India is a sensory overload in the best possible way, but nothing defines the experience quite like the food. It is a land where spice is an art form, and every street corner offers a new aroma that promises to be the best thing you’ve ever tasted. Though – there are some tips to know and certainly the best foods to try in India.
Albeit for many travellers, the excitement of foods to try in India is tempered by the looming fear of the dreaded ‘Delhi Belly’.
But I’m here to tell you that you can—and should—eat your way through the subcontinent. With a bit of street smarts and a curious palate, you’ll discover that Indian cuisine is far more diverse than just the ‘Curry’ listed on Western menus.
Here are 10 essential snacks and foods to try in India, followed by my Golden Rules for staying healthy – and certainly avoiding that Delhi Belly as a traveller!
Ready?
1. Chole Bhature: The King of North Indian Breakfasts
If there is one dish that defines the heart of Delhi, it’s Chole Bhature. This is soul food at its finest and the King of North Indian breakfasts.
Chole Bhature is a spicy, dark chickpea curry (chole) served with a giant, deep-fried leavened bread (bhatura).
It’s delicious!
When you puncture the puffed-up bhatura, a cloud of steam escapes. You tear off a piece and scoop up the tangy, masala-rich chickpeas. It’s usually served with pickled onions and a green chili.
- Tip: It’s heavy, but! Eat this for brunch so you have the rest of the day to walk it off.
2. Masala Dosa
Moving south, the flavours shift from heavy wheat and cream to rice, lentils, and coconut. Masala Dosa is a South Indian staple.
It is a fermented rice and lentil crepe that is thin, crispy, and savoury. The ‘Masala’ version is stuffed with a lightly spiced potato mash.
Especially down south, it’s served on a large tray (or a banana leaf) with Sambar (a vegetable lentil stew) and various chutneys—usually coconut, tomato, and mint.
Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and vegan (if made without ghee), making it a safe and delicious bet for many travellers.
3. Roti: Foods To Try in India
While you’ve likely had Naan, Roti (or Chapati) is what locals actually eat every single day. It is pretty much ‘The Daily Bread’.
Simply, Roti is an unleavened flatbread made from whole wheat flour, cooked on a flat griddle called a tawa.
Plus, it’s simple, earthy, and the perfect vessel for scooping up dal (lentils) or vegetable sabzi.
- Variations: Try Missi Roti (made with chickpea flour) or Tandoori Roti (cooked in a clay oven) for a smokier flavour.
4. Jalebi: The Golden Spiral
When you see a street vendor swirling orange batter into a vat of hot oil, stop immediately!
Jalebi is a deep-fried pretzel-shaped sweet made of fermented batter, which is then soaked in saffron-infused sugar syrup. It’s crunchy on the outside and squirts warm syrup into your mouth when you bite into it.
In the North, it’s often paired with Rabri (thickened sweetened milk) to balance the sugar.
When you find it on the street side, it is best served – hot!
5. Lassi: Foods To Try in India
Indian summers are no joke, and a Lassi is the traditional antidote.
It is a thick, yogurt-based drink, and it comes in two main varieties: Sweet (flavoured with sugar, rosewater, or fruit like mango) and Salted (flavoured with roasted cumin and black salt).
In cities like Varanasi or Jaipur, lassis are often served in disposable clay cups (kulhads), which add a faint earthy aroma to the drink.
- Tip: Stick to reputable shops where the water used is purified (more on that below). Though Lassi is also a bonus with probiotic that likewise helps to prevent that dreaded Delhi Belly.
6. Masala Chai
In India, ‘Chai Tea’ is a redundant phrase (Chai means tea). So, unless you are wanting to talk about tea-tea; don’t join that!
Chai is delicious in India and quite seriously is the fuel that runs the nation.
It is a black tea brewed with milk, sugar, and a masala blend of ginger, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns.
- The Experience: Buying a glass for 10-20 rupees from a ‘Chai-wala’ is a ritual. It’s served steaming hot in small glasses. It’s the perfect way to take a break from the chaos of the street.
7. Pani Puri (Gol Gappa)
This is the ultimate test of an Indian food lover.
Pani Puri is like small, hollow, crispy shells filled with a mix of potato, chickpeas, and—most importantly—spiced tamarind water.
You have to pop the whole thing in your mouth at once. It’s a literal explosion of sweet, spicy, tangy – and crunchy! 🙂
- Tip: This is a risky one of the street foods to try in India because of the water. Only eat this at high-end stalls that explicitly state they use ‘Mineral Water’ or ‘RO Water’.
8. Kulfi: Foods To Try in India
If you are looking for the ultimate antidote to the searing Indian heat, look no further than Kulfi.
Often described as the “traditional Indian ice cream,” Kulfi is actually denser, creamier, and more decadent than its Western counterpart. Because it isn’t whipped with air, it melts slowly, allowing you to savour every bit of its silky texture!
Kulfi is traditionally prepared by slow-cooking sweetened milk for hours until it caramelises into a rich, nutty base, then it is typically infused with aromatic cardamom, saffron, and crushed pistachios.
But regardless, whether you eat it on a stick from a street vendor or sliced onto a plate topped with silky falooda (vermicelli noodles) and rose syrup, Kulfi is an essential rite of passage for any food lover traveling through the subcontinent. 🙂
9. Samosa
This is somewhat of a universal snack, right? You know them, you love them, but you haven’t lived until you’ve had a fresh one in India.
It is hands down one of the fresh and tasty snacks foods to try in India once you get here.
Samosa is a flaky, triangular pastry filled with spiced potatoes and peas.
- Tip: Look for a place where they are being fried fresh. A stale samosa is a tragedy; a fresh one is a masterpiece!
10. Biryani: Foods To Try in India
Whether it’s the spicy Hyderabadi version or the subtler Lucknowi style, Biryani is the pinnacle of Indian rice dishes.
It is (simply?) long-grain basmati rice cooked with aromatic spices (saffron, star anise, mace) and marinated meat or vegetables.
But the taste is anything but simple!
The rice should be fluffy and separate, never mushy. Each bite offers a different layer of spice.
I am a huge fan. You have to try it!
Worried about Getting Dengue Fever in India? Don’t be. But do read about our experience.
How to Not Get Sick: Foods To Try in India
I won’t sugarcoat it: hygiene standards in India can vary wildly. However, getting sick isn’t an inevitability. If you follow these guidelines, and a few tips we swear by for India, you can enjoy the culinary landscape with confidence.
Because the truth is there are many delish foods to try in India. It ultimately means you have to get swish with the hygiene stands (and learn where and what is definitely NOT swish!).
The Water Rule (Non-Negotiable)
Never drink tap water. This includes ice cubes and brushing your teeth in certain areas.
Stick to bottled mineral water (ensure the seal is intact) or filtered (RO) water.
- Tip: Be wary of fresh salads or fruit that may have been washed in tap water. If you can’t peel it, think twice.
2. Follow the Crowds
A busy stall is a safe stall. High turnover means the food hasn’t been sitting out for hours.
If you see a line of locals—especially families—it’s a sign that the food is fresh and the vendor has a good reputation.
- Tip: One of our favourite places to recommend in Jaipur is the ever-famous Jaipur Lassi Wala which always has a massive queue outside!
3. Watch the Preparation
One of the best things about Indian street food is that it’s often cooked right in front of you.
- Go for Heat: Frying or boiling kills most bacteria. Hot, freshly fried Samosas or steaming Chai are generally very safe.
- Avoid Pre-Cut Fruit: Ask the vendor to cut a fresh mango or watermelon in front of you.
4. The Hand Factor
In India, eating with your right hand is traditional. However, as a traveler, your hands are magnets for local germs.
- Carry hand sanitizer and use it religiously before every meal.
- Check if the vendor is using tongs or gloves, though in authentic street spots, this is rare—refer back to the “High Turnover” rule!
5. Ease Into It
Don’t land in Delhi and head straight for the spiciest vindaloo you can find. Your gut flora needs time to adjust.
- Start with cooked, mild dishes like Dal Tadka or Roti.
- Gradually introduce street snacks over the first 3-4 days.
6. Probiotics are Your Friends
You can start taking a high-quality probiotic supplement two weeks before you arrive and continue throughout your trip. This strengthens your ‘good’ bacteria and helps your stomach fight off invaders.
Or – and our favourite advice – is to roll by the travel concept of ‘When In Rome’. Which in India, quite literally means to do as the locals do and get onboard with daily Lassi for probiotics and good gut health.
We love this and as often as we can seek out fresh and famous Lassi around the country to live up to this tip! 🙂
Street Food vs. Restaurant Food
Foods to try in India do vary massively from street food to restaurant meals.
We usually stay in budget-mid-range accommodation options and often breakfast is included. This means we love to try some snacks or lunch out and about and usually have dinner back at our hotel or at a restaurant.
| Feature | Street Food | Mid-Range Restaurant |
| Price | Very Cheap ($0.50 – $2) | Moderate ($5 – $15) |
| Authenticity | High; traditional recipes | High; often “safer” versions |
| Risk Level | Higher (check water/freshness) | Lower (usually filtered water) |
| Atmosphere | Chaotic, vibrant, standing | Air-conditioned, seated |
What to Try Where: Foods To Try in India
The other good tip to know when looking out for these top foods to try in India as a traveller, is to know which region each of them originates from.
These are some of our favourites:
| Dish | Best Region to Try | Flavour Profile |
| Chole Bhature | Delhi / Punjab | Spicy, Hearty, Fried |
| Masala Dosa | Karnataka / Tamil Nadu | Savory, Crispy, Tangy |
| Jalebi | Varanasi / Rajasthan | Extremely Sweet, Syrupy |
| Lassi | Punjab / Rajasthan | Creamy, Refreshing |
| Biryani | Hyderabad / Kolkata | Fragrant, Complex, Rich |
Staying Healthy: Foods To Try in India
As a final note before you travel – don’t let fear steal your appetite.
Some of my best memories of India involve sitting on a plastic stool, sweat dripping down my face, drinking hot Chai and eating the best Samosa of my life.
Respect the spice, trust your gut (literally), and dive in!
Accommodation: Where to Stay in India
Pigeons aside (Ajmer) there are some great places to stay in India.
Where We Stay in Delhi
- New Delhi Airport – Mid-Range: Taurus Sarovar Portico
Beautiful hotel only a few km’s from Delhi International Airport. A great first stop arriving in India with buffet breakfast included and a restaurant onsite. - Delhi – Budget: Hotel Hari Piorko
Good location in the heart of the Main Bazaar, Delhi. Close to restaurants and train station. No view from rooms. - Delhi – Budget: Smyle Inn
Extremely basic hotel in small back alley. Very friendly, helpful staff and simple breakfast included. Just off Main Bazaar.
Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is 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 it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Tailored travel insurance (including for those who have already left home) – MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD TRAVEL INSURANCE BEFORE TRAVELING TO INDIA!
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.
