Essential Travel Advice for India
Discover the most delicious Indian dishes and the best places to try authentic local cuisine.
Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse, with each region offering unique flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques. From the rich, creamy curries of the north to the spicy, coconut-based dishes of the south, Indian food is a culinary adventure that engages all your senses.
The use of spices is central to Indian cooking, with combinations that create complex, layered flavors. Don't be afraid to try new dishes, but start with milder options if you're not accustomed to spicy food.
This iconic North Indian dish features tender chicken in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce. Butter Chicken is mildly spiced, making it perfect for those new to Indian cuisine.
Where to try: Moti Mahal in Delhi (the birthplace of Butter Chicken), or any reputable Punjabi restaurant across India.
A fragrant rice dish cooked with meat (chicken, mutton, or fish) or vegetables, layered with aromatic spices and herbs. Biryani varies by region, with Hyderabadi and Lucknowi versions being most famous.
Where to try: Paradise Restaurant in Hyderabad, or Tunday Kababi in Lucknow for authentic regional varieties.
A South Indian breakfast staple, Masala Dosa is a crispy rice and lentil crepe filled with spiced potato filling, served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Where to try: MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room) in Bangalore, or any authentic South Indian restaurant.
Chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then cooked in a traditional clay oven (tandoor). The result is smoky, tender, and flavorful Tandoori Chicken with a distinctive red color.
Where to try: Bukhara at ITC Maurya in Delhi, known for its exceptional tandoori dishes.
A popular North Indian dish combining spicy chickpea curry (chole) with deep-fried bread (bhature). This hearty, satisfying meal is a favorite for breakfast or lunch.
Where to try: Sita Ram Diwan Chand in Delhi, famous for their chole bhature since 1950.
A Kashmiri specialty featuring tender lamb cooked in a rich, aromatic gravy with Kashmiri chilies, giving it a distinctive red color and complex flavor.
Where to try: Ahdoos Restaurant in Srinagar, Kashmir, for the most authentic version.
A beloved street food snack consisting of crispy hollow puris filled with spiced water, tamarind chutney, potato, and chickpeas. The explosion of flavors is unforgettable.
Where to try: Street vendors across India, particularly in Mumbai and Delhi. Look for busy stalls with fresh ingredients.
A vegetarian favorite featuring cubes of cottage cheese (paneer) in a creamy spinach gravy, flavored with aromatic spices.
Where to try: Any good North Indian restaurant, or Karim's in Old Delhi for a historic dining experience.
Mumbai's iconic street food - a spiced potato fritter (vada) served in a bread roll (pav) with chutneys. Often called the "Indian burger."
Where to try: Ashok Vada Pav in Mumbai, or any street vendor in the city.
A popular Indian dessert consisting of deep-fried milk solid balls soaked in rose-flavored sugar syrup. Sweet, soft, and absolutely delicious.
Where to try: Bengali Sweet House in Kolkata, or any reputable sweet shop across India.
