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5 Places to Eat in Jaipur to Grab Some Delicious Food
The Pink City allows its visitors to indulge in classic Rajasthani delights while dipping its toes in more contemporary alternatives, leading to a balanced culinary experience for the avid gourmand. Jaipur has a few legendary eateries, and while the food is finger-licking good, eating out in the city can be a bit limiting. This isn't entirely bad as it lets culinary tourists relish excellent food without having to make much effort. To help you on an enticing gastronomic journey, here are five places to eat in this heritage city that invite you to have an exceptional plate of food.
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5 Places to Eat in Jaipur to Grab Some Delicious Food
Nahargarh Fort
A fort might be an unusual place as a culinary destination, but Nahargarh stands out for having four distinct options, catering to various budgets that serve different cuisines. At the higher end is the fine dining restaurant Once Upon a Time. Situated inside the fort, they serve a combination of Rajasthani dishes not only local to Jaipur but from across the state. Their kair sangri and Jodhpur masala gatta are two delicacies worth having, washed down later with a glass of maharaja lassi.
For a cheaper option, there is the Nahargarh Palace Restaurant, where you can order a large Rajasthani Thali for only Rs 200 ($4). That's not all, though, as just outside the main entrance of this ancient fort is a food stall which might not be much to look at but is apt for a refreshing cola or comfort foods like sandwiches and samosas.
Lastly, the adventurous gourmand will find the row of street vendors selling fruit and savory chaats next to the gate a lot more tempting. Prepared within minutes, fresh and bursting with tangy, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, these chaats are lip-smackingly tasty and a must-eat street food anywhere in India.
Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar
When it comes to legendary eats in Jaipur, the one spot always recommended by food lovers is Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar. While the locals might have a love-hate relationship with this popular restaurant situated close to the iconic Hawa Mahal, it remains a crowd-pleaser, attracting tourists in the hundreds every day. A vegetarian restaurant, LMB's entrance is as ordinary as it's interiors, considering its culinary status. Still, what it lacks in appearance, it makes up with its delectable offerings. Their kachoris and ghevar are hot sellers and always in demand in the sweet-shop section of the restaurant. Depending on the time you visit, there is typically a wait for a fresh batch to arrive.
For a more wholesome tummy-filling experience, take a seat in their dimly lit restaurant. Here, you get to taste quintessential Rajasthani food ranging from kadhi to churma and bati. Their non-shareable Rajasthani Thal is massive and guarantees a meal to remember that will leave you in a pleasant food coma for the rest of the day. Although LMB has a variety of continental and Indian options, it's best to stick with their local delicacies, which are moderately spiced, and thus ideal for Western palates.
Steam
When it comes to attending a novelty filled food encounter, Steam takes the cake with its restored steam engine restructured to host dinners. Add to that the Victorian styled railway station and a meal here becomes more than just about the food. Steam is the in-house restaurant at the luxury hotel, Taj Rambagh Palace, that allows outside guests to come over for a fun adventure. Adored by families and couples alike, it is an ideal spot to spend cool winter evenings in a pleasant and unique ambiance.
The menu at Steam is pretty international. The popcorn soup is a house favorite, as are the kathi rolls. Steam also dishes out delicious pizzas and is known for its immaculate service. The prices can be slightly on the higher side, but it does provide a one-of-a-kind dining option, making it all worth the while.
Chowki Dhani
An out and out Rajasthani affair, you need a good few hours to appreciate all that Chowki Dhani has to offer. Situated roughly 45 minutes outside the central city, Chowki Dhani is an excursion that comprises of a village-like atmosphere, complete with shops and cultural activities, in addition to being a hotel and restaurant. Visitors need to buy a ticket, which includes a memorable meal embracing traditional Rajasthani eats. There are two seating options, one that lets you sit on the floor and eat, while the AC Royal has a more western table and chair-style seating.
The thali at Chowki Dhani comes loaded with mouth-watering treats and is quite filling. It is recommended that you go in hungry to appreciate the variety of food that comes piled-up on this massive plate. Chowki Dhani is incredibly popular with locals and tourists and can get crowded, especially on the weekends. Even on weekdays, it's best to get there at 5 PM, when it opens, to avoid the rush.
Bar Palladio
Bar Palladio is an essential stop in Jaipur's culinary scene. Known not only for its food, many come here to awe at its exotic and vibrant interiors. Undoubtedly the most beautiful restaurant in all of Jaipur, it is also amongst the most Instagrammable in the entire country. The blue and white interiors with gorgeous traditional motifs on the walls give the place an alluring personality. It's a space with an Italian heart in an Indian setting, amalgamating the design and cultural ethos of both locations to create a beautiful environment full of wonderment. At the same time, Bar Palladio's romantic, candlelit outdoor seating makes it the best place in town to have pre-dinner drinks while grooving to soothing sounds.
The menu at Bar Palladio is limited to a few Italian specialties, which might limit its appeal. However, the ambiance it creates demands a visit to the restaurant at least once, even if it is only for snacks and a drink.
Conclusion
A fascinating thing about Jaipur is that while its vintage appeal is apparent in every direction, the city never holds back from having a contemporary outlook. The same holds for the food here that never fails to surprise, whether it is through the enticing ingredients and tastes or its uniqueness that leaves a long-lasting and memorable impression.
