Rajasthan, India's largest state by area, is a land of vibrant colors, majestic forts, and royal palaces that transport visitors back to an era of Maharajas and ancient trade routes. From the pink-hued city of Jaipur to the blue alleys of Jodhpur and the shimmering lakes of Udaipur, Rajasthan offers an unparalleled tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. The Thar Desert in the west and the Aravalli mountain range create dramatic landscapes that make Rajasthan one of India's most photogenic and culturally rich destinations.
Rajasthani cuisine is a rich reflection of the state's desert geography and royal Rajput heritage — bold spices, preserved ingredients like ker sangri (desert beans and berries), and cooking techniques adapted to scarce water. The cuisine is largely vegetarian at its base, with meat dishes reserved for special occasions in Rajput traditions. Dal Baati Churma (baked wheat balls with lentils and sweet churned grain) is the state's defining dish. Laal Maas (fiery red mutton curry) and Safed Maas (creamy white lamb curry) represent the royal non-vegetarian tradition. Street food in Jaipur revolves around kachori (savory pastries), pyaaz kachori (onion-stuffed), and exceptional sweets like ghevar and mawa kachori.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Rajasthan.
Dal Baati Churma
Baked wheat balls (baati) served with dal (lentils) and sweet churma (crumbled baati with ghee and sugar) — the quintessential Rajasthani meal
Where to try: Any Rajasthani thali restaurant; LMB in Jaipur for the definitive version
Price: $3-8
Laal Maas
Fiery red mutton curry made with Mathania dried red chillies and yogurt — one of India's most famous regional curries
Where to try: Any non-vegetarian restaurant in Jaipur, Jodhpur, or Udaipur
Price: $8-18
Ker Sangri
A uniquely Rajasthani dish made with dried desert beans (sangri) and dried berries (ker) cooked with spices — a flavor with no equivalent elsewhere
Where to try: Any Rajasthani thali restaurant
Price: $3-6
Gatte ki Sabzi
Gram flour dumplings cooked in a spiced yogurt curry — a comfort dish and staple of Rajasthani home cooking
Where to try: Local thali restaurants throughout Rajasthan
Price: $3-5
Mawa Kachori
Jodhpur's signature sweet — a deep-fried pastry shell filled with sweet khoya (reduced milk) and nuts, drizzled with sugar syrup
Where to try: Shree Mishrilal Hotel, Sardar Market, Jodhpur
Price: $0.50-1
Pyaaz Kachori
Jaipur's most popular street snack — a flaky deep-fried pastry filled with a spiced onion mixture, eaten with chutneys
Where to try: LMB, Rawat Mishthan Bhandar, and street stalls throughout Jaipur
Price: $0.50-1
Makhaniya Lassi
Jodhpur's thick cream-top yogurt drink made with saffron and cardamom — richer and creamier than standard Indian lassi
Where to try: Shree Mishrilal Hotel, Sardar Market, Jodhpur
Price: $1
Ghevar
A honeycomb-textured disc sweet made from fried flour soaked in sugar syrup, topped with cream and pistachio — primarily available during Teej and Raksha Bandhan festivals (July-August)
Where to try: Sweet shops throughout Jaipur during monsoon season
Price: $1-3
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar (LMB)
LMB is a Jaipur institution since 1954, famous for its extensive Rajasthani thali, traditional sweets, and mithai (Indian confectionery). The thali here is a definitive introduction to Rajasthani cuisine — dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, and more courses than you can finish.
Known for: Traditional Rajasthani sweets and thali
Johari Bazaar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302003
Indique
Indique is Jodhpur's most atmospheric restaurant, perched on a rooftop with sweeping views of Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace. Head Chef Vishal crafts contemporary presentations of Rajasthani classics including his famous spicy lamb koftas, and the tandoor section produces excellent breads.
Known for: Rooftop dining with Mehrangarh Fort views
1 Pal Haveli, Gulab Sagar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001
Ambrai Restaurant
Ambrai is Udaipur's most romantic dining spot, set right on the banks of Lake Pichola with uninterrupted views of Taj Lake Palace and City Palace lit up at night. The food is reliably good Indian fare and the lakefront setting at sunset is simply extraordinary.
Known for: Lakeside dining with City Palace and Lake Palace views
Amet Haveli, Outside Chandpole Gate, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Surya Mahal
Surya Mahal is a popular vegetarian restaurant in Jaipur near the City Palace, well-regarded by both locals and tourists for its generous Rajasthani thali and fresh Indian breads. The clean setting, good service, and excellent value make it a lunch staple.
Known for: Vegetarian Rajasthani thali
Johri Bazar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302003
Peacock Rooftop Restaurant
The rooftop restaurant at Hotel Pearl Palace is a Jaipur backpacker institution, beloved for its eclectic menu combining Rajasthani favorites, Continental dishes, and fresh juices. The panoramic views over the old city rooftops and helpful staff make it a great place to start and end each day.
Known for: Budget rooftop dining with Jaipur views
Hotel Pearl Palace, Hathroi Fort, Ajmer Rd, Jaipur
1135 AD
1135 AD at Amber Fort recreates the dining experience of 12th-century Rajput royalty in the original courtyard of Amer, with live folk musicians, lamp-lit tables, and a menu of historical Rajasthani and Mughal dishes. The experience is theatrical and unforgettable.
Known for: Historical royal dining inside Amber Fort
Amber Fort Complex, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302028
Niro's
Niro's is a Jaipur landmark since 1949 on the main MI Road, serving reliable Indian and Mughlai cuisine in a cool air-conditioned setting. Popular with local Jaipuris and tourists alike, it offers a comfortable respite from the heat with consistent quality.
Known for: Jaipur institution since 1949
M.I. Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001
Laal Maas Restaurant (Jaipur)
Specializing in Rajasthan's most famous meat dish, this restaurant in Jaipur offers an authentic version of Laal Maas — a fiery red mutton curry cooked with Mathania chillies. The intensity is real; let staff know your spice tolerance.
Known for: Authentic Laal Maas mutton curry
C Scheme, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Indian
Trio Restaurant
Trio in Jaisalmer Fort offers a lovely rooftop setting within the fort walls, serving both Rajasthani and tourist-friendly Indian and continental dishes. It's one of the better dining spots inside the fort itself with good views of the surrounding ramparts.
Known for: Dining inside living medieval fort
Gandhi Chowk, Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001
Natraj Restaurant
Natraj is one of Jodhpur's most beloved local restaurants, where families and office workers come for their lunch thali. The fixed thali menu offers unlimited refills of dal, sabzi, and rotis at exceptionally low prices.
Known for: Unlimited local thali for locals and tourists
Station Road, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001
Raaj Bagh
Raaj Bagh is an upscale restaurant in Udaipur overlooking Lake Pichola, known for exquisite presentations of classic Rajasthani and North Indian dishes. The paneer dishes here are considered among the best in Udaipur.
Known for: Upscale Rajasthani dining overlooking Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Saffron (Karrij)
Saffron at RAAS Jodhpur's rooftop is widely considered Jodhpur's best fine dining experience, with extraordinary fort views, a curated wine list, and thoughtfully crafted Rajasthani and North Indian dishes. Reservations essential.
Known for: Best fine dining in Jodhpur with fort views
RAAS Hotel, Tunwarji Ka Jhalra, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Cafe Royale
Cafe Royale in Udaipur old city is a charming rooftop cafe popular with travelers for its all-day breakfast menu, fresh juices, and views over the lake district. Ideal for a slow morning before a day of sightseeing.
Known for: Rooftop breakfast with lake views
Gangaur Ghat, Old City, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Suvarna Mahal
Suvarna Mahal at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur is one of India's grandest dining rooms — a former Maharaja's ballroom transformed into an opulent restaurant decorated with rich murals, Venetian crystal, and ornate gold leaf. Dining here is a truly royal experience.
Known for: Dining in Maharaja's ballroom at Rambagh Palace
Rambagh Palace, Bhawani Singh Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jagat Niwas Palace Restaurant
The rooftop restaurant of Jagat Niwas Heritage Hotel in Udaipur occupies jharokha balconies (stone window niches) overlooking Lake Pichola, offering incredible lake views at mid-range prices. A must for the setting alone.
Known for: Stone window balcony dining with lake views
23-25 Lal Ghat, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Chai Sutta Bar
Chai Sutta Bar is a vibrant modern chai cafe chain with a strong Jaipur presence, offering 25+ varieties of chai served in kulhad (clay cups) alongside snacks. A hit with young Indians and travelers looking for a lively local atmosphere.
Known for: Artisan chai in clay cups
Multiple locations, Jaipur, Rajasthan
The Trio (Udaipur)
The Trio restaurant in Udaipur's old city is a long-running favorite with travelers, offering a menu covering Rajasthani classics, pizza, and pasta in a rooftop setting with a clear view of City Palace. The rooftop atmosphere is particularly good at dusk.
Known for: Classic backpacker favorite with good city views
Hotel Raj Palace, City Palace Area, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Patang Restaurant
Patang is one of Udaipur's most popular mid-range restaurants, set on a rooftop with lake views and a menu spanning Rajasthani, North Indian, and a few Chinese dishes. Known for consistently good paneer and dal dishes.
Known for: Good value rooftop dining with lake views
Fateh Sagar Road, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Sunrise Café
Sunrise Café inside Jaisalmer Fort is beloved for its morning chai, breakfast, and simple meals. The stone terrace looking over the fort's inner lanes creates a unique atmosphere that perfectly starts a day of fort exploration.
Known for: Breakfast inside the living Jaisalmer Fort
Inside Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001
Om Shiva Garden Restaurant
Om Shiva Garden is a popular traveler restaurant in Pushkar set in a garden courtyard, offering a mix of Indian, Rajasthani, Israeli, and Continental dishes reflecting Pushkar's eclectic traveler community.
Known for: Garden dining for Pushkar's mixed traveler community
Ajmer Road, Pushkar, Rajasthan 305022
Rajasthani
Jaimal & Phatta
Named after two legendary Mewar warriors, Jaimal & Phatta at the Leela Palace Jaipur offers a refined modern take on Rajasthani royal cuisine in an ornate dining room. The tasting menus showcase heritage ingredients and cooking techniques.
Known for: Royal Rajasthani cuisine tasting menu
Leela Palace, Amber Fort Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Natrang
Natrang is a cozy local restaurant in Jaisalmer beloved by budget travelers and locals for its huge portions of authentic Rajasthani food at rock-bottom prices. The dal tadka and sabzi are cooked fresh and bursting with flavor.
Known for: Cheap authentic Rajasthani food
Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001
Spice Court
Spice Court in Jaipur's Bani Park neighborhood is a popular garden restaurant offering cultural dance performances with dinner — a great way to experience folk music and cuisine together. The setting under fairy lights in the garden is lovely on cool evenings.
Known for: Garden dining with Rajasthani cultural performances
Achrol House, Civil Lines, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302006
Bhagat Ki Kothi
Bhagat Ki Kothi is one of Bikaner's most respected traditional restaurants, where locals eat massive thalis of Marwari vegetarian food. The gatte ki khichdi and papad sabzi are exceptional examples of the desert region's cooking.
Known for: Authentic Marwari vegetarian cooking
Station Road, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001
Mughlai
Bade Miyan
Bade Miyan is Jaipur's go-to non-vegetarian street eatery for seekh kebabs, tandoori chicken, and mutton tikka served on paper plates alongside fresh naan. The charcoal-grilled meats are best eaten standing at the roadside counter.
Known for: Street-side charcoal kebabs and tandoori
Near Sindhi Camp, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302016
Hanif Ustani's
Hanif Ustani's in Jodhpur is the old city's most reputed spot for mutton biryani and haleem, with a devoted local following. The biryani is cooked in the traditional dum style — sealed pot slow-cooked on a wood fire.
Known for: Traditional dum biryani in old Jodhpur
Nai Sarak, Old City, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001
Vegetarian
Priya Bhojnalaya
A beloved Pushkar local joint serving excellent South Indian and Rajasthani vegetarian food at very low prices. Popular with pilgrims and budget travelers, the masala dosa here rivals any in South India.
Known for: Vegetarian food for pilgrims and travelers
Sadar Bazaar, Pushkar, Rajasthan 305022
Tattwa Café
Tattwa Café in Jodhpur is a favorite with travelers and expats for its freshly baked goods, excellent coffee, wholesome wraps, and reliable wifi. A great place to plan the day over a proper cup of coffee.
Known for: Good coffee and healthy wraps
High Court Colony, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001
Continental
Anokhi Cafe
Anokhi Cafe at Jaipur's Anokhi store is an oasis for travelers seeking organic salads, whole grain dishes, and fresh coffee alongside beautiful handblock-print textiles. A very popular choice for lunch among international visitors.
Known for: Organic light meals in Jaipur's most stylish shop
KK Square, C-11 Prithviraj Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001
Italian
The Palms
The Palms at Ranthambore's Forest Camp area is the best restaurant near the national park, offering a lovely garden setting, good Indian food, and cold beers perfect after a dusty safari.
Known for: Best dining option near Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore Road, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan 322001
Northwest Frontier
Peshawri (ITC Rajputana)
Peshawri at ITC Rajputana in Jaipur is the Rajasthan outpost of the legendary Peshawri brand, famous across India for its extraordinary clay-oven dishes. The Dal Bukhara (black lentils slow-cooked for 18 hours) and sikandari raan (whole leg of lamb) are extraordinary.
Known for: Northwest Frontier slow-cooked tandoor dishes
ITC Rajputana, Palace Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302006
Rajasthani Cultural Dining
Virasat-e-Rajasthan
Virasat-e-Rajasthan in Jaipur is an experiential Rajasthani cultural show combined with dinner — guests eat on village-style low seating while traditional music and dance performances unfold on stage. The unlimited Rajasthani thali is substantial and flavorful.
Known for: Rajasthani cultural performance + dinner
Amber Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002
Rajasthani Government Restaurant
Rajasthali
Rajasthali is a Rajasthan Tourism government restaurant with locations in multiple cities, offering standardized quality Rajasthani food at fair prices. The fixed Rajasthani thali is a reliable and hygienic option for first-time visitors.
Known for: Standardized quality government thali restaurant
Near Ajmer Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001
Rajasthani Street Food
Jaipur Adda
Jaipur Adda is a casual multi-stall food court concept that brings together Jaipur's best street food classics in a clean, air-conditioned setting. Dal kachori, pyaaz kachori, samosas, and chai from designated stalls make it a great tasting session.
Known for: Jaipur street food classics
MI Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001
Rajasthani Sweets
Shree Mishrilal Hotel
Shree Mishrilal is Jodhpur's most famous sweet shop and snack stall, renowned for its Mawa Kachori — a deep-fried pastry filled with sweet khoya (reduced milk). This has been a Jodhpur landmark for over a century.
Known for: Mawa Kachori and Makhaniya Lassi
Sardar Market, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001
Street Food
Kalyan Singh Tea Stall
This legendary no-frills tea stall near Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur serves some of the best masala chai in Rajasthan along with samosas and pakoras to a loyal daily crowd of locals and travelers.
Known for: Best masala chai near Mehrangarh Fort
Below Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001
Food tours & tastings in Rajasthan
Eat your way through Rajasthan with a guide.
Browse food experiences in RajasthanWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Pyaaz Kachori
Flaky pastry filled with spiced onion mix — Jaipur's most loved street snack
Find it at: Bapu Bazaar and Johri Bazaar, Jaipur
Mirchi Bada
Large green chilli stuffed with potato, battered and deep-fried — a Jodhpur specialty
Find it at: Street stalls near Sardar Market, Jodhpur
Malpua
Sweet pan-fried pancakes soaked in sugar syrup with fennel and cardamom
Find it at: Sweet shops and push-carts throughout Rajasthan
Churma Ladoo
Round sweet balls of crushed baati mixed with ghee, sugar, and nuts
Find it at: All thali restaurants and sweet shops
Dahi Vada
Lentil fritters soaked in yogurt with tamarind and mint chutney
Find it at: Street carts in all Rajasthan cities
Bikaneri Bhujia
Bikaner's famous crispy gram flour sev — the best version of this Indian snack
Find it at: Haldiram's shops in Bikaner and across Rajasthan
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Bapu Bazaar Food Stalls
Row of street food vendors selling kachori, samosas, and sweets in Jaipur's main bazaar
Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sardar Market
Jodhpur's central market with sweet shops, spice stalls, and food vendors around the clock tower
Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Pushkar Bazaar
The main street of Pushkar lined with cafes, sweet sellers, and homemade food stalls catering to pilgrims and travelers
Hours: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Most traditional Rajasthani restaurants offer unlimited thali — eat until you're full for a fixed price
Jaipur, Udaipur, and Pushkar have excellent vegetarian options due to strong Hindu and Jain traditions
Laal Maas is genuinely very spicy — ask for mild version if you have low spice tolerance
Rajasthan has limited alcohol licensing — alcohol is not served at many local restaurants; look for licensed restaurants or hotels
Pushkar is entirely alcohol-free — no liquor is sold in the entire town
Carry hand sanitizer for street food eating; stalls may lack handwashing facilities
Filtered or bottled water only — never drink tap water even in good restaurants
- Vegetarian
- Excellent for vegetarians — Rajasthan has one of India's richest vegetarian cuisines; most thali restaurants are entirely vegetarian
- Halal
- Available in Muslim-majority areas of Jaipur, Ajmer, and Jodhpur old cities
- Gluten free
- Many dal, rice, and sabzi dishes are naturally gluten-free; inform restaurant staff of requirement
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2-5 per meal | Street food, local thali restaurants, and dhaba-style eateries |
| Mid-range | $10-20 per meal | Heritage hotel restaurants, rooftop cafes, and quality sit-down restaurants |
| Upscale | $40-100+ per meal | Palace hotel dining rooms like 1135 AD, Suvarna Mahal, and Saffron at RAAS |