Food & Dining in India
India is a culinary paradise with perhaps the world's most diverse regional cuisine, all at remarkably affordable prices.
Street Food Culture
Street food is central to Indian life and offers incredible value:
| Dish | Price | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Vada Pav | ₹15-30 | Mumbai |
| Dosa/Idli | ₹30-60 | South India |
| Chole Bhature | ₹40-80 | North India |
| Pav Bhaji | ₹50-80 | Mumbai |
| Momos | ₹40-80 | Northeast/Delhi |
| Pani Puri/Golgappa | ₹20-40 | Nationwide |
| Biryani (plate) | ₹80-150 | Hyderabad, everywhere |
| Paratha (stuffed) | ₹30-60 | North India |
Daily street food budget: ₹100-300 for 3 meals
Restaurant Types
| Type | Meal Cost | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Street vendor | ₹20-60 | Standing, informal |
| Local restaurant/dhaba | ₹60-150 | Simple, casual |
| Thali restaurant | ₹80-200 | Unlimited refills |
| Mid-range restaurant | ₹300-800 | Air-conditioned |
| Fine dining | ₹1,500-5,000 | Premium experience |
| Western/international | ₹500-1,500 | Imported concepts |
| Cafe chains (Starbucks, CCD) | ₹150-400 | Coffee and snacks |
Regional Cuisines
North Indian: Rich gravies, tandoor cooking, naan, butter chicken, dal makhani, kebabs
South Indian: Dosas, idlis, sambhar, coconut-based curries, Chettinad cuisine, appam
Bengali: Fish curries, mishti (sweets), rosogolla, macher jhol
Gujarati: Vegetarian, slightly sweet, dhokla, thepla, undhiyu
Rajasthani: Desert cuisine, dal baati churma, laal maas, ker sangri
Mughlai/Hyderabadi: Biryani, nihari, haleem, rich kebabs
Goan: Seafood, vindaloo, xacuti, Portuguese influences, fish curry rice
Kerala: Coconut-based, fish molee, appam and stew, toddy shop cuisine
Grocery Shopping
Supermarkets:
- Big Bazaar / Smart Bazaar: Budget-friendly
- DMart: Best value chain
- Nature's Basket / Foodhall: Imported goods
- Reliance Fresh: Widespread
- BigBasket / Blinkit: Online grocery delivery (10-minute delivery in metros)
Local markets: Fresh produce, spices at much lower prices
Monthly grocery budget: ₹4,000-10,000 for one person
Dietary Considerations
Vegetarian-friendly: India is the most vegetarian-friendly country in the world
- ~30-40% of population is vegetarian
- Restaurants labeled "Pure Veg" serve no meat
- Vegan options growing in major cities
Spice levels: Indian food can be extremely spicy
- "Kam mirchi" = less chili
- South Indian food is often less oily but can be spicy
- Coastal food tends to use more coconut and less heat
Food safety for newcomers:
- Avoid tap water and ice in non-premium establishments
- Start with cooked food, work up to street food
- Check Zomato/Swiggy ratings before eating out
- "Delhi belly" is common—carry oral rehydration salts
Food Delivery
India has excellent food delivery:
- Swiggy: Most popular, fast delivery
- Zomato: Wide restaurant selection, reviews
- Dunzo: General delivery including food
- Delivery fees: ₹20-60; food is very affordable
Pro Tips
- •Thali restaurants offer unlimited refills—best value for a full meal
- •Download Swiggy and Zomato for food delivery and restaurant reviews
- •Start with mild food and gradually build up spice tolerance
- •Never drink tap water or use ice from unknown sources
- •India is the world's most vegetarian-friendly country—options are everywhere
Have questions about food & dining in India?