Pushkar Food Tour
Pure vegetarian holy city on the sacred lake. Malpua, Dal Bati Churma, lakeside chai, backpacker cafes, and temple prasad. Taste devotion through food.
Pushkar Food Tour — Pure Vegetarian Flavours by the Sacred Lake
Pushkar, home to the world's only Brahma Temple and one of India's most sacred pilgrimage cities, offers a culinary experience unlike any other. This tiny desert town on the edge of a holy lake is entirely vegetarian -- no meat, eggs, or alcohol sold anywhere -- yet its food culture is vibrant, diverse, and deeply satisfying. From traditional Rajasthani Dal Bati Churma to backpacker cafe shakshuka, Pushkar blends ancient Indian food traditions with a global traveller vibe.
Our Pushkar food tour by car takes you from sunrise chai at the sacred lake ghats through Sadar Bazaar for Poha Jalebi and Malpua, to the Brahma Temple area for prasad and sweets, through Main Bazaar Road for rooftop cafe culture, and back to the lakeside for evening Aloo Tikki and the beautiful sunset aarti ceremony. Your Triveni Cabs driver knows every food gem in this compact holy city.
The best time for a Pushkar food tour is during the cooler months (October to March) or during the famous Pushkar Camel Fair in November when special food stalls and festive preparations appear throughout the city. Combine Pushkar with nearby Ajmer (14 km) for a complete culinary experience -- from Pushkar's pure vegetarian lakeside dining to Ajmer's Sohan Halwa and Dargah-area food culture.
Famous Foods of Pushkar
Pure vegetarian holy city where Rajasthani tradition meets global cafe culture
Malpua
MUST TRYPushkar's signature sweet -- thick, crispy fried pancakes soaked in sugar syrup and topped with rabri (thickened sweetened milk). Every sweet shop and stall in Pushkar serves Malpua, but the ones near the Brahma Temple ghat are legendary. Best eaten hot, dripping with syrup, alongside a cup of masala chai.
Dal Bati Churma
MUST TRYRajasthan's quintessential dish and a must-try in Pushkar. Hard-baked wheat dough balls (bati) drenched in ghee, served with spicy panchmel dal (five-lentil curry) and sweet churma (crushed wheat sweetened with jaggery and ghee). This rustic Rajasthani meal is hearty, filling, and deeply flavourful.
Poha Jalebi
MUST TRYA classic Rajasthani breakfast -- fluffy, spiced flattened rice garnished with sev, coriander, and lemon, paired with hot, crispy jalebi. The combination of savoury poha and sweet jalebi is iconic across Rajasthan. Pushkar's morning stalls in Sadar Bazaar serve this from as early as 6:30 AM.
Chai by the Lake
MUST TRYPushkar's ghat-side chai is an experience in itself. Masala chai brewed with fresh ginger, cardamom, and cloves, served in clay kulhads while watching the sunrise or sunset over the sacred lake. The chai stalls along the 52 ghats are some of the most atmospheric tea spots in all of India.
Aloo Tikki
Crispy fried potato patties served with tangy tamarind chutney and spicy green chutney. Pushkar's evening street stalls serve Aloo Tikki that is crunchy on the outside and soft inside. Often topped with sev and a squeeze of lemon. A perfect lakeside evening snack.
Rabri & Malai Lassi
MUST TRYThick, creamy Rabri (slow-reduced sweetened milk) from Pushkar's dairy-rich region. Malai Lassi -- a rich, full-fat yoghurt drink topped with a thick layer of cream (malai) -- is Pushkar's answer to every hot afternoon. The dairy quality in this region gives these a richness unmatched in cities.
Kachori & Samosa
Crispy deep-fried pastries filled with spiced lentils (kachori) or spiced potatoes (samosa), served with green and tamarind chutneys. An essential Rajasthani snack available at every corner of Sadar Bazaar. The kachoris in Pushkar are smaller and crunchier than their North Indian cousins.
Israeli & Fusion Cafe Food
Pushkar's unique backpacker cafe culture means you can find excellent shakshuka, falafel, hummus, pasta, and wood-fired pizza alongside traditional Indian food. Cafes like Om Shiva, Laughing Buddha, and Honey & Spice blend global flavours with local ingredients -- a vibe unique to Pushkar.
Street Food Tour Itinerary
Follow this route for the ultimate Pushkar food crawl (our drivers know every stop)
Pushkar Lake Ghats
Sunrise Chai & Ghat Walk
Begin at dawn at one of Pushkar's 52 ghats. Watch the sunrise paint the sacred lake gold. Sip masala chai from clay kulhads at a ghat-side stall. The stillness of the lake and the sound of temple bells create a magical start.
Sadar Bazaar
Poha Jalebi Breakfast
Walk to Sadar Bazaar for the classic Rajasthani breakfast. Fluffy spiced poha with crunchy sev and fresh lemon, paired with hot, syrupy jalebi. The morning bazaar hums with locals starting their day.
Near Brahma Temple
Malpua & Temple Visit
Visit the world's only Brahma Temple and then indulge in Pushkar's signature Malpua from the stalls nearby. The hot, syrup-soaked pancakes topped with rabri are worth the detour. Accept prasad at the temple.
Main Bazaar Road Cafe
Cafe Brunch & People Watching
Settle into a rooftop cafe on Main Bazaar Road. Order shakshuka or a masala omelette-free breakfast with fresh juice. Watch the eclectic mix of sadhus, backpackers, and pilgrims flow through the colourful bazaar below.
Local Restaurant
Dal Bati Churma Lunch
Time for Rajasthan's most iconic dish. Find a local restaurant serving authentic Dal Bati Churma -- ghee-drenched baked batis, rich panchmel dal, and sweet churma. This is pure Rajasthani soul food at its best.
Sadar Bazaar & Sweet Shops
Rabri, Lassi & Aloo Tikki
Afternoon refreshment -- thick Malai Lassi from a sweet shop, followed by Aloo Tikki from an evening street vendor. Browse the bazaar for spices, rose products, and Pushkar souvenirs between bites.
Sunset Cafe / Lake Ghats
Sunset Snacks & Evening Aarti
End at the Sunset Cafe overlooking Pushkar Lake or find a ghat-side spot. Enjoy kachori and chai as the sun sets. Then witness the beautiful evening aarti ceremony at Pushkar Lake -- fire, flowers, and devotion.
Full food tour with sedan cab from Jaipur: ₹3,500 (round trip) or local Pushkar: ₹800-1,000 (half day)
Best Restaurants & Cafes in Pushkar
Om Shiva Garden Cafe
Main Bazaar Road
The most iconic backpacker cafe in Pushkar. Rooftop seating with lake glimpses, cushion seating, excellent shakshuka, falafel, and Indian thalis. A Pushkar institution loved by international travellers for decades.
Honey & Spice
Laxmi Market Road
A charming organic cafe serving healthy, fresh food. Excellent coffee, granola bowls, salads, and Rajasthani dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Perfect for health-conscious travellers.
Laughing Buddha Cafe
Main Bazaar
Popular rooftop cafe with a relaxed vibe. Good pasta, wood-fired pizza, fresh juices, and Indian classics. The cushion seating and traveller atmosphere make it a great spot to spend an afternoon.
Sunset Cafe
Pushkar Lake
The most scenic cafe in Pushkar, perched right on the lake edge. The food is decent but the real draw is the spectacular sunset view over the sacred lake. Best visited from 4 PM onwards.
Shri Venkateshwara
Sadar Bazaar
Authentic South Indian restaurant serving crispy dosas, idli-vada, and unlimited thalis at very reasonable prices. A welcome change from Rajasthani food. Popular with local families and pilgrims.
Pushkar Palace Restaurant
Pushkar Palace Hotel
Heritage restaurant inside the Pushkar Palace hotel overlooking the lake. Serves refined Rajasthani cuisine including excellent Dal Bati Churma, Laal Maas-style paneer, and traditional thalis in a regal setting.
Food Markets to Visit
Sadar Bazaar
Pushkar's main market and the food epicenter of the city. Morning poha stalls, sweet shops selling Malpua and Rabri, chaat vendors, and spice merchants line this bustling bazaar. The best street food in Pushkar is concentrated here, especially in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
Poha Jalebi, Malpua, Kachori, Aloo Tikki, sweets
Pushkar Lake Ghats Area
The 52 ghats surrounding Pushkar Lake are lined with chai stalls, small eateries, and prasad vendors. The atmosphere of sipping chai while watching the sacred lake is unmatched. Evening aarti time brings out additional food vendors selling snacks and sweets to pilgrims and tourists alike.
Chai, prasad, ghat-side snacks, evening aarti food
Main Bazaar Road
The heart of Pushkar's backpacker cafe culture. This colourful street is lined with rooftop cafes, juice bars, and fusion restaurants catering to international travellers. Israeli food, Italian pizza, organic bowls, and traditional Rajasthani dishes coexist in a uniquely Pushkar way.
Cafes, Israeli food, fusion cuisine, coffee, fresh juices
Near Brahma Temple Area
The area surrounding the famous Brahma Temple has sweet shops, prasad stalls, and traditional Rajasthani food vendors. This is the most traditional and pilgrim-focused food zone in Pushkar. The Malpua stalls here are considered among the best in town.
Malpua, temple prasad, traditional sweets, Dal Bati
Combine Food Tour with Sightseeing
Our recommended full-day recipe for the perfect Pushkar experience
Sedan cab from Jaipur: ₹3,500 (round trip) | From Ajmer: ₹800 | Local Pushkar half-day: ₹800-1,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What food is Pushkar famous for?
Pushkar is famous for its Malpua (sweet fried pancakes soaked in sugar syrup), Dal Bati Churma (Rajasthani baked dough balls with lentil curry and crushed wheat sweetmeat), Poha Jalebi, Aloo Tikki, Rabri, fresh Malai Lassi, and lakeside chai. The entire city is strictly vegetarian -- no meat, eggs, or alcohol sold anywhere due to its sacred status as Brahma's city.
Is Pushkar completely vegetarian?
Yes! Pushkar is 100% vegetarian. No non-vegetarian food, including eggs, is sold anywhere in the city. Alcohol is also banned within the sacred zone around Pushkar Lake. This is because Pushkar is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites, home to the only Brahma Temple in the world. All restaurants and street stalls are pure vegetarian.
Where can I find the best food in Pushkar?
Om Shiva Garden Cafe is beloved by backpackers for its rooftop vibes and Israeli-Indian fusion. Honey & Spice is perfect for healthy organic food. Laughing Buddha Cafe serves excellent coffee and continental food. Sunset Cafe by the lake offers stunning views. Shri Venkateshwara serves authentic South Indian thalis. The Sadar Bazaar area has the best street food stalls.
What is the cafe culture like in Pushkar?
Pushkar has a thriving backpacker cafe culture, unlike most Indian holy cities. Due to its popularity with international travellers, the Main Bazaar Road is lined with rooftop cafes serving Israeli, Italian, and fusion food alongside traditional Rajasthani dishes. Many cafes offer Wi-Fi, cushion seating, and lake views. It blends Indian spirituality with global traveller vibes.
Can I combine a food tour with Ajmer?
Absolutely! Ajmer is just 14 km from Pushkar. Start with morning chai and Poha in Pushkar, visit the Brahma Temple, take a food walk through Sadar Bazaar, then drive to Ajmer for Sohan Halwa (Ajmer's famous sweet), kebabs near Dargah Sharif (Ajmer allows non-veg), and shopping. Our drivers create the perfect combined itinerary.
How much does a Pushkar food tour cost?
Street food budget: ₹100-250 per person for a full tour. Cafe meals: ₹150-400 per person. Restaurant thalis: ₹120-300 per person. Our food tour with cab from Jaipur: ₹3,500 round trip (sedan). From Ajmer: ₹800 round trip. Local Pushkar cab for half-day: ₹800-1,000.
What is the best time for a Pushkar food tour?
October to March for pleasant weather. The Pushkar Camel Fair (November) brings special food stalls and festive preparations. Morning (7-9 AM) is best for Poha and chai. Afternoon for cafe hopping. Evening (5-7 PM) for lakeside snacks and ghat-side Aarti food. Avoid May-July as temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
Is street food safe to eat in Pushkar?
Popular stalls in Sadar Bazaar and near Pushkar Lake with high turnover are generally safe. Pushkar's food standards are maintained due to its religious significance. Stick to busy vendors, drink bottled water, and try the freshly prepared items. Our recommended spots are all well-established with decades of service.
Book Your Pushkar Food Tour
Let our drivers take you to the best vegetarian food spots by the sacred lake. From ghat-side stalls to backpacker rooftop cafes, we know every stop.