Travelling for food is growing to be a new trend among food enthusiasts around the world. There are special food-walks organised by private companies to help you experience the best of all places. India is a land of diversity which also reflects through the food we eat. Each region has its own speciality. We have made it easier for you to go on a food tour all on your own in a few Indian cities. Here are details of five destinations, famous for their delicacies, where you can travel for an amazing street food experience.
The Vegetarian Walk
Emerging as a significant religious hub in the country, Varanasi, also known as Banaras, has emerged as an attractive street food destination among all food enthusiasts. Go for a vegetarian food walk in the back lanes of this holy city and discover some delicious local delicacies that will not only surprise you, but will make you fall in love with the city.
Top things to do: Start your day with a plateful of kachouri and jalebis; Enjoy malaiyo, a winter delicacy of Old Banaras that comes in a variety of flavours; Dig into a meal of Bati Choka which is a huge spread served on dried leaves; Make sure you don’t miss the tamatar ki chaat and banarasi paan here.
Food Trail: The Ram Bhandar in Thatheri Bazaar (for breakfast) – Chaukhamba (for malaiyo) – Batichokha Restaurant in Teliyabag (for lunch) – Keshav Tambur Bhandar near Ravidas Gate (for banarasi paan) – Blue Lassi Shop in Kachori Gali Chowk (for lassi) – Kashi Chaat Bhandaar (for tamatar ki chaat) – Sri Ram Bhandar in Thatheri (for magdal) – Badal Thandai in Godowaliya Chowk (for thandai)
Flight Cost: A round-trip journey from New Delhi to Varanasi in the month of October would cost around ₹7200.
Daily Budget: The food items are not pocket pinching because they are all street food which is available at very reasonable rates.
Luxury Travellers: Approx. budget ₹2700
Mid Rang Travellers: Approx. budget ₹1000
Budget Travellers: Aprox. Budget ₹541
Best time to go: The time from October to March is considered as the best time to visit the city because winter is an ideal time to explore the back lanes and try local dishes of Varanasi.
Where to stay: Budget travellers can choose to stay at Hotel Alka for ₹800 per night for two (breakfast excluded), while mid range travellers can choose to stay at Hotel Heritage Inn for ₹2400 per night for two (breakfast included). Luxury travellers can book a room at Hotel RK Grand for ₹4000 per night for two (breakfast included).
Butter Celebration
Amritsar is a city full of life, colours and insane appetites. It offers delicacies that are world famous and still smell likes home. When in Amritsar, be prepared to chug a glass of special Amritsari lassi. With so many options for street food in Amritsar, it is impossible to cover it all in one day, unless you are a superhuman. Therefore, Amritsar’s food walk can easily be extended to three days. But make sure you're ready to lose that holiday fat once you're done.
Top things to do: Have a meal at Golden Temple’s langar; Try Beera Chicken’s unique keema naan; do not miss the bread here. Be it kulcha, naan or bathura all of it goes well with the staple chola here; Amritsar is also known for its fried meats and fish.
Route: Kesar Da Dhaba in Chowk Passian (for paratha thali) – King Kulfa in Katra Jaimal Singh (for kulfa) - Gurudasram Jalebiwala in Katra Ahluwalia ( for jalebi) - Tara Chand Paneer Bhurji in Katra Jaimal Singh (for special sandwich) – Makhan (for Singhara fish fry) – Brij Wasi Chat Bhandar in Cooper Road (for hot dogs) – Giani in Cooper Road (for lassi) – Sabri Bhatura Shop in Queens Road (for soybean kulcha and gudh ka halwa) – Surjit Food Plaza in Nehru Shopping Complex (for all kind of tikkas) – Ram Lubhaya Aam Papar Wala at Lawrence Road ( for aam papar) – Ashok Kumar Kulche Wala (for amritsari kulcha) – Beera Chicken in Majhita Road for (keema naan and tandoori chicken).
Flight Cost: A round-trip journey from New Delhi to Amritsar in the month of October would cost around ₹5200.
Daily Budget:
Luxury Travellers: Approx. budget ₹3000
Mid Rang Travellers: Approx. budget ₹1500
Budget Travellers: Aprox. Budget ₹700
Best time to go: Winters are very cold in Amritsar, but it is during this time when you crave all kind of street foods.Therefore, time from October to March is considered as the best time to visit the city.
Where to stay: Budget travellers can choose to stay at Sharma's BNB for ₹1000 per night for two (breakfast excluded), while mid range travellers can choose to stay at Hotel Vacation Inn for ₹2400 per night for two (breakfast included). Luxury travellers can book a room at Golden Sarovar Portico for ₹4000 per night for two (breakfast included).
Live the Sweet Life
In the chaos of old trams, yellow taxis and hand pull rickshaws, early morning teas in earthen pots with freshly fried kachoris is a common sight to behold in lanes of what was earlier called Calcutta. The city has officially claimed its rights to the world famous Rasgullas and continues to boast a wide range of milk based desserts. The culinary history of this city has influenced many famous chefs to induce Bengali recipes into their dishes.
Top things to do: Two must try are the kathi rolls and fish curry dishes in the city; You will not be able to get over the puchkas and mishti dahi or sweet curd) of this place; Make sure to visit Decker’s lane for an unending options of finger-licking street food; Don’t miss popping rasgullas into your mouth from 65 years old KC Das.
Route: Sharma Tea House (for breakfast of Kachouri and Sabzi) – Decker’s Lane (for dim roast, kulfi, ghoogni and many more – Nizam’s Restaurant (for kathi rolls) – Adam’s Kabab Shop (for soota kebab) – KC Dass (for rasgullas and other sweets) – Nahoum and Sons (for Rum Balls) – Lake Road (for puchka and jhal muri)
Flight Cost: A round-trip journey from New Delhi to Kolkata in the month of October would cost around ₹11700.
Daily Budget:
Luxury Travellers: Approx. budget ₹2000
Mid Rang Travellers: Approx. budget ₹1000
Budget Travellers: Aprox. Budget ₹500
Best time to go: Summers can be really hot and humid here.The time from October to March is considered as the best time to visit the city. The famous festival of Durga Puja takes place during this period and can be the perfect time to explore street food culture of the city.
Where to stay: Budget travellers can choose to stay at Georgian Inn for ₹1000 per night for two (breakfast excluded), while mid range travellers can choose to stay at Treebo Jai for ₹2400 per night for two (breakfast included). Luxury travellers can book a room at The Peerless Inn Kolkata for ₹4000 per night for two (breakfast included).
A Meaty Treat
Lucknow is considered as one of the few gems of Uttar Pradesh that still reflect Awadhi culture in its food and culture. With mixed influences of different eras, Lucknow’s cuisine is considered to be a paradise for meat lovers. The generations-old food joints on the streets of Lucknow attract people from all over the country.
Top things to do: In this city of kebabs all kind of kebabs are must try especially tundey and pasanda; Try the famous tokri chaat which will take your taste buds on an adventurous journey of all kind of flavours; Lucknow is also a Biryani Heaven, the light fluffy rice will in no minute get down your food pipe; When in Lucknow do not miss the local sweets here.
Route: Sharma tea stall at Triloknath road (for morning tea and surprise round samosa) – Netram Mithai in Sri Ram Road (for Kachauri with five curries) – Makhan Malai chowk (for makhan malai, a winter delicacy) – Rahim ki Nahari at Akbari Gate (for Buffalo nihari) – Idrees Biryani in Raja Bazaar Chowk (for biryani) – Open Air restaurant near Tulsi theatre (for Afghani Chicken Kebab, chicken masala) – Dastarkhwan near Tulsi Theatre (for Kakori kebab and pasanda kebab) – Tunde Kebabi in Aminabad (for tunde kebab) – Royal Cafe in Hazratganj (for tokri chaat) – Prakash Kulfi in Hazratganj (for kulfi).
Flight Cost: A round-trip journey from New Delhi to Lucknow in the month of October would cost around ₹4680.
Daily Budget:
Luxury Travellers: Approx. budget ₹3550
Mid Rang Travellers: Approx. budget ₹1500
Budget Travellers: Aprox. Budget ₹600
Best time to go: It is heavenly to have some kebabs with chai on a chilly winter night. Visit Lucknow anytime between October to March to enjoy this delicious treat along with makhan malai, a winter delicacy.
Where to stay: Budget travellers can choose to stay at Hotel Shimla Inn for ₹1000 per night for two (breakfast excluded), while mid range travellers can choose to stay at Mint Elite Suites Gomti Nagar for ₹2400 per night for two (breakfast included). Luxury travellers can book a room at Fairfield by Marriott for ₹4000 per night for two (breakfast included).
In the Old Lanes
In the winding streets of Old Delhi, one can find unlimited food options to try out. Be it vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, Delhi has in store something for everyone. Try some Bengali cuisine at CR Park or some Korean or Chinese cuisine at Majun Ka Tila, but nothing can beat the pure Indian street delicacies of Old Delhi. Be it the fried paranthas of Chandni Chowk or chaats of Bittu Tikki Wala, everything is full of Indian flavours.
Top things to do: Roam around the lanes of Chandni Chowk and Chavri Bazaar to find out some delicious picks; Visit CR Park for a taste of east in the North; Try bun tikki, a local version of burgers, kulcha rolls and tikki chaats which are only available at local shops on the streets.
Route: Shyam Sweets in Chawari Bazaar (for nagori and desi bedmi) – Lotan Chole Kulche in Chavri Bazaar (for chole kulche) – Daulat ki Chaat in Chandni Chowk (for chaats) – Karim’s (for nihari and Goat trotters)– Jalebi Wala in Dariba (for desserts) – PT Gaya Prasad Shop, Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk (for paranthas) – Natraj Dahi Ballah Corner in Chandni Chowk (for chaats) – Muradabadi shahi biryani in Janakpuri (for biryani)
Flight Cost: A round-trip journey from Mumbai to New Delhi in the month of October would cost around ₹4680.
Daily Budget:
Luxury Travellers: Approx. budget ₹4000
Mid Rang Travellers: Approx. budget ₹2000
Budget Travellers: Aprox. Budget ₹1000
Best time to go: Delhi street food can be best enjoyed in winters. The time from October to March is considered as the best time to visit the capital city.
Where to stay: There are various options of accommodation for couples in Delhi. Budget travellers can stay at The Prime Balaji Deluxe for ₹2000 per night (breakfast included), while mid range travellers can book a room at The Lazy Patio Homestay for ₹3000 per night (breakfast included), and luxury travellers can opt to stay at Taj Palace for ₹15000 per night (breakfast included).
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