India is a country of diverse traditions, cultures, languages, cuisines, etc. It is a home to food lovers. While travelling through this vast country, each region will invite you to explore its culinary heritage and offer dishes that narrate a story on a plate.
As a first-time traveller, you might have a query in your mind – where can I find the best food in India? Keep reading this post till the end for a delicious journey, as it reveals what you must eat at each place.
Delhi
Delhi, or New Delhi, the capital city of India, is highly famous for its street food. The city is a melting pot of delicious flavours, from Mughlai kebabs to spicy chaats. It is one of the best food destinations for foodie couples in India.
Food in Delhi showcases its diversified culture and rich culinary history. Its bustling streets, particularly around Old Delhi, are highly famous for aloo tikki, golgappas (pani pooris), and mouthwatering jalebis.
Apart from street food, Delhi has several restaurants and trendy cafes for fine dining. Connaught Place, Saket, Munirka, and other places in south and central Delhi have several restaurants where you can enjoy dishes of your choice – kebabs, butter chicken, and paratha.
Key foods to enjoy in Delhi:
- Parathas
- Chaats
- Chhole Bhature
- Butter Chicken
- Dahi Bhalle
- Tandoori Chicken
Mumbai
Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai is a city of dreams and India’s financial capital. In Mumbai, the flavours are limitless, from pav bhaji to sandwiches and vada pav. It ranks among the best food travel destinations in the world, offering local favourites and continental cuisine.
Locals in Mumbai start their day by having these dishes like misal pav, vada pav, or bhel puri, if they cannot cook. Mohammed Ali Road is the best place to visit if you want to eat kebabs and biryanis. Bandra, Colaba, Juhu, etc., are ideal places to eat coastal seafood, continental cuisines, and delicious snacks.
The best foods to taste in Mumbai include:
- Vada Pavs
- Panipuri
- Dahipuri
- Bhelpuri
- Dabeli
- Batata Wada
- Kande Pohe
Hyderabad
Hyderabad is popularly known for biryani, particularly for Hyderabadi biryani. The city is also known for its delicious kebabs and haleem, making it a leading travel destination for foodie couples.
The city’s cuisine is influenced by Telugu and Mughalai cuisines. Its famous dish, Hyderabadi biryani, contains fragrant basmati rice, tender meat, and saffron as key ingredients. The city’s streets are loaded with kebabs, haleem, and sweets, such as double ka meetha.
Other foods to eat in Hyderabad include:
- Seekh Kebabs
- Chakhna
- Haleem
- Kachche Gosht Ki Biryani
- Hyderabadi Marag
- Papdi Chaat
Chennai
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is an ideal city for tasting authentic South Indian cuisine. In this city, filter coffee, idlis, sambars, and dosas are ubiquitous. This city is the best travel destination for people who love traditional meals.
Food in Chennai links to tradition and authenticity. Crispy dosas, soft idlis, and vadas with chutney and sambar are common breakfast meals for locals. For lunch, people love to take rasam, rice, curd, and poriyal on banana leaves. Some examples of famous foods in Chennai include:
- Idli & Vada
- Dosa
- Filter Coffee
- Jigarthanda
- Bhajjis & Sundal
- Kothu Parotta
- Mushroom Chhat/Fry
- Biryani
Kerala
Acknowledged as God’s Own Country, Kerala is home to people who enjoy seafood. In Kerala, coastal cuisine like prawn fry, coconut, and fish curry is a must-try. Kerala is one of the best travel destinations for foodie couples in India, particularly for those seeking flavourful, fresh meals.
Coconut, spices, and coconut are dominant in Kerala cuisine. Dishes like prawn curry, karimeen pollichathu, and appam are favourites among locals and tourists visiting Kerala. Here are some famous Kerala foods:
- Puttu and Kadala Curry
- Appam with Ishtu (Stew)
- Idiyappam (Noolappam)
- Karimeen Pollichathu
- Fish Moilee
- Kappa and Meen Curry
- Banana Chips (Upperi)
- Kozhikode Halwa
Goa
Among travellers/tourists, Goa is synonymous with beaches. In addition, it is an ideal place for food lovers. Goa cuisine is a combination of Indian and Portuguese influences. Pork, seafood, and spices are the centre stage of foods in Goa.
Flavours like prawn curry and vindaloo are unforgettable and bold. Along with locals, tourists love enjoying dishes like recheado fish, xacuti, breads, bebinca, and sausages. Here are some examples of famous foods in Goa:
- Spicy Pork Vindaloo
- Tangy Prawn Balchao
- Chicken Cafreal
- Xacuti
- Bebinca
- Bhaji Pao
- Ros Omelette
- Cutlet Bread.
Jaipur
When it comes to tasting traditional Rajasthani food, Jaipur is an ideal place. Famous foods in Jaipur include dal baati churma, spicy laal maas, and ghewar. These foods make Jaipur a cultural and culinary hotspot.
Like the city, Jaipur’s food is colourful. As a lover of traditional foods, you can see bajra roti, gatte ki sabzi, churma, and ker sangri in your Rajasthani thali. Enjoy eating laal mass and mutton curry if you are a non-vegetarian. Other Jaipur famous foods include:
- Mirchi Bada
- Kachori
- Kulfi (Indian ice cream)
- Ghevar
- Malpua
- Pani Batashe (Golgappe)
- Mohan Thaal
Kolkata
Do you have a sweet tooth? Kolkata is the best travel destination for you. The city is highly famous for its misthi doi, roshogolla, and sandesh. Kolkata is one of the best foodie destinations in India if you are fond of exploring cultures with rich flavours.
In addition to its iconic sweets like chomchom and rasgulla, Kolkata (Calcutta) will make your visit unforgettable with its Bengali classics like shorshe ilish and macher jhol. In Kolkata’s streets, taste kathi rolls. Some of Kolkata famous foods include:
- Jhalmuri
- Phuchka
- Telebhaja
- Kosha Mangsho
- Daab Chingri
- Shukto
Amritsar
When it comes to the Golden Temple, you quickly recall the city of Amritsar. In addition to this temple, the city is known for its healthy Punjabi cuisine. Your visit to Amritsar is incomplete without enjoying creamy lassi, Amritsari kulcha, and spicy chhole.
Like its culture, Amritsar’s food is sacred. At the Golden Temple, you can enjoy langar (free meals) that comprise soulful kheer, dal, and roti. Further, you can taste paneer bhurji, Amritsari fish, and parathas with butter at dhabas, restaurants, and local streets.
Lucknow
Eager to taste Awadhi cuisine? If yes, Lucknow is the best travel destination in India for foodie people like you. In Lucknow, you can easily feel people’s passion and patience while enjoying delicious food. From biryani to kebabs, the city will make you feel good if you are fond of slow-cooked delicacies.
Highly renowned for its Nawabi culture, Lucknow offers a unique taste. Here, enjoy its legendary dishes: Tuesday kebabs, galouti kebabs, and aromatic biryanis. A food walk through Lucknow’s streets will introduce you to its culinary heritage.
Conclusion
Visiting India is a dream for each foodie. Every region of India, from Delhi’s street food to Kerala’s coastal cuisine, tells a delicious story. Apart from delicious food, the above-mentioned travel destinations for food lovers like you are about experiencing history, culture, and warmth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the famous Kerala foods?
Famous Kerala foods include puttu, kadala curry, appam, ishtu, idiyappam, karimeen pollichathu, fish moilee, kappa and meen curry, and banana chips (upperi).
For what foods is Kolkata famous?
Kolkata is famous for roshogolla, misthi doi, and sandesh.
For which is Delhi known?
Delhi is known for its street food, such as parathas, golgappe (paani poori), kebabs, and butter chicken.
Why should I visit Lucknow?
You should visit Lucknow to taste Awadhi cuisine.
What is synonymous with Hyderabad?
Hyderabad is synonymous with Hyderabadi biryani.
