Hauz Khas Village, an “urban village” in south Delhi, started to get popular a few years ago when a number of restaurants, bars, and boutiques started to open.  The heart of the village, however, is ancient.  The neighborhood is named after the Farsi term for “royal tank” (or reservoir), and today there are several 14th century structures overlooking the water, including a small mosque, tombs, and the ruins of a theological college.  It’s a pretty place to visit, a refuge for a few hours from the craziness of mainstream Delhi.

The village has scores of shops, mostly selling high-end handmade clothing, and dozens of restaurants and bars which are lively at night.  It’s considered an upscale neighborhood, but even so it’s still unmistakably Delhi, with its broken pavements, dusty streets, and clutter.  It’s easily accessible by using by metro or by taxi.