Connaught Place has an Inner Circle with Blocks A to F facing Central Park and an Outer Circle with Blocks G to N on the wide ring road called Connaught Circus. The two rings are joined by radial roads, with a Middle Circle lane in between. Each Inner Circle block faces one Outer Circle block, so once you know the pairs, getting lost in CP stops happening.
CP is one of the most famous markets in Delhi, but its circular layout confuses first-timers and even regular Delhiites. This guide shows you which block has what, which metro gate to take, and whether you should start in the Inner or Outer Circle for shopping, food, books, or a night out.
Quick Overview
| Feature | Inner Circle | Outer Circle |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Rajiv Chowk | Indira Chowk (Connaught Circus) |
| Blocks | A, B, C, D, E, F | G, H, K, L, M, N (some addresses go up to P) |
| Faces | Central Park and Rajiv Chowk Metro | Main roads leading out of CP |
| Best for | Brand showrooms, cafes, pubs, first-time walks | Heritage eateries, bookstores, cinemas, offices, hotels |
| Walking feel | Compact, shaded colonnade loop | Bigger ring, more traffic, longer walk |
| Block pairs | A faces G, B faces H, C faces K, D faces L, E faces M, F faces N | |
Quick tip: If you are short on time, walk the full Inner Circle loop first. Then cross the Middle Circle to the Outer Circle block that matches the place you want.
How Is Connaught Place Laid Out?
CP is built as concentric rings around Central Park, which sits right above Rajiv Chowk Metro Station. The rings are the Inner Circle, the Middle Circle, and the Outer Circle.
The market was designed by Robert Tor Russell, chief architect of the Public Works Department, and built between 1929 and 1933. Its Georgian colonnades are modelled on the Royal Crescent in Bath, England. The Inner Circle was later officially renamed Rajiv Chowk and the Outer Circle Indira Chowk, but almost everyone still says “CP” and “Connaught Circus.”
Roads matter as much as blocks here. According to the Delhi government’s heritage notes on New Delhi, eight roads lead out of the Inner Circle (Parliament Street and Radial Roads 1 to 7), and twelve roads lead out of the Outer Circle. The best-known is Janpath, which continues from Radial Road 1.
What Is the Middle Circle?
The Middle Circle is the service lane between the two rings. It is lined with the back side of Inner Circle blocks, smaller offices, budget eateries, paan shops, and a lot of parking. You will often use it to cross from an Inner block to its paired Outer block.
Why Are There No I or J Blocks?
You will not find I or J blocks in CP. The Outer Circle lettering jumps from H straight to K. Locals usually explain that the letters were skipped because I and J look too much like the numbers 1 and 7, but there is no official record confirming the reason. What matters on the ground is simple: after H Block, look for K.
Is the Outer Circle G to N or G to P?
Most guides, including Lonely Planet, say G to N. Some Delhi guides say G to P because a few addresses near Janpath and the Outer Circle use a P-Block prefix (Saravana Bhavan’s CP outlet is a well-known example). For navigation, think of the Outer Circle as G, H, K, L, M, and N, with a few P addresses near Janpath.
Which Inner Circle Block Faces Which Outer Circle Block?
Each Inner Circle block sits directly across the Middle Circle from one Outer Circle block. NDMC’s own parking records list the Middle Circle stretches in exactly these pairs: A and G, B and H, C and K, D and L, E and M, F and N.
| Inner Block | Paired Outer Block | Nearby Road or Metro Gate | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Block | G Block | Radial Road 2 (Baba Kharak Singh Marg), Metro Gates 7 and 8 | Wenger’s bakery (A), PVR Rivoli and Jain Book Center corridor (G) |
| B Block | H Block | Radial Road 3 (Panchkuian Road side), Metro Gates 1 and 2 | Brand showrooms (B), PVR Plaza and Caffe Tonino (H) |
| C Block | K Block | Radial Roads 4 and 5 | Johnson Watch Co. and cafes (C), Kikli restaurant (K) |
| D Block | L Block | Radial Roads 5 and 6, Metro Gate 3 | Odeon cinema and Warehouse Cafe (D), restaurants near Radial Road 6 (L) |
| E Block | M Block | Radial Roads 6 and 7, Metro Gate 4 (Barakhamba Road side) | United Coffee House (E), offices and banks (M) |
| F Block | N Block | Radial Road 1 (Janpath), Metro Gates 5 and 6 | Farzi Cafe (F), Oxford Bookstore and Amrit Book Company (N) |
Practical example: Say you are having coffee in E Block and want to reach M Block. Do not walk around the whole ring. Just cross through the Middle Circle lane behind E Block and you are there in a few minutes.
Inner Circle vs Outer Circle: What Is the Real Difference?
The Inner Circle is CP’s compact, park-facing retail and cafe loop. The Outer Circle is the larger, busier ring with heritage eateries, bookstores, cinemas, banks, and offices.
Before you decide where to start, it helps to know how CP fits among the best shopping places in Delhi. CP is not a bargain street like Sarojini Nagar. It mixes brand stores in the Inner Circle with older, character-filled shops in the Outer Circle, and bargain shopping just next door at Palika Bazaar and Janpath.
- Atmosphere: The Inner Circle feels like a walkable promenade. The Outer Circle feels like a city road with shops on it.
- Architecture: Look closely at the pillars. The Outer Circle colonnades have twinned pillars, while the Inner Circle and radial roads mostly have single ones.
- Walking distance: One loop of the Inner Circle is easy on foot. A full Outer Circle loop takes much longer and involves crossing busy radial road junctions.
- Who goes there: College groups, couples, and tourists crowd the Inner Circle. Office-goers, book lovers, and families going to old favourites fill the Outer Circle.
If you want to compare CP with other options before planning your day, see this list of the best markets for shopping in Delhi. Now let’s go block by block.
What Will You Find in the Inner Circle (Blocks A to F)?
The Inner Circle is where you will find most of CP’s big brand showrooms, popular cafes, pubs, and the busiest metro exits.
A Block
A Block is one of CP’s oldest blocks and home to Wenger’s, the confectioner that was among the first shops in Connaught Place. Come early for patties and pastries because the queue builds fast in the evening. Metro Gates 7 and 8 open near A Block.
B Block
B Block is packed with apparel and lifestyle showrooms. It sits near Metro Gate 1 (Radial Road 3 and Minto Road side) and Gate 2 (PVR Plaza side). If you want to compare brand stores with street options, our guide to the best places to buy clothes in Delhi covers both.
C Block
C Block is the go-to stretch for heritage watch retail. Johnson Watch Co., which started in CP in 1950 and was among the first to bring international Swiss brands to India, is at C-20. Cafes like Open House Cafe (C-37) are also here. For more options across the city, read about luxury watches in Delhi.
D Block
D Block has the old Odeon cinema building and Warehouse Cafe (D-19/20), right near Metro Gate 3. The well-known Odeon paan shop sits on the Middle Circle side at D-1.
E Block
E Block is famous for United Coffee House at E-15, a colonial-era restaurant that still draws families for its old-school interiors. Metro Gate 4 opens toward E Block and Barakhamba Road.
F Block
F Block is the Inner Circle’s party end, with places like Farzi Cafe (F-14/15, first floor). It is close to Radial Road 1 (Janpath) and Metro Gates 5 and 6, so it is the easiest block to reach from Palika Bazaar or Janpath Market.
Footwear and sportswear: Shoe and sportswear brand stores are spread across the Inner Circle rather than in one block. If footwear is your main goal, compare CP with these popular markets in Delhi for footwear before you go.
What Will You Find in the Outer Circle (Blocks G to N)?
The Outer Circle is where CP keeps its history: legendary eateries, independent bookstores, old cinemas, banks, and hotels.
G Block
G Block has PVR Rivoli, one of CP’s earliest cinema buildings. Book lovers should look for Jain Book Center, a tiny corridor bookstall in G Block known for classic English titles in collectible editions.
H Block
H Block is home to PVR Plaza and Caffe Tonino in the Plaza Cinema Building. Anil Book Corner, a small bookstall near PVR Plaza, is also here. Metro Gate 2 is your exit.
K Block
K Block has Kikli (K-11B), a Punjabi restaurant popular with families. It faces C Block across the Middle Circle.
L Block
L Block faces D Block and is lined with restaurants and quick food outlets, especially around Radial Road 6.
M Block
M Block is more office and banking territory, with older commercial buildings on the Outer Circle. It is quieter during evenings compared with the Inner Circle.
N Block
N Block is CP’s book block. Oxford Bookstore at N-81 has the Cha Bar tea cafe inside, and Amrit Book Company at N-21, one of CP’s oldest surviving bookshops, is a few doors away. Students hunting law, business, and economics titles also head to Jain Book Agency, a CP specialist since the mid-1930s. For more stores, see our guide to the best places to buy books in Delhi.
Kake Da Hotel
Kake Da Hotel sits in the Municipal Market on the Outer Circle side (Connaught Lane). It is a no-frills legend for butter chicken, and the waiting line is part of the experience.
Where Do Palika Bazaar and Janpath Fit In?
Palika Bazaar sits underground below the Central Park edge where the Inner Circle has a gap, between F Block and A Block. Janpath runs south from Radial Road 1 near F Block and N Block.
- Palika Bazaar: This air-conditioned underground market dates back to the late 1970s and is known for cheap electronics and clothes, as per Delhi Tourism’s Palika Bazaar page. Use Metro Gate 6. Bargain hard and check gadgets properly before paying. Compare prices with these best places to buy electronics in Delhi if you want warranty-backed options.
- Janpath Market: Walk out from F Block along Radial Road 1 for Tibetan jewellery, junk jewellery, bags, scarves, and souvenirs.
Which Radial Road Should You Take to Nearby Markets?
The radial roads are your shortcuts out of CP. Pick the right one and you save a long loop around the Outer Circle.
- Radial Road 2 (Baba Kharak Singh Marg) from A and G Blocks: Leads to the State Emporia Complex and Hanuman Mandir. This is where to find authentic handicrafts in Delhi at government emporium prices.
- Radial Road 1 (Janpath) from F and N Blocks: Leads to Janpath Market, a good stop if you are figuring out where to buy souvenirs in Delhi on a budget.
- Toward Gole Market: Exit via Baba Kharak Singh Marg or Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg to reach Gole Market in Delhi and the Bengali Market side.
- Toward Gurudwara Bangla Sahib: It is about 1.3 km from Rajiv Chowk Metro Gate 7, roughly a 15-minute walk.
Which Rajiv Chowk Metro Gate Should You Use for Each Block?
Rajiv Chowk is the interchange for the Yellow Line and Blue Line, and it has eight main exit gates. Picking the right gate puts you directly in the block you want.
| Gate | Opens Toward | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gate 1 | Radial Road 3, Panchkuian Road, B Block, Minto Road | B Block showrooms |
| Gate 2 | PVR Plaza (B and H Block side) | H Block, PVR Plaza |
| Gate 3 | D Block, Odeon | D Block cafes, L Block |
| Gate 4 | E Block, Barakhamba Road, Kasturba Gandhi Marg | United Coffee House, M Block |
| Gate 5 | Radial Road 1, Janpath, F Block | F Block, N Block bookstores |
| Gate 6 | Radial Road 1, Janpath, Palika Bazaar | Palika Bazaar, Janpath Market |
| Gate 7 | Radial Road 2, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, A Block | State Emporia, Hanuman Mandir, Bangla Sahib |
| Gate 8 | Radial Road 3, Panchkuian Road, A Block | Wenger’s, A Block |
Note: DMRC sometimes shuts individual gates for repairs or crowd control, for example on New Year’s Eve. Check the DMRC app or station signs before you plan your exit.
Which Circle Should You Pick for Your Plan?
Choose the Inner Circle for brands, cafes, and pubs. Choose the Outer Circle for heritage food, bookstores, and cinemas. Most good CP days mix both.
| Your Plan | Start Here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Brand shopping | Inner Circle (A, B, E, F) | Flagship showrooms are concentrated here |
| Budget shopping | Palika Bazaar, then Janpath | Bargain markets right next to the Inner Circle |
| Date or cafe hopping | Inner Circle (D, E, F), then H Block | Rooftop and balcony cafes cluster here |
| Heritage food | Outer Circle plus E Block | Kake Da Hotel, United Coffee House, Wenger’s |
| Books | N Block, then G and H corridors | Oxford Bookstore, Amrit, and pavement bookstalls |
| Movies | H Block or G Block | PVR Plaza and PVR Rivoli |
| Handicrafts and gifts | A or G Block, then Baba Kharak Singh Marg | State Emporia Complex is a short walk away |
If coffee is the plan, here is our list of the best cafes in Connaught Place. For a quieter evening, try these hidden balcony restaurants in CP for dates under ₹2,000.
What Are the Common Mistakes Visitors Make in CP?
- Walking the Outer Circle to reach a facing block. Always cut through the Middle Circle or a radial road instead.
- Taking any metro gate. Gate 7 and Gate 4 put you on opposite sides of CP. Check the gate table above first.
- Going on Sunday for bargain shopping. Palika Bazaar and Janpath Market are generally closed on Sundays. Many restaurants, cafes, and brand stores still open, but confirm smaller shops before you go.
- Looking for Madame Tussauds. The wax museum in the Regal Building closed permanently in 2020. The old Regal cinema itself shut in 2017.
- Trusting “helpful” strangers. Touts in CP often approach visitors with offers to guide them to “government” shops. Use Google Maps and block letters painted on the pillars instead.
- Parking on the surface during peak hours. NDMC’s multilevel parking at Baba Kharak Singh Marg (built for about 1,400 vehicles), the Palika Bazaar underground parking, and Shivaji Stadium are usually easier than circling the Outer Circle for a spot.
How Can You Plan a 3-Hour CP Walk Covering Both Circles?
- Arrive at Gate 7 or 8 and start at A Block with a snack at Wenger’s.
- Walk the Inner Circle clockwise through B, C, D, E, and F for showrooms and cafes.
- Exit F Block to Palika Bazaar or Janpath if you want bargain shopping.
- Cross to N Block for Oxford Bookstore and a tea break at Cha Bar.
- Continue along the Outer Circle to H Block for PVR Plaza or K Block for dinner at Kikli.
- Return via the Middle Circle to the nearest Inner Circle block and metro gate.
Want to add more stops to your day? Browse our list of top Delhi tourist places, many of which are a short metro ride from Rajiv Chowk.
FAQs
Is Connaught Place and Rajiv Chowk the same?
Yes. Rajiv Chowk is the official name of the Inner Circle, and it is also the name of the metro station under Central Park. In daily use, people say CP for the whole area.
Which is better for shopping, Inner Circle or Outer Circle?
The Inner Circle is better for branded clothing and lifestyle stores. The Outer Circle is better for books, watches, and old-school specialty shops, while bargain hunters should head to Palika Bazaar and Janpath.
How long does it take to walk around Connaught Place?
A relaxed walk around the Inner Circle takes about 20 to 30 minutes without stops. Covering both circles with shopping and a meal usually takes 3 to 4 hours.
Is Connaught Place safe at night?
The Inner Circle stays busy and well-lit until late because of pubs and restaurants. Stick to busy stretches, avoid isolated Middle Circle lanes late at night, and check the last metro timing before you plan to leave.
Which metro station is closest to the Outer Circle N Block?
Rajiv Chowk Gate 5 works well for N Block. Barakhamba Road on the Blue Line is another option if you are heading to the Barakhamba side of the Outer Circle.
Is Connaught Place expensive?
It can be. Brand stores and pubs charge regular metro-city prices, but CP also has budget eats in the Middle Circle and bargain shopping in Palika Bazaar and Janpath, so you can plan a day for almost any budget.
Final Recommendation
If it is your first visit, start with the Inner Circle from Gate 7 or 8, use the block pairs (A-G, B-H, C-K, D-L, E-M, F-N) to cross over when you need the Outer Circle, and save Palika Bazaar or Janpath for a weekday. Already know CP? Skip the loop and go straight to the block you need using the metro gate table. Either way, look up at the block letters on the pillars. They are the easiest map you will get in CP.