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Agra, a city steeped in Mughal heritage and home to the magnificent Taj Mahal, offers a culinary journey that’s equally mesmerising. Beyond its architectural wonders, the city’s lanes and bylanes house the best food in Agra that have been perfected over generations. From the sweet and translucent petha to the robust flavours of Mughlai cuisine, Agra’s food scene is a delightful mix of street food, traditional sweets, and royal delicacies. This blog takes you through the 10 best foods in Agra, each with its own unique history and flavour profile.
Best Food In Agra: Top 10 Dishes To Savour
Here are some of the 10 best food items in Agra, the city known for more than just the Taj Mahal, when you visit here.
1. Panchhi Petha At Panchhi Petha Store
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The iconic sweet of Agra, Panchhi Petha is arguably the most famous petha shop in the city. Their crystal-clear petha, made from ash gourd and sugar syrup, has been perfected over generations. While the basic petha is a must-try, their innovative varieties like kesar petha, chocolate petha, and pan petha offer unique twists to the traditional sweet. The store maintains strict quality control, ensuring each piece is perfectly crystallised and maintains its signature transparent appearance. Located in Sadar Bazaar, the shop’s historic ambience adds to the experience.
Average Cost For Two: ₹200 – 300
Timings: 8 AM – 10 PM daily
2. Paratha At Ram Babu Paratha Bhandar
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Tucked away in the bustling lanes of Belanganj, Ram Babu’s establishment has been serving hot, flaky parathas for over five decades. Their specialty lies in the diverse stuffings – from traditional aloo (potato) and gobhi (cauliflower) to innovative paneer and mixed vegetable variants. What sets these parathas apart is the perfect balance of spices and the distinctive cooking technique that ensures each paratha is crispy on the outside while remaining soft inside. The accompanying butter, pickles, and raita complement the parathas perfectly.
Average Cost For Two: ₹150 – 200
Timings: 6 AM – 11 PM daily
3. Bedai At Deviram’s
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A breakfast institution in Agra, Deviram’s bedai (deep-fried stuffed kachori) served with spicy aloo sabzi is legendary. The bedai is crispy and flaky, stuffed with a perfectly spiced lentil mixture, while the potato curry has a unique tang from dried mango powder. The combination creates an explosion of flavours that locals swear by. The shop gets particularly crowded during breakfast hours, with people standing in queues for their morning fix. Don’t miss their special lassi, served in traditional earthen cups.
Average Cost For Two: ₹100 – 150
Timings: 6:30 AM – 12 PM daily
4. Bhalla At Bhagat Halwai
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Located in the heart of Agra’s old city, Bhagat Halwai’s dahi bhalla is a culinary masterpiece. The soft lentil dumplings are soaked in creamy yoghurt, topped with tangy tamarind chutney, spicy green chutney, and a mix of spices. What makes their bhalla special is the perfect texture – neither too soft nor too firm – and the balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavours. During summer months, this cooling dish becomes particularly popular among locals and tourists alike.
Average Cost For Two: ₹120 – 180
Timings: 9 AM – 10 PM daily
5. Mughlai Cuisine At Joney’s Place
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Hidden in the lanes of Shah Market, Joney’s Place serves some of the most authentic Mughlai cuisine in Agra. Their butter chicken, featuring tender pieces of chicken in a rich, creamy gravy, is legendary. The roomali roti, so thin you can almost see through it, perfectly complements their robust curries. The kebabs, particularly the galouti kebab, literally melt in your mouth. The small eatery maintains the traditional cooking methods using copper vessels and charcoal fires.
Average Cost For Two: ₹500 – 700
Timings: 12 PM – 11 PM daily
6. Chaat At Shri Bankey Bihari Chaat Bhandar
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This modest shop in Sadar Bazaar serves some of the best chaat in North India. Their signature dish, the basket chaat, is a crispy potato basket filled with a medley of ingredients including chickpeas, potatoes, yoghurt, and chutneys. The tamatar chaat, a unique Agra specialty, features tangy tomato curry topped with crunchy namkeen. The secret lies in their specially prepared spice mix and chutneys that have remained unchanged for decades.
Average Cost For Two: ₹150 – 200
Timings: 11 AM – 10 PM daily
7. Dal Moth At Munna Lal Dal Moth
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A snack unique to Agra, dal moth at Munna Lal’s is a spicy mix of fried lentils, peanuts, and sev, seasoned with a secret blend of spices. Located near Kinari Bazaar, this shop has been operating for over 70 years. Their dal moth is so popular that they ship it across India. The crunchiness of the mixture, combined with the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy flavours, makes it incredibly addictive. They also serve a special masala version during winters.
Average Cost For Two: ₹100 – 150
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM daily
8. Samosa At Deviram Sweet House
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Different from the Deviram’s known for bedai, this establishment in Belanganj is famous for its samosas. The perfectly crisp outer layer encases a filling of perfectly spiced potatoes and peas. What sets these samosas apart is their size – slightly smaller than usual but packed with flavour – and the accompanying mint chutney that adds an extra kick. During evening hours, their hot samosas paired with masala chai make for a perfect snack.
Average Cost For Two: ₹80 – 100
Timings: 7 AM – 9 PM daily
9. Biryani At Mama Chicken
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While Agra isn’t traditionally known for biryani, Mama Chicken in Civil Lines has changed that perception. Their Mughlai-style biryani features long-grain rice cooked with aromatic spices and tender meat. The secret lies in their slow-cooking process and the use of traditional ingredients like kewra water and saffron. The biryani comes with a side of raita and their special salan. The restaurant maintains a simple ambience but focuses entirely on the quality of food.
Average Cost For Two: ₹400 – 600
Timings: 11 AM – 11 PM daily
10. Malai Ki Gilori At Rawat Brothers
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This unique sweet dish, found only in Agra, is a delicate roll of malai (cream) flavoured with cardamom and saffron, wrapped in silver varq. Rawat Brothers, located near Jama Masjid, has been making this delicacy for generations. The gilori literally melts in your mouth, leaving behind a subtle sweetness and aromatic aftertaste. They also serve other local sweets, but the malai ki gilori remains their signature dish. It’s best consumed fresh and they prepare limited quantities daily.
Average Cost For Two: ₹200 – 300
Timings: 8 AM – 9 PM daily
Agra’s culinary landscape is a testament to its rich cultural heritage, where each dish tells a story of tradition, innovation, and passion. From breakfast favourites like bedai to evening snacks like samosas, and from royal Mughlai cuisine to street-side chaats, you can find the best food in Agra. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or a casual traveller, these 10 culinary destinations promise not just meals, but memorable experiences that complement Agra’s architectural splendour. Book a trip with TripXL to Agra and try these yummy dishes.
Cover Photo: Jeevan / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
