Manek Chowk
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Ahmedabad’s Manek Chowk is a general produce, jewelry, and textiles market by day that transforms into a vibrant street food market at night. Located in the atmospheric Old Town, right beside the Jama Masjid, Manek Chowk is a convenient place to browse Indian bling or to grab a cheap and cheerful vegetarian Gujarati meal at night.
The basics
You don’t need to buy gold wedding jewelry, saris, or fresh vegetables to enjoy visiting Ahmedabad’s Manek Chowk. It’s a great place to see locals going about their daily lives and to browse the stalls and small shops that sell different items from those you’ll find at home. Come the evening, it offers a culinary alternative to alcohol-fueled nightlife in this dry (alcohol-free) state.
Travelers can visit independently anytime, before or after checking out Old Town highlights like the Jama Masjid and Rani no Hajiro. Guided walking tours of the market are a good way to help you navigate.
Things to know before you go
- The market is often crowded, so take care of your personal belongings.
- If you’re worried about food hygiene, visit the busy stalls, as the food will be turned out quickly. Only vegetarian food is served.
- Bring drinking water, wet wipes and tissues, and hand sanitizer if you’re dining here.
- There’s seating and tables around the market at night, but it’s first come, first served.
How to get there
Manek Chowk runs parallel to the Jama Masjid on its southern side. If you’re touring the Old Town on foot, it’s easy to find. Otherwise, ask an autorickshaw driver to take you there. These smaller vehicles can navigate the crowded lanes of this area more quickly than taxis. Ahmedabad is well-connected to the rest of India by air, rail, and bus.
When to get there
Visit Manek Chowk from about 11am for the daytime market or until after midnight for street food. Indians tend to eat late—around 8 or 9pm—so the night market is liveliest around local dinnertime. Some food stalls may be ready for business from around 7pm if you'd rather eat earlier. Avoid visiting during rain as there’s little shelter.
Know your Gujarati street food
In the evening, you can find many classic Indian street food dishes from around the country, including dosas and kulfi. But if you want to try authentic local Gujarati dishes, look out for khaman dhokla (savory gram flour cake), dabeli (bread roll filled with spiced potato mix), locho fritters, and crispy, deep-fried gathiya.
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