Deepali Dhingra

Delhi’s no stranger to frozen treats, but a proper Italian gelato may have been an object of FOMO up until recently. That’s changed, and just in time for hot girl summer. Maybe the gelaterias aren’t the warm little Italian nooks you’d imagine (many are sleekly minimalist) but you can bet that they taste like the real deal. What’s more – Delhi can’t resist adding an Indian touch. Masala chai gelato may be on the cards. In fact, it is on the cards.

Does Delhi need yet another café serving us brown butter lattes and sausage croissants? Well, who am I kidding? We’ll never tire of them.  For the Common Time outlet in Khan Market (my favourite one), take the stairs from Bahrisons Luxury Collection – not to be confused with Bahrisons Booksellers in the same market – and find yourself smack in the middle of a sensory overload. The logo outside does say Khan Kissaten, implying a more intimate experience, although I’m not sure if I could come back here with my laptop. It’s peppy and bright, buzzy with conversations and laughter that float in and out of my hearing range.   The main café area is decently big, with a lot of wood panelling and soft lighting, but what really reels me in is a small balcony area with a couple of chairs, looking out directly towards a bunch of trees. It’s great for a quick smoke break. Inside, there’s an eclectic mix of vinyl records and cutesy merch lined up on shelves, and the counter with the bakes display and the wood.  They take their coffee seriously, without a need for drama. There are your usual cappuccinos and seasonal pour overs, but the bet I took was on the orange-foamed mont blanc cold brew, and it’s perfect for sweltering heat. It’s surprisingly easy to adjust to the interruption of candied orange bites in the drink. Still, I needed a hug in a mug, so I followed it up with a mocha that was pure chocolate gooeyness.  The food programme is pretty impressive as well, and one is hard-pressed