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Amazing Varanasi Street Food and Places to try Them
If you have read our post, you know Varanasi AKA Banaras is our favourite place in India. Do you know why?
Is it because of Ganga Aarti – the magical ritual of lights? The narrow galis or ghats? Or Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
Well, we absolutely fell in love with all these things. But I am being honest – street food in Varanasi is what made me fall in love with Varanasi and got me thinking of making my second home there on the ghats- It’s that epic and affordable.
We both are foodies. Sahana is a vegetarian and I eat non-veg. So eventually, places where I got delicious non-veg food like Egypt or Turkey become my favourite.
But in Varanasi, I didn’t touch non-veg food for a week – not because of religious reasons, but because Banaras street food is mainly vegetarian, and there was plenty of it for me to never think of meat.
So during our recent week-long trip to Varanasi, we indulged in street food every day in Old Varanasi, with a few visits to cafes. Here is a list of the best 17 foods you must try in Varanasi and where to find them. Varanasi isn’t just divine spiritually, but also gastronomically.
10 Varanasi Street Foods that You Shouldn’t Miss
1. Kachori with Channah Sabzi
Kachori with chana sabzi is a tasty North Indian street food. It’s basically a crispy, fried pastry filled with spiced lentils or peas, served with a spicy chickpea curry. The crunchy kachori with the flavourful chana sabzi makes for a delicious and satisfying snack.
But in Varanasi, Kachori isn’t just a street food or snack, but a full-fledged breakfast! And ranks number one on our list of must-try street food in Varanasi.
Best place to have Kachori in Varanasi : A small shop right beside Lakshmi Chaiwala. The shop doesn’t have a name board, but the owner says the name is “Balaji Kachori.”
As a South Indian, kachori has always been an evening snack for me. Anything beyond one piece usually led to gastric trouble. However, in Varanasi, that one crunchy bite with chana dal takes your taste buds on a food bonanza. You can have more of it without any acidity trouble because it’s neither too spicy nor bland. It’s a perfect balance of taste. One plate costs only 20 Rs.
2. Golgappa
Golgappa – commonly available throughout India with different names like Pani Puri and Puchka, is a popular street food. It’s basically hollow, crispy puris filled with spicy tamarind water, chickpeas, and potatoes. It wasn’t our priority on must try street food in Varanasi – What can be so different in Golgappa that we should try that in Varanasi we thought.
But thank go we tried!
Where to have Gogappa in Varanasi : Raju Bhaiya’s Vishwanath Chat Bhandar
The first bite of Pani Puri stopped our heartbeat with its tangy, spicy taste. To top it off, a kind of powder mixed with the potato filling inside the puri makes Varanasi the best place for Golgappa in India, in our opinion. The treat doesn’t end after he gives you the last Golgappa with Dahi chutney.
A few drops of lemon, along with black salt and jeera powder, are sprinkled on your empty bowl, and he fills it with a bowl of paani. That little burning sensation because of the acids calms down and makes your stomach feel lighter.
And don’t forget to observe unique style of serving by Raju Bhaiya while munch on best Golgappa in the world at Varanasi.
3. Malai toast for breakfast.
Malai means the topmost layer of milk. Varanasi’s buffalo’s milk is thicker than usual. So when boiled and served, the cream is super tasty and thick. It spread on a bread toast with sugar sprinkles is high-calorie healthy food and a treat to the taste buds.
The best place in Varanasi for Malai toast is Lakshmi Chai Wala.
Lakshmi Chai Wala isn’t place to eat, a phenomenon to be felt and observed. Their square bread is custom made by a particular baker.
Their white butter is obtained locally. The toaster is an open basket with coal, so you get that charry smell along with the taste of bread.
They have other types of toasts like Underground toast, where the butter and chat masala is stuffed by cutting the edges of square bread. Chai here is a must after hogging the toasts.
4. Palak Patta chaat
Palak Patta Chaat is a tasty and one of the best street food in Varanasi.
Best place in Varanasi for Palak Patta Chaat – Deena Chaat Bhandar.
It’s made of spinach leaves dipped in a spiced gram flour batter and deep-fried until crispy. These crispy spinach fritters are then topped with yogurt, tamarind chutney, green chutney, chopped onions, tomatoes, and chaat masala. The mix of crunchy spinach with the tangy and spicy toppings makes it a delicious and unique snack.
5. Chuda Muttar
Chuda Muttar is a revised version of vegetable poha. If you’re done with the fried street food of Varanasi, two bowls of this should be your go-to breakfast or dinner because it’s all about non-spicy, tasty snacks.
Best place in Varanasi for Chuda Muttar – Deena Chaat Bhandar.
It’s made of flattened rice soaked in desi ghee and cooked with spices, green peas, and saffron. Sometimes, milk cream is added for taste, and crushed black pepper is good for digestion. It s so relaxing and feels good in stomach that we had it thrice times during our week trip to Varanasi.
6. Aloo Tikki
Aloo Tikki is a common chaat across North India, but Banarasis know how to make it special. Mashed potatoes mixed with garam masala powder are shaped into balls and flattened, then placed on a large tawa until both sides get crispy.
Best place in Varanasi for Aloo tikki – Kashi Chaat Bhandar
The beauty of Aloo Tikki is no batter or dough gives crunch to the dish. Potato is the soul here – crunchy from the outside superfast from the inside. After 15 minutes, the potato flats are put in place, topped with lots of chutneys, tomatoes and coriander leaves along with fresh namkeen.
7. Parathas
Paratha is a popular Indian flatbread cooked on a griddle with oil or ghee. It can be plain or stuffed with things like potatoes (aloo), cauliflower (gobi), paneer, or lentils.
Varanasi’s parathas are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or snacks because of the desi ghee they use.
These Parathas are often enjoyed with yogurt, pickles, or curries and are a staple for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Best place to have Parathas in Varanasi – Assi ka Diljeet Cafe and Niyati Cafe
The vegetable-stuffed parathas are filling but don’t make you feel heavy. The best dip for Gobi and Aloo Paratha is curd made with buffalo milk and local pickles.
Diljeet cafe is on the 4th or 5th floor. You don’t have the river view, but the neighbourhood view is amazing. Especially in the evening, kids flying kites are out in the terraces playing. Their two dogs make your time in the cafe even more lovely.
8. Samosa chaat
A samosa is a snack made of a crispy, deep-fried pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat. It’s shaped like a triangle and often enjoyed with chutney. The Persian (Uzbekistan, to be precise) origin dish is so common in India that most of us thought Indians invented it.
But Samosa Chaat was kind of born on the streets of Varanasi and is one of most famous street food in Varanasi.
Best place to eat Samosa Chaat in Varanasi – Kashi Chaat Bhandar.
Heads Up on Kashi Chaat Bhandar: After Kashi Chaat Bhandar was featured in the grandest Indian wedding of the century by the Ambani family, the place has become extremely overcrowded.
My brother and his family visited Varanasi in August 2024 and mentioned that Kashi Chaat Bhandar is so crowded that you need to wait for an hour to get your food. Due to the overcrowding, locals are saying that the quality has gone down terribly!
To make Samosa chaat, these samosas are broken and topped with chickpea curry (chana), yogurt, tamarind chutney, green chutney, onions, tomatoes, and chaat masala. The combination of the crispy samosa with the tangy and spicy toppings makes it a super tasty snack.
Banarasis, being the masters of fried snacks, knows how to Indianise this Persian dish perfectly.
9. Tamatar chaat
Tamatar Chaat is a popular street food from Varanasi. It’s made with tomatoes cooked in a spicy and tangy gravy, mixed with mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and a blend of spices. This mixture is then topped with crunchy sev, fresh coriander, and sometimes a squeeze of lemon.
Best place in Varanasi for Tamatar chaat – Vishwanath Chaat Bhandar & Deena Chaat
There is a hint of cashew,hing, ginger, lots of softened tomatoes and potatoes floating in ghee sprinkled with crunch namkeens – This chaat is Banarasi favourite for all the right reasons.
10. Cutlets and Bajjis
Cutlets, also known as fried patties, are made with various fillings. They taste best with either tomato sauce or tamarind chutney. Vegetables like potatoes and Bajji Mirchi, deep-fried with besan flour batter, go best with kullad chai.
What makes Banarasi bajjis special is the powder they add while serving. Black salt with cumin powder adds a savoury taste and reduces the acidic effect.
Best place in Varanasi for Bajjis – Near Old Diljeet Cafe. The shop is open from 3.30 to 9 PM
Don’t forget to observe the fan he has kept below the flaming Chulha to enhance flame and heat. It is fascinating how smaller shops come up with innovative ideas to utilise space the most.
Desserts and Drinks to try in Varanasi
1. Malaiyo
Malaiyo is the milky mist of Banaras available only during winter – I always say December to February is the best time to visit Varanasi. And Malaiyo is one of the reasons. The Malaiyo shops shut by 11AM! So this surely should be after breakfast dessert in Varanasi.
Undoubtedly Malaiyo is the most famous sweet dish in Varanasi – Creamy, foamy and healthy.
It’s basically flavoured milk foam served in a small earthen bowl and garnished with pistachios, saffron, and almonds.Sometimes they add a few rose petals or strawberry flavour.
Best place in Varanasi for Malaiyo– Opposite Balaji Kachori and next to IDBI Bank in Ghagrani Gali.
I love simple Malaiyo -ones with crushed pistachios. The best time to taste this is winter because the foam rises and stays the same in lower temperatures better than in summers. If you want to try it in summer, make sure you eat during breakfast to have the best of all Malaiyyo.
2. Laal Peda
Laal Peda is made from khoya (thickened milk), sugar, and cardamom, and gets its characteristic reddish-brown color from slow-cooking the mixture.
Best place in Varanasi for Laal Peda – Shree Madhur Jalpaan, a century old shop
This milk dish isn’t new to us as we also prepare a similar dish in my home state.
What makes Varanasi Peda so delicious is the quality of milk they use. Uttar Pradesh, the state where Varanasi is located, is India’s highest dairy-producing state.
The peda is shaped into small, round discs and often garnished with nuts. It’s a rich, dense, and delicious treat, perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.
3. Jalebi Rabri
Jalebi Rabri, a sweet breakfast famous among Banaras people, consists of two foods – Jalebi made by deep frying fermented batter, mixed with Rabri, a condensed milk.
Essentially, Jalebi is a sweet dish often considered a dessert in most parts of India. But in Varanasi, Jalebi is mixed with Rabri and makes a fine breakfast for Banaras people, while I would prefer it as a night dessert.
Best place to have Jalebis in Varanasi – A roadside cart opposite Balaji Kachori.
Jalebi is made from a batter of maida (refined flour) and yogurt, which is fermented and then deep-fried in circular shapes. The fried spirals are then soaked in sugar syrup, giving them a crispy texture and a sweet, sticky coating.
Rabri is a traditional Indian dessert made by simmering milk on low heat until it thickens and reduces to a creamy consistency. It is sweetened with sugar and flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and sometimes garnished with chopped nuts like almonds and pistachios.
4. Banarasi Lassi
India’s highest milk-producing state obviously produces India’s best lassi. (Punjab’s lassi is still a strong contender to Varanasi Lassi, though).
Lassi in Varanasi is super creamy because they use fresh buffalo milk. They serve it in earthen pots called “kulhads,” which give it a unique taste. Sweetened with sugar or jaggery and flavoured with cardamom, rose water, or saffron, it’s topped with a layer of malai (cream) and sometimes nuts. It’s a refreshing and indulgent drink you won’t find anywhere else.
Best places in Varanasi to have Lassi – Blue lassi and Shiv Prasad Lassi Bhandar in Ram Nagar.
This drink is any time drink of the day irrespective of the season and time. You find hundreds of lassi shops all over Varanasi and each has its unique twist to its drink. Many places offer Lassi with Bhang. If you know how to handle the “Bhaang-ness” , go for it.
5. Thandai
The king of all “soft drinks/cold drinks” in India must be Thandai and Varanasi knows how to make it the best.
The concoction of various dry fruits or seasonal fruits mixed with milk and sometimes with only water is a delight for Varanasi’s summer.
Best Place in Varanasi to have Thandai – Pakhak Ji’s Thandai shop next to Narayan Mistan Bhandar in Thateri Bazar
This is local’s “go-to drink” in every season. They say there is no party like Shivratri in Varanasi. So the Thandai makers say that the sales are five times more than they do during peak tourist season. Some Thandai makers specialise in particular fruit and make only that always.
In comparison, others who are masters of multiple flavours prepare different Thandai each day. The real party begins when you add a ball of Bhaang to Thandai, and you begin to float in the air.
6. Kullad tea
Every time I spotted a local chai seller, the clay pots, or “kullads,” seemed to beckon me, “Come to Mama.” As a chai enthusiast, sipping tea in those winding lanes felt like a slice of heaven. Asking for “Adrak Waali” or “Elaichi Waali” chai always sparked a conversation with the chai seller.
Chai is served in Kullad (clay pots) are one-use cups. So you can either throw the kullad in the bin or take it home.
Most Chai we had in Varanasi was super good, so I can’t specify a place. Still, I would vote for Lakshmi Chai Wala to be the best chai maker in Varanasi.
7. Paan
Whenever I heard Amitabh Bachchan’s “Paan Banaras Wala” song, I wondered about the hype about Banarasi paan!
After all, it is beetle leaves with some ingredients,” I thought until I had real paan in Varanasi.
What makes Banaras paan the best and most famous is the kind of local beetle leaves they use and the curd mixed with lime. Each paan maker is particular about the kind of beetle nuts & ingredients they use.
The right amount of saunf, tobacco, nutmeg, tutti frutti, cardamom, and grated coconut – A tiny paan shop with small steel boxes containing at least 20 different ingredients a miniature grocery shop display.
Usually, for me, the lime is what makes paan irritating. Banrasis add thick curds to dilute the lime with the tastiest milk products. So the paan doesn’t give you a dizzy feeling but still kicks you a little.
Facts about Varanasi Street food
Banaras is old, and some of their food joints are old too. They have the highest reputation and serve the best authentic Banarasi food.
Street food is always vegetarian. Since it is a holy place and many Jains visit it, most street foods are prepared without onion and garlic.
Not every street food in Varanasi is unhygienic. With a little bit of research and our food guide, you can devour local delicacies. When in doubt, take Varanasi street food tour as we did.
Bhang is legal in Varanasi. It is consumed with Lassi or Thandai. If it is your first time, have patience after one drink before you gulp another one to make you dizzy.
The Chaat and Bajji shops aren’t just made for tourists. At Pandey Ghat, we eat Bajjis for three days at the same time in the same place. A few nearby residents came every day and the bajji maker handed them their usuals without even asking!
Indian cheese is called Paneer. It is plentily available in Varanasi. But don’t be surprised to see Varanasi cafes with Gouda, Mozzarella, Cheddar and many more types of cheese.
Can we eat Varanasi Street food for meals?
Many of Varanasi street food can become your meals. On our food tour we learned that Varanasi food culture revolves around street food.
Ladies of the house in Varanasi come out late in the noon for daily grocery shopping and prefers to eat snacks instead of lunch. So chats and fried snacks are any time of the day food. So Varanasi street food are kind of all day meal thing.
Best places to eat street food in Varanasi
- Kachori Gali: Known for its delicious kachoris and sabzi
- Assi Ghat: A great spot for enjoying local snacks and chai with a view of the Ganges.
- Chowk Area: Famous for its variety of street foods, including sweets like jalebi and rabri.
- Lanka: Popular among students and locals for affordable and tasty street food options.
- Godowlia: A bustling area with a wide range of street food vendors offering everything from chaat to sweets.
- Ram Bhandar: Known for its breakfast options, especially kachoris and jalebis.
Where can I get food in Varanasi
You can get delicious food in Varanasi from both streetside shops and restaurants. Old Varanasi near the ghats has charming cafes, Godowlia is home to street food joints and smaller restaurants, and the Cantonment area is full of restaurants.
Cafe culture in Kashi is strong. Southern parts of Kashi near Ghats are highly influenced by foreign tourists. Israeli Shakshuka to Japanese Sushi, Korean Kimchi, Brown bread, Cinnamon rolls and Vegan food options are available.
What are the best places to eat chaat in Varanasi
Kashi Chaat Bhandar – 70 year old place, Denna Chaat Bhandar – 50 year old places, Vishwanath Chaat Bhandar are the best places to try chaats in Varanasi.
What is traditional Breakfast of Banaras
Typical Banarasi breakfast is bread toast or Kachori poori with Channah sabji or Radbri Jalebis.
Why milk based desserts are famous in Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh is India’s highest milk-producing state. And Varanasi is one of the cities where rural areas are dotted with dairy farming. Because of which buffalo milk based desserts are super tasty and famous in Varanasi..
The South Indian influenced famous Varanasi food
I never knew I would like to eat Dosa outside south India because they are its masters. The number of Dosa and Idli shops in a North Indian town shocked us. Slowly, we realised that Varanasi receives many South Indian travellers, and there is a big community of Telugu and Malayalis living in the city. So Dosas are super popular in Varanasi.
Which is your favourite Street Food in Varanasi? Let us know in the comment section below.
Mouth watering blog ☺ 😊 liked your detailed explanations …
Thanks Sukesh! I drool even today when I remember Kashi food
What a tremendous blog with mouthwatering photos of delicious food
Hehe. Thanks, Sanjiv!