The Big Chill Cafe

The Big Chill Cafe has been one of Delhi's most popular casual cafés since it opened in 2000, and Khan Market is its home. Founded by Aseem Grover and Fawzia Ahmed, it began with an outlet in East of Kailash, which has since closed; today Khan Market has three Big Chill outlets, plus a newer Big Chill Cakery devoted to cakes and bakes.

The look is part of the appeal. The interiors are slightly retro, with framed posters of classic films such as Casablanca and Psycho covering the walls, and the atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful. It feels more like a neighbourhood diner than a fashionable café, which is why families, students and groups of friends all return.

The menu leans towards Italian and Western comfort food: pastas, pizzas and grilled dishes, served in generous portions. Desserts are the real draw, especially the cheesecakes and the ice creams, and many people come only for something sweet. The Cakery is the place for whole cakes and takeaway treats.

Big Chill is popular, so expect queues at weekends and around lunch and dinner. Going mid-afternoon on a weekday is the easiest way to get a table without a long wait. Prices are moderate, and sharing a dessert after a main course is a good way to try more of the menu without over-ordering.

It suits families with children, groups of friends and travellers who want a break from Indian food. It is also a reliable meeting place in Khan Market, and the outlets are close enough together that if one is full, another may have space. The Cakery is handy for picking up a cake for a birthday or celebration.

Khan Market is one of central Delhi's best-known shopping and dining areas, and Lodhi Garden is close by. Combine a meal here with a walk among the Lodi tombs in the late afternoon, then come back for dinner or dessert as the market lights up. On a hot day, an ice cream here is a welcome reward after a morning of sightseeing, and in the cooler months the walk between the garden and the market is a pleasant one.