When people picture Jaisalmer, they usually imagine the towering Golden Fort and the silhouette of camels against a setting sun. And while those sights are spectacular, our many journeys have taught us one thing: the most cherished memories of travel don’t come from monuments; they come from the people who live within them.
In Jaisalmer, we’ve been fortunate to build deep connections over the years.
Every time we return—whether it’s just our family or while leading one of our India Group Trips—we feel incredibly privileged to be welcomed back into a local family home for lunch in Jaisalmer.
Lunch in a Family Home in Jaisalmer
If you are looking for an experience in India that transcends the typical tourist trail, sharing a traditional lunch in a family home in Jaisalmer is the single best thing you can do.
Meeting Bhawani and Sawai
To learn about the culture of Jaisalmer, you have to meet Bhawani and Sawai.
These two brothers are the curators of the Desert Art Gallery, located just inside the fort’s first gate.
The brothers live in the narrow, winding stone laneways of the old city with their mother, wives, and children. So being invited into their home is like stepping into a living history book!
It is with their family that we are invited for the experience of lunch in Jaisalmer in their family home.
Desert Art Gallery
Bhawani (who often goes by the name Phoenix) and Sawai are experts in the textiles that once made Jaisalmer a vital hub on the Ancient Silk Road.
Back when Jaisalmer was a crossroads for trade between India and Central Asia, textiles were the primary currency of the desert. Even after the rise of major shipping ports like Mumbai caused a decline in Silk Road trade, the people of the Thar Desert kept these traditions alive through the exchange of tribal dowries.
At their gallery, you can see these generation-old hand-stitched dowry pieces and vintage saris.
- Tip: Check out Desert Art Gallery and the beautiful textiles.
How to Find the Experience
Before the lunch even starts, we recommend visiting the brothers at the Desert Art Gallery (located to the left of the original Ganesh Pol Gate). Go inside for a chai and a chat.
Meeting them in their element among the stunning desert fabrics is the perfect introduction. Then it’s here that you can arrange a time to visit their home for a meal.
The Experience: Lunch in a Family Home
Sharing lunch with this family isn’t just about eating; it’s a full immersion into Jaisalmeri life.
When you arrive at their home, you are welcomed into a cosy small lounge decorated with family photos and memories.
Bhawani will share insights into Hindu traditions and the specific customs that make Jaisalmer unique compared to the rest of India.
In the Kitchen
One of the highlights for us is the hands-on nature of the visit. Sarah often joins the ladies of the house in the kitchen. This is the true heart of the home!
Here, you can learn the art of making Roti (flatbread) over an open flame and see exactly how they prepare their signature Yellow Moong Dal.
There is something incredibly grounding about rolling dough and brewing chai alongside the women who have mastered these recipes over generations.
The Traditional Lunch
When it’s time to eat, everyone sits together on the ground in the traditional way.
The meal is a vegetarian feast, usually featuring:
- Moong Dal: A light, savoury yellow lentil curry tempered with local spices.
- Homemade Rotis: Fresh, hot, and perfect for scooping up curry.
- Ghotua: The legendary Jaisalmer sweet that is dense, sugary, and totally addictive.
Henna and Tradition
The hospitality doesn’t end when the plates are cleared.
The ladies of the family are amazing Henna artists! They will apply intricate designs to our guests’ hands while sharing stories about Jaisalmer.
For a truly special touch, Sarah has even had the chance to try on traditional Jaisalmeri dresses—heavy, vibrant garments paired with the massive, iconic white bangles that women in this region of Rajasthan are famous for wearing.
Visiting Bhawani’s Cows
How about this for unique in Jaisalmer: After lunch at their home we went for a walk just to the outskirts of the town and saw where the family keep their two cows.
Sarah even had a go helping to milk the cows as the ladies do twice a day!
Bhawani is extremely proud to have such healthy, well looked after cows. The family drinks the fresh milk every day. It is a key ingredient to their delicious Yellow Dal.
A Tip on Gifting
We always like to bring a small gift—or Koha as we say in New Zealand. Small items like stationery for the children or some fresh fruit or juices for the family are always appreciated and a lovely way to show gratitude for their hospitality.
Planning Your Visit to Jaisalmer
To make the most of a local experience like this, you need to time your trip right.
Best Time to Visit
Jaisalmer is in the heart of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, which means the heat is no joke.
- October to March: This is the ideal window for travel. The days are pleasantly warm and the nights are crisp and cool. This is the best time for walking the fort and taking camel safaris.
- Avoid April to June: Temperatures can soar above 45°C (113°F). It is brutally hot, and many local experiences may be limited as people stay indoors.
Getting There
Jaisalmer was once hard to reach, but it’s much more accessible now and absolutely worth making the journey out to get to:
- By Train: The train to Jaisalmer is a classic experience. From Delhi or Jaipur it is an overnight journey that deposits you right in the desert by morning.
- By Air: Jaisalmer has a small airport with seasonal flights (usually during the winter months) from major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur.
- By Road: It is a long but beautiful drive from Jodhpur (about 5–6 hours).
Getting Around in Jaisalmer
The Golden City is best explored on foot, especially inside the fort and the narrow markets.
For longer (slightly) distances—like heading to Gadisar Lake or out to the city outskirts—auto-rickshaws are everywhere. Be sure to agree on a price before you hop in!
Where to Stay in Jaisalmer
If you want a place that matches the warmth of the family lunch experience, there is one place we recommend: Wanderlust Guesthouse.
We stay here every single time we visit. While many people think they want to stay inside the fort, we actually recommend staying just outside of it. This helps reduce the structural pressure on the ancient fort walls (which are suffering from water drainage issues) and, more importantly, it gives you the best view.
The rooftop at Wanderlust Guesthouse offers what we consider the best view of the fort in the entire city, especially at sunset.
The owner, Padam, and his team are friendly, professional and welcoming. The rooms are clean, the vibe is chilled, and the food at their café is excellent.
- Tip: They also run what we reckon is the most ethical and authentic camel safaris in the region. Do it!
How to Book Your Local Lunch in Jaisalmer
Sharing a meal with Bhawani and Sawai’s family is the kind of encounter that will be a highlight of your trip to India.
- Contact: You can reach Bhawani (Phoenix) directly at +91 94147 63000 to arrange a lunch in their family home or to ask for a personalized tour of the Jaisalmer Fort.
- Visit: Stop by the Desert Art Gallery inside the fort near Ganesh Pol Gate to meet the brothers in person.
In a world of “top ten” lists and “must-see” monuments, don’t forget to make time for the people. It’s the chai, the chapatis, and the conversation that you’ll remember long after the desert sand of Jaisalmer has been shaken from your shoes!
Ready to plan your full Rajasthan adventure? Check out our Ultimate Golden Triangle Itinerary to see how to link Jaisalmer with Jaipur and Agra!
Let us know in the comments if you go for this special lunch in a family home in Jaisalmer!
Safe travels, adventurers!
Read More India Inspiration
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- 10 Things To Do In Mumbai.
- 10 Things To Do In Kochi & Kerala.
- Best Tourist SIM Card For India.
- What To Wear In India.
- Travelling India By Bus: Intercity, Tourist & Sleeper Buses.
Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before further planning Jaisalmer!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
