The charm of Amritsar is best reflected through numerous religious destinations, cultural experiences and a wide range of amazing foods to try and explore. Be it the crunchy and delectable Amritsari kulcha or the soothing Lassi on the streets of Amritsar, the best food in Amritsar is a must try. From street food options to extensive traditional Punjabi dishes, you get to explore them all. As you are planning your next getaway to Amritsar, have a solid culinary guide to make the most out of your travel.
Best Food In Amritsar- 10 Most Delicious Delicacies
Amritsar has evolved into a culinary melting pot, offering a diverse range of flavours and textures. Here is a list of the
best food in Amristsar:
1. Amritsari Kulcha
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As its namesake, Amritsar Kulcha deserves a special mention in the list. Your trip down to the city of the Golden Temple is incomplete without including the Amritsari Kulcha in your itinerary. It is a stuffed bread made with refined flour and stuffed with spiced potatoes or paneer. Following the stuffing, the kulcha is then cooked in a tandoor oven.The Amritsari Kulcha is further served with chole, sliced onions and lemon wedges on the side.
Where To Try: Kulcha Land, Maqbool Road, Amritsar
Cost: ₹50 – ₹100 per plate
2. Amritsari Fish
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Another popular dish that you must try when in Amritsar is the traditional Amritsari Fish. Despite being deep fried, the batter is so well made that the coating is flaky with amazing flavours added to it. The batter makes the fish crispy on the outside while keeping it juicy and tender on the inside. It’s a famous street food in Amritsar, often eaten as a snack or an appetiser.
Where To Try: Beera Chicken House, Majitha Road
Cost: ₹200 – ₹300 per plate
3. Tandoori Kukkad
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This might not seem like something too different but Tandoori Kukkad aka Chicken in Amritsar has a very distinct flavour. The chicken itself is marinated for hours, often a day, to let the spices marry. Usually, depending on where you are trying the dish from, the chicken is marinated in a special blend of yoghurt, spices and mustard oil, which adds a smoky flavour to the dish.
Where To Try: Makhan Fish and Chicken Corner, Majitha Road
Cost: ₹300 – ₹500 per plate
4. Choor Choor Naan
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Often called the “Cousin of Amritsari Kulcha,” Choor Choor Naan is a crispier version of it. This flaky and buttery bread is usually crushed after being cooked in a tandoor, which is where the term “choor-choor” comes from. Unlike the kulcha that you usually get in Amritsar, the Choor Choor Naan version is usually plain but brushed with ghee and sometimes sprinkled with sesame or nigella seeds.
Where To Try: Pehlwan Kulcha, Lawrence Road
Cost: ₹100 – ₹150 per plate
5. Mutton Chaap
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If you are on the lookout for a non-vegetarian heaven, head to one of the local dhabas in Amritsar to try Mutton Chaap. This is a slow-cooked meat dish that’s a delicacy in the city. Bursting with intense flavours, the chaap is usually cooked in butter and ghee and mixed with numerous spices. The tender pieces of mutton ribs are marinated in a rich blend of spices, yoghurt, and onions, and cooked on a low flame until the meat becomes succulent and falls off the bone.
Where To Try: Adarsh Meat Shop, Ranjit Avenue
Cost: ₹250 – ₹400 per plate
6. Palak Paneer Bhurji
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For vegetarians, you have to try Palak Paneer Bhurji when in Amritsar. This is one of those dishes that has a unique additional element to the traditional paneer bhurji. This unique variation of the classic Palak Paneer, where instead of serving paneer cubes in a spinach gravy, the paneer is scrambled with finely chopped spinach and spices. Compared to the gravy counterpart, the palak version is usually a lot drier, making it a great option to try with either naan or paratha.
Where To Try: Bharawan Da Dhaba, Town Hall
Cost: ₹150 – ₹200 per plate
7. Keema Naan
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Another popular non-vegetarian dish that you must try when you are in Amritsar is Keema Naan. Like most of the stuffed naan variations available in the city, Keema naan usually has a stuffing made with either minced chicken or mutton that is further mixed with spices, chopped onions, etc. What’s great about trying keema naan is that it pairs well with pretty much everything or you can enjoy it by itself.
Where To Try: Surjit Food Plaza, Ranjit Avenue
Cost: ₹150 – ₹250 per plate
8. Pinni
Photo: Prabhjit S. Kalsi / Shutterstock
If you are a fan of desserts, Pinni is a pretty unique one that you have to add to your eating plans across Amritsar. The dish is usually amazing during the winter months and feels like a warm hug. The dessert is made using desi ghee, wheat flour, jaggery, and dried fruits and has a pretty amazing taste. These sweet treats are often consumed as a snack or dessert and are known for their rich, nutty flavour and crumbly texture.
Where To Try: Gurdas Ram Jalebi Wala, Katra Ahluwalia
Cost: ₹20 – ₹50 per piece
9. Sarson Da Saag With Makki Di Roti
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Your Punjab tour, especially when in Amritsar, is incomplete if you don’t try Sarson Da Saag with Makki Di Roti. This is the USP of Punjabi cuisine and is a pretty common dish that is loved by the locals. The saag is made from mustard greens and other leafy vegetables, cooked slowly with spices until it reaches a creamy consistency. Makki di roti, a flatbread made from cornmeal, is the perfect companion for the saag. During the presentation, the dish is served with a dollop of ghee on top.
Where To Try: Bharawan Da Dhaba, Town Hall
Cost: ₹150 – ₹200 per plate
10. Butter Chicken
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Last but not the least is Butter Chicken, which is a staple Punjabi dish. The succulent chicken is cooked in a rich tomato-based gravy infused with aromatic spices and a generous amount of butter. In most places across Amritsar, the chicken used in the butter chicken is made into a kebab inside a tandoor and then added to the butter chicken gravy, which adds a smokiness to the dish.
Where To Try: Brothers Restaurant, Giani’s
Cost: ₹300 – 500 per serving
Finding the best food in Amritsar won’t be difficult at all given that every corner of the city is filled with delectable dishes to try. There are amazing street food options and you can also find proper dine-in dishes that will leave your stomach full and heart fuller. With healthy and rich buttery dishes, you can try them all, so book your next vacation with TripXL for the ultimate culinary experience.
Cover Photo: Vipul7229 / Wikimedia Commons