Ambala, a lively city in Haryana, remains an underappreciated destination for food lovers. Ambala, which is famous for its historical structures and lively culture, has a cuisine which is truly North Indian. From the hot served street food corners to real Punjabi restaurants offer best food in Ambala. When it comes to food, Ambala offers something unique for everyone. The Queen’s Place cuisine, a blend of Punjabi and Haryanavi styles, is a simple reason one should patronize the city for it any day.
Best Food In Ambala
Here’s a curated list of the most famous and indigenous foods of Ambala that you should not miss out on while visiting the place.
1. Chole Bhature
Photo: Sutapa Pal / Wikimedia Commons
Chole Bhature is one of those dishes that emanates a signature trait from Ambala, owing to its spicy and tasty feel. This North Indian dish consists of soft and fluffy nature, which is deep-fried bread and chole which is a spicy chickpea curry. It is usually served with a mix of onions, green colour chilli pepper and lemon, making every single bite worth it. The dish is usually served hot and is a great breakfast or brunch option. Popular restaurants like Puran Singh Da Dhaba and Vikram Chat Bhandar serve the original and one of the best food in Ambala.
Cost/Plate: ₹50 – ₹80
Best Time To Visit: Morning hours
2. Amritsari Kulcha
Photo: Vipul7229 / Wikimedia Commons
Amritsari Kulcha has multiple flaky layers and is filled with various delicious stuffing. This food from North India is a leavened middle part of the flatbread topped with spicy potato, onions, and other ingredients, which then gets baked inside the tandoor. It is then served piping hot with some tangy chole(chickpea curry), slathered with butter accompanied by a like platter of pickles, making it all the more delicious experience. It has a crunchy outer layer with a soft and spicy inner layer which makes it an ideal option for breakfast or lunch.
Cost/Plate:: ₹60 – ₹100
Best Time To Visit: Late morning to lunch hours for the freshest kulchas
3. Paneer Tikka
Photo: Saumendra / Wikimedia Commons
Paneer Tikka is a popular dish, which is a skillfully grilled marinated paneer cheese. The dish consists of marinated paneer and comes with some vegetables like bell peppers and onion and is cooked over a grill, which imparts a lovely smoked flavour. Pahalwan Dhaba known for its luscious flavours or Bikanervala, serves an array of vegetarian dishes including Paneer Tikka are some popular spots. Chaat Gali is another famous place where you can relish such perky dishes along with other street foods.
Cost/Plate: ₹100 – ₹300
Timings: 6 PM – 10 PM
4. Tandoori Chicken
Photo: Marajozkee / Wikimedia Commons
Tandoori Chicken is one of the most favourite dishes in Ambala known for its richness and smoky taste. The dish consists of chicken that is first coated in yoghurt, lemon and spices such as cumin, coriander and garam masala. Eventually, the chicken is put in a tandoor or clay oven allowing the outer layer of the meat to be browned while the inner part remains moist and tender. Tandoori Chicken is usually accompanied by mint chutney and onion rings, forming a delectable best food in Ambala
Cost/Plate: ₹250 – ₹500
Timings: 7 PM – 9 PM
5. Biryani
Photo: Ralbahitha / Wikimedia Commons
Biryani is a tangled rice delicacy that is revered in Ambala’s cuisine. This delicious food consists of marinated meat or vegetables stuffed inside a mound of basmati rice and flavoured with spices like saffron, cardamom and cloves. The traditional way of cooking the meat with rice in one pot ensures that the meat is tender and the rice well-flavoured. Every serving may come with a side of raita or salad which completes the dish and adds flavor. Biryani is often offered during happy events and hence a person visiting Ambala cannot miss it.
Cost/Plate: ₹300 to ₹600
Best Time To Visit: Best enjoyed during lunch or dinner, especially on weekends.
6. Dahi Bhalla
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Dahi Bhalla is a popular culinary item in Haryana owing to its cooling and rich properties. It is made of soft lentil dumplings (bhalla), thick curd and several types of seasonings, like sweet tamarind sauce, mint sauce, cumin powder and chaat masala sprinkled over it. The different tastes i.e. sweet, sour and spicy make it quite an interesting snack, particularly in the summer season. Dahi Balla is also decorated with freshly cut coriander leaves and pomegranate which makes it look more appetizing.
Cost/Plate: ₹50 – ₹150
Timings: 5 PM – 9 PM
7. Aloo Tikki
Photo: Teena Sometimes / Wikimedia Commons
Aloo Tikki blends crispiness and appetizing flavour, remaining a favourite street food in Ambala. Boiled and mashed potatoes are the main ingredients of this dish, which are further flavoured with various spices such as cumin, coriander, and green chillies- combined into patties which are then fried till golden brown on either side. Aloo Tikki is served hot along with several accompaniments like sweet and spicy tamarind chutney and mint chutney. This appetizing food item can be fit for any time of the day.
Cost/Plate: ₹30 – ₹100
Timings: 5 PM – 9 PM
8. Rajma Chawal
Photo: rovingI / Wikimedia Commons
Rajma Chawal is a very soothing and delightful dish made from Rajma beans which are served with boiled rice and smothered in a spicy gravy made of tomatoes and onions. Rajma beans when paired with steamed basmati rice make for a wholesome filling yet healthy dish. Containing almost the same ingredients that are used to prepare Rajma, Chawal Rajma finds its place in the hearts and homes of many Punjabi families. It is generally served along with salad and pickles, which adds to the experience. This particular dish is popularly consumed during lunch or dinner.
Cost/Plate: ₹100 – ₹250
Best Time To Visit: Best enjoyed during lunch or dinner.
9. Kachori
Photo: Pranaykuma12 / Wikimedia Commons
Kachoris, a traditional snack from Ambala is a regular round ball on a crisp base filled with spicy mixtures. These round cakes are typically deep-fried and filled with a spiced paste of lentils and potatoes mixed with cumin, coriander, and a few other spices. Hot Kachoris are also served with sweet garnishes and quite often with sour and hot tamarind and mint chutneys to balance their taste. Kachori consists of two elements; a crispy outer layer and a flavorful content served inside making it a delicacy suitable for any time of the day especially as an evening snack.
Cost/Plate: ₹30 – ₹100
Timings: 5 PM – 9 PM
10. Baida Roti
Photo: MaharajaMandy / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Baida Roti is a famous dish from Ambala and is characterized by a crunchy outer layer filled with savoury ingredients. The dish is prepared from an unleavened flatbread stuffed with a filling of minced meat primarily chicken or mutton and eggs that are seasoned with cumin and coriander. After that, the bread is shallow fried till brown and hot afterwards is served with chutney and salad. Baida Roti is quite a filling dish, making it both breakfast food and a snack. The nice mix of different textures also makes it imperative for street food enthusiasts.
Cost/Plate: ₹80 – ₹150
Best Time To Visit: Best enjoyed for breakfast or as an evening snack
Plan your visit to Haryana today and visit the fabulous city of Ambala. If you are a history lover, nature enthusiast, a food critic or just looking for a calm holiday then these best food in Ambala have something for everyone. Plan your trip with TripXL for a memorable experience of this idyllic food paradise.
Cover Photo: Marvin Ozz / Pexels / Image For Representation Only