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Really Good Eats
- You get a gift card when you spend enough money that you can use on your next trip ( be sure to check the expiration date!)
- You can use the pool here for about Rs300/day
- you can catch a shuttle for the night heritage walk. Rs 50
- the wi-fi is not free.
- There is a pool upstairs as well as a gym but it’s not open to all
- a liquor store will be opening up shortly as well as a salon
- there is a small bookstore here that sells books you might not find at Crossword
- Every friday there is a CouchSurfing meet up here
- the second location is across from Pride Hotel (on the map). It is right next to a shop called Cottons. A few tables, nice atmosphere, same menu.
Swati Snacks- The gelato outside is yum as is the sugarcane juice inside. Lots of people have told me to not drink it on the street so I go here to get my fix as this is the cleanist restaurant in Gujarat. Everything on the menu is delicious, but I recommend you try the varieties of pani puri- filling and fun!
Café Souq- Middle eastern with great hummus and baba @ Vijay Crossroads. Really nice place to come for tea and snack, but be sure to get here before the rush. There is very limited seating! Not open until about 3 in the afternoon.
Manek Chowk- a shopping market in the old city near Ellis Bridge turns into food paradise when the sun goes down. Come here with a group of friends and experience an array of India's street foods. You find a table (caution: it gets really crowded so you may have to wait) and then start screaming your orders. A few of the unusual favorites include:
- chocolate pizza
- pineapple sandwich- hold the jam
Really Good Shopping
People Tree- a hip, old shop based in Delhi. It has finally opened a branch in Ahmedabad and features artsy clothing, jewelry, notepads, and much more. The owner is full of energy, spunk, and love so be sure to say hello. She is a local and knows all the hidden treasures around the city. You won't be disappointed.
Sunday market- Go to Ellis Bridge and drive/ walk towards the old city. On your right hand side you will see a swarm of people- jackpot! Go under the bridge and enjoy the feast of stuff before you. Bargain hard!
- I buy saris here and use the fabric for random things. Don’t pay more than 25-30 rupees for each sari.
- Try to get here around 9 am to miss the crowds and heat, a bit.
Magson- on Sandesh Press Road between Vastrapur and Judges Bungalow. It has lots of frozen meats, cheeses, and other goods. Around the corner is a great cell phone store that I frequent for all my phone related questions.
Sanskruti- near law garden behind the White Building. There are two shops next to one another. One has ready made garments and tailors on hand, while the neighboring shop has an endless selection of fabrics, as well as saris. Great gifts, affordable prices.
Law Garden Market- Tacky gifts and a few good finds are offered at this market. A nice place to walk around. Be sure to wind the side streets to find some good tops and bottoms. Bargain hard.
Fab India- of course! Usually the first stop for new comers to India. A huge chain with shops in all the major, and not so major, cities around India. Has wonderful tops, saris, pants, skirts, things for the house as well as a rotating selection of foods (mustard, granola, organics).
Anokhi- really beautiful clothing in a really beautiful shop at the intersection of Bodekdev and Judges Bungalow
Cottons- on Ashram Rd. near Paldi bus stand. This is not the same cottons as the one near Zen Cafe #2. This one is better! It is locally owned and operated for ages and has beautiful ethnic clothing. a must see.
Really Cheap Stays
Janvikas- They have a guesthouse with ac near Fab India (on the map) on Judge’s Bungalow.
- on the 10th floor of a residential building
- about 700 rupees a day
Dorms at St. Xavier's College- I dont know much about this, yet, but if you are here volunteering or working in the development sector there is both a men's and women's dormitory open to you. For about Rs150 you will get a private room with bathroom. There is a communal kitchen and if you have guests they can crash in a nearby room for only Rs100. No A/C
Really Good Other
Darpana Dance Academy/Natrani Cafe- lots of dance performances, theatre, film screenings, as well as a wonderful café that has drinks and food.
- Drink the Pudina Nimbu – best drink in A’bad
- Yoga and dance are offered but a bit pricey- yet very athletic
- Malikaben (the owner) is a force not to be reckoned with in Gujarat. She is a TED India Fellow and very outspoken about politics- which is refreshing.
- There is also a small shop here that sells purses, wallets, and other goods made out of recycled plastic bags by rural Gujarati women.
Alliance Francaise- If you have given up on learning Hindi, why not learn some French? They have classes, a cafeteria and frequently show movies or host concerts.
Sivananda Ashram- a great place for yoga! This is a cheap (donation based- give something), local friendly, relaxed yoga center. The best I found in the city. Keep in mind though, all classes are in Gujarati with the occasional english word thrown in (like "relax").
It is highly recommended by the Ashram that you take a beginners course for 10 days before joining a regular classes, unless you have done a lot of yoga before.
- They have yoga classes throughout the day, check out the timings. The classes run for an hour and offer a good mix of breathing, stretching, and moves. It's in Gujarati but keep one eye open and you will be able to follow. Bring a mat, wear baggy clothes, and enjoy. Class is either outside on the lawn or at the bottom of the temple
- Beginners' yoga is held twice a month. you can take it at 6:30 am in the beginning of the month or at 6:30 pm in the later half of the month. They teach you why you do all the poses and take more time to perfect each position (still in Gujarati). 10 days = Rs200
Law garden- The park itself is alive early in the mornings. I played Frisbee here at 6:30 am for a few weeks until sleeping won that battle. If you want to play frisbee be sure to get in touch with Ahmedabad Ultimate.
Center for Environmental Education- an incredible escape from the city, right in the city. It is between Vastrapur Lake and SG Highway on Bodekdev Road. When you walk in you find yourself surrounded by trees, peacocks flying above, and monkeys jumping from branch to branch.
- There is a nursery on site, as well as a guesthouse.
Heritage walk of Old Ahmedabad- conducted every morning and evening by the Municipal Corporation of Ahmedabad (MCA). It starts at the Swami Narayan Mandir at Kalupur and ends at Manek Chowk (see Really Good Eats above). Register at the office in the temple compound.
- For the night walk I know there is a shuttle from House of MG to the site of the heritage walk. You can call them to find more info.
