Varanasi located near the banks of the Ganges is one of the prominent cities that has ancient roots. It is said that if you want to study about art and culture of India then there is no better place than Varanasi. Some people also associated this city with “The City Of Lights”. Apart from the temples and ghats Varanasi is also well known for its delicious dishes. In this blog, we will look at the various cuisines that you can find in the city of temples. Make sure you order all of the mouth-watering dishes mentioned below.&nbsp;

Do not miss to gobble the little Banarasi littis coated with aromatic ghee! Litti Chokha or Baati Chokha is one of the famous dishes that is made during the winter time in Varanasi. The preparation time taken to make this dish is less than an hour. Things that are required to make Litti Chokha or Baati Chokha are wheat flour, mashed potato, and roasted vegetables depending on your choices. To get a better flour and taste make sure you are eating your batti chokha with some tomato chutney.&nbsp;

Go easy peasy on Summers with Lassi. It's a fact that the summertime is very different to pass by in Varanasi especially when the temperature reaches around 49 degrees Celsius. Then what should you do if you are visiting Varanasi on your summer vacation or on sunny days? Then, my friend, we would suggest to you that you are in desperate need of a glass of lassi. The cold lassi would alleviate your thirst and make you more energetic than ever.

Click a selfie with Kulfi! The next thing that you need to try out while you are in Varanasi is the worldwide famous Kulfi. Originated in India during the Mughal era. Kulfi is one of the types of ice creams that are sold. It is made of condensed milk and cream. While adding flavours, kulfi wallahs the ones who sell Kulfi add nuts and different fruits. In some Kulfi some would also find saffrons added on the top.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Not just Potatoes, Brinjals are luscious too! Baingan Bharta is another traditional dish that one can find in Varanasi. The main components that are used in the preparation of Baingan Bharta are roasted eggplant, tomatoes, opinions and green chilli. Once it is roasted properly all the things are mashed and after that different spices are added to add flavours. So, make sure you have a bite of the well-known Baingan Bharta. Baingan Bharta tends to bite spicer and if you are someone who can not tolerate eating spicy dishes then Baingan Bharta might not be something that you would like on first bite.&nbsp;

Lets go hot and glazed! The sweet that is available around the year in Varanasi yet the most favourited one is Launglata. Laung refers to clove, which is used to seal the recipe. The crumbled mawa mixed with powdered sugar, aromatic cardamom and nuts is sealed into the maida pockets with a clove and deep fried. Then, the royal potli swims into the sugar syrup and arrives at our plate as hot glazed gold bites. This crispy and munchy savoury is made with authenticity at Varanasi and is a must-try delicacy on your Varanasi trip.

Crispy, crunchy and Tangy! There is no doubt that Varanasi street food is second to Mumbai’s street food. So, while you are in Varanasi make sure you are trying a few samples of street food. One street food that we recommend you eat is the seasoned yet spicy Aloo Tikki. Aloo Tikki is typically prepared using mashed potatoes, onions and spices. Later it is deep-fried in oil. In the end, it is served with some green or red chutney.

A glass of Kheer is all you need to complete a Thali! Last but not least on our list is the renowned sweet dish of Varanasi that is Kheer. It is believed that before you start any auspicious work, have some sweets. Therefore in many poojas, birthdays, and weddings most of the time Kheer is served. To prepare a Kheer you need milk, rice, sugar and dry fruits and nuts. If you are someone who has sweet tooth, Kheer is the best thing you have ever tried in your life.&nbsp;

In this food blog, we have brought you the local dishes and sweets that are popular in the streets of Varanasi. We have covered dishes, juice, and sweets that you can try out for less than 500 INR. One tip that we would like to add is the above-mentioned dishes and sweets would taste much better if tried from the street stalls instead of hotels or restaurants. Rest, the choice is always yours!

Visit to Varanasi is incomplete without tasting Banarasi Kachori Sabzi. India has a wide range of food and dishes that a person can try out. One example of the same is Kachori Sabzi of Varanasi. The Kachori Sabzi is one of the signature dishes that has been made in Varanasi for centuries and in almost every nook and corner of Varanasi one could easily spot Kachori Sabzi. The main ingredients used are flour, oil, and maida. While some people eat kachori with aloo ki sabzi or baingan ki sabzi whichever way you devour, the crispiness and crunchiness would remain the same.

If in Varanasi and forgot to eat Banarasi Paan? Then, my friend, you are missing the whole fun. Banarasi paan is one of the renowned mouth fresheners that you must have during your whole stay in Varanasi. Items that make Banarasi paan special around the globe are betel leaf, silver foil, tobacco (depends on you), and kattha. And you can also add some sweets to sweeten the taste of paan.&nbsp;

A chat with Chaat is never boring! Another dish that is well-known in Varanasi is Chaat. Chaat is a dish that you can have any time during the day and the best part is that it is neither too heavy nor too light. The best place and way in which you can savour the taste of chaat is by eating it from the food stalls or thela. One thing that you need to be cautious of is that Chaat is meant to be very spicy. You may feel like you have gulped down the chilli, so make sure to tell your food vendor not to add spicy or chilli to your chaat.

Not sure if you can gulp a Gol gappe! Let's try till you succeed. The next dish that we recommend you try is Gol Gappe. Gol Gappe is associated with a few names which are Panipuri, Phuchka, Gupchup, and golgappa. But when you are in Varanasi then this dish is well known as Gol Gappe or Golgappa. Things that are used are fried flour, tamarind, chickpeas, tamarind chutney, potato, spices, and vegetables. Either you can eat it as a mitta puri or sweet golgappa or have it as spicy or masaaledar.&nbsp;

Mix of Sweet and Tangy, Jalebi baby! Well, we all know that Varanasi is a well-known place for you to try out sweet dishes. And one of them is Jalebi. Jalebi is something you would find in every family's gatherings and weddings. For some people, jalebi is the king of all sweets. The crispy and sweet syrup makes people fall in love with it. Things that are used in this are maida and sugar. It is one of the most famous dishes in Varanasi.

A golden, sugar-glazed crescent to make you drool! Planning to visit Varanasi during the festival of colours (Holi)? Then do not miss eating the famous gujiya of Varanasi. Gujiya is said to be one of the famous sweets that you can have during your trip. Gujiya is basically like a dumpling. The only difference is that Gujiya tastes sweeter than dumplings. The items that are used in the preparation are maida, ghee, and dry fruits of the stuffing. To make Gujiya kore sweeter most people like to dip the fried gujiya in some sweet syrup to sweeten the taste.&nbsp;

Though everyone drinks chai, have you ever tasted chai in Varanasi? Not everything's meant to be drunk in a ceramic cup or the steel cup, something when you have a more traditional way, tastes much better than the modern style. And chai is one of them. We suggest you try the kullhad chai from the dhaba or the tea stalls set on the roadside. Allude chai also comes in different flavours depending on where you are. The most popular Kullad chai is masala chai. A kullad chai and witnessing the sunset on the ghats of Varanasi never get boring.

Devour some fluffy clouds of winter! Otherwise called stuffed butter foam is a prominent street food in Varanasi. This creamy savoury is usually served in mud pots, lavishly garnished with saffron, badam and pista and flavoured with cardamom powder. This winter delicacy is a bucket list item on your visit to Varanasi from November to February. Visit Thatheri Bazar early in the morning to relish the unadulterated taste of Malaiyyo.

15 Delicious Foods in Varanasi that You Must Try

India > Uttar Pradesh > Varanasi

8 Apr 2026

Explore in Varanasi

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