Dinner at New Delhi Railway Station

res_ume

Hi,

I will be arriving at International airport in the evening and am planning to proceed to New Delhi Railway Station via pre-paid taxi. I have about 6 hours interval between ny scheduled plane arrival and train departure.

Assuming it will take me 3 hours to clear immigration , customs and travel to railway station.

Any suggestions as to what would be a good hygienic place for dinner? Please do keep in mind that I would have my baggage with me so the mobility would be restricted as far as long walks are concerned.

Thanks for your advice as to what to do for 3 hours.

Regards

Nattusbs

It would be helpful if you gave your arrival time at IGI airport and train departure time.

Cheers

Nattusbs

04274108

I would head straight for the train station. Outside, you'll find a lot of street vendors selling hot, tasty food.

By heading directly to the station, you'll reduce your stress by not having to deal with a cabbie trying to take you elsewhere, traffic jams etc.

alext

Right across the street from the train station entry there are a number places. I forget the name of the one I ate at, but it has 2 stories and a big hunk of smoking incense and a pile of parathas. Bottom floor was open air and the food was quite good. Right in sight of the station to the right of the Pahar Ganj entrance looking out from the station.

jyotirmoy

For the first night avoid rich street foods, there is a Wimpy outlet on the Ajmeri gate exit.

Aishah

Is Ajmeri Gate exit after you cross all the lines by long overhead bridge - opposite direction to main entrance? I know Old Delhi has some quite good eateries newly opened to the side of the main entrance, but I don't know about New Delhi station and this would be useful knowledge for me too.

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jyotirmoy

Yes you are right Aishah the Ajmeri gate exit is as you said at one end of the overbridge, the other end is the Main or Pahargunge exit.
Yes in Old Delhi station some good eateries have come up and good variety too.

Aishah

Thanks for clarification, jyotirmoy. Re sume: what kind of times are we looking at, as Nattusbs has previously asked you? The reason being you say you arrive in the evening to Airport then a couple of hours to clear customs etc. What time do you anticipate leaving the airport? Some of these places may not be open if you are very early morning for instance. If you are burdened with luggage, you could get a coolie to help carry it across that overhead bridge if you went to the Wimpy restaurant at New Delhi station - but is it open 24 hours? I have my doubts.. I think we need some times from you.(You could have your taxi drop you at Wimpy, have your meal, then get the coolie).
Other options might be to go to YMCA,not far from Connaught Place in Jai Singh Road, and eat there, sit in the lounge area.

res_ume

Thanks a lot for all your input and advice. My plane lands at 4:15 pm and train departs at 10 pm. Some follow on questions:

1. What kind of restaurant is Wimpy? American, fast food, Chinese, etc?

2. I have been outside India for more than 10 years and my digestive system is not as strong as it used to be during my younger days in India. Will appreciate if you can advise as to the hygiene of the place since it would be terrible to come down with diarrhea or some other problem. (This is with reference to the place which has hot pile of parathas along with strong incense) .

3. As for the YMCA near Connaught place, is the option similar to eating at Nirulas at Connaught Place? I remember there used to a be a nice fast food Nirulas at CP in the late eighties.

Thanks again for all your help. Appreciate it and a very Happy New Year to you all!!

Amalfi

The Wimpy outlet at Ajmeri gate is no longer there as a lot of construction in going on at Ajmeri gate entrance.Don't know if it's been relocated or closed.

jyotirmoy

Thanks a lot Amalfi for correcting me. With the rapid construction work all over Delhi lot of places are closing or shifting.
The small restaurant at YMCA has a limited menu but pretty good food. Nirula has been bought over and has shifted from its original location.
Here are some eating options in CP:
Wimpy(fast food American type)
Indian coffee house(Indian & some continental food)
Shravana Bhawan in Janpath(South Indian food and also Thali meals)
I would recommend YMCA for a few reasons,
Relaxed atmosphere, hyginic food, central location and easy to hail an autorickshaw and proceed to station after dinner.

shashank.aggarwal

I would say get down at CP from the taxi, you can have a meal at Pizza Hut or McDonalds, OR come Chinese OR Indian food. Cp has a lot of choice and from their you get hold of Delhi metro to New Delhi station.

However this will work if you have limited luggage.

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jyotirmoy

Yes it is the matter of having luggage that I had not mentioned metro.

Aishah

If it was me, I would do the YMCA - mainly because it's easy to cope with your luggage. You get down from the cab take it in and that's it. Have your meal, relax, then take cab or auto to railway station. The Metro has too many steps etc. and long underpasses to think of going with heavy luggage. Then you are on the other side of station - might not matter if train is on platform near that entrance though.
The YWCA had a fabulous restaurant, but last time I was there it shut down on the 2nd day and was undergoing major renovations. I don't think it is back and running yet.

Indizen

Heavy luggage is simply not allowed on the Delhi Metro.