TOP FOOD DESTINATIONS IN INDIA: THE UNDERRATED EDITION

9 minutes read

Sweet, spicy, creamy sour-

My tastebuds go wide and far.

From my country (and few others)

We can taste some floating colours.

Assamese, north and east,

 black rice, no defeat.

Kozikhode, Malabar, 

Unnakaya in our hearts.

Much ado about what food,

Gets the love that it should.

What’s unsung and what’s grand,

All belong to this rich land!

Food in India is like a blockbuster movie—dramatic, full of surprises, and with a flavor-packed climax. Some places, like Lucknow and Kolkata, have already earned their Michelin-starred reputation (well, in spirit), but others remain hidden treasures waiting for their moment in the culinary spotlight. From the coconut-laced curries of Kerala to the spice-kissed wonders of Food in India is like a blockbuster movie—dramatic, full of surprises, and with a flavor-packed climax. Some places, like Lucknow and Kolkata, have already earned their Michelin-starred reputation (well, in spirit), but others remain hidden treasures waiting for their moment in the culinary spotlight. From the coconut-laced curries of Kerala to the spice-kissed wonders of Odisha, we’re about to embark on a feast across top food destinations in India. Forks ready? Let’s go!

Before we dive into the lesser known hubs that your tastebuds love, we wanna give a shout out to the five iconic top food destinations in India:

1. Delhi

Um question.. If you search for the best street food places in India would you find Delhi on top? Hell yea you will!

The capital city is a paradise for street food lovers and Mughlai cuisine enthusiasts. Delhi’s culinary culture dates back to the Mughal era, where rich, slow-cooked meats, flavorful gravies, and aromatic spices became the hallmark of its cuisine and gave it the much adored title of being THE top food destination in India. Today, bustling food streets like Chandni Chowk offer delights such as Chole Bhature, Butter Chicken, Parathas, Kebabs, and Golgappas, each bite bursting with flavor and history.

2. Kolkata

 A haven for Bengali cuisine, Kolkata is known for its delicate balance of sweet and savory flavors. The city’s food scene has deep roots in its colonial past, with European and Chinese influences merging with traditional Bengali fare. The city is famous for Rosogolla, Mishti Doi, Kosha Mangsho, Shukto, and Kathi Rolls, best enjoyed at iconic eateries like Nizam’s and Flurys and has been in  top food destinations in India for like.. centuries!

3. Lucknow

The city of Nawabs is famous among the top food destinations in India for its refined and aromatic Awadhi cuisine, a legacy of Persian and Mughal culinary traditions. This slow-cooked cuisine, known for its rich use of saffron, ghee, and dry fruits, offers delicacies like Tunday Kebabs, Galouti Kebabs, Nihari, Sheermal, and Awadhi Biryani, all of which transport you back to royal feasts of yesteryears.

4. Hyderabad

A biryani lover’s dream, the top food destinations in India for Mughlai fanatics! Hyderabad boasts a cuisine deeply influenced by Persian, Turkish, and Mughal flavors. The city’s culinary heritage is defined by its fragrant rice dishes, slow-cooked meats, and bold spices. Signature dishes like Hyderabadi Biryani, Haleem, Mirchi ka Salan, and Qubani ka Meetha exemplify the opulence and decadence of Nizami cuisine.

5. Amritsar

This Punjabi city is synonymous with robust, hearty, and buttery flavors. Rooted in Sikh culinary traditions, Amritsari cuisine is rich in dairy and bold in spice. The city is home to Amritsari Kulcha, Makki di Roti with Sarson da Saag, Chole, and Lassi, best savored at dhabas and roadside eateries near the Golden Temple.

Underrated Top Food Destinations in India

Beyond the popular cities, several lesser-known food hubs offer incredible culinary experiences. Here are some of  India’s top food destinations that deserve more recognition:

1. Malvan, Maharashtra

Cuisine: Malvani cuisine, a coastal blend of Maharashtrian and Goan flavors, is known for its bold use of spices and fresh seafood. Historically, Malvani cuisine evolved as a response to the abundant availability of coconut, kokum, and seafood along Maharashtra’s Konkan coast. The distinct tanginess from kokum and the fiery red Malvani masala give its dishes a signature depth of flavor, making it out first pick for the top food destinations in India!

Must-Try Foods:

Kombdi Vade (spicy chicken curry with fluffy vade)

Bombil Fry (crispy Bombay duck fish)

Solkadhi (kokum and coconut milk drink)

Key Ingredients: Kokum, tamarind, coconut, and fiery red Malvani masala.

2. Majuli, Assam

Assamese cuisine in Majuli is rustic, emphasizing fresh, earthy flavors with minimal use of oil. The cuisine has deep roots in Ahom and tribal traditions, using fermented and alkaline-based cooking methods to enhance natural flavors. Dishes often highlight indigenous herbs, bamboo shoots, and local river fish, creating a unique harmony of textures and tastes, making it a must-visit for food lovers exploring the top food destinations in India.

Must-Try Foods:

Masor Tenga (tangy fish curry)

Aloo Pitika (mashed potatoes with mustard oil)

Khar (alkaline-based curry)

Key Ingredients: Mustard oil, banana peel ash (khar), and river fish.

3. Odisha Food

Odisha’s cuisine is simple yet flavorful, with influences from temple food traditions and the Jagannath culture. It balances sweet and savory flavors with generous use of mustard, panch phoron (five-spice blend), and dairy products. Delicacies like Dalma and Chhena Poda highlight a tradition of slow-cooking and divine flavors, making Odisha a hidden gem among the top food destinations in India.

Must-Try Foods:

Dalma (lentils with vegetables)

Chhena Poda (baked cheese dessert)

Pakhala Bhata (fermented rice dish)

Key Ingredients: Mustard seeds, ghee, and raw mango.

4. Kerala

Kerala’s cuisine is known for its abundant use of coconut, seafood, and fragrant spices, influenced by Arabian, Portuguese, and Dutch traders. The flavors are bold, spicy, and coconut-rich, offering a mix of vegetarian and seafood specialties. The backwaters and coastal regions provide an endless bounty of fresh ingredients, resulting in dishes like Meen Moilee and Prawn Theeyal that burst with aromatic goodness. The rich heritage of spice trade is still evident in every meal, making Kerala one of the top food destinations in India.

Must-Try Foods:

Appam with Stew

Puttu and Kadala Curry

Karimeen Pollichathu 

Key Ingredients: Coconut, curry leaves, black pepper, and green chilies.

5. Goa

Goan cuisine is a vibrant blend of Konkani, Portuguese, and Saraswat influences, characterized by its spicy, tangy, and coconut-rich flavors. The Portuguese introduced vinegar, chilies, and chorizo, shaping Goan curries and seafood dishes. The use of toddy vinegar and freshly ground masalas give Goan food an irresistible depth of flavor. From the smoky chorizo pao to the tangy Fish Recheado, every dish here is a party for the taste buds. This tropical paradise proudly holds its spot among the top food destinations in India.

Must-Try Foods:

Goan Prawn Curry

Bebinca Pork Vindaloo

Key Ingredients: Vinegar, coconut milk, tamarind, and Kashmiri chilies.

6. Kashmir

Kashmiri cuisine is rich and aromatic, rooted in Wazwan traditions brought by Persian and Central Asian influences. The dishes are slow-cooked with generous use of ghee and dry fruits, resulting in deeply flavorful and warming meals. While one may go to Kashmir to witness the beauty or the bloody history, they mustn’t forget that this winter wonderland has given birth to a myriad of delicacies. In our opinion it is one of the best food place in India!

Must-Try Foods:

Rogan Josh (spiced lamb curry)

Yakhni (yogurt-based mutton curry)

Kahwa (saffron-infused tea)

Key Ingredients: Saffron, fennel, dry fruits, and mustard oil.

7. Rajasthan

Rajasthani cuisine is known for its royal heritage and desert-friendly ingredients, with heavy use of ghee, lentils, and dried vegetables due to scarce water resources. Historically influenced by Rajput warriors and Marwari traders, the cuisine features a mix of vegetarian and meat-based delicacies, with an emphasis on long-lasting ingredients suitable for desert conditions. The flavors of Rajasthan are bold, spicy, and incredibly satisfying, securing its place among the top food destinations in India.

Must-Try Foods:

Dal Baati Churma

Gatte ki Sabzi

Laal Maas 

Key Ingredients: Ghee, dry spices, gram flour, and Mathiana red chilies.

8. Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Indore’s food scene is a melting pot of Malwa, Gujarati, and Rajasthani flavors. The city is known for its vibrant street food culture, offering sweet, tangy, and spicy snacks. The street food scene is not to be missed, with places like Sarafa Bazaar turning into a night-time food haven. From buttery Poha Jalebi to spicy Bhutte Ka Kees, Indore’s culinary scene is packed with irresistible flavors. 

No wonder it’s considered one of the top food destinations in India.

Must-Try Foods:

Poha Jalebi

Bhutte Ka Kees

Khichdi Kachori

Key Ingredients: Sev, fennel seeds, and roasted corn flour.

9. Nagaland

Naga cuisine is bold and spicy, relying on smoked meats, fermented ingredients, and local herbs. The food has deep tribal roots, emphasizing firewood cooking and natural preservation techniques. The use of fiery Naga chilies and fermented bamboo shoots creates an intense and unforgettable taste.

#FunFact : In 2011, The Naga Chilli was recorded as the “World’s Hottest Chili” by the Guinness World Records with a rating of 1,382,118 Scoville heat units (SHU)

Did Naga make it to your top 10 food cities in India bucket list, yet?

Must-Try Foods:

Smoked Pork with Bamboo Shoot

Axone 

Galho 

Key Ingredients: Naga chilies, fermented soybeans, and bamboo shoots.

10. Pondicherry

Pondicherry’s cuisine is a beautiful mix of Tamil and French influences, offering mild yet flavorful curries and European-style desserts. The elegant fusion of flavors is evident in dishes like Creole curries and freshly baked baguettes, showcasing the city’s colonial past. Seafood, slow-cooked stews, and fragrant herbs create a dining experience that is both sophisticated and soulful. This coastal retreat is undoubtedly one of the top food destinations in India.

Must-Try Foods:

Creole Curries

Baguettes

Prawn Vindaloo

Fish Assad Curry

Key Ingredients: Red wine vinegar, seafood, and subtle French spices.

Some Interesting Facts About Indian Cuisine

• Rajasthan’s Waterless Cooking – Many traditional Rajasthani dishes, like gatte ki sabzi, were developed to use yogurt or buttermilk instead of water due to the desert climate.
  
• The Secret of Black Rice – Assam and Manipur are home to black rice, also known as “forbidden rice,” once reserved for royalty due to its rich nutritional value. Also among the  top food destinations in India for us!
  
• Goa’s Unique Vinegar – Goan cuisine uses coconut or cashew vinegar, introduced by the Portuguese, giving its dishes a distinctive tang.
  
• Odisha’s 56-Dish Feast – The Jagannath Temple in Puri serves a Mahaprasad with 56 different dishes, cooked in clay pots stacked over wood-fired ovens.
  
• Kashmir’s Saffron Legacy – Kashmir is one of the only places in the world where saffron is grown, making its cuisine rich in the world’s most expensive spice.
  
• Kerala’s Banana Leaf Science – Traditional Kerala meals are served on banana leaves, which release antioxidants and enhance flavors when in contact with hot food.
  
• West Bengal’s No-Onion, No-Garlic Cuisine – Many Bengali temple offerings, like niramish dishes, are cooked without onion or garlic, relying on unique spice blends for flavor.
  
• The Floating Chapati of Varanasi – At the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, chapatis are placed in the river for turtles, which are considered sacred and help keep the Ganges clean.
  
• Malabar’s Arab-Indian Fusion – Kerala’s Malabar cuisine has Arab influences, leading to dishes like Muttamala, an egg-based dessert similar to Middle Eastern sweets. Honestly, Malabar coast is among the  top food destinations in India for many of us!
  
• Lucknow’s Dum Cooking Came from Persia – The famous dum pukht (slow-cooking in sealed pots) technique in Awadhi cuisine was brought by the Mughals from Persia. 

Your foodie status is incomplete if you haven’t explored both the classics and the hidden gems among the top food destinations in India. Sure, Delhi’s Chole Bhature is legendary, but have you ever savored a steaming bowl of Assamese Masor Tenga?

 From Pondicherry’s French-Tamil fusion to Odisha’s divine temple feasts, every bite tells a story of history, culture, and unapologetic deliciousness. And what better way to share your food adventures than with Explurger? Whether it’s capturing the perfect Goan Prawn Curry or savoring Kashmir’s rich Rogan Josh, make it all count, and don’t forget to add it to Explurger’s Bucket List for a reminder!

Got your plate? Explurge-In here👇

https://apps.explurger.com/iaX7/7d2nf84y

FAQ’S About food destinations in India