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Best cafes in Varanasi every traveller must try
Varanasi, also known as Banaras or Kashi, is one of the oldest living cities in the world. The moment you hear the name, you think of spirituality, temples, and Ghats – basically religious stuff. Some even know how amazing Varanasi street food is. But wouldn’t it be a shocker to know that the cafe culture in Varanasi is lit?
Yes! Apart from traditional food joints, Varanasi boasts hundreds of cafes serving international food. From German bread to Japanese sushi, American breakfast to Korean kimchi, cafes and restaurants in Varanasi go beyond boundaries.
Having been to Varanasi thrice, we got to explore the cafe scene in Varanasi. So here is a list of famous food places in varanasi – both Cafes and Restaurants.
Why does Varanasi have a strong cafe culture?
Varanasi’s strong café culture can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s when the city became a hotspot for hippies during the global counterculture movement. Young Westerners, in search of spiritual enlightenment and a different way of life, found Varanasi’s deep spiritual vibes and ancient traditions irresistible.
The Beatles’ famous visit to India in 1968, especially their time with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh, put India on the map for those seeking spiritual growth. While Rishikesh was a major attraction, Varanasi also began drawing these spiritual seekers. The city’s mystical, laid-back atmosphere and affordable living made it a prime spot for hippies wanting to experience a different culture.
Varanasi became a key stop on the “Hippie Trail” across Delhi, UP, MP and Uttarakhand a popular overland route from Europe to South Asia.
Like any place, Varanasi began catering to all foreign travellers, not just those from the West. Slowly, Italian pizza, Israeli shakshuka, and Korean kimchi food joints popped up in Varanasi. Now, the north shores of the Ganges have a huge café scene.
Both foreign tourists and domestic Indian travellers embrace the café culture in Varanasi.
Varanasi is a town of contrasts. So cafe culture and Varanasi’s religious significance is one of them.
Why should you visit Cafes in Varanasi?
Varanasi cafés are perfect for taking a break from exploring the city. You can enjoy tasty international dishes in charming old havelis. After experiencing the intense sights at the ghats, cafés offer a relaxing spot to unwind and soak in the local vibe.
Street food Culture Vs Cafes scene in Varanasi
Varanasi street food is some of the best in India. You can have snacks and street food as meals in Varanasi. If you know us, we always recommend sticking to local food. But in Varanasi, we recommend you explore both the street food and café scenes. Here’s why:
Exploring Varanasi involves a lot of walking. Pilgrims might stick to visiting temples for a day or two, but as travellers spending a week in Varanasi, we walked almost 10km a day! So, Varanasi cafés are really cool places to sit and relax your feet.
Varanasi cafés might serve you German bread or Viennese croissants, but their ambience stays true to Banarasi havelis or traditional houses. You won’t find baroque or contemporary minimalist-themed cafés in old Varanasi. It’s the old houses that get converted into cafés. So even if you eat sushi in Varanasi, you sit inside a Banaras haveli.
Lastly, you see a lot of death in Varanasi. When you walk near the chowk, it’s common to see four people carrying a dead body on the way to the burning ghat, Manikarnika. If you’re like us, you might even visit the burning ghat to witness the death scene up close.
No matter how bold or brave you are, these are some strong, rough moments – you really will question the purpose of your life once you watch the burning ghats.
Relaxing in a calmer, lively place is really a must. Other ghats like Narada Ghat or Munshi Ghat are relaxing, but Varanasi cafés are truly the best to refresh your mind after contemplating life’s deeper questions.
To explore all these cafes in Varanasi, it is best to stay near Ghats or Bangali Tola – So that you can get back to your room late in the night.
Best Cafés to Try in Varanasi
1. Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe
Must try : Thin crust Margarita Pizza, apple pie, cappuccino and cookies.
Location : Near Assi Ghat
While pilgrims know Assi Ghat as one of the holiest ghats in Varanasi, travellers identify it as the place where you get Varanasi’s best pizza. Pizzeria Vaatika Café at Assi Ghat serves wood-fired pizza.
The ambiance is cosy, with lots of greenery and a direct view of the river.
When I expected it to be full of foreign travellers, Pizzeria Vaatika Café is equally popular among domestic travellers and locals. While I liked their thin crust pizza, I loved their coffee – coffee is rare in Varanasi.
As a coffee lover, it was the only place in Varanasi where I liked the coffee. Their cookies are expensive but fresh, and you can tell they are homemade.
2. Assi ka Diljeet Cafe
Must try food : Aloo and Pyaz Parathas
Location : Assi Ghat, Shival
Earlier known as “Varanasi Diljeet Cafe,” located in the Galis of Bangali Tola, it is now relocated to Assi Ghat. What remains constant between the two are their two pretty indie dogs, tasty parathas, and colourful ambiance.
After climbing almost three floors, the cafe with two indie dogs and a view of the compact town from above is worth it. The sandwiches and dal fry were good, but nothing special. But they definitely know how to make the best parathas in Varanasi.
3. Filocafe
Must try : Pakoda and Lemon Ginger Tea
Location : Near Munshi Ghat
As you pass through the Galis above Munsi Ghat, watching hundreds of street art pieces, you come across a haveli entrance. The green-coloured wall with a traditional door seems to be just another guest house. But it is a pretty haveli converted into “Filo Cafe” and also a guesthouse.
The lower floors are all rooms – traditional haveli with a courtyard and swings. Once you climb to the rooftop, it’s an open-air cafe with pavilions at a few points. Be sure to be there during daylight – you can see the thick and compact cluster of Varanasi from above.
Filo Cafe serves both Italian and Indian cuisine – we had ginger lemon honey tea, vegetable pakora, and banana muffins. All were good, except the muffins were too sweet for me.
4. Monalisa Cafe
Must try food : Korean kimchi, veg Manchurian, and brownie.
Location : Bangali Tola, Pandey Ghat
Monalisa Cafe probably has the most diverse menu in all of Varanasi – Japanese, Korean, Israeli, Chinese, Indian – fresh juice, cakes, parathas. I was stunned by what the folks at Monalisa Cafe could do.
In fact, their menu card with an Indianised Monalisa wearing a ghagra choli, nose ring, and ghoonghat is what attracted us to the cafe first. We thought we would just have some fresh juice and leave. But we tried a lot here – Israeli shakshuka, kimchi, brownie, Manchurian, mozzarella bruschetta. Yes, we ate a lot after walking 12 km that day.
The ambiance is super chic with low-height seating on which you can almost sleep. They have a lot of corners, usually occupied by stoned travellers.
They even serve veg thali and are within 600m from Dashashwamedh Ghat. So, post Ganga Aarti session in the evening, many pilgrims also come to Monalisa Cafe.
5. Brown bread bakery
Must try food : Burgers, garlic butter baguettes and carrot cake.
Location : Bangali Tola, Pandey Ghat
Fancy a breakfast buffet spread with muesli, sausages, cheese platter, and a variety of bread? Go to Brown Bread Bakery – One of the best cafes in Varanasi known for their cakes.
They are one of the few food joints in Old Varanasi to serve non-veg food. Schnitzel, tuna sandwiches, ham/bacon – you will be surprised by the variety of meat they serve.
Their shelf display made me wonder if I was in Europe or India. The variety of cakes and bread is a lot for a historical town like Varanasi. Their carrot cake was tasty and worth the money.
We had one dinner there – the veg burger was good, and their cheese spread was excellent. Undoubtedly they are the best place in Varanasi for cakes.
Best Restaurants to try in Varanasi
1. Sree cafe:
Must try food : Paratha, Dosa, noodles, and North Indian thali.
Location : Man Mandir, Dashashwamedh ghat road
Must try food : Paratha, Noodles and North Indian Thali
Want to have a traditional tasty breakfast or meal with a handsome German shepherd dog? Go to Sree Cafe. It is the best vegetarian restaurants in varanasi I have tried.
It is easy to miss this cafe as it is located in one of the side lanes. Two things highlight this place – a big handsome German shepherd dog waiting at the reception table and a giant poster of Sree Cafe with a cow.
It is a small cafe, probably of 150 sq ft size. But it is cosy, and you are totally away from the noisy street outside once you enter inside. The cosy interiors with lots of great photographs from Kumbh Mela and their handsome dog make me recommend this place for breakfast.
2. Dolphin Restaurant
Must try food : Indian flat breads such as Roti and Naan with Paneer or Aloo sabzi.
Location : Man Mandir Ghat, Bangali Tola
If you are in the mood for North Indian veg food with a view of the river Ganga, Dolphin Restaurant is a great choice.
Dolphin Restaurant is one of the famous restaurants in Varanasi because of the variety of its menu. It mainly revolves around North Indian tandoori, roti, sabzis made with paneer, and various types of rice. They also have a few varieties of Italian food.
The meals can be wholesome – we ordered one aloo dum banarasi sabzi for four rotis, and it was easily enough for six.
3. Phulwari Restaurant & Sami Cafe
Must try food : Pita bread with hummus and falafel burgers.
Location : Near Badadev, next to Kashiraj Kali Mandir, Godowlia
Would you believe if I said you get a bit of Mediterranean and Jordanian meals in the heart of Varanasi? Well, neither did I believe until I went to the most beautiful “Secret Temple” in Kashi. A cosy cafe beside the temple is Phulwari Restaurant & Sami Cafe, started by two Jordanian brothers and now handled by locals.
They have falafels, baba ganoush, pita bread with various Mediterranean sauces! Chinese noodles to pizza, they serve a lot from all over the world.
Their taste and quality of food (especially the food made with olive oils) is excellent. I loved the restaurant for its greenery and probably one of the quietest places in all of Varanasi.
4. Chulha Chauka
Must try food : North Indian thali with roti, sabzi, rice and sweet.
Location : Near Santaneshwar Mahadev Temple – Kashi Khand
If you are visiting Kala Bhairava Temple and need a break from hotels near the ghats, pick Chulha Chauka. It is a small restaurant (recommended to us by a devotee who was standing in line at Kala Bhairava Temple).
For delicious and nutritious meals, try Tawa rotis paired with paneer sabzi and a selection of sweets. Tawa rotis are a wholesome choice, made fresh and full of flavour.
5. Kerala Cafe
Must try food : Malabar Paratha and Curd rice
Location : Bhelpur
If you are looking for best south indian restaurant in Varanasi, go to Kerala Cafe! I never thought I would suggest a South Indian place in North India, but Kerala Cafe knows how to make tasty South Indian food.
In fact, it was my father’s find. Being a typical dad, he wanted to have his own kind of meal on one of the days when we went to Varanasi in 2017. We had Uttapam and Idli Vada for breakfast. But their curd rice and Malabar paratha we had for lunch was surprisingly delicious.
FAQ
Is there Starbucks in Varanasi?
Yes, Varanasi recently got its first Starbucks. Located at BHU Trauma Centre Rd, this Starbucks outlet opened on March 22, 2024 . The store got stunning local architecture architecture flavour that blends modern and traditional elements.
Which cafes in Varanasi offer the best vegetarian options
For the best vegetarian options in Varanasi, try Shree Cafe near Dashashwamedh Ghat, Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe on Assi Ghat Road for delicious wood-fired pizzas.
What are some must visit cafes in Varanasi for coffee enthusiasts
For coffee enthusiasts in Varanasi, visit Sparrow Cafe for artisanal brews and homemade pastries, Aum Cafe for a relaxed atmosphere and varied coffee options, and Terracotta Cafe for artisanal coffees and a farm-to-table menu​
Best fine dining restaurants in varanasi
For fine dining in Varanasi, the luxury heritage hotel BrijRama Palace offers exquisite dining options for non-staying guests. Their Darbhanga restaurant is renowned as one of the best fine dining establishments in the city. Another excellent choice is the Taj Nadesar Palace, which also provides top-notch fine dining experiences​
Is non-veg available in Banaras?
Yes, non-vegetarian food is available in Varanasi. While Cantonment areas have more non-veg food options, older Banaras near ghats have limited non-veg options.
What is breakfast in Varanasi?
Breakfast in Varanasi features traditional North Indian dishes like kachori sabzi, poori sabzi, jalebi, dahi chura, and Banarasi tamatar chaat. Popular drinks include lassi and chai, often accompanied by samosas.
Which of these cafes are your favourite in Varanasi? Let us know in the comment section below.
