The best restaurants North India

Zen atmosphere in this quality bar-resto. The owner is Indian, but not from the area. Nice decoration, varied menu, healthy and original cooking (there is even sushi!) and very fresh products. Try a house cocktail, like the Flamingo made with cranberry, lemonade, pineapple and lemon juice, a shake and a smoothie. Recommended dishes include veggie or chicken bibimbap, soups or one of the breakfast options. On sunny days, sit outside; the view of the river and mountains is stunning. Live music in the evening.

Relaxed décor that invites you to relax. The ideal place for a good meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner), snack or snack. Set on cushions around a coffee table, and in a comfortable armchair, you will spend a long and long time in this restaurant, play a company game (available), surf the Internet, enjoy a browse, a burger or simply drink a drink. Service is pretty slow, surely because of the success of the place. Don't miss the animated evenings: Live concerts, karaoke, company games… 

Located on 4 floors on the main square, you can't miss this must-see address in McLeod Ganj. The atmosphere is quite pleasant, even if the rooms are often full and the rooftop terrace is crowded. The menu is very extensive, with Indian, Tibetan and Chinese specialties, pizzas, salads, European dishes... The food is good but without surprise. You can enjoy your meal with a beer or a bottle of wine.

Lung Ta has been around for years, and is still going strong thanks to its original philosophy: serving authentic Japanese vegetarian dishes. Every day of the week, a different complete menu is offered: miso soup, sushi, soy steak, vegetable croquettes, coleslaw, fried tofu and steamed rice are all featured in these " special sets ". Excellent cuisine and meticulous presentation. The place also boasts a pleasant terrace. A well-deserved success.

More expensive than all the other restaurants mentioned, but the kitchen deserves the price. You will be seated in the open air in a very charming setting. The menu is varied; We recommend a wood fire cooked pizza, a stew or a dish of lasagna. A good dinner in perspective.

It's a tourist trap, of course, but the terrace in the middle of the countryside of this restaurant is very pleasant. The pallets are served as a buffet and cooked especially for western palates. Understand that they're not very high up. If you appreciate Indian cuisine in all its fullness, you can ask for a more spicy dish. They are presented in terracotta pots which have the merit of keeping them hot. You will have the choice between a not very tasty dal, chicken curry, potatoes, rice and chapatis.

In a quiet corner of the citadel, you may pass by the sign with a picture of the Dalai Lama inviting you to climb the few steps to enter this small restaurant. They serve good momos, but not only... The menu is so long that you will be spoilt for choice. Not everything is great, but the terrace is very pleasant. We appreciate that it is partially covered, especially during the day when the sun is shining. Since the discovered part, we benefit from a beautiful sight on the city.

Between Yin and Yang, this restaurant has an excellent reputation. In the evening, when the sky is cleared, a stake is lit in the middle of the garden. Good pizzas. This is a place that carries its name…

The taste of South India in the mountains, it could seem incongruous if this cuisine was not one of the favorites of Indians. Most of them are here on vacation and looking for a change of scenery. Sankalp fulfills this desire here. You will eat delicious dosa, a kind of crunchy pancake, stuffed or not and accompanied by various sauces. Our preference is for the hearty masala dosa. In addition to these very popular pancakes, which are especially popular at breakfast, the menu offers other local specialties such as idli, vada and uttapam.

For the record, Arbuda is the old name of the city, which was named Mount Abu only in 1957. Very well located, in the heart of the city, this restaurant serves Punjabi dishes famous for its spicy cuisine, Indian-style Chinese, but also pizzas and burgers. In spite of this wide choice, it is the Indian specialties that seduced us. The thali gujaratii served at will is not spicy! This should seduce you... Unless it is the friendly atmosphere that reigns in the large outdoor room..

A small institution in the city, this restaurant has a full house at every service. To set the scene (a bit kitsch): large air-conditioned room, red and white checkered tablecloths on the tables and waiters in uniform. The food is very good and for once, the service is fast. In the entrance, a pastry shop offers a limited, but appetizing, choice of cakes. Upstairs, a large terrace overlooks the street and thanks to the braziers that warm it up a bit, you can sit there in winter for a drink or dinner under the stars.

The few tables of this small restaurant "à la bonne franquette" are installed at the edge of the lake, two steps from the pedestrian bridge. On a background of reggae music, the young tourists quickly get acquainted with Pappu and Pandit, the two adorable managers. People come here for the relaxed atmosphere, the warm welcome, the cheap and tasty food and a fresh Kingfisher. If you stay several days in the city, you will come back for sure... Service is a bit slow.

On the first floor of this flashy building, the fast-food, and on the first floor, the restaurant. You will be able to taste South Indian specialities such as dosa, idli or vada, but also Chinese dishes(chowmein), pizzas, sandwiches and burgers. The Indian specialties are quite delicious, especially the potato and onion curry, the best in Rajasthan. They only serve vegetarian specialties in a huge and rather sad room. The location near the train station is perfect to eat before catching a train.

This good little restaurant is located just in front of the fort. It is regularly visited by tourists before or after the visit of the Junagarh, but also by a young clientele, because the restaurant is also a "coffee bar" serving a whole range of coffees, mochas and fresh fruit juices. You can eat outside on the terrace with a view of the fort, or inside, without a view but in a cool place. On the menu, Indian and Chinese dishes. Try if you haven't already the lal maas or the ker sangri, it's amazing, typical of Rajasthan and very good.

If you haven't had a chance to try the creamy lassis at Jaipur's Lassiwala, you can make up for it here. This street corner stall sells delicious saffron flavored lassis. They are prepared freshly every day and if you come early in the morning, you will even see Anant doing the final preparations. Served in the traditional clay cups, you can ask for it salted, sweetened, with extra cream. A perfect stop after visiting the museum which is just a few steps away.

Hidden in a shopping mall, this café pays tribute to the number one activity in this trendy neighbourhood: fashion. In this inspired place, big strings, allegory of thread, separate the spaces. Low or high tables, bright colours, decorated walls and of course a rack displaying cutting-edge creations create a young and cosy atmosphere. The card plays an international score with burgers, pizzas, sandwiches. On the beverage side, coffee is available in all its forms. Pleasant at any time of the day, Threads is often taken by storm at lunchtime.

This brand new canteen opened in January 2019. The beautiful round wrought iron door opens onto a courtyard where the restaurant is located. The menu, reduced, offers burgers, kathi rolls (filled chapati), pizzas at the right prices. And it's especially delicious. On the other hand, if you have a delicate palate, remember to specify "not spicy" when ordering, otherwise you risk shedding all the tears in your body. We like the relaxed atmosphere, the freshness of the products and the simple and windy setting.

Between Ulanbazar and the Supreme Court, this restaurant is located on the first floor of a bourgeois building. You will be welcomed by a big Buddha in a Thai setting. Claustras, exotic wood, chopsticks... The menu is presented on an electronic tablet. You can compose your menu by strolling between the countries of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia... the specialties are numerous. The cuisine lacks a little finesse, but the intention is there. The hushed setting allows to spend a pleasant evening.

Located on the second floor of a small building, this popular local eatery has a real snack bar feel. Tiles are everywhere, tables are raised and benches run along the walls. South Indian cuisine is served here: dosas, iddly, uttapam, vada and other delights that are popular all over the country. Also on the menu are burgers, pizzas (and even "pizza-dosas"), and drinks such as mango lassi and café frappé... Tasty and inexpensive. Several outlets in Kolkata.

This café is the perfect place to come and relax at any time. The menu offers a wide choice of drinks: lassis, teas, coffees, hot or cold depending on the season. But you should also come here to taste the delicious himachali thali which gathers 3 dishes of choice prepared during weddings or festivals, as well as two vegetables, dal and bread. Some more westernized suggestions will also delight the delicate palates (sandwiches, soups...). We like the cosy atmosphere, the rough wooden tables and the pictures of the local flora that decorate the walls.

This restaurant is housed in a magnificent house with carved wood panelling. Inside too, the setting is sumptuous. Woodwork, frescoes, copper dishes... The rustic Indian elegance is expressed here wonderfully. A large choice of dishes cooked in the tandoor. You will find the traditional kebabs or tandoori chicken, but also lobster cooked in the oven. The prices are quite high, but the food is excellent. The kebabs are soft, the lobster has a smoky taste and the spices are well balanced. Three establishments of the sign in Kolkata.

This restaurant is absolutely great. If you're in the area of the Convention Center or the airport, come here for a break. The room is large and inspired by the industrial style. An old tractor painted in yellow sits in the middle and is a delight for the kids. Because we come here with our families to enjoy the chicken tikka. It is spicy, but juicy and cleverly spiced. Just look at the number of people who come here to dine in or take away. A very good discovery. Kolkata has five such establishments.

On the second floor of a building on Mall Road, this small restaurant with midnight blue velvet benches offers a long room. On the menu, a mix of international and Indian cuisine. Sandwiches, pizzas or burgers served with crispy fries are served alongside vegetarian kebabs and chicken tikka. However, we recommend the Indian specialties, which are much more successful. On the other hand, the portions are a bit small. The result is quite appreciable and the atmosphere is nice. Just like the service.

If you are not yet familiar with deep India, this restaurant will seem very gloomy. The atmosphere is dark, in the two separate rooms: one dedicated to vegetarian specialties and the other not. Don't be put off by this detail, because you will find a very complete menu where the specialties of Odisha are honored, like the delicious fish curry with mustard. Prices are tight and the room is air-conditioned. Many tour operators bring their clients here to experience an authentic meal.

Located on the left bank of the Ganges, at the top of a (very steep) iron staircase, this restaurant attracts a rather young clientele, fond of sweet delicacies. Café Royale has built its reputation on its delicious desserts, but it also serves very good savory food. We tried the best pizza ever tried in India! The long room opens on a terrace overlooking the Ganges. Another nice asset is the very welcoming owner. As everywhere else in Rishikesh, you have to take off your shoes before sitting down.

Of the three cafés lined up in the passage that leads to Laxman Jhula, this one is the nicest. Just look at the crowd that crowds in, the seats are expensive. Meals are taken sitting on the floor, on thick cushions on the large terrace which overlooks the river and offers a superb view of the temple of Sita Ram Dham. The menu offers a choice of salads, pasta, Indian dishes cooked with fresh products. In the evening, musicians often come to put a little atmosphere.

Halfway between a café and a restaurant, this establishment ticks all the boxes. The entrance is elegant and makes you curious to see what is going on inside. The room is very pleasant, the setting original and nice with its large blackboard and school chairs, a varied menu, delicious dishes and a large choice of coffees. If you feel like changing from Indian cuisine, don't hesitate to come here, the pizzas and the burgers (without beef) are delicious. Excellent cakes too. The order is taken at the counter.

A pleasant restaurant overlooking a flowery garden (hence the name) that was once a hotel. You can eat on the terrace or inside. The room is pleasant with its yellow-painted walls adorned with old photos of Chandernagor. A cuisine that has a good reputation among locals, who love both Indian (excellent tandoori chicken) and Chinese specialties. A well-deserved reputation, as everything is delicious. Friendly, professional service. An ideal place to stop off during your visit to the city.

A Lucknow classic that offers typical Mughal and Awadhi cuisine at affordable prices. Try the shami kebab and the seekh kebab or a chicken massala with roasted rumali . Many options for vegetarians. Don't hesitate to try the sweet specialties to finish your meal. The room is often full, which is a guarantee of quality, but you will probably have to wait to get a table. Service is sometimes nonchalant.

A small room with only six tables quickly taken by storm, so it is sometimes necessary to wait a little to have a table. This establishment offers an unpretentious but nevertheless very good cuisine! Tibetan specialities, with momos (steamed or fried), thugkpas, delicious pork dishes... Chinese food with noodles, fried rice, and also some Indian dishes. Friendly service and welcome, pleasant atmosphere with soft music, affordable prices. Probably the most popular restaurant in town!

The reputation of this restaurant is well established, and the queue on Sundays is as long as a traffic jam on Ring Road at rush hour. Specializing in South Indian cuisine, the short menu features mainly idli (steamed buns made from black lentil flour and rice) and dosa (crunchy pancakes), the two mainstays of Dravidian Indian breakfast. While the chain has 26 establishments in Delhi, this one has the best reputation and is the most popular. And you can visit at any time of day!

This small establishment on the edge of the main square serves snacks and delicious sweet lassis (the best in Madhya Pradesh, at least). You can also stock up on cold drinks, cookies, shampoo, toothpaste and more, as this restaurant also serves as a grocery store. Perfect for a sweet or salty break between your visits. The owner, who is adorable and speaks very good English, is a real mine of information about the city. Don't hesitate to ask him for advice!

The ideal place to discover the local culture around a good dinner; at your arrival you will be put the tika on your forehead. The place, superb and vast, recreates the atmosphere of a Gujarati village with large gardens, a small temple, a river, a lake... Sitting on the ground or at a table on one of the terraces, you will taste the unique menu: a sumptuous thali composed of a multitude of small dishes served on a large metal tray. In the evening, a traditional dance and puppet show is scheduled. An original concept and an experience not to be missed.

You're not dreaming, two adjacent restaurants have the same name; at the entrance, it's up to the employee who will shout the loudest to attract the customer. Originally there was only one Crystal, but it was divided in two due to a family feud. Even if they are equal, the more luxurious one caught our attention. Chic bistro atmosphere with staff in black and white uniform. The specialty is the murg tawa frontier (grilled chicken), but our favorite dish is the rexmi kebab, a delicious chicken skewer marinated in yogurt.

This restaurant is installed in an air-conditioned room on the floor at the end of Ashok Road. It serves Indian and Chinese food, but also pizzas and sandwiches. Nothing exceptional, it is even rather average, but the prices are very low. The small city has several street food stands but few establishments where you can sit down and relax a bit, which is nice when the heat is on. A good place to have a snack or lunch before continuing your visit of Sarnath.

Located next to Hotel Capoor's, it gathers all the votes. The place is a little cold (in both directions of the word) but the quality is at the meeting. From Indian cooking, kababs, Chinese dishes, pizzas, burgers… We recommend biryani, cooked to étouffée and served in a pot of land, to accompany a nan nan (Indian bread stuffed with émincée mutton meat). The dishes are very rich. In the evening, entire families are queuing up to taste their delicious snacks (chaat).

This restaurant has the particularity of having an open kitchen surrounded by large wooden tables. You can take shelter in the air-conditioned room, but you'll have to pay a supplement. In the plate, the traditions mix with the original ideas of the chef, in small portions. You can try the royal thali, a specialty of the Agashiye restaurant also in the House of MG. The frozen yogurt is a real treat, especially after a spicy dish. The most expensive address in its category, but the dishes are of high quality.

Located in the center of Diu, Apana Foodland is an establishment with an excellent reputation. The majority of Indian tourists to Diu come from Gujarat, and most of them are vegetarians. As a result, many restaurants in Diu, such as Apana, only serve vegetarian specialties, much to the chagrin of seafood lovers. However, the menu is varied and the dishes tasty. Located on the seafront, the setting is particularly pleasant for lunch. Charming, efficient service.

Don't be put off by the appearance of this small canteen. It is the best place to enjoy a Gujarati or Punjabi thali in Junagadh. In fact, only thali is on the menu, for lunch and dinner! This Indian specialty is composed of several small dishes that vary according to the day and the chef's inspiration, served as much as you like. To find Geeta Lodge, let yourself be guided by the crowd that gathers at meal times and the delicious smells that escape from the kitchens. Very reasonable prices and a local atmosphere.

A correct and comfortable restaurant, ideally located. The menu is quite varied and proposes Indian, Chinese, Mexican vegetarian specialities, pizzas... The establishment is run by the young and friendly Vicky, who also owns a small international bookshop next to the restaurant (and who even sells some books in French). The place is strategically placed to have a snack or a tea before or after your visit of the fort. Indian cooking classes are available.

This popular establishment, which already had a well-known address in Mumbai, has an ultra-modern room with a stylish design reminiscent of some European brands. The menu is relatively small but offers excellent Indian vegetarian dishes from Gujarat, Punjab and the south of the country: dosas, pav bhaji, parothas... Also hot drinks, pressed fruit juices and good ice creams. The diet food is tasty. Try the panki chatrui, a rice cake cooked between banana leaves.

In the car, the train will leave! Don't worry, this one will stay on the platform for the time of your meal. Bhopal Express is installed in an old train car, converted into a comfortable dining room. With pleated curtains on the windows replaced by screens showing a scrolling landscape, red and white tablecloths, cream-colored benches, you would think you were in a Pullmann of the Belle Epoque. The titles of the dishes (in Hindi, but with a subtitle in English) refer to the journey. A few tables are also set up on the quay, to enjoy the beautiful evenings.

Located on the top terrace of the rather old Stepwell House, the Jharokha 360° offers one of the most beautiful views of the Mehrangarh fort in the blue city. You feel very small in the shadow of the imposing iconic silhouette. The terrace has been very nicely furnished, with beautiful armchairs and sofas adorned with cream cushions that surround wooden coffee tables with metal legs. The menu offers a tour of North India with few suggestions, but they are effective: kebabs, tandoori chicken, lal maas or biryani.

Adjacent to the charming Fateh's Retreat guest house, Fateh's Café has quickly become a haunt for budding and seasoned naturalists alike. In a beautiful, stylish house overlooking a garden, people come here at all hours to share their latest information on the tiger: where was it seen? when was it seen? in which direction did it move? The setting is pleasant, and the menu a clever mix of classic Indian specialties and Western staples such as pasta, pizza and sandwiches.

This is the Shanti home restaurant on the top floor with a panoramic view of the city. It is tastefully arranged (seesaws, small tables delicately set, sofas) and you will taste the spécialites of northern India cooked in front of you (here everything is fresh and of excellent quality). In the evening, a multitude of candles will accompany your head-to-head. Romantic atmosphere to wish! Beautiful wine card and impeccable service.

On the main road, close to the park's central entrance, this dhaba serves tasty assamais and northern Indian thalis (chicken, fish). Good value for money.

Opened in 2018, this small café set below the fort is a real success story. Ignore the tiny room on the first floor to take shelter under the covered terrace upstairs. The setting is eclectic, messy and colorful just like the owner. Many backpackers find refuge here for a solid breakfast, a coffee, the time to write their logbook, or a meal before jumping on a bus or a train for their next destination. The service is a bit nonchalant, so it's better not to be in a hurry.

You just have to go up the street on the left from the main square at the top of the fort to find this little restaurant. It is located just after the long wall of the Rani Mahal, the palace of the Queens. Its colorful front, painted in the colors of Tibetan prayer flags, invites to spend a happy moment. The room, a little dark and sad, is to be left behind. You have to climb the two floors to the tiny terrace to enjoy the view on the old palace of Jaisalmer and a meal with momos, the Tibetan ravioli.

Originally, Karim's is a restaurant in the Muslim quarter of Old Delhi. It is famous for its Mughal cuisine, tandoor chicken and kebabs. While the Delhi address is particularly popular, the Jaipur address is showing some gentrification. The restaurant is located in one of the chic and residential areas of the capital of Rajasthan. The stone and wood setting is elegant. Armchairs and almond green benches break somewhat the monotony. You will find on the menu the specialties that made the reputation of the sign.

Daryaganj claims credit for butter chicken and dal makhani, two iconic specialties of Indian cuisine. The restaurant was originally founded in the Daryaganj district of Delhi, which was home to a large number of refugees fleeing Pakistan at the time of the partition of the country in 1947. Kundan Lal Jaggi was one of them and imported to Delhi his culinary knowledge inherited from the great Mughal tradition in Peshawar, where he was originally from. Daryaganj has several shops in town, which belong to the descendants of Lal Jaggi.