India Food Guide: 12 Amazing Places to Eat on Your Next Trip

Whether you're craving a refreshing drink while shopping or a full-on culinary adventure, India has something to offer every foodie. Here are some of my personal favorite spots from our summer trip to India—ranging from street-side gems to cozy cafés and vibrant restaurants—that truly left a lasting impression.

☕ Cafés & Grab-and-Go Bites

1. Softy Corner (Chandigarh)

Perfect for a quick and refreshing snack while shopping. Their cookies and cream softie is a must-try, and the cheesy popcorn is an unexpectedly delicious treat.

2. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Panchkula)

A reliable café spot with a great vibe. I loved the hazelnut coffee and the mango refresher—both refreshing and flavorful. Don’t skip the chocolate cake!

Favorites

🛻 Street Food & Fast Casual Favorites

3. Chilli Chaat (Panchkula)

This place serves the best gol gappas in town, hands down. They offer a fun variety of waters

—pomegranate (my favorite!), spicy, and the classic khatta meetha.

4. Singh Sons (Panchkula)

If you're craving street food but want something safe and satisfying, this is your place. Their grilled vegetable sandwiches are seriously the best.

5. McDonald’s

Indian McDonald’s hits different! No beef, which is great, and the McAloo Tikki Burger was flavorful and satisfying. We ended the meal with a chocolate-dipped vanilla softie—simple but so good.

🍝 Casual Dining Gems

6. Ovenfresh  (Chandigarh)

A versatile spot with American and Italian options. Their arrabbiata pasta is my top pick, and the garlic bread is flavorful (though portion sizes are pretty big, so go hungry!).

7. Sindhi Sweets  (Chandigarh)

A wild mix of everything, from North Indian and Chinese fusion to desserts and snacks. I especially loved their hakka noodles and gulab jamun. You’ll definitely find something for every craving here.

🍽️ Formal Restaurants

8. Burma Burma (Mumbai)

A unique experience with modern Burmese cuisine in a stylish setting. My favorites were the samosa chaat (such a creative twist!) and the chilli garlic sweet noodles which packed the perfect spicy punch. Their salads were super fresh, too.

9. Casa Bella Vista (Chandigarh)

A cozy Italian spot with a strong focus on health and flavor. The pizza was fantastic, and while the pasta had a few too many veggies for my taste, it was definitely wholesome.

10. Virgin Courtyard (Chandigarh)

Another great Italian option with a charming, rustic ambience. Their mocktails are top-tier, and both the pizza and tiramisu were outstanding.

11. Bharawan Da Dhaba (Amritsar)

For a truly authentic Amritsari experience, this is the place. We had the Amritsari kulcha, which were hands-down the best I’ve ever tasted. We wrapped up the meal with a kulhad kulfi, a traditional and perfect ending.

12. Sagar Ratna (Chandigarh)

Known for their authentic South Indian food. Their sambar is a standout—rich and comforting. Interestingly, their hakka noodles from the Chinese section are also excellent. I haven’t tried the North Indian options, but I’ve heard great things about the paneer dishes.

From spicy snacks to sweet treats and cozy cafés, this trip was basically one big food adventure. If you ever find yourself in India, I hope you get to try a few of these gems—your taste buds will thank you. Make sure to check out our India Food Diaries on Instagram HERE!

Happy Baking and Giving,

Avani Thakur