Ever heard of hygge? It’s a Danish word to describe the feeling of deep contentment and coziness. In other words, hygge is all about enjoying life’s simple pleasures. And what better way to experience hygge than hanging out with your friends and exploring new places? However, not all places are great for this purpose. Imagine taking your friend who yawns at the sight of history books to a history museum? Or dragging your bestie to a Hindustani concert only to find her snoring ten minutes into the show? That’s why you should be careful about the places and activities you choose; a wrong choice can instantly turn your hygge into a katastrofe, the Danish word for disaster.
If you are in Delhi, you are lucky as the city has a diverse range of places to hang out with friends. Be it shopping, cuisine, adventure, heritage or entertainment, the capital city of India will never disappoint you. Here are our ten good recommendations.
List of Places to Hangout in Delhi with friends
- Connaught Place
- India Gate
- Hauz Khas
- The Garden of Five Senses
- Malls
- Old Delhi
- Little Theater Group Auditorium
- Indian Mountaineering Foundation
- Fun N Food Village
- Delhi University North Campus
1. Connaught Place
– Trendy and Full of Choices
Connaught Place | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
Connaught Place, fondly called CP by the locals, tops the chart when it comes to the best hangout places in Delhi. The city prides itself on its architecture and CP showcases some of the marvelous buildings constructed in the Georgian-style. Apart from big corporate headquarters and lavish architecture, it is a great place to catch up with friends and spend a day lazing out. It’s also among the great places to visit in Delhi with your girlfriend or boyfriend. After all, nothing beats a classic movie date at a vintage theater here. You can also check out many joints like White Waters, which has an exclusive section for couples and the classy Ardor Restaurant, where you can indulge in some signature dishes as classic jazz plays in the background. Or you can go to Janpath Market with your chums and shop till you drop.
Connaught Place is also a favored Delhi spot for group fun. There are many casual restaurants and cafes where you can dig into some old favorites and spend an evening of socialization. Indian Coffee House is one of the older institutions, famous for its South Indian snacks. Connaught Place’s very own Starbucks and Tamasha are other magnets for socialization in the big city.
- Location: Near Rajiv Chowk Metro Station
- Timings: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm; most shops are closed on Sundays
2. India Gate
– An Archway to Activities
India Gate | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
Never thought of India Gate as a place to hang out, but only as a war memorial? Visit the place once and you will understand how wrong you were. It’s indeed a wonderful experience to visit the memorial, but what’s even more wonderful is to walk around the India Gate, especially at night. With lights on, the monument and surroundings look so different and spectacular; you might even wonder whether it’s the same place that you see during the day.
Day or night, there are wonderful things you can do in and around this monument. For starters, you can go for a picnic or play cricket on the huge grounds surrounding the gate. The open laws are also ideal for kite flying. Or if you have friends who are fitness freaks, gather them and take a stroll through Rajpath during early mornings. When you walk about 800 meters towards Ashoka Road, you will reach Andhra Bhavan, a not-so-big restaurant serving lip-smacking food. Catch up with your friends over a cup of coffee or a plate of spicy biriyani. The Pandara Road Market located nearby is also a wonderful place to experience Delhi’s street food with your foodie friends.
- Location: Rajpat Marg
- Days Open: Every day
3. Hauz Khas
– A Bit of History, A Bit of Fun
Hauz Khas | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
Hauz Khas is an enigma – a symbol of Delhi’s sophistication. The city loves its good times and it has a lot of history, so why not blend the two? This trendy locality is home to some of the city’s best drinking and eating spots and pubs where you can watch the day go by as you sip on a tall glass of cocktail or a bottle of beer. That’s about the fun part; the history part of this area goes back hundreds of years. Take a walk around and you might stumble into remnants from the days of the Khilji Dynasty.
There is no dearth of options to chill here. Set by the lake and known for its platters and beers, Hauz Khas Social has already become an urban legend. The Coast Café is perfect for those who want to tuck into seafood. If you are looking for a party with your pals, Lord of the Drinks Meadow and Matchbox are your best bet.
Know more about historical places in Delhi
4. The Garden of Five Senses
– A Place to Relax
The Garden of Five Senses | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
They say there’s a time for everything and that’s true! There’s a time to party hard, there’s a time to have fun, and of course, there’s a time to relax. All you need to settle in a good mood is a pleasant walk in a park. The Garden of Five Senses is a sprawling space of well-manicured lawns, impeccable hedges, and pretty flower beds – a space where you can spend all day and still remain rejuvenated at the end of it. There is quite a bit of art too here, as the welcoming birds of steel would suggest. The animal theme continues with stone-cut elephants further inside the park. A series of fountains add to the serenity of the place. Bring your selfie sticks and capture some unforgettable group moments in a pleasant outdoor setting. The garden also includes an open-air amphitheater and a space for art exhibitions.
Just like any other recreational place in Delhi, you are never too far away from a bite. The park hosts a large food court, another perfect venue to spend some hours chatting and planning with your best mates.
- Location: Saket
- Timings:
- April to September: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; every day
- October to March: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; every day
- Entry Fees:
- Adults – ₹20
- Children (up to 12 Years) and Senior Citizens – ₹10
- Differently Abled People – Free Entry
5. Malls
– Enter Another World
Select Citywalk Mall | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
Delhi is full of malls, and it is not just about the shopping. With expansive lawns and diverse food courts, these are the best hangout places in Delhi for students and adults alike. Select Citywalk and DLF Place are our top recommendations because they are adjacent and complement each other in terms of brands and recreational activities. From Burger King to Mamagoto, food options cover all tastes and budgets. Catch an action movie at IMAX with your friends at the Citywalk or eat some delicious Italian desserts at the Gelato Vinto next door in the DLF Place.
Other options you can consider include DLF Promenade in Vasant Kunj and Pacific Mall in Subhash Nagar. With spacious indoors, nice food and wonderful shopping stores, these malls offer you the perfect setting for a casual weekend outing with friends. When you want to spend a day away from all worldly concerns, the best way is to enter another world with your besties. And the malls in Delhi are just that – another world!
Read our comprehensive guide on the best malls in Delhi
- Location:
- Select Citywalk and DLF Place – Saket
- DLF Promenade – Vasant Kunj
- Pacific Mall – Subhash Nagar
- Timings:
- Select Citywalk – 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
- DLF Place – 10:00 am to 09:00 pm
- DLF Promenade – 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Pacific Mall – 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Note: Location and timings of other malls in the city may differ.
6. Old Delhi
– Indulge in Life’s Little Pleasures
Old Delhi | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
One of the fun things to do in Delhi is to do absolutely nothing but just walk around and soak in the vibe of the place. In the heart of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk is a crowded hub and it is recommended that you go there without a plan. Instead, do what the place inspires you to. Foodie friends will enjoy traipsing through those narrow alleyways, bounded in by medieval fortifications. The old market is abuzz once dusk settles and the temperatures cool down. Amidst the havelis and mosques, you will get a whiff of Delhi’s famous street food from all corners. Functioning since the mid-19th century, Paranthe wali Gali is famous for its hot, fresh parathas while Ghantewala Halwai is a traditional confectionary shop that dates back to 1790. Even on a platter, Delhi will remind you of its history!
That’s not all. It’s also one of the popular outing places for street shopping in Delhi. Surprise your date with some of the beautiful jewelry found here. Explore the many stalls of the famous Meena Bazaar, where you can get handicrafts at cheap prices.
- Timings: Most of the shops open at 10:00 am, closed on Sundays
Eateries open by 7:30 am, every day
7. Little Theater Group Auditorium
– Enjoy Some Drama in Delhi
Little Theater Group Auditorium | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
Oh yes, we know that you and your friends do a lot of drama; we know that you are drama kings and queens. But are you up for some real drama, something that you all can enjoy together? Delhi’s Little Theater Group Auditorium has been entertaining fans of drama and theatre for generations and you should not miss out on this distinctive slice of Delhi life. At the LTG, as it is known amongst its fans, it is recommended that you book your tickets in advance. Some of the best acting talents in the country perform here regularly. If you and your friends are looking for some unique entertainment and a “dramatic” setting to hang out, this is quite an exclusive choice.
- Location: Near Connaught Place
- Timings: 10.00 am to 7:00 pm; closed every Sunday
8. Indian Mountaineering Foundation
– Reach the Summit
Indian Mountaineering Foundation | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
Who said Delhi is all about the lazy urban lifestyle? There are many adventure places in Delhi for those looking for a different experience. The city has many pockets of green that will spring some pleasant surprises and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation is one of them. You can test your skills and strength on the climbing walls here, equipped with all the safety precautions and supervised by experts. From incomprehensible climbing angles to straight ascents, you can fight for bragging rights with your pals with this fun and healthy workout.
- Location: South Campus, South Moti Bagh
- Timings: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm; closed on Mondays
- Cost: ₹150 per session
9. Fun N Food Village
– Connect with Your Friends Over Fun and Food
Fun N Food Village | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
Fun and food are two things that connect people and turn acquaintances into thick buddies. And that’s exactly what Fun N Food Village does. One of the most popular amusement parks in the city and one of the best places to visit in Delhi with family and friends, the place has amusement rides, food outlets, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The water slides here are the best way to have an adrenaline rush. Splash around with your friends in the Action River or relax under the umbrellas by the Wave Pool; scream and shout while sliding through the Tornado typhoon tunnel or test your nerves with Aqua Shute, among the fastest slides in Asia. The choice is yours but when you come out of the park, your friendship will be twice stronger.
- Location: Kapas Hera, Old-Delhi Gurgaon Road
- Timings:
- 10:00 am to 06:00 pm; Mon- Fri
- 10:00 am to 07:00 pm; Sunday
- Entry Fee:
- Couples – ₹2000
- Children – ₹500
- Stags – ₹1000
Here are some more amusement parks in Delhi
10. Delhi University North Campus
– From Food to Fun and Everything in Between
Delhi University North Campus | Best Places to Hangout in Delhi
If you are a student of Delhi University, you don’t have to think hard or deep. The North Campus provides you just the right spots to gather, have fun, and create memories. When you want to bond over food, choose from the legendary addas and food joints inside the campus. For starters, there’s the canteen of Delhi School of Economics that serves super mutton dosa; the aloo bondas served at the restaurant near Law Faculty are equally delicious. The Kamala Nehru Ridge is an excellent spot to go cycling with your friends while you can laze around with your dead souls (pun intended) at the VC Office Garden provides. There are more such places here. Seek and ye shall find!
- Location: North Delhi, Near Viswa Vidhyalaya Metro Station
From the glitzy modern towers and resplendent bungalows of New Delhi to the lively fort-enclosed neighborhoods of Purani Dilli, there is recreation and culture wherever you go. Grab your friends, make a plan and let the city take over. It’s time to create your little precious hygge moments!
