Though the annual Pragati Maidan Trade Fair is much larger, and you can find far better quality at the Cottage Industries Emporium on Janpath, this little corner of Delhi is open all year round and is still a great place to come for gift shopping at fair prices. What’s more, it’s a good chance to sample a wide range of regional cuisines from Kashmiri to Bengali at the safe, well-run yet cheap food stands.

South Extension area, near ring road interchange

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If you feel the need for sweet, sugary liquid refreshment as you inevitably will while in India, send the multinationals a poke in the eye by buying this local cola.

It's got a taste all of its own and is more likely to come in a recyclable glass bottle than the rival brands. Despite being owned by Coke now, Thums Up will still contribute more to the indigenous economy too.

So aside from Pepsi everyone's a winner. I'm sure they'll be OK.

Street stalls, advertised by the big red Thums Up logo

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Delhi’s hawker stalls are filled with cheap fried food that explodes in your mouth. Mouthfuls of aloo chaat, fried potatoes served a tangy sauce, or golgappas, fried balls filled with chilli water, followed by a glass of a salty lime, cumin and mint drink called jal jeera will cost you less than Rs 30.

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Completely unlike anything that you might imagine would be Indian. The region is where south-east Asia meets the subcontinent and the bamboo-and-chilli fusion permeates its food and fashion. Pick up exotica at the state-owned Nagaland Emporium on Baba Kharak Singh Marg. As it’s a government venture, there’s no haggling.

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