The Jodhpur Food Pilgrimage: What to Eat and Where

From the sumptuous Rajasthani thali to curious dishes like gulab jamun ki sabzi and meaty delights like laal mas, Jodhpur is truly a food lovers’ paradise. And then you have the famous kachoris and pani patasa, makhaniya lassi and sweet meats like ghevar and malpua to tickle your taste buds. While you may want to get your hand (and tongue) on all these exciting food options, it isn’t entirely practical. That’s why we have put together this list of not-to-be-missed dishes in Jodhpur and the best places to try them at.

1. Lal Maas at Darikhana, Raas Haveli

This legendary mutton dish that the royalty feasted on after a successful hunting trip is a must-have during your trip to Jodhpur. The tender, slow-cooked meat with a distinct smoky flavour and fiery spice levels will send your taste buds in a tizzy. True to its name, this traditional preparation is actually red as blood with a fine layer of fat floating atop. Oh, heavens! Team it up with butter-laden tandoori rotis or Warqi paranthas cooked in ghee to offset the hotness of this dish. The Rass Haveli, which boasts of being the first boutique hotel in Jodhpur, is the ideal place to savour some authentic Lal Maas. Situated in the shadows of the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, the Rass Haveli with its open courtyard complete with a pool makes for quite an inviting setting to gorge on this spiced meat delicacy.

Location: Tunwar ji ka Jhalra, Makrana Mohalla, Jodhpur
Price: INR 2,400 for two

2. Gulab Jamun Ki Sabzi at Shandar Restaurant

What happens when you take one of India’s most loved sweet meats and dunk it into tomato-heavy gravy instead of sugary syrup? You get Gulab Jamun ki Sabzi! Jodhpuri Gulab Jamun Ki Sabzi is a traditional Rajasthani dish where the gulab jamuns are deep fried and dipped in gravy made from tomatoes and cashew nuts, resulting in a savoury kofta-like dish instead of the classic mithai. If you want to savour the real flavours of the authentic Gulab Jamun ki Sabzi, Shandar Restaurant is your go-to destination. It is a typical small-sized eatery with a minimalistic set up that you may be weary of venturing into at first. But if you are a serious food lover who revels in the joy of a dish well-cooked, shed you inhibitions and let this humble place bowl you over with its flavour-rich preparation of this traditional dish.

Location: Jalori Bari Road, Jalori Gate Bari, Ratanada, Jodhpur
Price: INR 400 for two

3. Dal Bati at Latitude, Vivanta By Taj

Dal Bati, a staple food for the Rajasthanis, comprises yellow lentils infused with spices, cooked in pure ghee and then topped with a generous serving of ghee and fried red chillies served with small flaky round breads that were traditionally slow cooked over cow dung cakes or firewood. There is no dearth of places serving dal-bati in Jodhpur. From fine dining and pocket-friendly restaurants to roadside eateries, stalls and kiosks, every other eating joint has dal-bati on its menu. If you want to turn the humble dal-bati into a gastronomical affair, the Latitude is the place to be. Chefs here might even give you a sneak peek into how the bati is prepared before bringing the piping hot preparation topped with oodles of ghee to your table.

Location: Latitude, Hari Mahal 5, Residency Road, Jodhpur
Price: INR 700 for two

4. Onion Kachori and Mawa Kachori at Janta Sweet House

Jodhpur is as well-known for its street food as it is for its elaborate assortment of fine-dining places. You haven’t truly tasted the flavours of Jodhpur unless you get your hands on the varied assortment of kachoris, which are a hit among tourists and locals alike. Of these, the onion kachori (or pyaaz ki kachori) and mawa kachori are to die for! If you are looking for that perfect balance of crispness, richness of textures and a dose of traditional taste, Janta Sweet House is THE place for you.

Location: 3, Nai Sarak, Nai Sarak Chauraha, Opposite Priya Hotel, Jodhpur
Price: INR 400 for two

5. Rajasthani Thali at Gypsy Restaurant

Why stop at just dal-bati or lal mass when you can have churma, gatte ki sabzi, Rajasthani kadhi, wadi, panchmela dal, papad ki sabzi, ker sangri, rotla and khichdi along with raitas, chaach, thandai, lassi, malpua, imarti and more on a single platter. Located in the heart of a bustling market, the Gypsy Restaurant offers such a lavish spread of local cuisine with true Rajasthani fare, that picking one dish over another can be quite a battle of dilemmas. The Rajasthani Thali is your answer if you are hungry for an eclectic mix of delectable flavours. Pro Tip: skip breakfast and head here for lunch.

Location: 689, First Floor, 9th C Road, Sardarpura, Jodhpur
Price: INR 500 for two

6. Makhaniya Lassi at Shri Mishrilal Hotel

The Makhaniya Lassi is nothing like any other buttermilk you have ever tasted. It is a rich, succulent drink with a classic regal overtone. As the name suggests, Makhania Lassi is buttermilk with dollops of butter (makhan) floating in it. But this lassi’s affair with richness doesn’t quite stop at makhan. Different restaurants and sweet shops around Jodhpur, specifically in the market around Clock Tower, have their own renditions of this classic – garnished with elachi, kesar, nuts, cream and even pomegranate seeds. In the midst of this vast line-up of eateries serving makhaniya lassi, the Shri Mishrilal Hotel stands out. This sweet shop housed inside a 90-year-old heritage building captures the essence of authentic Makhaniya Lassi flavours to the T.

Location: Sardar Bazaar Market, Clock Tower, Jodhpur
Price: INR 60 for two

Read more: Places to visit in Jodhpur

Food has always been an integral part of the regal Jodhpuri lifestyle and the love for culinary delights has been handed down the generations, with all its essence intact.

Book Your Flight to Jodhpur