JalebiMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
Crisp, syrupy spirals of fermented batter, deep-fried and soaked in saffron-infused sugar syrup, a classic Indian sweet often enjoyed with rabri or a savoury breakfast.
Gpkp (CC BY-SA 4.0
India Food: 20 Dishes to Try
Every dish ranked by how essential it is — must-try picks first, with photos and what’s actually in them.
LassiMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
A refreshing yogurt-based drink, typically sweet or salty, often flavored with fruit like mango or spices, perfect to cool down from the heat.
Swami Stream (CC BY 2.0
Vegetarian ThaliMust-try
Vegetarian · Lunch
A complete meal with various curries, lentil soup (dal), bread (roti), rice, and dessert served on a single platter; offers a balanced taste of Indian cuisine.
GracinhaMarco Abundo (CC BY 2.0
KulfiMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
Dense, creamy Indian frozen dessert made from slowly simmered milk, often flavored with pistachios, saffron, or mango, and denser than ice cream.
danchitnis (CC BY 2.0
Vada PavMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
A deep-fried potato fritter (vada) nestled in a soft bun (pav), served with spicy chutneys; this is Mumbai's iconic, fast-paced vegetarian street sandwich.
Rutvi Mistry (CC BY-SA 4.0
GhewarMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
This traditional disc-shaped sweet cake is soaked in sugar syrup, often topped with mawa and nuts, and particularly popular during festivals.
Onef9day (CC BY 3.0
Chicken KormaMust-try
Meat · Dinner
A creamy, mild, and aromatic curry with tender chicken pieces, often found in North Indian and Mughlai cuisine.
Miansari66 (CC0
Pani Puri / GolgappeMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
Crispy hollow puris filled with tangy tamarind water and spiced chickpeas – the essential street food test of any Indian city.
Sruthi612 (CC BY-SA 4.0
Pyaz KachoriMust-try
Breakfast · Lunch · Snack
A crispy, flaky pastry filled with a spicy, aromatic onion mixture, best enjoyed with sweet and spicy chutneys for a true local snack experience.
Mdsmds0 (CC BY-SA 4.0
DosaMust-try
Vegetarian · Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
A thin, crispy fermented rice and lentil crepe, often served with coconut chutney and sambar, making it a quintessential South Indian staple.
Roland (CC BY 2.0
ParathaMust-try
Vegetarian · Breakfast · Lunch · Snack · Dinner
A versatile, pan-fried Indian flatbread, often stuffed with vegetables like potato or paneer, served with pickles and yogurt.
Wagaung at English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0
Butter ChickenMust-try
Meat · Dinner
Originating in Delhi, this creamy, mildly spiced chicken dish cooked in a tomato-butter gravy is a beloved North Indian classic.
stu_spivack (CC BY-SA 2.0
Butter Tea (Gur Gur Chai)Must-try
Vegetarian · Breakfast · Snack
This traditional Tibetan salted tea, made with yak butter, is a warming and energy-boosting beverage essential to Ladakhi culture.
Yosomono (CC BY 2.0
RosogollaMust-try
Snack · Lunch · Dinner
Spongy, syrupy cheese balls made from chhena (paneer) and semolina dough, boiled in light sugar syrup, a globally recognized Bengali sweet.
User:Utcursch, based on images from User:Psubhashish (Subhashish Panigrahi) and User:Pamri (CC BY-SA 3.0
Chana MasalaMust-try
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
This robust chickpea curry, cooked with a blend of aromatic spices, is a protein-rich and flavorful vegetarian main course, widely enjoyed across India.
kspoddar (CC BY-SA 2.0
Chicken TikkaMust-try
Lunch · Dinner
Boneless chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices, then skewered and grilled in a tandoor oven for a smoky char.
Ramesh NG from Bangalore, INDIA (CC BY-SA 2.0
Pav BhajiMust-try
Vegetarian · Lunch
A buttery, spiced mashed vegetable curry (bhaji) served with soft, butter-laden bread rolls (pav); it's a hearty, flavorful Mumbai staple.
Solowomanwalks (CC BY-SA 3.0
Chaat (Aloo Tikki, Papdi Chaat)Must-try
Vegetarian · Snack · Lunch
These savory street snacks combine crispy fried dough, potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt, and tangy chutneys for an explosion of flavors and textures.
Nitin Badhwar from Dubai, UAE (CC BY-SA 2.0
BebincaMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
Goa's most famous dessert is a rich, multi-layered cake baked with coconut milk and ghee, offering a satisfyingly sweet finish.
Warren Noronha (CC BY 2.0
BhelMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
A crunchy, savory, and tangy snack made from puffed rice, vegetables, and a variety of chutneys, perfect for a quick bite.
stu_spivack (CC BY-SA 2.0
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons licenses. Individual credits shown on each photo where available.