Navina Jafa, historian and performing-arts expert
Head out to old Delhi to soak in the history and tradition of this ancient city. Start your walk at Chandni Chowk, among the oldest bazaars in what used to be the Mughal city of Shahjahanabad. Stroll around Dariba Kalan — the "Street of the Incomparable Pearl," with gems and handcrafted jewelry that can be had for a song. Then visit the historic Sikh temple, Gurdwara Sisganj, and the picturesque mosque, Jama Masjid. Follow this with a taste of Delhi's culinary heritage at Karim's, tel: (91-11) 2326 9880, where chefs use recipes passed down by their forefathers to cook up sumptuous biryani and korma dishes. End the evening with a quiet nightcap at the Patiala Peg bar in the Imperial Hotel, tel: (91-11) 2334 1234.
A.D. Singh, owner, Olive chain of restaurants
New Delhi street food is a food lover's paradise, and the chaat in Bengali Market is a must. After a snack, head south to visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world. If it's still light, stroll around Mehrauli, one of the seven ancient cities that comprise the present-day metropolis. It has many interesting pre-Mughal monuments. After sunset, settle in for a drink at Shalom, a laid-back, Mediterranean lounge bar, tel: (91-98) 1004 8084. Follow it up with dinner at Bukhara at the ITC Maurya Sheraton Hotel, tel: (91-11) 2611 2233. It's said to be the best Indian restaurant in the world.
Anup Kutty, guitarist, Menwhopause, local rock band
If you're in New Delhi on a budget, there are great places to kick-start the evening with some cheap beer — try Gola Southend Restaurant, tel: (91-11) 4155 3400, in the hip Defence Colony neighborhood. Check out the city's live-rock scene at Turquoise Cottage, tel: (91-11) 2685 3896, or try Haze Blues and Jazz Bar, tel: (91-11) 4166 9009, for more music action. For dinner, butter chicken at Pindi, tel: (91-11) 2338 7932, on Pandara Road is unbeatable. Top it off with an ice cream and a stroll around the India Gate monument. If it's a weekend, head to Elevate, tel: (91-12) 0251 3904, in the Noida district. It's a fashionable, four-story nightclub that often features live bands and plays everything from house and trance to hip-hop, R&B and bhangra. Alternatively, you could head to Aqua, a poolside bar at the trendy Park Hotel, tel: (91-11) 2374 3000.