Golden Cafe

Nehru Bazar in Paharganj is a place that never really stops moving. Being at number 1, we see it all. The cafe isn't very large and the paint is peeling a bit in the corners. We have these old fans that creak when they're on the high setting. Most of our day is spent making tea and toast for people who look like they’ve been traveling for days. The street noise outside is constant, with rickshaws honking and people shouting, so it’s never exactly quiet in here. We have a few small tables that have seen a lot of use over the years. We don't have a fancy menu with photos. It’s just written on a board. Sometimes we run out of something and we just tell people to pick something else. The kitchen is small and gets very hot when the stove is going. We spend a lot of time washing cups and plates by hand in the back. It’s a lot of work for a small place. Locals come in to read the newspaper and stay for an hour with just one cup of chai. We don't mind. It feels like a neighborhood spot even with all the tourists passing through. By the time we lock the doors, the market is finally starting to slow down. It’s just another day in the middle of the chaos. The kitchen sink always seems to have something in it, no matter how many times we wash the dishes.