Streets lit with canopies of fairy lights, stacks of pheni at stalls, kebabs sizzling on grills and qorma simmering in deghs – with the occasional whiff of attar in the air – make for a quintessential Ramzan evening in Purani Dilli. In recent years, curated iftar walks around Jama Masjid have grown popular, with food lovers and walk leaders also exploring neighbourhoods such as Zakir Nagar, Daryaganj and Shaheen Bagh.
Beyond the familiar lanes of Old Delhi, walk leaders also take participants to neighbourhoods where Ramzan evenings unfold in equally vibrant ways
Explore neighbourhoods like Zakir Nagar, Shaheen Bagh for iftariBeyond the familiar lanes of Old Delhi, walk leaders also take participants to neighbourhoods where Ramzan evenings unfold in equally vibrant ways. Saleha, a community walk leader, who recently led a Ramadan Iftar Walk by The Delhinama, shares, “By hosting a Ramzan walk, I get to showcase a community and a neighbourhood like Zakir Nagar–Batla House to people who are unfamiliar with the area, make them feel welcome, and give them the confidence to explore it on their own. At the same time I get a chance to speak about Ramzan and why it is a blessed month. Food is the most tangible way to showcase culture – from the dishes we indulge in to those we eat while breaking the fast, or preparing for it. It allows everyone to participate, even if they aren’t fasting.”
Fairy-lit lanes around Jama Masjid come alive with food and crowds for iftar
Calling his first iftar walk in Zakir Nagar a special experience, Melbourne-based attendee Bryan Frutardo, shares, “Experiencing iftar felt deeply nostalgic, especially as I grew up close to the Mohammed Ali Road in Mumbai. The aromas, crowds, energy, and the sense of togetherness were mesmerising. It reminded me how deeply food, faith, and community are woven into these evenings.”
For many participants, the walks double as cultural introductions, offering insight into the traditions, history and spirit of Ramzan alongside the food
“In Zakir Nagar near Jamia Millia Islamia, you’ll find everything from Delhi-style chicken tikka, seekh kebabs and nihari to galawati kebabs, Hyderabadi biryani, haleem chawal, Kashmiri wazwan, and Gulf dishes like shawarma, mandi and kunafa,” says walk leader Saleha.
In Zakir Nagar near Jamia Millia Islamia, you’ll find everything from Delhi-style chicken tikka, seekh kebabs and nihari to galawati kebabs, Hyderabadi biryani, haleem chawal, Kashmiri wazwan, and Gulf dishes like shawarma, mandi and kunafa,” says walk leader Saleha
Fasting, feasting and storytellingFor many participants, these walks go beyond food trails, offering a window into the traditions, history and meaning of Ramzan. Anoushka Jain, founder of Enroute Indian History, who is curating a walk Jama Masjid Se Meena Bazaar Tak, says, “The walk aims to explain why Ramzan is observed and explore how the festival is celebrated across Delhi beyond Muslim neighbourhoods. Led by Ilma Saifi, it will also include perspectives on women and fasting.” Explorer Rohan Kumar aka Being Dilliwaala, shares some recommendations in the Urdu Bazaar area, “For iftar walks, my go to place is Jama Masjid. The whole compound is full of people waiting to break the roza. As soon as the cracker is fired to signal iftar, people soak in silence and break their fasts. Our trail includes Babu Bhai Kebab, Qureshi Kebab, Anmol Chicken, Haji Mohd fried chicken joint and Shireen Bhawan.”
Participants enjoy the festive vibe – many experiencing their first mosque visit, first iftar, and learning that fasting is about restraint and community, not just food
Heritage walk leader Mujib Khan shares, “For iftar we usually have Medjool dates, fruits, chana chaat, pakodas and nimbu paani, and at dinner we try small portions of seekh kebab, mutton qorma, haleem, mutton stew, mutton barra and khameeri roti with lots of kalonji. After dinner we walk around for sweets like double ka meetha with rabri, phirni, rabri and mohabbat ka sharbat. Participants enjoy the festive vibe – many experiencing their first mosque visit, first iftar, and learning that fasting is about restraint and community, not just food.” he adds.
