How exciting it is to savour delicious, mouth-watering food with your friends and family!
India’s street food scene might not be healthy or high-end, but it has always packed a punch in taste and variety.
Cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad are world-famous for their street food, but the choices don’t stop there!
From Sikkim in the east to Rajasthan in the west, every Indian state, city, and dhaba has its own unique menu. Even the food names are different! The same dish is “pani puri” in Mumbai, “puchka” in Kolkata and “golgappa” in Delhi.
Feeling hungry yet? Let’s explore the best street food destinations in India!
1. Mumbai
Photo by Swaminathan, CC BY 2.0
Popularly known as “Amchi Mumbai” (meaning “Our Mumbai”), this coastal city welcomes everyone—especially the gourmets!
Here you can get an extraordinary range of fresh seafood. Gujaratis, Maharashtrians, and Parsees come here for the crispy Bombil fry, refreshing Falooda, spicy Frankies, and traditional Modaks.
People from diverse communities and castes live together and enjoy a variety of street food available at reasonable prices.
2. Varanasi
Photo by JORGE BASSY ALVAREZ, CC BY 2.0
It’s impossible to miss the flavourful chaat at every street corner in Varanasi. And in winter, you must try the sweet and creamy Makhan Malai.
The city doesn’t disappoint non-vegetarians either! You can indulge in delicious Chicken Tikka and Achari Murgh, the eternal favourites of thousands of tourists.
Whether you’re a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, Varanasi will satisfy your appetite to the fullest and leave you craving more.
3. Delhi
Photo by Larry Johnson, CC BY 2.0
Ask any Dilliwala and you’ll get rave reviews for Delhi’s classic Chole Bhature! Just next door, you’ll find one-of-a-kind Golgappas!
You might be surprised to hear that the street food available during Ramadan is not just for Muslims. People of all faiths flock to the city to experience the juicy seekh kebabs, sizzling tandoori, and appetising parathas!
Forget the Qutub Minar and Red Fort! You’ve not finished seeing Delhi till you explore the food streets with a full wallet and a large stomach.
Are you dreaming of Delhi’s street food now? Don’t worry! With KLM booking, it’s incredibly easy to book a trip to Street Food Central.
Delhi is closer than you’d think!
4. Arunachal Pradesh
Photo by Prashant Ram, CC BY-ND 2.0
For a truly unique food experience, you must take a trip to Arunachal Pradesh.
Get embedded in the traditional culture with dishes like Thukpa, bamboo shoots fry, and Pika pila. With local ingredients like bamboo shoots, wild mushrooms, and ginger, each dish will be spicy, tangy, and completely new.
Apong is an unusual hard drink prepared from rice that definitely will leave its savourers awestruck.
Truly, this will be an experience you’ll never forget!
5. Kashmir
Photo by Kashmir Pictures, CC BY 2.0
You can say Kashmir is Heaven on Earth for every Foodista.
Sure, the landscape is great, but it’s no secret that tourists throng to this northern state for the food!
The menu is seemingly endless, including delicious snacks like Seekh Tujj, Masale Tsote (chickpea rolls), Nader Monje (fried lotus stems), and Halwa Paratha! Other popular and special items include Goshtaba, Dum Aloo, and Kashmiri tea.
With spices like cardamom and fennel seeds, the aromatic Rogan Josh and Yakhni curries are great choices for meat lovers.
Whether it’s summer or winter, you’ll relish every meal during your Kashmir trip. Your taste buds will thank you!
6. Hyderabad
Photo by Abhinaba Basu, CC BY 2.0
Hyderabad’s street food offers a blend of South Asian, Arabic, and Mughalai cuisines. The dishes and garnishing techniques also have influences from the Telugu and Marathwada cultures.
A whole essay could be written about the tempting Hyderabadi Biryani! With grounded spices like cumin, cinnamon, bay leaves, and saffron, this Biryani is more savoury and spicy.
Haleem, Phirni, Boti Kebab, Lukhmi, Andhra Dosas—there’s no lack of options here. You should try out all the Hyderabadi dishes, and believe me they will never leave you disappointed.
Long story short, Hyderabad definitely deserves its reputation for amazing street food.
7. Rajasthan
Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, CC BY 2.0
Consider Rajasthan a state of foodies!
Here you’ll get food you’ve never even imagined! You must try the Daal-Baati Choorma, Laal Maas, Kadhi, Balushahi, and Gujia, and dozens of other dishes. You are going to reach the seventh heaven tasting these.
The flavourful and piquant dishes available here are definitely going to attract you again for another visit to Rajasthan soon!
8. Sikkim
Photo by Virtous One, CC BY-ND 2.0
Whether they’re college students or retirees, everyone loves momos and chilli chutney. So momo lovers, book your tickets to Sikkim directly!
This is the place where your favourite momo and chutney took birth. You wouldn’t want to miss the authentic momos on every street! Go and dig in as many momos as possible in any flavour you could wish for.
Dumplings, Thukpa, and Phagshapa are a few of the dishes that will also complement your love for momos.
You must visit this eastern state at least once in your life.
9. Lucknow
People visit Lucknow for its history, architecture, and hub of markets. But street food connoisseurs know that the real attraction is the food!
The spicy, tangy, peppery, and hot dishes available here have been loved by generations of tourists. Several flavours of kebabs are on the menu, from Galouti Kebabs to Veg Shami Kebab, but the best is the tangy Tunday Kebab!
Your street food experience won’t be complete without Basket Chaat, Sheermal, Kulfi Faluda, and hot, crispy Chole Bature!
10. Pondicherry
Photo by SEN, CC BY-SA 2.0
Authentic French cuisine in India? It’s actually possible in Pondicherry!
To make all your dreams come true, take a weekend trip to this beach town for the awesome variety of street food. Where else will you get Croissants and Ratatouille right next to Crab Masala Fry and Bondas?
Whether you’re craving Western, South-Indian, or North-Indian street food, you’ll find it here!
Conclusion
If you’re a true food lover, your appetite must’ve hit the ceiling already!
So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets, pack your bags, and set off on a street food adventure. You’ll surely come home with your wallet empty and your stomach satisfyingly full!
