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If I only had one meal in Jaipur it would be at:
PESHAWRI · Jaipur
“Peshawri, because it serves the best dal bukhara and butter paneer masala.”
Hotel I tell all my visitors to stay at:
47 Jobner Bagh · Jaipur
“47 Jobner Bagh for a splurge.
Hotel Arya Niwas · Jaipur
Hotel Arya Niwas for a save.
Narain Niwas Palace Hotel Jaipur · Jaipur
I also love the pool at Hotel Narain Niwas."
Ideal date night:
Dragon House · Jaipur
“Start with sunset at Round Them Oranges art gallery. Tucked into the old city, it is set in a traditional haveli (the concept of a haveli is similar to a riad in Marrakech) with a beautiful terrace overlooking the walled city of Jaipur. Get drinks at Steam or Bar Palladio before dinner at Dragon House."
Favorite local dish:
Rawat Misthan Bhandar · Jaipur
“Pyaz kachori at Rawat. Pyaz kachori (“pyaz” means onion in Hindi) is a kachori stuffed with a filling of finely chopped onions, spices, and sometimes potatoes or lentils. It is crispy on the outside, richly spiced and slightly tangy on the inside—a burst of flavors, spice, and tang.
Laxmi Misthan Bhandar · Jaipur
Also the Ghevar dessert at Lakshmi Mishthan Bhandar. Ghevar is similar to a cake but fried and topped with cream. It is sweet, buttery, and a complete indulgence. This dessert is culturally significant to Jaipur, as it is tied to the monsoon festival celebrations like Teej.”
My Sunday morning routine is:
Gulab Ji Chai Wale · Jaipur
“For an absolutely authentic experience, have tea or coffee at Gulab Chai. They also make really good butter toast and vegetable sandwiches. Stroll through Central Park and then check out the boutiques in C-Scheme, the neighborhood with the most action in Jaipur, and drop by Jaipur Contemporary Art Gallery at City Palace.”
Favorite workout studio:
“Salt Fitness for a great combination of workout classes.”
Boutique or vintage store I never miss:
Ecru Export Pvt. Ltd.(ecru online) · Jaipur
“For lifestyle products, head to Ecru.
Andraab · Jaipur
For the highest quality handwoven cashmere, go to Andraab.
House Of Arts · Jaipur
Also worth visiting is House of Arts, the most beautiful chandelier and antiques shop.”
Where I go to be inspired:
nila house · Jaipur
“Nila House for textiles inspiration.
Moorti Gali in Indira Bazaar in the old city of Jaipur to see the incredible craftsmen at work making marble and stone statues.
The sculpture park at Jaigarh Fort for a world-class art show.
Phool mandi · Jaipur
Lastly, experiencing the beautiful burst of colors at Phool Mandi flower market—an essential Jaipur experience. Get here by 6-6.30am."
Most underrated museum or cultural space:
Jawahar Kala Kendra · Jaipur
“Jawahar Kala Kendra is a beautiful museum and gallery with extraordinary architecture designed by Charles Correa. They host multiple shows, workshops, and events, so it is good to keep an eye on their program schedule. Even simply going for a stroll, getting coffee and snacks at their in-house cafe is a nice experience for a slow day in Jaipur.
Anokhi Museum · Jaipur
Anokhi Museum of Hand Block Printing is interesting because it is the only museum specifically focused on the subject of hand block printing. Housed in a restored 16th century haveli, the restoration work itself won a UNESCO cultural heritage conservation award. Jaipur is widely known for this textile technique, so it only makes sense for the city to have a museum about it—kudos to the Anokhi brand for creating one. Their shop in the heart of the city is a must visit for their beautiful clothes and home products.
Gyan Museum · Jaipur
Gyan Museum is an underrated private museum showcasing a Jaipur local's personal collection that is eclectic and quite broad in taste. Given that it is private, it has not been as widely publicized as large state-run institutions, so it is more of an offbeat experience.”
The place that feels most like “me”:
Sisodia Rani ka Bagh · Jaipur
“Sisodia Rani ka Bagh garden. I love architecture, frescoes and nature, and this place brings all of those elements together perfectly. It is a beautiful Mughal-style garden built of multiple levels with water features, fountains, painted pavilions, and more. I love spending time here after a rainy day or even on a pleasant winter day, basking in the warmth of the winter sun.”
The best thing to do here on a rainy day:
“Visit one of the forts, either Jaigarh, Nahargarh, or Amer. There will be hardly anyone visiting, so the experience will be more charming.”
The spot I hope never gets discovered by tourists (but I’ll share it anyway!!):
Half Light Coffee Roasters · Jaipur
"Half Light Coffee Roasters, which offers many kinds of seating options both indoor, outdoor, and a loft level with a quiet atmosphere. The coffee is local Indian arabica sourced directly from farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is a great spot for getting work done.
Also, the local breakfast spot Samrat and Dragon House for the best Chinese food—a local’s secret.”
If I need to get out of town for 24 hours, I go here:
Samode Palace · Jaipur
“Samode Palace is a perfect escape for the weekend from Jaipur to enjoy the majestic splendor of a bygone era.
Anopura Jaipur · Jaipur
I also love Anopura Jaipur, a perfect hideaway for a tranquil day away from the city. It is a good blend of boutique hospitality, slow living, and farm life, and ideal for unwinding by yourself or with friends and family.
Vivaana Culture Hotel · Udaipur
Another quick trip is to the Shekhawati region and the town of Nawalgarh in particular, to explore ancient architecture and frescoes. Stay at a boutique Haveli hotel like Vivana Culture Hotel in the village next door, Mandawa.”
The 3 places that are next up on my hit list:
“Explore vintage textiles at Saurashtra. Head out to Bagru village (an hour from the city) to experience hand block printing first hand. Spend time at Khanoom pottery studio.”
Most visitors don't know that...:
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“They should go for an early morning walk in the old city to beat the crowds and traffic. Walk into any temple you come across for a blissful experience of watching the morning activities there. Also, the best time to visit is February and March!”
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