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Fine food tips in India
Prepare yourself for the culinary joyride that is dining in India.
Elegant restaurants exist in many of the big cities, but mostly you’ll be confronted by a dizzying array of delicious street-food stalls and small hole-in-the-wall eateries. Needless to say, eating out at restaurants in India is one of the most enjoyable parts of any trip to the country.
Travel Information
Language: Hindi | Currency: Rupees (₹) | Local time: IST | Avg. Flight time: 8.5 hrs
Is it safe to eat this?
It’s the classic question no visitor will go without asking at some point – most likely on a daily basis. ‘Delhi belly’, the ‘Mumbai shuffle’, call it what you will; travellers often require some time to adjust to a radically different diet, and you should opt for lighter dishes and err on the side of caution initially.
Take sensible precautions and you’ll soon realise that food in India is an absolute marvel that shouldn’t be feared.
Where to eat in India?
It’s difficult to recommend the best places to eat, as often the most delicious food in India is sold at the most unassuming restaurant. If in doubt, when you see restaurants in India packed with customers, it’s a safe bet that the food is fresh and delicious.
Around 30% of Indians are vegetarian – that’s about 380 million people, making it the world’s biggest vegetarian nation in both volume and percentage of inhabitants. Most people don’t even realise they’ve gone days without meat, such is the range of exquisite vegetarian food on offer.
Regional specialities
One of the greatest joys when dining in India is the thali, which is three to six small dishes served alongside rice – many restaurants in India serve this delicious meal. In provincial areas, it’s not uncommon for somebody to walk around with more of the different dishes included to top you up for free if you’re still hungry.
As you approach the Himalayas, Tibetan specialities start to work their way onto menus. Momos are delicate dumplings with either meat or paneer (cheese) fillings and chili sauce on the side – they’re simple to make and safe to eat.
Another joy is discovering seasonal, locally grown fruit. Whether it’s papaya in Kolkata, fresh guava in Udaipur, bananas in Kerala or mangoes in the Andaman Islands, there will usually be a stall in town where you can buy a bagful.
Water ways
Tap water is best avoided altogether, and bottled water is readily available everywhere. A little pack of water purification tablets might also come in handy when travelling to more remote regions or if you’re likely to be on a train for a long time.
Discover India’s nightlife after your evening dinner. Find out more here.
