Varanasi Food Tour
Kachori Sabzi, Tamatar Chaat, Banarasi Paan, Thandai, and the magical winter Malaiyo. Taste the holy city through the eyes of locals who have eaten here all their lives.
Varanasi Food Tour — Sacred Flavours of the Oldest Living City
Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, is equally a food capital of the Gangetic plains. Banaras (as locals call it) has a food culture as ancient as its ghats — where every lane hides a generations-old recipe and every morning starts with the sound of kachoris sizzling in hot oil. The city's predominantly vegetarian cuisine is deeply tied to its religious significance, creating a unique culinary identity found nowhere else.
Our Varanasi food tour by car connects you with the city's best-kept culinary secrets — from the legendary Kachori Gali near Dashashwamedh Ghat to the Tamatar Chaat at Kashi Chaat Bhandar, from the 80+ flavour Blue Lassi Shop hidden in a narrow lane to the aromatic Banarasi Paan shops that have served the same recipes for over a century. Your Triveni Cabs driver knows every shortcut and secret stop.
The best time for a Varanasi food tour is during winter (November to February) when the exclusive Malaiyo — a saffron-infused milk foam dessert that vanishes by 9 AM — makes its appearance. But Varanasi's food magic is year-round: Thandai in summer, special sweets during Holi and Diwali, and the ever-present ghat-side chai that tastes different from anywhere else on earth.
Famous Foods of Varanasi
Ancient recipes from the holy city where food is a form of devotion
Kachori Sabzi
MUST TRYVaranasi's quintessential breakfast. Crispy, flaky kachoris served with spicy aloo sabzi (potato curry) and tangy chutney. Every gali (lane) has its own kachori vendor, but the ones near Dashashwamedh Ghat are legendary.
Tamatar Chaat
MUST TRYUnique to Banaras — a tangy, spicy chaat made with cooked tomatoes, spices, and crispy toppings. Kashi Chaat Bhandar in Godowlia has been serving this since 1950. You won't find this anywhere else in India.
Banarasi Paan
MUST TRYThe king of paan. Betel leaf stuffed with gulkand (rose petal jam), supari, saffron, cardamom, and silver leaf. A Varanasi tradition that goes back centuries. Meetha paan is the classic choice for first-timers.
Thandai
MUST TRYSpiced cold milk drink made with almonds, fennel seeds, rose petals, saffron, and cardamom. Available year-round but best during Holi and summer months. Godowlia area has the best Thandai shops in the city.
Malaiyo
A magical winter-only dessert — whisked milk foam flavoured with saffron, cardamom, and pistachios. Collected at dawn when temperatures drop. Available only November to February. Vanishes by 9 AM each day.
Blue Lassi
The famous Blue Lassi Shop in a tiny lane near Manikarnika Ghat serves over 80 flavours of thick, creamy lassi in clay cups. Pomegranate, banana, mango, and chocolate are popular. A Varanasi institution since the 1920s.
Litti Chokha
Roasted wheat balls (litti) stuffed with sattu (roasted gram flour), served with smoky mashed vegetables (chokha). A Bihari-Banarasi staple. Best at roadside stalls that cook on coal fires.
Rabri & Jalebi
Thick, creamy rabri (reduced sweetened milk) served with hot, crispy jalebis. A classic Banarasi dessert combo. Best in the old city lanes near Vishwanath Temple. Morning time gets the freshest batches.
Street Food Tour Itinerary
Follow this route for the ultimate Varanasi food crawl (our drivers know every stop)
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Morning Ganga Aarti & Chai
Start before dawn with the serene morning aarti at the main ghat. Sip masala chai from clay cups while watching the sun rise over the Ganga.
Kachori Gali, near Dashashwamedh
Kachori Sabzi & Jalebi
Varanasi's iconic breakfast. Crispy kachoris with spicy potato curry, followed by hot jalebis. These shops have served the same recipes for generations.
Blue Lassi Shop, Kachori Gali
Famous Lassi (80+ flavours)
Find the tiny, legendary Blue Lassi Shop tucked in a narrow lane. Choose from 80+ flavours served in clay kulhads. The owner makes each lassi fresh.
Kashi Chaat Bhandar, Godowlia
Tamatar Chaat & Tikki
Try the unique Banarasi Tamatar Chaat — a dish you literally cannot find anywhere else in India. Also try their aloo tikki and dahi vada.
Lanka Area
Litti Chokha & Thali
Hearty lunch of coal-roasted Litti Chokha at a traditional stall, or a full Banarasi thali at a local restaurant. The university area has great affordable options.
Godowlia Chowk
Thandai & Sweets
Cool down with a glass of Banarasi Thandai — the spiced milk drink that defines this city. Browse sweet shops for rabri, malpua, and seasonal specialties.
Near Dashashwamedh Ghat
Banarasi Paan & Evening Walk
End with the quintessential Banarasi Paan from a legendary paan shop. Then watch the grand evening Ganga Aarti — the perfect ending to a food tour.
Full food tour with sedan cab: ₹1,200 (local Varanasi) or ₹8,500 (from Delhi round trip)
Best Restaurants in Varanasi
Kashi Chaat Bhandar
Godowlia
The birthplace of Tamatar Chaat. Serving since 1950. Also famous for dahi vada, aloo tikki, and seasonal chaat items. Pure vegetarian.
Blue Lassi Shop
Kachori Gali
Over 80 flavours of thick, fresh lassi in clay cups. Tiny shop, huge reputation. Since the 1920s. Find it in the narrow lanes near Manikarnika.
Deena Chaat Bhandar
Luxa Road
Famous for Tamatar Chaat and Palak Chaat. Local favourite with loyal following. No-frills seating but outstanding flavours.
Kashi Chat Centre
Near Vishwanath Temple
Popular with both locals and pilgrims. Wide variety of chaat, samosas, and Banarasi specialties. Clean and well-organized.
Baati Chokha Restaurant
Near Assi Ghat
Specializes in Litti Chokha and Banarasi thali. Traditional ambiance with clay cooking. Popular with tourists wanting an authentic sit-down meal.
Brown Bread Bakery
Near Assi Ghat
Popular cafe with excellent baked goods, continental options, and ghat views. Run as a social enterprise. Great for breakfast or an afternoon break.
Food Markets to Visit
Dashashwamedh Ghat Area
The heart of Varanasi. Kachori Sabzi stalls, chai vendors, sweet shops, and paan sellers line the lanes leading to the main ghat. Best visited in the early morning for breakfast or evening for aarti and snacks.
Kachori Sabzi, chai, paan, evening snacks
Godowlia Chowk
The central crossroads of old Varanasi. Thandai shops, Kashi Chaat Bhandar, sweet stores, and the famous Tamatar Chaat vendors are all here. The most food-dense area in the city.
Tamatar Chaat, Thandai, sweets, chaat
Vishwanath Gali
The lane leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Packed with sweet shops, prasad vendors, and traditional Banarasi food stalls. Try fresh rabri and malpua between temple visits.
Rabri, temple prasad, traditional sweets
Assi Ghat Area
The bohemian quarter of Varanasi. Cafes, bakeries, and food stalls catering to students and long-stay travellers. More relaxed vibe with international food options alongside Banarasi classics.
Cafes, Litti Chokha, bakery items
Combine Food Tour with Ghat Sightseeing
Our recommended full-day recipe for the perfect Varanasi experience
Sedan cab for this full day: ₹1,200 (local Varanasi) or ₹8,500 (from Delhi round trip)
Frequently Asked Questions
What food is Varanasi famous for?
Varanasi is famous for Kachori Sabzi (crispy fried bread with potato curry), Tamatar Chaat (spiced tomato chaat unique to Banaras), Banarasi Paan (betel leaf with special fillings), Thandai (spiced cold milk), Malaiyo (winter-only milk foam dessert), Rabri, and Litti Chokha.
What is Malaiyo and when is it available?
Malaiyo is a magical winter-only dessert made from milk foam collected at dawn, flavoured with saffron and cardamom. It is available only from November to February when the temperature drops enough for the milk to foam. Best found near Godowlia and Lanka.
Where can I find the best Banarasi Paan?
Keshav Paan Bhandar near Dashashwamedh Ghat and Rajju Paan near Godowlia are legendary. Banarasi Paan uses special ingredients like gulkand (rose petal jam), saffron, cardamom, and silver leaf. Try the meetha (sweet) paan for the authentic experience.
Is street food safe to eat in Varanasi?
Popular street food stalls with high turnover are generally safe. Stick to busy stalls near the ghats and main bazaars, avoid cut fruits and raw salads, and drink bottled water. Our recommended spots are all well-established, some serving for over 50 years.
Can I combine a food tour with ghat visits?
Absolutely! Morning Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh, Kachori Sabzi breakfast, walk along the ghats, Blue Lassi stop at Kachori Gali, afternoon temple visits, evening chaat at Godowlia, and close with Banarasi Paan. We customize every itinerary.
What is the best time for a Varanasi food tour?
Morning (6-9 AM) for Kachori Sabzi breakfast near the ghats. Afternoon (12-2 PM) for Litti Chokha and thali meals. Evening (4-8 PM) for chaat, Thandai, and Paan. Winter (November-February) is best for Malaiyo and pleasant weather.
Are vegetarian options available in Varanasi?
Varanasi is predominantly vegetarian! Most street food and restaurants are pure veg. Kachori Sabzi, Tamatar Chaat, Thandai, Malaiyo, Rabri, chaat, and Litti Chokha are all vegetarian. The city has very few non-veg options due to its religious significance.
How much does a Varanasi food tour cost?
Street food budget: ₹150-350 per person for a full tour. Restaurant meals: ₹200-500 per person. Our food tour with cab: ₹1,200 (sedan) for half-day covering 5-6 stops plus ghat visits. We handle transport between all food spots.
Book Your Varanasi Food Tour
Let our drivers take you to the best food spots by the Ganga. We know every ghat and every legendary stall.