India Food Guide: Must-Try Dishes and Where to Eat Them

With a dazzling array of spices, regional specialities, and time-honoured cooking methods, India is a paradise for food lovers. From fiery street snacks to rich curries and fragrant rice dishes, Indian cuisine is as colourful and captivating as the country itself.

India’s culinary identity is shaped by its geography, history, and cultural mosaic—a blend of indigenous traditions, Mughal influences, colonial legacies, and regional pride. While you may already know classics like butter chicken and biryani, there’s a whole world of flavour waiting to be discovered. Here’s everything you need to know about the must-try food in India and where to experience it.

Chole Bhature – a North Indian street food favourite

A North Indian favourite, chole bhature is a hearty dish of chole (spicy chickpeas) served with deep-fried bhature (fluffy bread). It’s bold, satisfying, and often enjoyed as a brunch or lunch treat.
You’ll find the best versions in Delhi and Amritsar, where street vendors and local eateries serve it piping hot with tangy pickles and onions.

Also try:

Rajma Chawal – kidney beans in a thick gravy served with rice
Aloo Paratha – stuffed flatbread with spiced mashed potatoes, often served with curd and pickle
Paneer Tikka – marinated cottage cheese grilled to perfection

Masala Dosa – South India’s iconic breakfast dish

Originating from South India, masala dosa is a crispy, golden rice crepe filled with a spiced potato mixture. Served with coconut chutney and tangy sambar (Lentil-based vegetable stew), it’s a beloved breakfast dish that’s light yet filling.
Head to Bengaluru, Chennai, or Udupi for authentic masala dosa, especially at long-standing family-run tiffin centres.

Also try:

Idli – soft steamed rice cakes, perfect with chutney and sambar
Vada – savoury fried lentil doughnuts
Pongal – a comforting rice and lentil porridge, often flavoured with black pepper and ghee

Rogan Josh – a signature curry from Kashmir

A signature dish from Kashmir, Rogan Josh is a slow-cooked lamb curry infused with aromatic spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, and Kashmiri chilli. The result is a rich, deeply flavoured dish that’s both comforting and elegant.
Try it in Srinagar or at Kashmiri restaurants in Delhi and Mumbai for a taste of the valley’s culinary heritage.

Also try:

Gushtaba – minced mutton meatballs in a creamy yoghurt gravy
Yakhni – a delicate mutton curry with yoghurt and mild spices
Modur Pulao – sweet Kashmiri rice with saffron, nuts, and dried fruits

Pani Puri – India’s most loved street snack

Known by different names across India—golgappa in the north, puchka in the east—pani puri is a beloved street snack. Crisp hollow puris (deep-fried bread) are filled with spicy tamarind water, mashed potatoes, and chickpeas.
The best way to enjoy pani puri is from street vendors in Mumbai, Kolkata, or Lucknow, where the flavours are bold and the experience is unforgettable.

Also try:

Sev Puri – a crunchy, tangy chaat topped with sev and chutneys
Dahi Puri – a yoghurt-based variation of pani puri
Aloo Tikki Chaat – spiced potato patties topped with chutneys and curd

Hyderabadi Biryani – Telangana’s celebrated rice dish

A regal dish with roots in the kitchens of the Nizams, Hyderabadi biryani is a fragrant rice dish layered with marinated meat, saffron, and spices. It’s slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in tender meat and aromatic rice.
Hyderabad is the undisputed home of this dish—visit iconic spots like Paradise or Bawarchi for the real deal.

Also try:

Mirchi ka Salan – a spicy chilli and peanut curry served with biryani
Double ka Meetha – a rich bread pudding dessert
Baghara Baingan – eggplants in a tangy sesame and peanut gravy

Dhokla – Gujarat’s classic savoury snack

A light and spongy snack from Gujarat, dhokla is made from fermented rice and chickpea flour. It’s steamed, then tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies.
You’ll find dhokla in every Gujarati household and sweet shop, especially in Ahmedabad and Surat.

Also try:

Khandvi – rolled gram flour snacks with a mustard seed tempering
Thepla – spiced flatbreads made with fenugreek leaves
Undhiyu – a mixed vegetable dish cooked with spices and fenugreek dumplings

Gulab Jamun – India’s timeless dessert treat

No Indian meal is complete without dessert, and gulab jamun is a timeless favourite. These soft, syrup-soaked milk dumplings are sweet, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Enjoy them at traditional sweet shops across India—Kolkata, Lucknow, and Jaipur are known for their exceptional versions.

Also try:

Rasgulla – spongy cheese balls in light syrup, especially popular in Bengal
Jalebi – deep-fried spirals soaked in sugar syrup
Kheer – a creamy rice pudding flavoured with cardamom and saffron