Connaught Place or ‘CP’ as it is fondly known is a happening place in Delhi.
This bustling hub in New Delhi is not only a commercial and financial centre but also a fantastic place to experience Delhi’s diverse culture. You can find almost every international chain store, food chain, restaurant and bar here, making it a perfect destination to indulge in some retail therapy or satisfy your food cravings.
The complex has two concentric circles, the inner circle with blocks A to F and the outer circle with blocks G to N. It is also home to one of the largest national flags in the country.
Connaught Place is a marvel of Georgian architecture and is often compared to the Royal Crescent in Bath, England. The construction was completed in 1931, and it was initially planned to be a towering 172 meters high but was later reduced to two stories.
Did you know that villages like Madhoganj and Raja ka Bazaar were demolished to build Connaught Place? Now, the Connaught Place has some of the best colonial buildings in the city and is dotted with contemporary art galleries, antique theatres like Regal Cinema and toy stores. It is also the ninth most expensive office market, costlier than Dubai, downtown Boston and Shanghai.
But wait, there’s more! Connaught Place is not just about shopping and commercial complexes. It is also one of the most popular after-dark destinations in the city, where you can experience the vibrant nightlife of Delhi. It has many swanky nightclubs, bars, pubs, sports bars, lounges, cafes and restaurants.
Connaught Place is divided into two circles, the Inner Circle and the Outer Circle. The Inner Circle comprises blocks A to F and features major brand outlets like Allen Solly, Nike, Louis Phillippe, GAS, Pepe, and Wills Lifestyle. On the other hand, the Outer Circle from Blocks G to P features showrooms like Lacoste, Omega, Rado, Digjam and Tag Heuer. Apart from these, the main markets in Connaught Place are Janpath and Palika Bazar, which offer street shopping for handicrafts, jewellery, wall hangings, and more. Just remember to brush up on your bargaining skills because the vendors here are always ready to haggle.
When it comes to dining options, Connaught Place has something for everyone. From high-end restaurants like Ambrosia Bliss, Berco’s, Parikrama, White Waters, Excuse Me Boss, and Castle 9 to budget-friendly places like Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Nizam’s Kathi Kabab, Coffee Home, Wenger’s, Sagar Ratna, Kake-da-Hotel, Rajdhani, Veda, Zaffran, Swagath, United Coffee House and Zen. If you’re in the mood for something exotic, Khan Chacha, 38 Barracks, Zabardast Indian Kitchen, The GT Road, Caffé 9 and Farzi Café are some other popular options. And if you’re craving fast food, you can always head McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Subway and Dominos etc.,
Even, if you are not indulging in any of the above, just make a causal stroll across CP and have fun!