Varanasi an Oldest living city in the world has its own authentic flavors in their streets. This street food elaborates as the city history. Each and every item has its own legacy & story to tell; a very authentic, unique flavor, mesmerizing texture, sweet & savory taste to remember. The other best part of these street food apart from their taste is affordability & availability in most of the season.
Food is an essential part of the Varanasi’s culture. Being frequented by hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists throughout the year, the city’s cuisine is a spin-off between the new and the old, the modern and the old-fashioned. A few handpicked locations and special treats will tickle your taste buds while you’re in Varanasi. So must stop by following food places which will make your stay more memorable.
- Pahelwan Lassi, Lanka
Are you looking for an authentic, refreshing, healthy & petrichor (Sondi khusboo) desi drink, then Pahelwan Lassi is your stop? They have established during 1950’s and famous for its sweet Lassi (Yogurt) with Rabadi & Malai (thick cream) served in Kulhad. They also have other items such Malaiyo (Only in Winters), Launglata, Rasgulla. This place is in very close proximity to BHU, Assi Ghat, Lanka and Hotel Kings Banaras.
- Deena Chaat Bhandar, Gowdaulia
This place is located in middle of the most famous Gowdaulia Market. They have the all-savory street foods to serve from everyone’s favourite golgappa/panipuri, dahi puri, aloo tikki, Bhalla papdi to Banaras special Tamatar chaat, etc. Banarasi’s love to spend their evening trying these street foods, so whenever you are in Varanasi don’t miss the Tamatar chaat at this place.
- Laxmi Chai Wala
A very unique way of preparing Chai and Toast on charcoal (fired Chula). This place is famous for its chai and bread toast established in 1950’s, where chai (over charcoal) bread is toasted over charcoal and served with fresh Malai (thick cream), white butter, yellow butter. One can also decide to have the toast sprinkled with either pepper or sugar depending on the taste they prefer. This place is slightly off the main road and very near to Kashi Vishwanath Mandir.
- Blue Lassi shop
Blue lassi is in Vishwanath Gali and serving for over 90 years now. Blue Lassi’s gives a special hint to the common lassi with fruit infusions; apple, banana, custard apple and many more flavors are available. The shop is covered with pictures and notes from guests who have visited his shop, very popular in foreign visitor.
- Kashi Chaat Bhandar
One of many places to eat chaat, Kashi chaat bhandar is one of them. From its Aloo tikki (potato patties) serves with chola curry(chickpea) with beaten yogurt red chutney, green chutney & many more toppings of choice.
- Ram Nagar Lassi (Shiv Prasad Lassi Bhandar)
Ram Nagar lassi wala is near Ram Nagar Fort. This shop has been here for three generations. In the early days tea was sold here. After that the business of rabri started and then gradually it turned into lassi and now most of the tourists who come here taste the lassi. The specialty of this lassi is that ice is not used in it. Lassi is thick. On top of this he pours thick cream(malai) and rabri, which makes it more delicious.
- Thandai – Mishrambu, Gowdaulia
Varanasi circuses high on the making of milk and curd and thus a profound use of these items can be found in most of the city’s preparations. Banarasi Thandai is well-known across India for its energizing taste and festive spirit. Made from seasonal fruit puree, Thandai is served in a kulhad topped with Rabri and flavoured with rose essence, dry fruits and nuts. Condiments like fennel seeds, magaztari seeds, pepper, vetiver seeds, cardamom and saffron make the flavours truly amusing and energizing. People enhance its taste by adding some quantity of Bhang in Thandai on festive occasions like Holi. Thandai in Banaras is available with the buzz of bhang if you’re up to try it.
- Chachi ki Kachori, Lanka
Chachi ki dukan at Lanka opposite Ravidas gate which is not more than a 300M from Hotel Kings Banaras was famous for the old lady who was affectionately called Chachi (aunt). The shop was all about a small group of Chachi, mostly her family members who would mix sabzi and crisp kachoris on one side and hot crisp, syrup drenched jalebis on the other side of a small confined shop. People and specially tourist usually come in the mornings after mandir darshan to have their breakfast of hot Kachori and sabzi with a side of sweet jalebies.
- Paan (Keshav), Lanka Ravidas Gate
Banaras is known for its food, temple and many more things. But exclusively it is known for its Paan, which people usually enjoy after their meal. This shop is located at Lanka, inside Ravidas gate and it is over 60years old place. This place serves various variety of paans and exclusive thing about them is that they serve different paans for different seasons, such as the Maghai Paan from December to April, Jagannathi Paan from May to July and Desi Paan from August to September. However, Sanchi Paan is available round the year. Many Celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and known personalities have experienced and appreciated their taste and essence of paan.
- Pizzeria, Assi Ghat
Pizzeria is located at very prime location, that is, Assi Ghat, and is at walking distance from Hotel Kings Banaras. One of the oldest & unique way of preparing Pizza’s: Coal fired Tandoor and preparation of each item from scratch in house – Pizza base, Sauces & spices etc. which makes is different and better from all other pizza places. This café is based at beautiful riverside view that serves up a storm and delights customers every single time! Sitting with calm breeze and sip their varied beverages and order their lovely pizza with the flurry of the lively ghat at your cads. This, I promise, is an experience to reminisce.
27 Comments
This is so informative 👏
Thank you so much.
Amazing detailed the Street Food of Varanasi
Thank you, looking forward to welcome you in Varanasi to explore some of these.
Amazing detailed the Street Food of Varanasi.
Hotel kings banaras is Awesome and so is this blog,
Will try all items when I visit next
Thank you for acknowledging our services, looking forward to welcome you again.
Love to go these places. Thanks for this information..
Thank you so much
Very tasty description of वाराणसी cuisines..Now it beacons-
Have to go.R.K.Srivatava Delhi
Thank you and looking forward to welcome you.
We loved these places, varanasi is heaven for street foods. Perfect capture!
Awesome,all delicious street foods,mouth watering indeed.planning to visit Varanasi,stay at beautiful kings Hotel & to visit all place to taste the marvelous food.i formation is very useful.thanks.Ashok
Thank you! Yes Varanasi is ultimate street food heaven
Wonderful,mouth watering,delicious indian healthy street foods.would like to come & stay at hotel Kings to know Varanasi better.
Thank you! Looking forward to Welcome you.
Beautiful, delicious,mostly north Indian foods.mouth watering,want to visit & taste the same.
Good information to help for varanasi visitors.
Thank you so much.
Very Nice
Thank you so much.
Amazing
Very informative. Would love to come and visit 🙂
This is so informative. Next time these are going to be in my bucket list. Banaras Jaldi bulao mujhe
A perfect blog for a foodie like me. A great read.👌
Thank you !
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