Ladakh Heart Foundation.

Founded in 1902 by a Jewish artisan from Baghdad, this pastry shop is part of the history of the city. It is still a huge success today... Nahoum & Sons moved to Hogg Market (now New Market) in 1912, and has been run by the founder's grandsons ever since, who are committed to keeping the tradition alive. The place has remained authentic and still offers excellent recipes. A wide selection of pastries to take away and to eat standing up with a good coffee or a cup of chai.

Abdul and Chintu's store is full of spices of all colors and scents. You will find here everything you need to season your dishes: cardamom, cinnamon, tandoori curry, masala... As well as different teas. You will find everything you need to make chai and Indian dishes when you return to France. Take the time to look and smell the spices. And if you are a novice, you will learn to distinguish the real from the fake saffron. Authentic Kashmir saffron costs about Rs 300 per gram.

This stall, located in front of the Banaras Haveli hotel, is one of the best places in Varanasi to taste a full-bodied and fragrant masala chai. It is often necessary to queue there. The tea is served in clay cups that are thrown away after tasting. The subtle yet intense aroma attracts locals in numbers at all hours of the day. If you prefer coffee, the one offered is also delicious! The opening hours are however often random, because the owner pulls the curtain when he has sold all his stock.

The bazaars (markets) of the city offer a plethora of small souvenirs bearing the image of the blue lord.

The Dori Bazar and Chhatta Bazarin the lanes along the ghats are filled with small stores selling Krishna posters, flutes, scarves, religious ritual items and cotton fabrics. You will also find all the products of daily life: aluminum dishes, fruits and vegetables, flowers, etc.

In the street leading to the Kesava Deo temple, there are also stalls with unusual trinkets like Krishna and Vishnu stuffed animals!

This 2 km long open market is famous for its low cost shoes. Everyone will find what they are looking for and in principle their size, even if the very large sizes are very rare! Ladies, if you like glitter and rhinestones, you will be served. Gentlemen, for you, the latest sneakers in their Indian style and city models in imitation leather, sometimes convincing. Also clothing and lingerie stores. As in other markets, there are stands selling snacks and pastries at low prices.

MV SPICES is an online boutique specializing in gourmet products and wines. They also offer cooking classes and herbal hair products. You can order products online and pay after receiving them. MV SPICES offers a variety of categories, including Christmas gift packs, curries, ground spices, herbal hair tonics, saffron, tea and tea spices, and unground spices.