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Indian food combines bold flavours, deep-rooted traditions, and locally sourced ingredients. Each state has something special, from the spicy curries of the North to the coconut-infused dishes of the South. Some regions are known for crispy street snacks, while others are famous for rich, slow-cooked meals. The best food in India highlights the country’s rich flavours, shaped by tradition and local ingredients. From sizzling tandoori dishes to melt-in-your-mouth sweets, every plate tells a story. No matter where you go, there’s always something delicious waiting to be discovered.
Best Food In India: Top 10 Culinary Delights
Here is the list of the top 10 best food in India, offering a glimpse into culinary delights and vibrant flavours of the nation:
1. Biryani
Photo: Shiv’s fotografia / Wikimedia Commons
Biryani is a fragrant rice dish cooked with aromatic spices and tender meat, usually chicken or mutton. In Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, biryani is prepared in a special way called “dum” cooking, where the pot is sealed with dough to trap all flavours inside. The rice grains remain separate yet absorb the rich taste of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and saffron. This royal dish is typically served with raita (yoghurt dip) to balance its intense flavours.
Price: ₹80 – ₹600
Popular Places To Try: Bawarchi (Hyderabad), Dum Pukht, Royal Indian Hotel (Kolkata)
2. Butter Chicken
Photo: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons
Butter chicken, one of the best foods in India, was created in Delhi’s Moti Mahal in the 1950s. Tender chicken pieces are first marinated in yoghurt and spices, then cooked in a tandoor (clay oven). The chicken is then simmered in a velvety sauce made from tomatoes, butter, and cream. Not too spicy, it’s seasoned with fenugreek leaves, giving it a distinctive flavour. Locals scoop up the orange-red gravy with Naan bread or rice.
Price: ₹200 – ₹500
Popular Places To Try: Moti Mahal, Gulati, Kake Da Hotel (Delhi)
3. Masala Dosa
Photo: Marajozkee / Wikimedia Commons
Masala dosa is a crispy, golden-brown crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter. Originally from South India, it’s folded around a filling of spiced potatoes cooked with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and turmeric. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and soft, flavourful potato filling makes each bite exciting. Traditionally served with coconut chutney and sambar (spicy lentil soup), this dish perfectly balances textures and flavours.
Price: ₹30 – ₹150
Popular Places To Try: Vidyarthi Bhavan (Bangalore), Murugan Idli Shop (Chennai), CTR (Bangalore)
4. Chole Bhature
Photo: Dheerajk88 / Wikimedia Commons
Chole bhature is a beloved North Indian breakfast and street food consisting of two main components. “Chole” refers to spicy chickpeas simmered with tomatoes, onions, and aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and amchur. “Bhature” is a fluffy, deep-fried bread made from fermented dough that puffs up dramatically when fried. The combination creates a satisfying meal with contrasting textures—soft, spicy chickpeas alongside crisp-yet-airy bread. It is usually garnished with onions, green chillies, and a squeeze of lemon for freshness.
Price: ₹50 – ₹200
Popular Places To Try: Sita Ram Diwan Chand, Chache Di Hatti (Delhi), Kanha Sweets (Amritsar)
5. Vada Pav
Vada pav, Mumbai’s iconic street food and one of the best foods in India, is often called India’s vegetarian burger. A spiced potato fritter (vada) is deep-fried in gram flour batter until golden and crispy. This hot vada is placed inside a small, soft bread roll (pav) smeared with spicy garlic and chilli chutneys. Invented as quick, affordable food for textile mill workers in the 1960s, vada pav represents Mumbai’s fast-paced lifestyle and is available at street corners throughout Maharashtra.
Price: ₹10 – ₹50
Popular Places To Try: Anand Stall, Ashok Vada Pav (Mumbai), JJ Garden (Pune)
6. Samosa
Photo: Jagisnowjughead / Wikimedia Commons
Samosa is a triangular pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes minced meat. The crisp, golden outer shell is made from flour dough that’s deep-fried to perfection. Inside, the filling combines boiled potatoes with green peas, cumin seeds, coriander, and garam masala, creating a savoury, mildly spicy taste. They’re enjoyed as a snack, appetiser, or quick meal with chai tea, especially during monsoon season.
Price: ₹5 – ₹30
Popular Places To Try: Manohar (Delhi), Tewari Brothers (Kolkata), Guru Sweets (Amritsar)
7. Dal Makhani
Dal Makhani, one of the Best Foods In India, showcases Punjab’s rich culinary heritage in a humble yet luxurious dish. Black lentils and kidney beans are slow-cooked overnight, transforming them into a creamy texture without losing their shape. The magic happens when butter, cream, and tomato puree are added, creating a velvety gravy with a smoky undertone from being cooked in clay pots. This protein-rich comfort food pairs perfectly with naan or rice, warming both body and soul.
Price: ₹150 – ₹400
Popular Places To Try: Kesar Da Dhaba (Amritsar), Gulati (Delhi), Amrik Sukhdev (Murthal)
8. Rogan Josh
Photo: gahdjun / Wikimedia Commons
Rogan Josh is a ruby-red lamb curry that embodies the Persian and Central Asian influences on Kashmiri cuisine. “Rogan” means oil, while “Josh” refers to passion—perfectly describing this aromatic dish. Tender pieces of lamb are simmered in a gravy made vibrant by Kashmiri red chillies (which provide colour more than heat) and a blend of spices including cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.
Price: ₹250 – ₹600
Popular Places To Try: Ahdoos, Mughal Darbar (Srinagar), Karim’s (Delhi)
9. Tandoori Chicken
Photo: Alberta Studios / Pexels
Tandoori chicken is a vibrant red, smoky delicacy from Punjab that has conquered the world. Chicken pieces are marinated in yoghurt and a bright-red spice mix containing Kashmiri chilli powder, turmeric, and garam masala. The traditional cooking method uses a tandoor—a cylindrical clay oven that reaches extremely high temperatures. The intense heat sears the outside while keeping the inside juicy, creating chicken that’s succulent with a slight char.
Price: ₹200 – ₹500
Popular Places To Try: Kake Da Hotel, Karim’s (Delhi), Amritsari Kukkad (Punjab)
10. Gol Gappa/Pani Puri
Photo: Apoorva Jinka / Wikimedia Commons
Gol Gappe (also called Pani Puri) are bite-sized, hollow, crisp shells made from semolina or wheat flour. These delicate, perfectly rounded puffs hold a spicy mix of mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and tangy tamarind chutney. The experience comes alive with “pani”—spiced water infused with mint, tamarind, cumin, and black salt. This interactive street food is known for its refreshing taste and lively appeal, making it one of the Best Foods In India.
Price: ₹10 – ₹50
Popular Places To Try: Nathu’s (Delhi), Elco (Mumbai), Vivekananda Park (Kolkata)
India’s food changes with every region, from North India’s creamy curries to South India’s spicy rice-based dishes, East India’s flavourful fish meals, and West India’s bold street food. The Best Foods In India vary by flavour, with each dish carrying a piece of history and culture. Book with TripXL to try these authentic flavours with seamless travel, guided culinary tours, and smooth bookings.
Cover Photo: Prabal Pratap Singh / Pexels
