What Food To Try in Varanasi and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Varanasi for 2024.
National currency: Ngultrum, symbol — ₹ (international currency code INR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Varanasi cafes and restaurants
$1
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $1.02
$7.6
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $7.55
$3.8
Combo Meal
Starting from $3.78
What to Try in Varanasi
Must-try Dishes
Chawal Ki Kheer - Rice Pudding - Creamy pudding made with rice, milk, and sugar, flavored with cardamom and garnished with slivers of almonds. A common breakfast treat, locals often savor it at home or during festive occasions.Kachori - Spiced Pastry - Deep-fried pastry filled with a spicy lentil mixture, served with tangy tamarind chutney. You’ll find it at street stalls around the ghats, especially bustling around breakfast time—just be careful; they can be addictively savory!
Biryani - Awadhi Biryani - Aromatic rice layered with marinated meats (typically chicken or mutton), slow-cooked with fragrant spices. Enjoyed as a hearty lunch, it's often paired with a side of raita; locals love settling down for this at family gatherings to celebrate special occasions.
Baida Roti - Egg Paratha - A flaky stuffed flatbread filled with spiced minced meat and an egg, then pan-fried to crispy perfection. Served hot off the griddle, this is a beloved street food option enjoyed any time of day, particularly for a filling dinner.
Puri Tawa Sabzi - Fried Bread with Vegetables - Deep-fried bread served with a spicy mixed vegetable curry, often cooked with seasonal produce. Regularly eaten for Sunday brunch, locals favor it accompanied by yogurt for an added tang.
Litti Chokha - Baked Wheat Balls - Dough balls filled with spiced gram flour, baked until golden and served with mashed spiced eggplant and tomatoes. A popular dish especially during winter, it’s often enjoyed during family gatherings, offering a rich taste of Varanasi’s culinary heritage.
Phaal - Spicy Vegetable Curry - A fiery curry made with seasonal vegetables and a blend of local spices, cooked until aromatic and flavorful. It's best enjoyed hot from the pot around afternoon as a wholesome meal, although be ready for the heat!
By the way, don't forget to pair your meals with some yogurt to balance out the spices—a local custom!
Desserts & Drinks
Masala Chai - मसाला चाय (spiced tea) - A warm and fragrant blend of black tea infused with spices like cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon, usually served with milk. Chai is a staple in Varanasi, enjoyed throughout the day; you’ll often see locals sipping it at small roadside stalls while chatting with friends.Thandai - ठंडाई (cold milk drink) - A refreshing beverage made with chilled milk, almonds, cardamom, and rose water, sometimes spiced up with bhang during festivals. Particularly popular during Holi and summer months, it’s usually enjoyed in earthen cups, making each sip feel even more authentic and special.
Fenny - फेनी (cashew liquor) - A traditional Goan spirit made from cashew apples, offering a sweet and fruity flavor profile. Served in small glasses during local gatherings or celebrations, it's not uncommon for locals to share stories over drinks, creating a cozy, communal vibe.
Rabri - रबड़ी (sweet condensed milk dessert) - A thick, creamy dish made from boiling milk until it coagulates and becomes sweetened with sugar and cardamom. Often found at weddings and festivals, it is typically garnished with nuts, giving it a delightful crunch that pairs perfectly with its smooth texture.
Gulab Jamun - गुलाब जामुन (syrupy dessert) - Soft, round balls made from khoya (reduced milk) deep-fried and soaked in sweet sugar syrup flavored with rosewater. Especially common during celebrations like Diwali, they are often best enjoyed warm, making them a comforting treat when the evening air starts to cool down. By the way, don't be surprised if you see folks ordering multiple servings; they're irresistibly popular!
Food and Groceries in Varanasi
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $0.3 |
| Oranges | $1.49 |
| Potatoes | $0.3 |
| Apples | $1.59 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.38 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.51 |
| Imported Beer | $2.47 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $5.29 |
Various Groceries
| Chicken | $3.78 |
| Cigarettes | $1.81 |
| Rice | $0.55 |
| Local Cheese | $3.78 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
In Varanasi, lunchtime often hits around 12:30 PM to 2 PM, when office-goers and students crowd local eateries. Seasoned residents usually opt for a hearty meal of dal and bhajiya, which can be found for as little as ₹50-₹150 at popular spots around Godowlia Chowk. By 2:30, many vendors start storing away their offerings, often leading to empty tables in restaurants, so don’t expect a lively scene past that hour.
The city’s dining spaces range dramatically in pricing and atmosphere. Areas like Assi Ghat may charge more—dishes there can reach up to ₹400 for a decent thali—while a few blocks away, you can enjoy the same quality meal for ₹100-₹150 at a local dhaba, especially in the narrow lanes of Chowk. Those prices can vary seasonally; for instance, during festivals, prices often spike, so plan accordingly.
Payment customs here are fairly straightforward; cash is king, though some establishments have started accepting digital payments for convenience. That said, you might just find that smaller vendors, especially street hawkers, prefer cash and don’t have change for larger bills. Oh, and before I forget, always keep ₹10-₹20 as a tip handy—while it’s not obligatory, rounding up your bill is appreciated, especially if you receive good service.
Dining customs in Varanasi are also charmingly particular. For example, locals often share food and let others taste theirs, reflecting a communal spirit. However, a common tourist mistake is ordering too much food for one sitting; locals tend to order multiple dishes to share, making it more of a social event rather than a solitary meal.
Peak dining hours can lead to long waits, particularly at hot spots like the Vishwanath Gali. It’s best to go earlier, around 12 PM or after 3 PM, to avoid the rush. As for reservations, while most places don’t typically require them during off-peak hours, it doesn’t hurt to call ahead for larger groups or popular restaurants.
With changing economic conditions and new transport connections, some areas like the Pandey Ghat are becoming increasingly vibrant for foodies, often leading to rising prices. This shifts local dining patterns, as residents start seeking more value further afield, which keeps the overall culinary landscape in flux.
The city’s dining spaces range dramatically in pricing and atmosphere. Areas like Assi Ghat may charge more—dishes there can reach up to ₹400 for a decent thali—while a few blocks away, you can enjoy the same quality meal for ₹100-₹150 at a local dhaba, especially in the narrow lanes of Chowk. Those prices can vary seasonally; for instance, during festivals, prices often spike, so plan accordingly.
Payment customs here are fairly straightforward; cash is king, though some establishments have started accepting digital payments for convenience. That said, you might just find that smaller vendors, especially street hawkers, prefer cash and don’t have change for larger bills. Oh, and before I forget, always keep ₹10-₹20 as a tip handy—while it’s not obligatory, rounding up your bill is appreciated, especially if you receive good service.
Dining customs in Varanasi are also charmingly particular. For example, locals often share food and let others taste theirs, reflecting a communal spirit. However, a common tourist mistake is ordering too much food for one sitting; locals tend to order multiple dishes to share, making it more of a social event rather than a solitary meal.
Peak dining hours can lead to long waits, particularly at hot spots like the Vishwanath Gali. It’s best to go earlier, around 12 PM or after 3 PM, to avoid the rush. As for reservations, while most places don’t typically require them during off-peak hours, it doesn’t hurt to call ahead for larger groups or popular restaurants.
With changing economic conditions and new transport connections, some areas like the Pandey Ghat are becoming increasingly vibrant for foodies, often leading to rising prices. This shifts local dining patterns, as residents start seeking more value further afield, which keeps the overall culinary landscape in flux.