'''Noida''', an abbreviation of '''New Okhla Industrial Development Authority''', is a suburban city of Delhi just across the state line in Uttar Pradesh.
Understand
Just across the Yamuna River from Delhi, this is Uttar Pradesh's most modern city and a popular location for businesses looking to escape Delhi's congestion and steep rents.
Get in
In Delhi, go to Pragati Maidan (Metro, Blue Line) or Rajiv Chowk (Metro, Blue Line/Yellow Line) for irregular direct buses to Noida. An extension of the Blue Line from Indraprastha through Mayur Vihar to Noida Sector 21 is under construction and should be open by June 2009.
The '''DND Flyway''' toll bridge (Rs.20) connects Noida to Delhi and is a pleasure to drive. Note that if you're driving a black-plated commercial vehicle — in particular, a rented car — you're not allowed to use the bridge unless you've ''already'' paid the Uttar Pradesh road tax of Rs.240/day (there are no facilities for paying it here).
Get around
Noida is spottily connected by buses and rickshaws. The buses are chiefly from Delhi and ply here on a
See
A scenic relief from Delhi, Noida is low on traffic and pollution (by Indian standards) and is dotted with parks and statues, none of them particularly noteworthy though.
Noida Film City - A hub for films and television in India - Founded by Sandeep Marwah of Marwah Studios
Do
'''Greens Golf Resort''', [http://www.noidagolfcourse.com/].
Buy
Noida is filled with malls and shopping centers.
'''CenterStage Mall''', Sector 18 (''Atta Market, behind the Radisson'').
'''Great India Place''' [http://thegreatindiaplace.com/], next to Sector-18, Noida. Still partly under construction. ''BIG CINEMAS'' cineplex, slick (and pricy) ''Spoon'' food court on the 3rd floor, Big Bazaar department store, somewhat forlorn amusement part outside.
'''Spice Mall'''. Features a multiplex with 8 screens.
'''Sab Shopping Mall'''.
'''Shopprix Mall''', Sector 61. Small, somewhat scruffy shopping mall with a good selection of restaurants and a small Subhiksha supermarket, but little else to recommend it.
'''Shipra Mall''', This is in Gaziabad but just touching sec-62 Noida you can visit this Mall too.
Apart from that Noida is filled with old style Indian markets like Atta, Indira Market, Choura, Khoda, Chellara, Harola, Naya Bans etc.
Eat
Budget
'''Haldiram''', PVR Spice Mall.
'''Taste of India''', Centerstage Mall Level 1, Sector 18. Food court style operation with eight stations dishing out a full range of Indian food, all of it vegetarian. Large set meals from Rs.100.
'''Brahmaputra Market''', This place is flooded with food vendors in the evening, and good veg & non-veg out there, Sector 29.
'''Laxmi Coffee House''', This is good old South Indian food joint. Cheap and tasty. Brahmaputra Market, Sector 29.
'''Sagar''', This is good solid South Indian food. Many locations in Noida, at Gulmohar Shopping Complex at Sec 15, Sector 18 and at Shopprix Mall.
Mid-range
'''i'lario ITALIAN coffee bar & bakery''', G-34, Sector-18, Phone: (0120)421-5666. URL: [http://www.ilario.in]. Italian Restaurant, Coffee Bar & Bakery,
'''Bercos Gardens''' Chinese Joint, ''Baraat Ghar'', Sector 12
'''Samarkand''' Offers Indian Mughlai and Chinese, Ganga Shopping Complex, Sector 29.
'''Fortune Platters''', Joint offering Indian, Chinese, Mughlai, Italian under one roof. It is in Center Stage Mall, Basement , Sector 18.
'''Desi Vibes''', Indian Joint, Sector 18.
'''Yellow Chilli''', Sanjiv Kapoor restaurant, Sector 18.
'''Pearl Regency''', Ganga Shopping Complex, Sector 29. Offers Indian Mughlai and Chinese. One of the great places i have seen. please do vist.
'''Pizza Hut''' outlets in Sec 18, Center Stage Mall (again sector 18), Shopprix Mall, Spice Mall, Parshva Plaza (Sec 27).
'''Dominoes''', Sec 18 and Sec 51.
'''Nirulas''', Sec 2.
'''Punjabi Galiyara''', Sec 18.
'''Bamboo Garden''', Sec 18 - Some good chinese there!
Splurge
'''Punjabi by Nature''', P-19, Sector 18 (''Atta Market''), tel. +91-120-4250111. The local outlet of the exuberantly hip Punjabi chain, serving up tandoori lobster and vodka golgappas next to crazy decor that's half ''dhaba'', half crystal chandeliers and indoor waterfalls. While there's a premium to pay for the surroundings, the food is solid and the ''makki ki roti'' with ''sarson ka saag'' is worth the price tag. Rs.500, more if you sample the booze or seafood.
'''Chor Bizarre''', Sector 16
'''Octopus''', Sector 16
'''The Great Kebab factory''', Sector 18
'''Moti Mahal''', Sector 18 - For absolutely amazing Mughlai cuisine!
Drink
Alcohol in Uttar Pradesh is somewhat pricier than in Delhi. The main nightlife district is '''Atta Market''' (Sector 18).
'''Elevate''', Top Floor, Centre Stage Mall, Sector 18. One of Delhi's largest and best-known nightclubs.
'''Flluid''', Mosaic Hotel, Sector 18. Slick two-floor bar and nightclub that looks somewhat like an Arctic cavern, with billowing white shapes and blue lighting. Kingfisher Rs.200.
'''''Restrobars'''''
'''Ice Cubes''', Sector 18.
'''Pacific Blues''', Sector 18.
'''Anchor''', Sector 18.
'''Vinnys''', Sector 18.
'''Patiala Kings''', Sector 18.
Sleep
Nirulas. ec 2. ext to main Metro Line. 0000. Oldest hotel of Noida. Possibly 3-star. Good fast food joint, pastry shop, bakery, Tea/Coffee Lounge, Bar.
'''Mosaic Hotel''', Sector 18, [http://www.mosaichotels.co.in/]. Formerly the Shipra Hotel, but after a 2006 renovation is now a "business boutique" hotel with the appearance of a hip nightclub (indeed, ''Flluid'' is in the basement) and the price of a big-city Indian business hotel. Rooms are modern and comfortable, service is friendly and efficient, but wireless Internet is expensive and spotty. From US$200 up.
'''Radisson Noida''', [http://www.radisson.com/noidain]. The only branded five-star in Noida. Weekday rates from US$400 up.
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