Home / Lifestyle / Nagpur's Gold Market Shifts to Street Food by Night
Nagpur's Gold Market Shifts to Street Food by Night
9 May
Summary
- Jewellery market transforms into a vibrant street food hub after dark.
- Over a century-old tradition, the market has its own unique nightlife.
- Vendors offer diverse cuisines from pav bhaji to fusion snacks and sweets.
By day, Nagpur's Sarafa Bazaar in Itwari is a renowned jewellery market, but its nightly transformation offers a stark contrast. As shutters roll down around 8 PM, the streets come alive with food stalls, creating a chaotic yet delicious street food paradise. This phenomenon has been occurring for over a century, predating the common concept of nightlife.
Vendors replace glittering ornaments with sizzling tawas, filling the air with aromas of spices, pav bhaji, pulao, and desserts. The market draws diverse crowds, including families, students, and couples, all eager to sample the wide array of offerings. From traditional Maharashtrian thalis and chole bhature to fusion snacks and sweet treats like kulfi and falooda, Sarafa Bazaar caters to every palate.
Rahul Sahu, a pav bhaji vendor, has seen his business grow from a small cart to a bustling stall over 15 years, highlighting the enduring popularity and evolving customer base. Similarly, an 80-year-old paan shop, run by four generations, continues to thrive, adapting to nighttime patrons seeking sweets and paan.
This nightly food scene challenges the perception that Nagpur is an early-sleeping city. It provides a unique charm that attracts visitors from nearby areas like Itwari, Mahal, and Gandhibagh, offering a lively atmosphere and a broad culinary spectrum that keeps visitors returning.
