Manek Chowk

Brief History

The Amdavadis’ version of nightlife is packing in a heavy dose of sweets and fried savoury snacks, that too after dinner. Every day, stalls start propping up in the old city Manek Chowk with chairs and tables arranged for nocturnal foodies. The rite of passage to call yourself a foodie includes Bastiram’s rabri kulfi with no artificial essence and Imtiaz Sheikh’s bizarrely tasty chocolate and pineapple pizza. You’ll have to part with less than Rs 200 to have a full stomach. Reserve some space for Kamlesh Patel’s paan – a family recipe since 1967 has won him many regulars. The market is a vegetable hub in the morning, a bullion market at noon and a street food hotspot at night.

Manek Chowk is named after Saint Maneknath who was an advisor to Emperor Ahmed Shah I. Mahant Ghanshyamnath, the 12th generation descendant of the saint, performs a puja and hoists the flag on Manek Burj on the foundation day of the city and Vijayadashami every year, keeping a 600-year-old tradition alive. The chowk is located in the heart of the old city of Ahmedabad, surrounded by iconic structures.