Top 5 Cities to Enjoy the Best Street Food in India

India is undoubtedly gastronomic heaven when it comes to street food. As far and wide the country's borders extend, so does our variety of flavourful street food. No diet plan can come in the way of foodies looking to treat their taste buds to India’s lip-smacking sweet and savoury offerings.

Here's a guide of the top 5 cities to enjoy the best street food in India.

Delhi

The capital city is rich with delightful dishes hawked in the bustling streets of Old Delhi. Immensely popular for its crispy paranthas, flavoursome golgappas, juicy jalebis, and melt-in-mouth kebabs, Delhi is the food lover's paradise.

Treat yourself to scrumptious flavours with Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle, Karim’s Kebabs and the most innovative paranthas in Chandni Chowk’s Paranthe Wali Gali. Enjoy heavenly desserts like Chaina Ram’s Karachi Halwa and indulge in the tangy flavours of Khemchand’s Daulat ki Chaat. Wash it all down with a tall glass of creamy buttermilk at Amritsari Lassi Wala in Chandni Chowk.

To sample more of Delhi’s street food, you could head to Lajpat Nagar and bite into crispy Moong Dal Pakodas at Rama Palace and tempting Vada Pav and Pav Bhaji at Jhakkas Pav Bhaji Centre. Don’t leave without trying the momos and chutney at Avantika Momos for a memorable foodie experience. Delhi promises to make your every day a good food day by bringing to your plate some of the best street food in India.

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Read More: Following Delhi's Food Trail

Amritsar

Other than its magnificent attractions, Amritsar also offers a vast spread of Punjabi culture in the form of its food. Swarming with street-side vendors who prepare dishes with an extra dose of love and ghee, the city is flooded with scrumptious Indian street food.

If you’re a hardcore non-vegetarian, head to Beera Chicken Corner for deep-fried Shammi Kebabs, juicy Chicken Tikkas and richly spiced Mutton Chaap. Next, try the Amritsari Fish at the Makhan Fish Corner, Bheja Fry at Mame da Dhaba and the special dish Paya at Pal Dhaba. Equally indulgent for vegetarians, the city offers tempting Amritsari Kulchas at Harbans Lal Kulche Wala, and the Punjabi essential Makke Ki Roti and Sarso da Saag at Kesar da Dhaba. And how could we forget to mention desserts? Try some velvety Falooda-Kulfi at A-One Kulfa, bite into syrupy Jalebis at Gurdas Ram Jalebi Wala and then let the flavours explode in your mouth with Gajjar ka Halwa at Kanha Sweets.

Head to this divine wonderland in winters to make the most of your foodie experience!

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Kolkata

When it comes to mouth-watering varieties of street food in India, Kolkata is another great place to enjoy some of the best local street food. From heavenly kathi rolls and fiery jhaalmuri to succulent Bengali sweets like roshogullas and sondesh, Kolkata offers a never-ending list of the most excellent culinary delights.

Visit the Maharaja Chaat Centre on Southern Avenue, or Bhawanipore to taste the best puchkas and papdi-chaat in the city. Treat your taste buds to delicious Kathi Kebab Rolls at Nizam’s in New Market and Kusum Rolls in Park Street. For those with a sweet tooth, Chanar Jalebi at College Street will fulfil you with a two-in-one gulab jamun and jalebi surprise!

Of course, your trip to the city will remain incomplete without trying the diverse variety of fish delicacies Kolkata joyously brags about. Fondly known as ‘Mach Bhaja’, the legendary Kolkata fish fry is best sampled at Tollygunge. Also, the Kabiraji cutlet at Mitra Cafe in Golpark is one of the best street foods in India.

So head to this City of Joy for an even more joyful culinary experience.

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Indore

With roots based in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra, the street food in Indore is possibly the best in India, loaded with unexpected flavours that will leave you speechless!

The prime place to dive into the flavours of the city is the Sarafa Bazaar. From soft Dahi Badas at Joshi Dahi Bada House, tangy Khatta Samosas at Swadisht Samosa Corner to Sabudana Khichdi at Sawariya Seth and Khopra Patties at Vijay Chat House, this night market brims with snacks you’ll keep coming back to savour. Do try the Indori Shikanji, which surprisingly has neither lemon nor water, but a unique blend of milk, dry-fruits and buttermilk topped with a special dewy sweetness.

Conclude your gastronomic adventure with a dessert session as you indulge in deep-fried Malpuas, king-sized Jalebas and Hapus Ice-Cream with Shrikhand in the decades-old streets of Indore.

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Lucknow

Nawab, Kebab, & Aadab, and you know we’re talking about Lucknow! This regal city is a one-stop destination for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike to relish mouth-watering street food in India.

The streets of Lucknow offer a blend of Nawabi and Awadhi cuisines for a perfect time to cherish forever. Apart from the famous Tunday ke Kebab, relish Mutton Nihari at Rahim’s in Chowk, Mutton Biryani at Idrees Dhaba in Patanala, Kali Gajar ka Halwa at Moti Mahal Sweet House and the Great Tokri Chaat at Royal Cafe in Hazratganj.

Do try the puri-kachori at Bajpayee Kachori Bhandar, special Bun Maska and tea at Sharma ji ki Chai, Shahi Tukda at Dastarkhwan and Kulfi Falooda at Prakash ki Mashoor Kulfi. Don’t forget to devour the chewy sheermaal and sweet benarasi paan later!

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So plan a holiday to your favourite culinary haven and experience India’s richness not only by sightseeing but by indulging in its elaborate and savoury Indian street food culture.