Food Retailing / Supermarkets

On Our Radar: Dawatpur, Delhi, India

Published

4 months ago

June 26, 2025

Olivia Taylor VMSD MAY-JUNE 2025

ONE OF THE OLDEST and busiest markets in Delhi, India, Chandni Chowk, is now home to India’s largest food court, Dawatpur. Inspired by the kinetic energy of Old Delhi, Dawatpur incorporates traditional aesthetics alongside diverse dining, retail and entertainment options. Designed by New Delhi-based design firms Chromed Design Studio and The Melange Studio, guests begin their journey in the lobbies adorned in lakhori bricks and stone slabs inspired by local historic havelis. Spanning 1 million square feet, Dawatpur is organized into four zones connected to a central axis where fountains pay homage to the historic channel that once ran through Chandni Chowk. The flooring, a mix of patterned tiles, cobblestone and black granite, guides guests through the space, which houses 50 food vendors, a children’s play area, stages for performances and retail stores. As guests explore, they’ll find recurring visual touchstones such as curated vintage doors, red stone columns, Indian Makrana marble and hand-painted designs from local artisans.

Refurbished vintage doors add to Dawatpur’s modern-meets-traditional design aesthetic.

PHOTO GALLERY (28 IMAGES)
PHOTOS: AVESH GAUR

MasterClass: ‘Re-Sparkling’ Retail: Using Store Design to Build Trust, Faith and Brand Loyalty

HOW CAN WE EMPOWER and inspire senior leaders to see design as an investment for future retail growth? This session, led by retail design expert Ian Johnston from Quinine Design, explores how physical stores remain unmatched in the ability to build trust, faith, and loyalty with your customers, ultimately driving shareholder value.

Presented by:
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Founder and Creative Director, Quinine Design