The key to a successful date is doing something fun, thoughtful or unique that your other half will cherish. You could spend hours scouring through shopping malls to find some boxes of chocolates or scented candles, but it is experiences that leave a lasting impression. To help you figure out the best way to swoon your partner, we have rounded up some of our favourite date ideas in New Delhi that trump the standard bouquet of flowers every single time.
1. Have a boogie and a singsong at one of New Delhi’s live music venues
New Delhi has no shortage of hip live music spots. From laid-back lounges to buzzing music hotspots, there are plenty of places in the city to swoon a hot date. Nothing gets hearts beating like a bit of jazz, and the city remains saturated with fun jazzy spots, including The Piano Man Jazz Club and Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy. Further, you can also hit the Summer House Cafe, Raasta and Mia Bella among more for delicious cocktails and exhilarating live music. You can find the full list of Delhi’s best live music venues here.
2. Go pottery making
The Clay Company is one of our top spots for a cute date if you are willing to get your hands dirty. Experienced teachers offer tips and hands-on demonstrations to make the most out of your date (and the clay!). It’s the perfect chance to get up close and personal with your fellow pottery maker to recreate the iconic Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore scene in Ghost, and well, what’s more romantic than that?
📍The Clay Company, Shop 1, Ground Floor, Osian building, NEHRU PLACE-2, behind Paras cinema, near Haldiram, Nehru Place
3. Get weird at the Museum of Illusions
Taking a trip to the Museum of Illusions is one of our quirkier date ideas in New Delhi. There are over 50 mind-blowing exhibits to explore, each one getting wonderfully weirder and weirder! Walk through stunning installations like the cloning table or find yourselves grabbing onto each other’s hands at the vortex tunnels.
📍Museum of Illusions, A Block, A 30-33 1st Floor, Rajiv Chowk, Connaught Place
4. Take a stroll around the Garden of Five Senses
The Garden of Five Senses is a 20-acre park that looks like it was designed with love birds in mind. Gorgeous sculptures, fountains and lakes are dotted around the park, creating a wonderful setting that’s perfect for a romantic stroll. Here, you can also gorge on some seriously amazing street food selling anything and everything from samosas to tandoori chicken skewers. Everything here hits the checkmark for a good old-fashioned picnic.
📍Garden of Five Senses, Westend Marg, Saidulajab, Saiyad ul Ajaib, Saket
5. Experience a unique candlelight concert
As the everlasting harmonies of renowned classical pieces resound in Delhi’s most charming venues, they evoke a sense of timeless beauty and connection, drawing you a smidge closer to your date. Then there’s the gentle light of thousands of flickering candles that adds a unique and romantic touch to the evening. You can find upcoming candlelight shows in Delhi here.
6. Give rock climbing a go
Another pretty unconventional date idea in New Delhi is rock climbing. Delhi Rock is a popular rocking climbing spot that also features a cute little coffee shop. A great option to first tire yourselves out only to be replenished soon enough with invigorating pours of espresso.
📍Delhi Rock, OCF, Sector B Rd, Pocket 9, Vasant Kunj
7. Go on a breakfast date
The most important meal of the day with your number one! Wake up a tad bit early to plan a romantic date at Delhi’s wonderful breakfast houses. Share a stack of fluffy pancakes from Melt House, tear open luscious tiramisu croissants from Blanca or swab bhatures in spicy choles in Baba Nagpal’s corner. You can find the full list of places here.
8. Share a drink at one of Delhi’s finest bars
Cheeky cocktails, bar bites and the occasional flicker of dim lights by your plush booths. Delhi serves up an assortment of brilliant bars, many recognised by international institutions for their crafty cocktails. From Sidecar to Olive Bar and Kitchen, why not try a couple of glasses at their stunning ambience best enjoyed a tad bit tipsy! You can find a full list of our highly recommended bars in Delhi here.
9. Enjoy beautiful cafe dates
We adore the cascading ivy at Diggin, the pastel-painted walls at Woodstock bakery and the stunning bookshelves saturated AMA Cafe. With a wide set menu serving rich pours of hot chocolate, decadent desserts and soulful bowls of ramen among more, these cafes are perfect for whipping up some cosy afternoon date ideas in Delhi. You can find a full list of Delhi’s best cafes here.
10. Plan a make-your-own-pizza date at Leo’s Pizzeria
Knead the fluffy dough, sprinkle a generous serving of toppings and slather on some delicious pizza sauce at Leo’s extensive workshops. Available monthly, you can crack open a bottle of wine as you help each other craft an appetising masterpiece. You can find out details about their upcoming sessions and book your slot via their Instagram page here. You can further read more about the experiences offered here.
11. Get your partner a pair of colourful jhumkas at Delhi’s best street shopping markets
Not just jhumkas but shop for stunning collections of bangles, gorgeous ethnic wear, jewellery and more at Delhi’s best shopping destinations. Travel to the beautiful Dilli Haat market, the tantalising Meena Bazaar or everyone’s favourite Sarojini Nagar. We have seen enough Bollywood to know that recreating K3G’s Chandni Chowk mela scene is every girl’s dream! You can find out the full list of the best street shopping markets here.
12. Make a reservation at one of Delhi’s romantic restaurants
One of the classic date ideas in Delhi, seat yourselves comfortably at dreamy locations around town serving the most delicious meals. From tender sushis served at Thyme, and artisanal ice cream at Kiyan to Piano Man’s striking speakeasy ambience, choose your pick from our very own list of the best romantic restaurants in town here.
13. Wander hand-in-hand at Delhi’s wonderful art galleries
Whether you are an art connoisseur or not, there is something inherently romantic about holding onto your partner’s hand and admiring art together. Thankfully, the city gives you ample opportunity for the same with galleries such as KNMA, Latitude 28, Akar Prakar and more hosting thought-provoking exhibitions all year round. You can find a full list of the capital city’s best art galleries here.
14. Enjoy watching an outdoor movie
Sunset Cinema Club offers striking outdoor locations perfect for cosying up on a bean bag chair with your partner as the movie rolls on screen. You can find a full list of their upcoming movie sessions here.
15. Book a relaxing couple’s spa day
Opt for hot stone massages at The Oberoi, a relaxing couple’s massage at The Chi or a luxurious purifying wrap at The Imperial Spa. If nightclubs or bar hopping is not quite what you are looking for then a relaxing spa session might just be what you need. You can find a full list of Delhi’s best spa houses here.