India rightfully bagged the 11th spot in the Taste Atlas Awards 2023-24 for the World’s Best Cuisines. And it would be nothing but illegal to not take you deeper into the world of Indian Food, which is indeed quite easy to miss if you are not raised in India.
Let us embark on an exciting adventure into India’s culinary wonderland, where a plethora of flavours and aromas come together to define the rich heritage of Indian food.
From bustling streets to serene spice plantations, every region unfolds a beautiful tale, and every delicacy reveals the true essence of Indian culture and traditions. That must have escalated your hunger already, so, without further ado, let us dig right into the rich and diverse tapestry of Indian food.
Table of Contents
Where and What Food to Savour in India
1) Street Food in India
Indian street food is no less than a symphony of flavours. Be it Chole Bhature in Delhi, Vada Pav in Mumbai or the world-famous Puchkas in Kolkata, each dish is definitely a flavourful chaos, a chaos that you will cherish for a lifetime.
Some of our recommended Indian Street Food Places:
- Delhi: Chaat at Chandni Chowk, Paranthas at Paranthe Wali Gali, Ram Chole Bhature at Jail Road
- Mumbai: Vada Pav at Ashok Vada Pav, Pav Bhaji & Ice Gola at Girgaon Chowpatty
- Jaipur: Kachoris at Rawat Mishthan Bhandar
Pro Tip: Looking for hygienic places is rather important to thoroughly enjoy Indian street food.
2) Spice Trails and Tea & Coffee Estates
Enter this enchanting world of South India, where the long sprawl of plantations mesmerises you to the core. Get a glimpse into how authentic Indian spices are grown that make Indian food so desirable.
And would you want to miss the chance to witness the world-famous Chai in its rawest form? Thought so!
Some of our recommended Indian Spice, Tea and Coffee Estates:
- Kumily, Kerala
- Nilgiri Tea Plantations, Tamil Nadu
- Jorhat Tea Bungalows, Assam
- The Tamara, Coorg
3) Royal Feasts
Here’s your chance to experience the opulence of the royal Indian cuisine, once enjoyed by India’s kings and queens. The aromatic Biryanis, succulent kebabs, and rich gravies will surely teleport you to the royal era of India and its food.
Some of our recommended Indian Royal Feasts Places:
- Royal Rajasthani Cuisine at Chokhi Dhani Village, Jaipur
- Mughlai Cuisine at Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
- Royal Awadhi Cuisine at Oudhyana, Lucknow
4) Dhabas and Tandoori Delights
Discover the rustic charm of North India’s dhabas. Relish Punjab’s smoky Tandoori in the most rooted yet playful way ever.
Some of our recommended Dhabas:
- Haveli Heritage, on the way to Ambala from Delhi
- Brother’s Dhaba, Amritsar
- Jawali Di Hatti, Jalandhar
5) East Indian Gastronomy
The parts of Eastern India have something to offer to every type of food lover. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Bengal’s iconic Rasgulla and Sandesh. Delve into the seafood delights along the Bay of Bengal and relish the distinct flavours of Assam and Odisha’s culinary offerings.
You will never be able to get enough of the food offerings that Eastern India has.
Some of our recommended Eastern India Food places:
- Authentic Oriya Food at Ama Handishala, Bhubaneshwar
- Bengali Sweets at Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick Sweets
- Seafood at Santa Fantasea, Guwahati
6) Culinary Fusion
With authenticity, India has also made its mark in blending two or more cuisines to serve some of the most relished food. The Indo-Chinese and Indo-Portugese food across India has gained so much popularity that even the Chinese and Portuguese swear by it now.
Some of our recommended Indo-Chinese and Indo-Portuguese Food places:
- Indo-Portuguese Food at Casa Portuguesa, Goa
- Indo-Chinese Food at Big Wong, New Delhi
7) Traditional Beverages
Who is not a fan of Indian Chai, but the traditional Indian beverages are much more than that. Be it Lassi, Buttermilk or Shikanji, you have got to try them all.
Some of our recommended Traditional India Beverages Places:
- Shikanji at Nagauri Shikanji, Indore
- Lassi at Gian Di Lassi, Amritsar
- Chai and Buttermilk at Local Shops across India
8) Vegetarian Haven
India is one of those few countries in the world where vegetarian food is at par with non-vegetarian food. So while you are here maybe take a break from the meat and indulge in some of the finger-licking vegetarian Indian delicacies.
Some of our recommended Vegetarian Restaurants in India:
- People of Tomorrow, Delhi
- Bean Me Up, Goa
- Carrots, Bengaluru
9) Indian Sweets
Well, is it really a sweet ending if it does not end with a dessert? And if Indian Sweets are dessert, no ending can get sweeter than that.
Pick any sweet from the wide range of sweets, that India has to offer, and you will fall in love with it head over heels.
Some of our recommended Indian Sweet Shops:
- K.C. Das Sweet Shop
- Ghasitaram Halwai
- Chaina Ram Sindhi Halwai
10) Culinary Workshops
After your culinary tour in India wouldn’t you like to take the essence of Indian Food with you back home? Here’s the real deal. Engage in the culinary workshops that happen across India. Get hands-on experience in cooking Indian Food and savour the taste of one of the best cuisines in the world from the comfort of your home.
Some of our recommended Indian Food Culinary Workshops:
- Jodhpur Private Cooking Class With Family, Jodhpur
- Nimmy Paul Cookery Classes, Kochi
- Sita Cultural Centre, Puducherry
FAQs
Q1: What’s the best way to navigate Indian street food without stomach issues?
A: Opt for street stalls with good hygiene practices and avoid consuming uncooked or raw food.
Q2: Is it necessary to use specific spices for authentic Indian cooking?
A: Traditional spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala are key, but feel free to adapt based on personal preferences.
Q3: How can I learn to cook authentic Indian food at home?
A: Consider online tutorials, cookbooks, or local cooking classes for an immersive experience in mastering authentic Indian recipes.
So, are you ready to surrender yourself to this gem of the cuisines around the world?
Read Next: 10 Awesome Tips to Travel on a Budget!
