When visiting Varanasi, be sure to try the city's unique and flavorful cuisine, which is heavily influenced by its Hindu heritage and geographical location, and features a range of must-try dishes such as Thandai, Malaiyyo, and Laung Lata.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
Varanasi's cuisine is a unique blend of traditional Hindu and North Indian flavors, with a strong emphasis on sattvic foods, which are considered pure and wholesome. The city's geographical location, situated on the banks of the Ganges River, has also influenced its cuisine, with a focus on fresh fish and other riverine delicacies. Varanasi's cuisine is also known for its use of ghee, or clarified butter, which is considered a sacred ingredient in Hindu cuisine. The city's food culture is also influenced by its many festivals and celebrations, such as the Maha Shivratri festival, which features a range of traditional sweets and snacks.
The cuisine in Varanasi is also characterized by its use of local and seasonal ingredients, with a focus on organic and natural produce. The city's many ghats, or riverfront areas, are also home to a range of food vendors and stalls, which serve a variety of traditional snacks and drinks. Varanasi's cuisine is also known for its many street foods, which are popular among locals and visitors alike. These include dishes such as kachoris, chaat, and jalebi, which are all made with fresh ingredients and are often served with a range of chutneys and sauces.
In addition to its many street foods, Varanasi is also home to a range of traditional sweet shops, which serve a variety of traditional mithai, or sweets. These include dishes such as rabri, barfi, and ladoo, which are all made with milk, sugar, and other natural ingredients. Varanasi's sweet shops are also known for their festive and seasonal treats, which are made with a range of ingredients and are often decorated with colorful and intricate designs.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thandai | drink | a cold, milky drink flavored with spices and nuts | street vendors and cafes |
| Malaiyyo | dessert | a sweet, creamy dessert made with milk and sugar | traditional sweet shops |
| Laung Lata | snack | a sweet, fried snack made with gram flour and sugar | street vendors and markets |
| Kachori | snack | a crispy, fried snack filled with spiced potatoes and peas | street vendors and cafes |
| Chaat | snack | a savory snack made with fried bread and spiced yogurt | street vendors and markets |
| Jalebi | dessert | a sweet, crispy dessert made with fermented batter and sugar syrup | traditional sweet shops |
| Rabri | dessert | a sweet, creamy dessert made with milk and sugar | traditional sweet shops |
| Barfi | dessert | a sweet, dense dessert made with milk and sugar | traditional sweet shops |
| Ladoo | dessert | a sweet, ball-shaped dessert made with gram flour and sugar | traditional sweet shops |
| Mithai | dessert | a general term for traditional Indian sweets | traditional sweet shops |
Street Food & Snacks
- Kachoris: crispy, fried snacks filled with spiced potatoes and peas, available at street vendors and markets for around $1-2 USD
- Chaat: savory snacks made with fried bread and spiced yogurt, available at street vendors and markets for around $1-2 USD
- Jalebi: sweet, crispy desserts made with fermented batter and sugar syrup, available at traditional sweet shops for around $2-3 USD
- Samosas: crispy, fried snacks filled with spiced potatoes and peas, available at street vendors and markets for around $1-2 USD
- Pakora: crispy, fried snacks made with gram flour and vegetables, available at street vendors and markets for around $1-2 USD
- Bhel Puri: a savory snack made with puffed rice and spiced yogurt, available at street vendors and markets for around $1-2 USD
Drinks
- Thandai: a cold, milky drink flavored with spices and nuts, available at street vendors and cafes for around $1-2 USD
- Lassi: a yogurt-based drink flavored with spices and sugar, available at street vendors and cafes for around $1-2 USD
- Chai: a spiced tea made with black tea and milk, available at street vendors and cafes for around $0.50-1 USD
- Jal Jeera: a spicy, fermented drink made with tamarind and cumin, available at street vendors and markets for around $1-2 USD
- Sharbat: a sweet, flavored drink made with fruit juice and sugar, available at street vendors and cafes for around $1-2 USD
Dining Customs
- Eating with hands: it is customary to eat with your hands in many traditional Indian restaurants and homes
- Using utensils: in more modern restaurants, it is common to use forks and spoons to eat
- Tipping: 5-10% of the total bill is customary in restaurants and cafes
- Reservations: reservations are not always necessary, but are recommended for larger groups or special occasions
- Dress code: dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering temples or traditional homes
Where to Eat
- Street vendors: try traditional street foods like kachoris and chaat at street vendors and markets
- Traditional sweet shops: sample traditional mithai and desserts at traditional sweet shops
- Cafes: enjoy thandai and lassi at cafes and restaurants
- Restaurants: try traditional North Indian and Hindu dishes at restaurants and eateries
- Food courts: sample a range of street foods and snacks at food courts and markets
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- Assi Ghat Market: a bustling market selling fresh produce and street foods, located near the Assi Ghat
- Dashashwamedh Ghat Market: a market selling traditional sweets and snacks, located near the Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Varanasi Food Festival: an annual festival celebrating the city's cuisine, featuring traditional dishes and street foods
- Cooking classes: take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Hindu and North Indian dishes
- Food tours: take a food tour to sample the city's street foods and snacks, and learn about its culinary culture