India is a country renowned for its diverse culinary heritage, and one of the best ways to experience this rich tapestry of flavors is through its street food. Street food in India is a vibrant and integral part of the local culture, offering an explosion of tastes and aromas that leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it. From spicy chaats to succulent kebabs and delectable sweets, the country’s khau gallis (food streets) are a food lover’s paradise.
Whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat lover, there’s something for everyone in these khau gallis. In this article, we will take you on a culinary journey from Mumbai to Delhi, exploring some of India’s most mouthwatering khau gallis for an unforgettable street food feast.
- Carter Road Khau Galli, Mumbai
Located near Bandra Promenade, Carter Road Khau Galli in Mumbai is a favorite among the city’s young crowd and celebrities. This food street offers a variety of lip-smacking delicacies, including kebabs, momos, shawarmas, rolls, falafel, Indo-Chinese delights, waffles, and frozen yogurt. The cool sea breeze and relaxed ambiance make it an ideal spot to unwind and relish some good food.
Popular Eateries:
- Lassi Te Parrontthe: Known for their refreshing lassis and delicious paranthas.
- Kepchaki Momos: A must-visit for momo lovers, offering a range of flavorful dumplings.
- Carter’s Blue: Famous for its mouthwatering kebabs and rolls.
- Best Budget Hotels in Mumbai near Carter Road:
- Mahim Khau Galli, Mumbai
Mahim Khau Galli, located near Mahim Dargah, is another popular food street in Mumbai. This khau galli is a paradise for non-vegetarian food lovers, offering a wide array of lip-smacking delicacies. From khiri and khichda to baida roti and mutton kebabs, the options here are endless. Vegetarians can also indulge in street food delights like dahi vadas, chana chaat, malpuas, and firni.
Popular Eateries:
- Makhdoom Masahab: Known for their flavorful khichda and mutton kebabs.
- Baba Falooda: Famous for its refreshing faloodas and dry fruit kulfi falooda.
- Garib Nawaz: A must-visit for mouthwatering chicken tandoori and ragda chaat.
- Ghatkopar Khau Galli, Mumbai
Ghatkopar Khau Galli is a vegetarian food lover’s paradise in Mumbai. Known for its diverse range of dosas, this food street offers as many as 45 variants of the popular South Indian dish. From remix dosas and Jini dosas to noodle dosas and ice cream dosas, the dosa options here are truly unique. Additionally, you can savor other Mumbai famous food items like missal pav, kebabs, rolls, pani puri, and crispy crepes.
Popular Eateries:
- Sai Swad Dosa: Renowned for its innovative dosa creations and flavors.
- WTC Pasta Counter: Offers a variety of delicious pasta dishes to satisfy your cravings.
- Jai Durga Chaat Centre: Known for its multi-flavored pani puri and lip-smacking chaats.
- Chandni Chowk, Delhi
Chandni Chowk, besides being the largest wholesale market in Delhi, is a paradise for street food lovers. The narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk are brimming with the aroma of different foods, tempting food connoisseurs with their irresistible flavors. Here, you can indulge in dishes like kela paratha, chole kulche, pyaaz kachori, papdi chaat, and idli platter. Don’t forget to explore the wide selection of sweets, including spongy rasgullas, rabri falooda, and gajar halwa.
Popular Eateries:
- Kake Di Hatti: Famous for its delectable North Indian dishes, especially the iconic stuffed paranthas.
- Babu Ram Devi Dayal Paranthe Wala: Known for its mouthwatering paranthas with a variety of fillings.
- Jung Bhandar Kachori Wala: Renowned for its crispy and flavorsome kachoris.
- Thindi Beedi, Bengaluru
Thindi Beedi, located in the VV Puram area of Bengaluru, is a haven for street food lovers in the city. This bustling food street comes to life after sunset, offering a wide range of street foods and delicacies. The must-try dishes at Thindi Beedi include gobi Manchurian rolls, chilli and banana bhajjis, ghee roast dosas, dabeli, and butter gulkand ice cream. Dev Sagar, a popular eatery here, serves a unique and must-try delicacy called rasgulla chaat.
Popular Eateries:
- V.B. Bakery: Famous for its delectable baked goods, including biscuits and puffs.
- Idli Mane: Known for its soft and fluffy idlis served with a variety of chutneys.
- Mumbai Badam Milk and Lassi Centre: Offers refreshing beverages like badam milk and lassi.
- Sarafa Bazaar, Indore
Sarafa Bazaar in Indore is a beloved khau galli that promises a gastronomic adventure to food enthusiasts. This food street is famous for its unique delicacies like butte ke kees, garadu, poha jalebi, sabudana khichdi, and khopra patties. You can also savor delicious street food staples like dahi vada and dal bafla. Make sure to save room for some mouthwatering sweets like jaleba, malpua, rabdi, and moong dal halwa.
Popular Eateries:
- Joshi Dahi Bada House: Known for its flavorful dahi vadas served with a tangy tamarind chutney.
- Vijay Chaat House: Renowned for its crispy and spicy street chaat items.
- Jai Bhola Jaleba Bhandar: Famous for its indulgent jalebas, a syrup-soaked Indian dessert.
- DLG Night Food Street, Hyderabad
DLG Night Food Street in Hyderabad is a popular destination for street food lovers. Situated in Gachibowli, this food street offers a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies. From seekh kebabs and tandoori chicken to Punjabi food and Hyderabadi biryani, you’ll find a diverse range of flavors to tantalize your taste buds. Don’t miss out on the tandoori chai, coconut and kiwi mocktails, and coconut milk juice. And if you’re craving something sweet, try the grilled pineapple with vanilla ice cream from Charcoal BBQ.
Popular Eateries:
- Momos Delight: Known for its flavorful and steaming momos.
- AM – PM Maggi Point: Offers a variety of creative and delicious Maggi noodles preparations.
- Delicio Taco Truck: Serves mouthwatering Mexican-style tacos and other street food delights.
- Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad
Manek Chowk in Ahmedabad is a bustling city square that transforms into a street food paradise in the evening. Known for its savory offerings, this khau galli serves delicacies like gathiya jalebi, pav bhaji, pani puri, mirchi vada, and gotala dosa. You can also find delectable sweets such as kulfi, falooda, and ice cream sandwiches. With its wide selection of flavors, Manek Chowk is undoubtedly one of the best khau gallis in India.
Popular Eateries:
- Manek Pizza and Sandwich Centre: Offers a variety of pizzas and sandwiches made with fresh ingredients.
- Laxmi Gathiya: Known for its crispy and addictive Gujarati snacks like gathiya and farsan.
- Balan Dosa: Famous for its crispy and flavorful dosas served with a range of chutneys.
- Tiretta Bazaar, Kolkata
Tiretta Bazaar, also known as Old Chinatown or Mini Chinatown, is a food hub in Kolkata. This unique bazaar is where the love for Chinese food started in India. The street is famous for its mouthwatering Chinese delicacies such as sweet soya noodles, hot noodle soup, bao, pork fillets, and steamed and fried dumplings. The flavors here are an interesting blend of Chinese, Bengali, and Cantonese influences, making it a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.
Popular Eateries:
- Sei Vui Restaurant: Renowned for its authentic Chinese dishes and flavors.
- Tiretta Bazaar Roadside Chinese Breakfast: Serves delicious and filling Chinese breakfast options.
- D’Ley Chinese Eating House: Offers a wide range of Chinese delicacies in a casual dining setting.
- Piplod Night Bazaar, Surat
Piplod Night Bazaar in Surat is a popular late-night food street frequented by bikers and street food lovers. The stalls and eateries here offer a diverse range of Gujarati and other cuisines, including rice dishes, sizzlers, pizza, sandwiches, noodles, paneer tikka, and pav bhaji. You can also enjoy appetizing soups and refreshing beverages. Piplod Night Bazaar is the perfect place to satisfy your late-night cravings for delicious street food in Surat.
Popular Eateries:
- Punjabi Di Hattie: Known for its flavorsome Punjabi dishes, especially the mouthwatering curries.
- MK Special: Offers a variety of street food delights, including rolls, sandwiches, and chaats.
- Seven Kings: Renowned for its lip-smacking sizzlers and grilled delicacies.
Final Thoughts:
India’s khau gallis are a treasure trove of flavors and culinary experiences. From Mumbai’s bustling Carter Road Khau Galli and Mahim Khau Galli to Delhi’s iconic Chandni Chowk and Bengaluru’s vibrant Thindi Beedi, these street food havens offer an unforgettable feast for the senses. Indulge in a variety of lip-smacking dishes, ranging from delectable dosas and chaats to unique delicacies like butte ke kees and rasgulla chaat. Exploring these khau gallis is a must for any food lover visiting India, as they provide a glimpse into the country’s diverse culinary heritage and the vibrant street food culture that defines it. So, grab your appetite and embark on a culinary adventure through India’s most mouthwatering khau gallis!
