The experience of visiting INA Delhi is far from that of some regular Delhi clothes and book markets. It’s not just a place to buy amenities, but a paradise where you can experience the diversity of Indian food and culture.
If you are a true foodie, you must have visited this iconic INA Market at least once in your life. Be it fresh fruits, imported vegetables, spices, or different species of seafood and meat, this famous market has everything to offer.
Let’s take you through a quick yet comprehensive tour of the market and let this article act as a guide the next time you visit the INA Delhi market.
INA Delhi: Overview
The INA market has been alive and kicking ever since 1953 and is one of the oldest markets in Delhi, amongst others like Chandni Chowk.
The popularity of the INA market comes from the fresh and good-quality meat you’ll find here.
If you’re aware of Delhi’s markets, you might have noticed a trend—each market is famous for a specific thing, like Khari Baoli for spices, Ghazipur flower market for flowers, Dariyaganj for books, and Sadar Bazar market for wholesale goods.
Just like that, INA is famous for its fresh and varied species of seafood, along with imported vegetables and fruits. But! Let me burst your bubble; the market is more on the expensive side.
- Ideal duration of visit: 2-4 hours
- INA market location: INA Market, Aviation Colony, INA Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110023
- Entry: Free
- INA Market Full form: Indian National Army Market.
INA Market Timings and How to Reach
The opening and closing times of the market are from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., from Tuesday to Sunday and it stays closed on Mondays.
Here’s the INA market location and how to reach it:
- By Metro: The nearest metro station to the market is the INA metro station on the pink line of the Delhi Metro map, which is about 53 meters away and takes only a minute to reach.
- By Bus: The nearest bus station to the market is Kushak Nallah Depot, about a 2-minute walk away. The following transit lines have routes that pass near the INA market — 460, 479, 502, 517, 578
- By Train: The local train of Delhi is also an easy way to travel across the city; the nearest station is Sewa Nagar, which is a 9-minute walk from the market. The following transit lines have routes that pass near the INA market: EMU 64093, EMU 64087, EMU 64089, EMU 64090, EMU 64091.
What is the Best Time to Visit the INA Market?
If you have something urgent to buy, you don’t have much choice, and thus there’s no best time to visit. But if you love just to step out and explore the vibrant markets of Delhi, just like me, here are some points to guide you on when and when not to make your visit.
- Morning, afternoon, and evening — In my experience, morning is the best time of the day to visit any market. Reach the premises as soon as it opens, since there’ll be less crowded and more variety to shop from. Avoid visiting in the afternoon hours, since it’ll be hot and crowded, making it difficult to shop. The evening is also a good time to visit, as you’ll get to see the charm of the markets at night.
- Weekdays — Align your visits on weekdays instead of weekends, since it’s less crowded and much cheaper!
- Winter months (November–February) — The winter months are the best time of the year to explore some of the most amazing and fun places in Delhi, including the exuberant markets.
What Can You Buy at the INA Delhi?
INA Market is a paradise for food lovers, and this is exactly the place to be if you’re searching for some rare and fresh species of fish and meat. And when I say rare, I mean I was hearing about some of them for the very first time!
Here’s what you can expect to find at the market:
1. Spices
INA is one of the two most popular places to buy spices of the highest quality. One of the oldest spice shops in the market is Krishna Lal Masala store, which has existed since 1962. The spices here are brought from all over the world, ground, and packed by hand in the shop itself. If there’s a kind of spice you’re looking for, you’ll most probably find it in this market!
2. Dry fruits
INA is a wholesale market for dry fruits; you’ll find all kinds and sizes of mewa (dry fruits) at considerably cheaper rates.
3. Exotic fruits and vegetables
Dragon fruit and Napa cabbage are just two examples among a hundred other imported fruits and vegetables that you can look for in the market. And the best part? They are all super fresh!
4. Meat and seafood
As soon as you enter the market, you’ll be hit with a strong stench of meat, kept between ice slabs, which is what keeps it super fresh up until it reaches your kitchen. On my visit to the market, I was certainly overwhelmed by the variety of seafood in sight! From Black and White Pomfret, to Tiger Prawns, the market had it all!
To know what else you can buy at market, watch this short YouTube vlog by HOK STUDIO
INA Market Delhi Photos
Here’s a photographic insight into how vibrant the market looks!
Best Street Food at INA Delhi
When it comes to street food, Delhi tops my list. You can not find better and tastier street food anywhere else other than on the streets of Delhi. Here are some of the best places to enjoy the cuisines of different cultural localities of India.
1. Kerala Hotel
Enjoy the delicacies straight from the cuisine of Kerala at nominal rates, especially their most popular dish—prawn biryani.
Popular Dish — Prawn Biryani
Price — ₹300
Address — Shop No, 211A, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Mohan Singh Market, INA, New Delhi, Delhi 110023
2. Dahi ke Shole
The restaurant is named after the very famous dish made out of hung curd; I don’t think you’ll ever be confused as to what to order here.
Popular Dish — Dahi ke Shole (Dahi kabab — veg)
Price — ₹40
Address — 26B, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Aviation Colony, INA Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110023
3. Dosa Junction
Dosa junction in INA is one of the best places to visit if you need some good South Indian dose of food and their paper masala dosa is the most popular dish here.
Popular Dish — Paper Masala Dosa
Price — ₹175
Address — Shop No:260, INA Market, Aviation Colony, INA Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110023
4. Maharashtra Food
You can find all kinds of Maharashtrian food at the stall and feel the warmth of Maharashtra in Delhi!
Popular Dish — 20, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Aviation Colony, INA Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110023
Price — ₹110
Address — 20 Sri Aurobindo Marg, Aviation Colony, INA Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110023
Where to Visit Near INA Market?
Not just the market but the land itself is historical and is surrounded by amazing monuments, both modern and historical. Here are the places you can visit near the INA market in a single day.
- Thyagaraj Park — 850 meters
- Delhi Haat INA — 1.6 KM
- Sarojini Nagar market — 2.5 KM
- Sanjay Jheel & Park — 3.1 KM
- Hauz Khas Fort — 4 KM
- Lodhi Garden — 4 KM
Final Words
INA Market remains one of Delhi’s most iconic markets and offers a blend of local and international flavors that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
If you love imported fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and spices, this is exactly your kind of place!
The rich variety and cultural ambiance of the market make it a must-visit for anyone exploring Delhi.
What is the INA Market famous for?
The market is famous for seafood, imported wines, and food items. Also, the shopkeepers of the market even know a lot of languages to impress the foreigners.
Is the INA Market closed on Monday?
Yes, the market is open from Tuesday to Sunday and stays closed on Mondays.
What is the INA full form in Delhi?
The full form of INA is the Indian National Army, dedicated to the soldiers of India.
Which part of Delhi is INA?
The colony is located in South Delhi between Ring Road and Ring Railway.
