Shopping in India can sometimes be a hassle especially for foreigners. A typical shopping experience would include being badgered by a number of auto-rickshaw drivers and over-friendly shop owners. Everyone's just trying to make a living and that's the way they do it in India. However, if you're in the mood for a more relaxed shopping experience, head to Dilli Haat (Opposite INA Market in New Delhi). My friend, Preeti, and I went there after work for shopping and dinner.

Dilli Haat is a food and shopping plaza that offers arts and crafts from all the states of India. There is a small entrance fee but think of it as "paying for convenience." Inside, the sellers are not hard-sells like the ones outside. The shops change every two weeks. Seller slots raffled off to artisans so that all would have a chance to sell in this coveted area.

The merchandise are definitely more expensive than buying them in the local markets. However, the quality is better and you get to converse with the artist who made the artwork. I bargained for a Madhubani painting for 50% less than the initial offer. Dilli Haat is replete with paintings, crafts, curios, garments and wooden sculptures making it an apt "sample platter" of Indian art.

After shopping, we went to the food complex for a Rajasthani Thali (set plate). There was a myriad of cuisines to choose — Punjabi, Bihari, Bengali and many more. We ate in Paamna Restaurant which had friendly waiters (see photo). Definitely spicier than the north Indian dishes I have tasted, the Rajasthani thali was superb and authentic (as I soon found out when I backpacked through Rajasthan). On another occasion, I also tried kulfi, ice-cream made with pistachio, saffron and nuts, and I crave for them until today.

Spacious, peaceful and relaxed, Dilli Haat is an excellent place for an evening stroll capped off by a sumptuous dinner. I love how you can chat with the artist who made the piece and as a buyer, I’m confident that the money I spend goes directly to the maker instead of a middleman..