Triveni Tea Terrace

Adda - Where Dilliwalas go to eat, drink or just shoot the breeze.

The Triveni Kala Sangam is one of architect Joseph Allen Stein’s many contributions to the city of Delhi (the list includes the Ford Foundation and the India International Centre). Site of three art galleries, a lovely little bookshop called the Nook and a shop called Prakriti in the garden, filled with terracotta objects for sale, Triveni is also home to one of Delhi’s best-known, yet hidden, hangout cafés.

An idyllic locale in which to spend a lazy winter afternoon, the place is popular with a motley mix of jholawalas, lawyers and corporate types who work in the neighbourhood. Until recently, it was also the place for regular meetings of activist groups like the People’s Union for Democratic Rights. On my last visit, however, I noted with some bafflement a rather blunt sign on the verandah that declared, “No Meetings Allowed.”

For those in the know (and presumably now, not looking to hold a meeting), the Triveni café is the place to go for reasonably priced, home-style North Indian cooking – something surprisingly difficult to find when eating out in Delhi. The lightly spiced but delicious food often runs out by 2.30pm. Get there early, so that you can sample the wonderful shammi kababs, the vegetable pulao, zeera aloo, methi ke parathe and pakore wali kadhi. Do not miss the keema curry.

And if you’re on your own, take a book with you: you might not want to leave after lunch. Linger over a cup of tea in the leafy verandah and maybe in an hour you’ll be ready for the cheese-toast. Trisha Gupta

205 Tansen Marg, Mandi House (2371-8833). Mandi House. Mon-Sat 11am-7pm.

Time Out Delhi Issue 1 Friday, April 06, 2007