India’s 12 Best Foodie Destinations
India is a travel destination beloved for its history, culture, and beautiful scenery: but also renowned for its food. The Indian subcontinent has over 100 different cuisines, each unique in it’s own way. Here are 12 must-visit destinations, both cities, and states, in India for foodies!
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Amritsar, Punjab
Amritsar is home to the legendary Golden Temple, which is affectionately called “The World’s Biggest Free Eatery”. The langar at the Golden Temple must be experienced if you are in Punjab! From butter paneer to dal makhani to fresh, buttered naan, the best of Punjabi cuisine can be found in Amritsar.
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Mysore, Karnataka
Perhaps the most famous dish is Mysore pak, a sweet that is prepared with ghee, sugar, and gram flour, and often flavored with cardamom. Another specialty is Gobi Manchurian, cauliflower prepared in a spicy, tangy sauce.
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Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Located very near Bhutan, Tawang is a destination for a delicious blend of Bhutanese, Tibetan, and Indian cuisine. You will find very authentic momos and thapkas here, while still getting mainstays of North Indian cuisine such as biriyani and paranthas.
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Udupi, Karnataka
Another city in Karnataka! Udupi is home to both the 13th-century Sri Krishna Temple and some of the best South Indian cuisine you’ll ever eat! From spongy idlis to light masala dosas to sweet paayasa, Udupi has it all.
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Pondicherry
Pondicherry is called the “Little France of India”. It has a delicious mix of French and South Indian cuisine. Experience it at one of the hundreds of cute little cafes all over Pondicherry.
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Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Called the City of Nawabs, this is a must-do for lovers of street food. Experience the legendary Hazratganj, lanes lined with stalls hawking chai, biriyani, curries, kebabs, and more.
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Kolkata, West Bengal
Be sure to make a stop in Kolkata, one of the most famous foodie cities in India. Try the rasgulla, veggie cutlets, and mustard fish during your stay!
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Hyderabad, Telangana
Hyderabad and biriyani are nearly synonymous. Whether it is seafood, vegetable, or chicken dum biriyani, if you love the spicy rice dish you must try authentic Hyderabadi biriyani
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Goa
Cuisine from the state of Goa, long associated with seafood, is flavorful and fresh. One of the coastal states, it is a can’t miss destination for seafood lovers.
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Srinagar, Kashmir
Kashmiri food is unlike almost any Indian cuisine. From the popular lamb dish rogan josh to Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Kashmiri food is spicy, warming, and flavorful.
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Puri, Odisha
Another heaven for seafood lovers! Famed for their fresh crab and sweets such as mishti doi, the cuisine of Puri is distinctive and unmissable.
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Kochi, Kerala
Kochi is called the culinary capital of Kerala, and for good reason. You can find all the hallmarks of South Indian cuisine, from vadas to idlis to dosas, served on a fresh banana leaf and heavily flavored with the regional spices.
No matter which city, or even region, of India you visit, you will be sure to find delicious food. What are your favorite Indian foods and foodie spots?