Amazing Indian Street Foods You Must Try

Indian street foods are popular all over the world. Every country has its own list of special items usually sold by street vendors. But the variety that is available in India, cannot be found anywhere else. India is known for its mouth-watering food recipes. One can find great delicacies in every Indian state which is equally loved by locals as well as foreign tourists. 

Every outing is incomplete without treating yourself to flavourful street foods. Some Indian street food like the pani puri, chole bhature, rolls, pav bhaji, are indispensable for Indian people. Let’s explore the taste of India through various Indian street food items across important cities known for it.

Street Food of Delhi

A visit to the nation’s capital city is incomplete without hitting the streets for the rich variety of street foods it offers. Some of the best street foods in Delhi are as follows:

Chole Bhature

A hot, round and fluffy Bhature along with the appetizing Chole is a favourite of many. Some vendors serve a chutney on the side which elevates the taste of the entire dish. 

Best places to get Chole Bhature in Delhi –

• Nand ke Chole in Sadar Bazaar
• Giani di Hatti in Chandni Chowk
• Chache di Hatti  

Poori Aloo

Another combination loved by the Delhiites. The spicy Aloo (potato) dish is served with hot Pooris, and some fresh salad or a slit green chilli.

Best places to get Poori Aloo in Delhi –

• Karol Bagh market
• Chaina Ram Chandni Chowk

Bishan Swaroop Chaat

Seasonal fruits with channa toppings, this chaat is a perfect combination of all flavours. It is a healthy option that serves best as an evening snack.

Best place to get Bishan Swaroop Chaat in Delhi –

• Chandni Chowk

Kulfi

Kulfi is a dessert loved by all. It is made of caramelized milk and crushed granules of dry fruits. Perfect to cool you down in summers, this item is a perfect blend of sweet flavors.

Best Place to get Kulfi in Delhi –

• Kuremal at Chawri Bazaar
• Roshan di Kulfi in Karol Bagh

Aloo Chaat

Boiled potatoes cut into small cubes, mixed with chopped onions, fresh coriander leaves and sprinkle of different masalas makes one of the best aloo chaats of Delhi. Topped with diced fruits, the dish is perfect for the food lovers.

Best places to get Aloo Chaat in Delhi –

• UPSC Bhawan
• Taram Bazaar in Chandni Chowk

Ram Ladoo

These are small-sized pakodas stuffed with mashed potatoes or dal. Served with fresh green chutney, it is a perfect dish for a rainy evening with a hot beverage.

Best place to get Ram Ladoo in Delhi –

• Janak Puri
• Tilak Nagar
• Green Park

Kebabs 

A dish of the Mughal era, kebabs are available in twenty-five different varieties like Galouti kebab, Shami kebab, Kakori Kebab and many more. This mouth-watering dish is loved by all non-vegetarians.

Best place to get Kebabs in Delhi –

• Vasant Place Market
• Chawla’s at Tilak Nagar

Multani Moth Kachori

It is a well-fried kachori with rice, lentils and onions stuffed. It is usually served with a chutney of your choice. Some vendors provide curd mixed with chaat masala along with the Kachori. 

Best place to get Multani Moth Kachori in Delhi –

• Chandni Chock
• Moth kachori Bhandar in Paharganj

Jalebi 

One can never miss the famous sweet dish Jalebi when in Delhi. It is available in different varieties like Doodh Jalebi, Kesar jalebi, Jalebi Subzi, etc. 

Best places to get Jalebi in Delhi –

• Chandni Chowk
• Bangla Sweets in CP
• Pandara Road

Nan Khatai

It is another famous food in Delhi. These are freshly baked cookies. It has a rich taste of butter in every bite of it.

Best place to get Nan Khatai in Delhi –

• Local vendors in famous markets of Delhi

Bhel Puri

This dish is a burst of flavours in the mouth. It has a tangy twist and a crispy mixture, which makes it a favourite of locals and tourists.

Best Places to get Bhel Puri in Delhi –

• Connaught Place
• Bhajan Lal Bhel Puri at Sundar Nagar

Street Food of Kolkata

The city of joy Kolkata is a place of great street food. The people of the city are great food lovers and therefore, a lot of varieties to satisfy the taste.

Phuchka 

Mashed potatoes mixed with spices stuffed into the Phuchka and filled with Tamarind chutney, lime, pudina and pickled water, this dish is in high demand during the hot summer months. 

Best places to get Puchka in Kolkata –

• Vivekananda market
• Vardan Market
• New Alipore
• Russell street
• Triangular Park

Churmur 

A crunchy blend of the dry phuchka, mashed potatoes, chopped onions, spices and of course the tangy tetul gola. Tastes similar to phuchka, but is easier to eat.

Best places to get Churmur in Kolkata –

• Southern Avenue
• Bhawanipur

Ghugni Chaat

Ghugni is made of yellow and white peas. For the Ghugni Chaat, some chopped onions, chillies, fresh coriander, spices and tamarind chutney is sprinkled on the top. It is one of the favourite street food items in Kolkata.

Best places to get Ghugni Chaat in Kolkata –

• New Market
• Dacres Lane

Jhalmuri 

This is your go-to snack when in Kolkata. You can find this food item in any corner of the city. A crunchy delight is a tossed mixture of puffed rice, peanuts, chopped onions, coriander, tomatoes, chillies, namkeen and much more. 

Best Places to get Jhalmuri in Kolkata –

• Triangular park
• Jawaharlal Nehru Road

Keemar Doi Bora

It is Dahi Vada in Kolkata style. The Bora is dropped in a bowl of curd which is mixed with different spices like cinnamon, red chilli powder, black mustard, cumin and fenugreek. A unique dish which one must definitely try.

Best place to get Keemar Doi Bora in Kolkata –

• Barabazar

Kathi Roll

These rolls are not ordinary. Available with a stuffing of egg, chicken, mutton, paneer, and much more. A flaky parantha rolled with the stuffing of your choice adorned with delicious sauces, veggies and spices.

Best places to get Kathi Roll in Kolkata –

• Triangular Park
• Park Street
• New Market
• College Street

Shingara

Popularly known as samosa in other parts of the country, Kolkata’s shingara is the perfect companion of a cup of hot tea. It is usually served with a green spicy chutney. 

Best place to get Shingara in Kolkata –

• Tiwari brothers at Barabazaar

Chhanar Jilipi

This is a variety of the popular dessert jalebi. Soft, chewy and filled with juices. It is made of cottage cheese and is quite thick as compared to the usual jalebi. It has the texture of the sweet Gulab Jamun. So, this item is a wonderful combination of two different sweets.

Best places to get Chhanar Jilipi in Kolkata –

• College Street
• Golpark

Aloo Kabli

It is a hot and spicy dish full of flavours. A magical combination of potatoes, chickpeas, tomato, chilli, spices and fresh coriander and onions, it is a perfect snack for the evening.

Best place to get Aloo Kabli in Kolkata –

• Surya Sen Street

Telebhaja

This is a rainy season favourite snack made by frying onions, potatoes, pumpkins or eggplants in a batter of cornflour. It is served with the spicy mustard chutney and the tomato chutney. 

Best Place to get Tele bhaja in Kolkata –

• College Street

Luchi Aloo Dum

Luchi is the usual puri, made of maida and served hot with Aloo Dum. Kolkata’s Aloo Dum and Luchi combination is a must-have for all who visit Kolkata. The Aloo Dum is full of flavours and tastes quite different from the traditional Dum Aloo. 

Best Place to get Luchi Aloo Dum –

• Fairlie Place
• Central Business District

Mughlai Parantha

This heavenly tasting dish is made of roti stuffed with chicken keema and broken cutlets, eggs and onions. This street food will satisfy your tummy and your taste buds. The Mughlai Parantha can be found in every corner of the city.

Best place to get Mughlai Parantha in Delhi –

• Anandi Cabin

Dragon Chicken

This dish is for all Chinese cuisine lovers. Along with authentic Bengali dishes, you can also find a variety of Chinese items. Dragon Chicken is a delicious chicken dish which is spicy and full of flavours. 

Best place to get Dragon Chicken in Kolkata –

• South City mall Street

Ghoti Gorom

Popularly known by the name Ghoti Gorom, this food item is a delightful mixture of Chanachur, onions and few drops of lime juice. It gives you a mixed taste of sweet and spice. 

Best place to get Ghoti Gorom in Kolkata –

• Princep Ghat

Kabiraji Cutlet

This is a favourite of the non-veg lovers and worth every penny. It is made of minced mutton which is deep-fried after wrapping in an egg net. Served with chutney this dish is a delicious one.

Best place to get Kabiraji Cutlet in Kolkata –

• Mitra Café

Street Food of Mumbai

Talking of street food, one definitely cannot miss the food items you get on the streets of Mumbai. The variety of food available shows the presence of cultural diversity in the city. You can experience rich taste, texture and colour at reasonable rates.

Vada Pav

Also known the poor man’s burger, Vada Pav is a very common dish in Mumbai and can fill your stomach as well. An easy to make dish, it consists of a pav or bun with a vada or fritter stuffed with mashed potatoes. It is served with spicy or sweet chutneys, chillies or garlic powder chutney.

Best Place- Vile Parle Street

Misal Pav

A healthy option on the streets of Mumbai, which originated in Pune. Curried lentils with a topping of potato bhaaji, tomato, onions and poha make up the dish. 

Best Place- Naupada in thane West

Pav Bhaaji

The bhaaji is made of mashed potatoes cooked in spices and it is served with hot buns or pav. The bun is heated in a pan with lots of butter on it. The dish is served with some fresh-cut salad and a slice of lemon. This is a filling dish that can also satisfy your taste buds.

Best Place- Dadabhaji Naoroji Road near CST

Bhel Puri

This is made of puffed rice mixed with tomatoes, onions, coriander and some tamarind sauce. It is one of the most popular street food items that the Mumbai people love. 

Best Place- Marina Drive

Sev Puri

This is another Marathi chaat which consists of puri stuffed with diced potatoes and other veggies, topped with lots of sev and some tangy chaat masala.

Best Place- Marine Drive

Batata Vada

It is also known as Aloo Bhonda and is a favourite street food of the Mumbaikars. The deep-fried Vada can be enjoyed with chutney and some fresh salad on the side. It is also stuffed inside a pav or bun to make the popular Vada Pav. The red chilli, salt and turmeric seasoning make it a perfect snack. 

Best Place- Dadar Market

Ragda Pattice

This dish is considered as one of the top food items that you can find on the streets of Mumbai. Ragda is made of chickpeas which are soft, spicy and flavoured. Pattice is stuffed with mashed potatoes and fried in oil. Both are served together with the topping of chopped onions, green chutney and tamarind sauce.

Best Place- Sheela Mahal in Colaba

Bombay Sandwich

Sandwich might be a common item in most places. But the one you get in Mumbai has got its own speciality and is loved by many people. Three buttered slices of bread with fresh veggies and the special mint chutney is a total blessing to the taste buds. It is healthy and filling as well.

Best Place- Worli Sea Face, Xavier’s College in Victoria Terminal

Akuri on Toast

Another interesting preparation on toasted bread. The bread slice is topped with scrambled eggs which is flavoured with onions, coriander, chilli, ginger and black pepper. The dish tastes best when served with a hot cup of tea.

Best Place- Horniman Circle

Baida Roti

This item is a favourite of the non-vegetarians. It is a square shaped patty which is made of spiced meat with whipped eggs and onions. It is a tasty food that can satisfy your hungry stomach.

Best Place- Bademiyan in Kolaba

Frankie

A very popular street food in Mumbai. A juicy naan bread coated with egg is rolled with chicken or mutton stuffing in it. For the vegetarians the stuffing can be potatoes or paneer also, without any egg coating on the bread. 

Best Place- Tibb’s Frankie outlet all over the city

Kanda Poha

This dish is easy to make and is a healthy option too. Onions or Kanda and poha or flaked rice are the main ingredients. Potatoes, chillies, and peas are mixed with them and the combination is mixed well and fried. It is served with some coriander and lime garnishing.

Best Place- Lokmanya Tilak Market in Vashi

Zunka Bhakar

This dish is made of chick pea flour along with chopped onions, mustard seeds and curry leaves. It is served with rotis made of jowar. This is a traditional food of Mumbai and is healthy for all.

Best Place- CST and BMC Headquarters

Falooda

This is a very popular sweet drink which is an Indian adaptation of Persian dessert. Milk, almonds, rose syrup, pistachios, basil seeds, vermicelli topped with a scoop of ice-cream, makes this rick dessert. The best drink you can have in the summers to cool off.

Best Place- Chowpatty Sea Face

Dabeli 

Similar to vada pav, this dish is also made with bun stuffed with a special Dabeli masala along with chutney, fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds. Perfect snack to satisfy the appetite.

Best Place- Vada Pav stalls in Mumbai

Street Food in Hyderabad

Hyderabad or the “City of Pearls” as it is popularly known, is one of the famous tourist spots in the country. Excellent architecture and great food are two main attractions of the city.

Hyderabadi Biriyani

A very unusual food to be found on the streets, but Hyderabad is known for selling Biriyani in every nook and corner of the city, be it expensive restaurants or the small stalls by the streets. The Hyderabadi biriyani is a popular dish all over the country, and you can have the best version of it only in the city where it originated.

Best Place- Sindhi Colony, Pragati Gully, Charminar

Phirni

A special of the Ramadan festival, Phirni is a rich dish made of milk, sugar and rice. This mouth watering delicacy is available on the streets of the city round the year. It is usually served in a clay pot, and the earthen fragrance makes the dish even better.

Best Place- Grand Trunk Road

Boti Kebab

These kebabs are made of tender lamb pieces which are intensely marinated. This delicious and meaty treat is served on sticks with a chutney on the side. A must-try for the non-veg lovers.

Best Place- Bade Miya Kebab, Kebab-e-Bahar, Siddique Kebab Centre

Iranian Chai and Biscuits

A light coloured tea which is 3 parts milk and 1 part tea is the best evening sweet drink combined with butter flavoured biscuits. Best evening snack to relax you after work.

Best Place- Paradise café, Alpha Café, Charminar market

Nihari 

This is a special lamb stew made during the Eid. The bone marrow and brain of the lamb is used to make this delicious item. The dish is cooked overnight and then buried in the ground to allow the meat to seep in the spices and all flavours. The effort is worth it.

Best Place- Charminar market, Sindhi Colony

Lukhmi

It is similar to the popular samosa, but is the non-veg version. The outer layer is crispy and the layer inside is soft with minced lamb pieces stuffed inside. The lamb is flavoured with several spices. 

Best Place- Azampura, Charminar Market

Street Food of Chennai

This city is one of the top food destinations of India. Chicken 65 is a dish which originated here. The variety of food available in Chennai has given it the second position in the list of “Top 10 Food Cities” by National Geographic. 

Idly

A food item that has become popular all over the country for its simplicity and health benefits. Steamed and round in shape, idly is made of rice and served with the famous Sambar and coconut or tomato chutney. It is a filling food item and is very cheap.

Best Place-  Idly Express, Idly Factory

Atho

This dish originated in Burma but is a popular one on the streets of Chennai. It consists of noodles with vegetables. Many different varieties are available in different stalls.

Best Place- Burma Bazaar, Beach Road

Uthappam

This is also a popular south Indian dish. It is slightly thicker as compared to dosa and it is also filled with vegetables. Served with sambar and chutney, this dish is tasty and quite filling. 

Best Place- Ratna café, Saravana Bhawan

Puttu

A traditional South Indian dish made with rice and, coconut and sugar toppings. You can get one packet of Puttu at just 10 rupees. It can be found all over the city. 

Best Place- North Usman Flyover, Ente Keralam

Idiyappam 

This dish is very similar to noodles and is made from rice flour. It is served with coconut milk or curry. It is best for breakfast.

Best Place- Srinivasan Road in T Nagar

Kuzhi Paniyaram

You can get both sweet and savoury versions of it. Black lentils and rice are used to make this item. The cooking process is similar to idly. 

Best Place- Venkatesan Street, Murugan Idli Shop

Kothu Parotta

This is similar to the North’s Laccha Paratha. This Parotta is shredded into pieces and mixed with vegetables, egg, or meat. A filling and delicious treat to satisfy your stomach.

Best Place- Thambi Vilas, Maplai

Street Food in Shillong

A major tourist attraction located in the North-Eastern part of India. The street food in Shillong is worth giving a try. You can get food from many different cuisines, including the dishes of the local tribes. 

Momos 

One of the best dishes that suits the climate of the city. You can get both veg and non-veg varieties, served with a tangy-spicy chutney and some freshly cut onions. Both steamed and fried momos are available.

Best Place- available in almost all streets across the city

Tungrymbai 

This is a local dish made with beans which have been fermented. You can get this dish only in north-east India and not anywhere else in India. It can be eaten with rice or roti.

Best Places- Police bazaar, Polo

Jadoh 

This is a local rice dish which is mixed with a sour and spicy sauce. It is topped with fresh mint leaves or ginger flower. On the side pork meat is served. 

Best Place- Don Bosco Square, Police Bazaar

Dohkhlieh 

This is a popular pork dish. The pork pieces are mixed with onions and spices. It is sold by local women in different streets of the city. 

Best place- Don Bosco Square

Street Food in Lucknow

The Awadhi cuisine is famous in this city. The Nawabi atmosphere along with the variety of Nawabi food makes this place a paradise for the foodies. 

Basket Chaat

A unique chaat made with a crispy tokri which is filled with mashed aloo, flavoured curd, and various chutneys. It is sprinkled with chaat masala and chilli powder to enhance the taste.

Best place- Hazratganj, Gomti Nagar

Malai Makkhan

A delicious sweet dish, which is a specialty of Lucknow in the winter season. It is made with milk and nuts, with a nice foamy texture.

Best Place- Chowk

Kulche Nihari

It is a mouth watering combination of Kulcha and Nihari. The spicy Nihari is one of the best things you will taste in Lucknow. 

Best Place- Chowk 

Shahi Tukda

It is a popular dish you will get in this city of Nawabs. The dish is a sweet one and is eaten after meals. It is rich in ingredients and completes the meal.

Best Place- Aminabad

Sheermal 

This one is a unique item found in Lucknow. It is naan which has a sweet taste and is made in a tandoor. The sweet naan is served with spicy side dishes to balance the flavours. With every bite you will get the rich taste of saffron, milk and nuts. 

Best Place- Chowk

Conclusion 

There is no end to the list of Indian street foods that you can get in the different cities. The more you travel, the more you will discover. Every city has something special to offer that will make every trip memorable.