Cuisine is one of the closest reflections of the culture and lifestyle of a place and naturally, India is a veritable potpourri of different cuisines and foods. Everywhere you go, you find different kinds of foods and delicacies. From the Thukpa in Leh to the Thayirsadam in Tamil Nadu, every part of India has something different to offer to your taste buds. And while it is impossible to go to every single hotel, street food stall and dhaba in India and try every permutation and combination of food available, you can get a taste of India as a whole by visiting just a few cities and places in them. Here, then, are 10 food cities in India and their places of interest that give you a wholesome idea of the culinary culture of the country.
Delhi
Most lists of this nature start with the capital of India, for clear reasons. It is the capital of the entire country, and as such offers a range of food and drink to merit its title. Delhi’s love for food and contributions to the culinary heritage of India is no secret. The city loves its street food, with the favorites including Papdi Chaat, Gol Gappe and Dahi Bhalle.
Best places to eat in Delhi: Daulat ki Chaat is where you should go for street food, and there are plenty of places to visit in the Bengali Market and the Paranthe wali gali in Chandni Chowk. The Bengali Sweet House’s Gol Gappas, cold coffee at DePaul’s, Chole Bature at Chache di Hatti, Mutton Seekh at Karim’s, and some south Indian delight at Saravana Bhavan; these are just some of the places to visit in Delhi.
Kochi
From the Indian capital of Delhi, we move down to the city of Kochi in Kerala. The entire state has its fair share of culinary delights. Dosa, Idli and Sambar are found aplenty here, of course. But Kochi is a great place to experience the best of the state, for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. From wholesome breakfasts with Puttu and Idiyappam to the traditional Sadhya feast served on a banana leaf and the famous Porota and beef fry, Kochi has it all.
Best places to eat in Kochi: When in Kochi, treat your taste buds to the delights of street-food style delicacies at Shappu Curry Restaurant, the chicken dishes at Garam Masala, Dosas at Pai Brothers Fast Food, Italian food at Cocoa Tree, Karimeen Polichathu at the Grand Hotel Restaurant, authentic Shawarma at the Real Arabia and Toddy at the Mullapanthal Toddy.
Ahmedabad
For the veggies out there, Ahmedabad is an absolute delight. The city is a vegetarian heaven with plenty of places to treat your green belly at Khau Gali and Manek Chowk. For the die-hard meat lovers, there is always the mutton samosas and kebabs at the Bhatiyar Gulli. From typical Gujju fare like Khakhra and Dabeli to dishes from around the world, you can taste it all here.
Best places to eat in Ahmedabad: Try any of the curries, kebabs and Dana Chicken sold by the kilo at Bhatiyar Gulli, anything you want from the unique Seva Cafe, the Khakhras at Induben na Khakhra, the street food at Manek Chowk, roadside Ketli with Maska Bun, Bhajia at Rajpur Bhajia House and Gujju-style pizza at Jasuben’s Old Pizza.
Hyderabad
No list of food cities in India can be complete without mentioning Hyderabad or its famous biryani. But the Hyderabadi biryani is only one of the many contributions of this city to the Indian buffet. There is the Haleem, Chaakna and the several types of Seekh Kebabs. And the street food and Chaat of the old city is equally popular.
Best places to eat in Hyderabad: You must try the Chaat and Kulfi at Gokul Chaat, the Haleem at Cafe 555, the South Indian dishes at Vengamamma Nellore mess, the chicken biryani at Ulavacharu restaurant, and the Dosas at Govind Foods.
Amritsar
The city of the Sikhs is famous as a pilgrimage destination, with the Golden Temple and several Gurudwaras of religious importance here. But Amritsar also offers the best of Sikh and Punjabi cuisine, from authentic Punjabi Dhaba food to piping hot Jalebis and the sweetest of Lassis, you find it all here.
Best places to eat in Amritsar: Get your Lassi fix from Shastri Market and some tasty Puri Chana at street food stalls or at Kanha Sweets. Savor the ghee-made food at Kesar da Dhaba and Tandoori Chicken at Beera Chicken House, and the kebabs at Surjit Food Plaza. Pal Da Dhaba, Ahuja Milk Bhandar, Friends Dhaba and Kulcha Land are also musts.
Jaipur
Jaipur offers more than just ancient palaces and forts. The royal pink city and its streets are full of delicious food just waiting to get in your mouth. From Tandoori Tikkas to Kathi rolls and Kulfis and Kachoris, you can find it all at Jaipur’s street stalls and restaurants. The city offers feasts fit for a king.
Best places to eat in Jaipur: Satisfy your egg craving with the foods from Sanjay Omelette, feast like a king at 1135 AD, get your street food from Nand’s Pani Puri, Chaisa or Pandit pav bhaji, quick snacks at the Tapri Central, and vegetarian fare at the Natraj Restaurant. Mamu’s Cafe, Shake Wala, Handi, Spice Court, Anokhi Cafe and Islami Kallu Hotel are other places to try out.
Mumbai
The cosmopolitan city of Mumbai is considered a melting pot of cultures from around India. It is the city of dreams, where people come to fulfill their wishes. And with their dreams, they bring their cuisine. You can find everything from India in the streets of Mumbai, including its own homegrown cuisine with the ubiquitous Pav Bhaji and Vada Pav.
Best places to eat in Mumbai: The laid-back Cafe Mondegar offers the quintessential Mumbai bar experience and a boatload of dishes, and there is also the Highway Gomantak’s fishy dishes, the fruit creams of Bachelorr’s, the vegetarian Gujju food at Soam, Punjabi-Mumbai food at the Papa Pancho Da Dhaba, and seafood at Soul Fry Casa.
Lucknow
Smile, because if you are in Lucknow, you get to enjoy its incredible Awadhi cuisine and delicious and pocket-friendly street food. From the Tunde De Kebab and the authentic biryani on offer to the more humble Kulfi, Rabri, Lassi and Chai Samosa, Lucknow nails them all and should be a place in every foodie’s bucket list.
Best places to eat in Lucknow: The legendary kebabs at Tundey Kebabi, the biryani at Idris Dhaba, and the Handi chicken from Gomti Nagar and Badshah Nagar are must-haves. Nakhas market offers Gulabi Chai during Eid, and the basket Chaat at Royal Caf in Hazratganj offers the Chaat experience that is so famous here.
Kolkata
Sometimes stereotypes are good. Kolkata, for instance, does not disappoint when it comes to sweets and seafood. The mustard-cooked river fish, sweets made of date palm jaggery and the spicy street food make this place a paradise for those who love their Macche and Mishti. And let’s not forget the Northeastern cuisine on offer here.
Best places to eat in Kolkata: Get your seafood at the aptly named Fish Fish and some Bangla cuisine at Kasturi. There is also the Chinese cuisine at Tiretti Bazaar, the quintessential Bengali food at Bhojohori Manna, Mughlai food at Aminia, and tea at Balwant Singh’s Eating House and Azad Hind Dhaba.
Baga
Sun, sand, parties and food: those are the ingredients that make up the essential Goa experience in the coastal town of Baga. The small Indian state has evolved its own unique cuisine over the centuries, thanks to the European influence of its time as Portuguese colony and the combination of traditional Konkani food making. And let’s not forget the Feni.
Best places to eat in Baga: The Lila Caf by the banks of Baga River offers a funky food experience with specialties like smoked ham and dark Pumpernickel Bread. Also try the authentic Goan cuisine at Britto’s and the European food on offer at the intimate Fiesta restaurant down Tito’s lane.
Author is Traveller and he is like to visit new places
