The Delhi Walla - Food + Drink

DETAILS : 

• Author: Mayank Austen Soofi
  
• Publisher: ‎ HarperCollins India
  
• Publication date: ‎ September 1, 2010
  
• Language: ‎ English
  
• Print length: ‎ 108 pages
  
• ISBN-10: ‎ 9350290049
  
• ISBN-13: ‎ 9789350290040
  
• Item Weight: ‎ 100 g 

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Delhi Walla - Food + Drink, authored by the celebrated chronicler and photographer Mayank Austen Soofi, is an intimate, sensory exploration of the culinary landscape of India's capital city. Published by HarperCollins India as part of a distinctive four-volume series of alternative guidebooks, this slim, visually striking 98-page paperback moves far beyond standard tourist directories. The core philosophy of this work is to treat food as a living archive of Delhi’s layered history, migration patterns, and cultural identity. Soofi frames the city's eateries not merely as commercial businesses, but as sacred urban institutions where communal memories are preserved and passed down through generations.

The book is structured as an evocative, neighborhood-by-neighborhood culinary map that seamlessly transitions between different culinary worlds. It juxtaposes the legendary, spice-laden street food stalls of Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) with the upscale, sophisticated fine-dining establishments of New Delhi and the refugee-colony kitchens that introduced diverse regional flavors to the city. From hidden Mughlai corners in the dynamic alleyways of Matia Mahal and historic paranthas in Chandni Chowk, to iconic institutional establishments like United Coffee House or the classic dhabas of Connaught Place, the narrative covers a vast spectrum. What truly sets this volume apart is its integration of succinct, poetic prose with raw, unposed street photography captured by the author. Complete with popular regional recipes and curated insider listings, the book serves as a vital companion for both curious travelers and lifelong residents seeking to uncover the authentic flavors of the metropolis.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mayank Austen Soofi is a premier Indian blogger, photojournalist, and author who has achieved widespread acclaim for his singular dedication to documenting the daily life, literature, and soul of New Delhi. Best known as the founder of the immensely popular website The Delhi Walla, Soofi also pens regular columns for major national news outlets, including the Hindustan Times.

Soofi’s writing and observational style is deeply romantic, observant, and intensely humanist. He deliberately avoids flashy, mainstream food-critic jargon, opting instead to focus on the human stories, expressions, and atmospheric textures behind the cooking pots. His highly regarded multi-volume guidebook series—which includes The Delhi Walla - Portrait, Slumgirl Dreaming, and Nobody Can Love You More—has established him as one of the most trusted contemporary voices capturing the evolving cultural landscape of North India.