Best Street Food in Varanasi: The Ultimate Guide to Tasting the City’s Famous Delicacies

Varanasi, the spiritual heart of India, is not only famous for its temples, ghats, and rich cultural heritage but also for its vibrant and flavorful street food. If you’re a food lover or an adventurous traveler, Varanasi offers a culinary experience that you won’t forget. The streets of this ancient city are filled with food stalls, local eateries, and small shops offering a wide range of delicious snacks and meals, each bursting with unique flavors and spices. From crispy chaat to savory kebabs, every corner of Varanasi serves up a treat for your taste buds.

In this ultimate guide to the best street food in Varanasi, we’ll take you on a journey through the city’s most popular and iconic food offerings. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or want to indulge in local delicacies, we’ve got you covered with a list of must-try foods that reflect the essence of Varanasi’s culinary culture.

1. Kachori Sabzi: A Savory Delight

Start your street food adventure in Varanasi with Kachori Sabzi, a traditional breakfast dish that is loved by locals and visitors alike. This deep-fried, flaky pastry is served with spicy, tangy potato curry (sabzi) and garnished with fresh coriander and chutneys. Best enjoyed hot, this dish is a popular breakfast snack and can be found at many street food stalls near the ghats and temples.

2. Chaat: Varanasi’s Favorite Snack

aat is an essential part of Varanasi’s street food culture. The city offers a variety of chaat options, including Pani Puri, Aloo Tikki, Dahi Puri, and Papri Chaat. Each version comes with crispy puris (fried dough), filled with spicy and tangy water (pani), yogurt, potatoes, and chickpeas, topped with sweet chutneys. A visit to Varanasi is incomplete without indulging in this flavorful snack, and you’ll find many chaat vendors scattered throughout the city, especially near bustling markets and temples.

3. Banarasi Tamatar Chaat: A Unique Varanasi Special

A specialty of Varanasi, Banarasi Tamatar Chaat is a unique, tangy dish made with mashed tomatoes, seasoned with a blend of spices, and served with crispy puris. This chaat is especially popular in the narrow lanes around Kashi Vishwanath Temple and is known for its bold and zesty flavors that give you a true taste of local street food culture.

4. Lassi: A Refreshing Drink for Hot Days

When it comes to refreshing drinks in Varanasi, Lassi is the drink of choice. Served chilled, this thick, creamy yogurt-based beverage can be enjoyed in both sweet and salty variations. Varanasi’s famous Braj Lassi is a must-try for any visitor. It’s usually served in a traditional clay cup, giving it a distinct earthy taste. Many lassi vendors near Dashashwamedh Ghat offer this refreshing drink, perfect to cool down after exploring the city.

5. Chole Bhature: The Heartiest Street Food

For those looking for a hearty meal, Chole Bhature is a perfect choice. This North Indian favorite consists of deep-fried, fluffy bread (bhature) served with spicy chickpea curry (chole). The combination of soft bhature with the spicy, tangy chole creates a flavor explosion that is hard to resist. Look out for small eateries or street food vendors that serve this delicious meal, especially near local markets and busy areas.

6. Samosa: A Snack You Can’t Miss

Samosas are a quintessential part of Indian street food, and Varanasi does them exceptionally well. These golden, crispy pockets filled with spiced potatoes and peas are a perfect snack while strolling through the city. You can find samosas being sold on street corners, often served with tamarind chutney or mint chutney for extra flavor.

7. Kebabs: Flavors of the Mughal Era

Varanasi’s street food scene also boasts a variety of delicious kebabs. The Mughlai-inspired kebabs served in the city are tender, juicy, and packed with flavors. These kebabs, often served with naan or paratha, are typically marinated in spices and grilled to perfection. Popular spots to try kebabs in Varanasi include Shree Biryani and Tandoor Kebabs near Godowlia Market.

8. Malaiyyo: The Sweet Delicacy of Varanasi

A seasonal specialty, Malaiyyo is a creamy, frothy dessert that’s usually served in winter. This sweet dish is made from fresh milk cream, flavored with cardamom and saffron, and garnished with pistachios and rose petals. Malaiyyo vendors typically serve this dessert in earthen pots, and it is one of the most popular sweets to try in Varanasi during the colder months.

9. Chana Jor Garam: A Spicy, Crunchy Snack

For a crunchy, savory snack, Chana Jor Garam is an excellent choice. Made with roasted black chickpeas, seasoned with a variety of spices like cumin, chili powder, and black salt, this snack is perfect for munching on while walking around the city. It’s often served in small paper cones and is an easy-to-carry snack as you explore the bustling lanes of Varanasi.

10. Banarasi Paan: The Traditional After-Meal Treat

After a hearty meal, no street food experience in Varanasi is complete without trying a Banarasi Paan. This traditional betel leaf preparation is filled with a mixture of betel nut, spices, and sometimes sweeteners, wrapped into a small bundle and chewed as a digestive aid. Varanasi is known for its unique preparation of paan, and you’ll find dedicated paan stalls throughout the city.

11. Petha: A Sweet Delight from Varanasi

For those with a sweet tooth, Petha, a translucent, sugary candy made from pumpkin, is a popular dessert in Varanasi. Often served in syrup or in various flavors like rose and orange, Petha is a unique and must-try sweet for anyone visiting the city.

12. Tikki Chaat: A Perfect Blend of Spices

Another popular chaat item is Tikki Chaat, a combination of crispy, spiced potato patties (tikkis) topped with yogurt, chutney, and sev. This chaat is a favorite evening snack for both locals and tourists and can be found near the ghats and in markets such as the Chowk area.