Sizzling Summer Food-Escapades: Explore India’s Tastiest Cities

Summer is the perfect time to explore India’s diverse culture and cuisine. From street food to high-end restaurants, India is home to some of the most unique and delicious dishes in the world. But with so many cities and towns to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which ones are the best for summer holidays. To make your decision easier, here are the best Indian cities known for their food culture, perfect for unforgettable summer getaways & some amazing Paytm Travel offers that you can leverage.

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India’s Top 5 Summertime Food Havens

Indulge in Mumbai’s Iconic Food Cultures

Mumbai is a dream destination for any food lover. From the ubiquitous Vada Pav to the ever-famous Mumbai Pav Bhaji, this city has something to offer for everyone. Mumbai is also known for its iconic street food culture, and the city’s vibrant bazaars and markets are the best places to try out the local flavours. Whether it’s Juhu Chowpatty’s chaat stalls or the seafood shacks in Colaba, you can be sure to find something to suit your taste.

Top dishes to try in Mumbai:

1. Vada Pav: This is a popular street food snack, consisting of a spicy potato patty served in a bun.
2. Pav Bhaji: This is a classic Mumbai dish consisting of a spicy vegetable mash served with soft bread rolls.
3. Bhel Puri: This is a popular chaat dish, consisting of puffed rice, vegetables, and chutneys.
4. Bombay Sandwich: This is a popular snack sandwich, consisting of layers of vegetables and chutneys.
5. Sheer Khurma: This is a popular dessert, consisting of vermicelli, nuts, and dried fruits cooked in milk.

Top 5 food hotspots in Mumbai:

1. Khau Galli: A vibrant street food market, full of delicious smells, bustling stalls, and a wide variety of delicacies and diverse flavours from all over India.
2. Mohammed Ali Road: This bustling street is one of the oldest and most popular food hotspots in Mumbai. You can find everything from spicy curries to biryani, kababs and more.
3. Juhu or Chowpatty Beach: These beachside stretches are home to Mumbai’s most famous street food outlets, serving up delicious snacks like bhelpuri, ragda pattice, pav bhaji, chaat, vada pav, bhutta and more, with vendors lining the beachfront.
4. Gajalee: This popular seafood restaurant in Vile Parle offers a range of coastal cuisine dishes, such as prawn curry and crab masala.
5. Bombay Canteen: This restaurant in Lower Parel serves regional Indian cuisine with a modern twist, including classic dishes such as dal makhani and Hyderabadi biryani.

Experience Delhi’s Tantalising Savory Specialties

Delhi is a paradise for foodies. From the ever-popular Chole Bhature or Soya Chaap to the succulent Butter Chicken, the city has a variety of dishes to tantalise your taste buds. Delhi is also known for its street food culture, and you can find everything from mouth-watering chaats to delicious kebabs, all at wallet-friendly prices. If you’re looking for a more upscale experience, the city’s swanky restaurants are sure to satisfy your cravings.

Top 5 dishes to try in Delhi:

1. Chole Bhature: A classic, delicious and savoury dish made with chickpeas, onions and spices, served with fried bread.
2. Stuffed Paratha: A type of flatbread filled with some type of stuffing, either savoury or sweet.
3. Soya Chaap: Popular dish made with marinated pieces of soya chunks cooked with delicious spices.
4. Tandoori Momos: Delhi-style dumplings cooked in a tandoor, or clay oven, and seasoned with traditional spices.
5. Butter Chicken: A mouth-watering and creamy dish made with marinated chicken, butter and a special blend of spices.

Top 5 food hotspots in Delhi:

1. Chandni Chowk & Paranthe Wali Gali: The most famous, delicious street food place in the heart of Old Delhi, lined with stalls selling traditional snacks like kachoris, samosas, jalebis, and more. Paranthe Wali Gali, a narrow lane in Chandni Chowk, is a paradise for paratha-lovers, offering huge varieties of stuffed parathas.
2. South Delhi: From the delicious tandoori momos in Kalkaji to the delectable chhole bhature of Lajpat Nagar, the streets of South Delhi have some of the best street food in the city. You can also find delicious chaat, samosas, and jalebis here.
3. Karim’s: This legendary restaurant has been around since 1913 and is known for its delicious Mughlai cuisine.
4. Chaat Bhandar: Popular street food hotspot offering an array of delicious chaats, including gol gappa, aloo chaat, pani puri, dahi bhalla and much more. The food is fresh, made to order, and incredibly affordable.
5. Chor Bizarre: This restaurant is known for its unique Indian cuisine and has been featured in several international magazines.

Savour the Spellbinding Foodie Havens in Kolkata

Kolkata is a haven for food lovers. From the classic Bengali dishes like Kosha Mangsho to the lip-smacking Phuchka, this city has something to offer for everyone. Kolkata is also known for its iconic street food culture, and the city’s many markets are the best places to try out the local flavours. Be sure to visit the iconic street food stalls of Park Street, and don’t forget to try out the famous Kolkata Biryani.

Top 5 dishes to try in Kolkata:

1. Kosha Mangsho: This Bengali style mutton curry is a must-try in Kolkata. It is typically cooked with potatoes, onions, tomatoes and spices.
2. Phuchka: Phuchka is an iconic street food of Kolkata. It is a crispy fried snack filled with mashed potatoes, spices and tamarind water.
3. Kolkata Biryani: Kolkata’s biryani is distinct from its counterparts in other parts of the country. It is cooked with fragrant long-grained basmati rice, spiced vegetables and succulent pieces of meat in a long-lost royal style.
4. Mishti Doi: Mishti Doi is a traditional Bengali sweet made from curd and sugar. It is usually served chilled and is a must-have for all sweet-tooth visitors.
5. Chom Chom: Chom Chom is a traditional Bengali dessert made with cottage cheese and sugar syrup. It is often served with rabri and is a popular sweet in Kolkata.

Top 5 food hotspots in Kolkata:

1. Kolkata’s Chinatown: A bustling area of Chinatown, in the north of Kolkata, home to the most popular street food joints. Visitors can find a wide variety of dishes, from Chinese-style noodles to Indian-style tandoori chicken.
2. The Coffee House: Offers vast varieties of cuisines, a great place to relax and enjoy.
3. New Market: A great place to get your hands on some of the best street food, from spicy bhel to momos, there is something to satisfy every palate.
4. Flurys: One of the oldest tea-rooms, offers baked items, sandwiches and more.
5. Park Street: One of the most popular street food spots and home to renowned eateries, serving up vast ranges of delicious dishes from North Indian to Chinese to South Indian.

Taste the Culinary Magic of Amritsar

Amritsar is a foodie’s paradise. The city is famous for its delicious Punjabi cuisine, and you’ll find some of the best dishes in the country here. From the iconic Amritsari Kulcha to the lip-smacking Amritsari Chole, this city is sure to tantalise your taste buds. Be sure to try out the famous Lassi at Amritsar’s iconic eateries, and the city’s street food is sure to leave you craving for more.

Top 5 dishes to try in Amritsar:

1. Amritsari Kulcha: This flatbread is a popular dish in Amritsar, made with a combination of spices, ajwain, and yoghurt and served with a generous helping of butter.
2. Amritsari Naan: This classic Punjabi dish is made from all-purpose flour, ghee, and yoghurt and can be served with almost any dish.
3. Amritsari Macchi: This fish dish is a favourite in Amritsar and is made with a thick, spicy marinade and fried to a golden-brown perfection.
4. Amritsari Lassi: This thick, creamy, and sweet yoghurt-based drink is a must-try in Amritsar.
5. Amritsari Chole: This spicy chickpea curry is one of the most popular dishes in Amritsar. It is served with naan or bhatura and is a favourite among locals.

Top 5 food hotspots in Amritsar:

1. Hall Bazaar: This is a popular street food hub in the city and has a wide variety of street food items like gol gappas, chhole bhature, samosas, and chaat.
2. Guru ka Langar at the Golden Temple: This is one of the most famous street food hotspots in Amritsar and offers delicious and authentic Punjabi food.
3. Bharawan da Dhaba: A popular roadside eatery serving lip-smacking Punjabi and other North Indian dishes like dal makhani, tandoori chicken and many more.
4. Shiv Mishtan Bhandar: Serving delicious dishes from both North and South India, this eatery is a great option for all food lovers.
5. Kesar da Dhaba: This is another traditional eatery offering authentic Punjabi cuisines.

Discover the Enchantment of Chennai’s Cuisine

Chennai is known for its delicious South Indian cuisine. From the famous Dosas to the irresistible Idlis, this city has something to offer for everyone. Chennai is also known for its unique street food culture, and you can find a variety of dishes from the city’s roadside stalls. Whether it’s the famous Kothu Parotta or the ever-popular Pani Puri, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.

Top 5 dishes to try in Chennai:

1. Thattu Vadai: This traditional snack is usually sold at street stalls and is made with a dough made out of urad dal and chana dal, which is then deep fried and served with a chutney.
2. Kuzhi Paniyaram: Popular snack made from steamed fermented batter of rice and lentils, served with chutney.
3. Idiyappam: Idiyappam or string hoppers are a traditional breakfast dish made of rice flour and served with a variety of sauces or curries.
4. Chicken Chettinad: Spicy dish cooked with a variety of ingredients like coconut, coriander, fennel, poppy seeds and chillies, a specialty of Tamil Nadu.
5. Rasam: Rasam is a spicy soup made from tamarind, tomatoes, cumin, black pepper and other spices. It can be served with rice, or as a soup.

Top 5 food hotspots in Chennai:

1. Koyambedu Market: One of the oldest street food hubs in Chennai, Koyambedu Market serves up some of the city’s most delicious street food, from popular South Indian snacks like idlis and dosas, to chaat and street-style Chinese dishes.
2. Kannagi Nagar: This neighbourhood is known for its variety of street food, ranging from traditional South Indian snacks to chaat, biryani, and even some popular North Indian dishes. Kannagi Nagar is definitely a must-visit street food hotspot in Chennai.
3. T. Nagar: This bustling neighbourhood is home to some of the best street food in Chennai. From piping hot samosas and vadas to chaat and biryani, T. Nagar has something for everyone.
4. Saravana Bhavan: This iconic South Indian restaurant is renowned all over the world for its delicious and authentic cuisine.
5. Amma’s: Amma’s is a popular chain of restaurants in Chennai and is known for its mouth-watering and reasonably priced South Indian dishes.

So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable summer getaway, these are the best Indian cities known for their food culture. From street food to high-end restaurants, there’s something for everyone in each of these cities. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to explore the vibrant culture and cuisine of India this summer, book bus tickets with the best offers now.

Bon Voyage!