Things to do in Puri
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Peace Restaurant
‘Peace Restaurant world famous in Puri but never heard of anywhere else.’ So reads the menu, which features curries, macaroni, the best muesli in town and tasty fish dishes; the fish dopiaza is fab. This simple row of tables with thatch canopies is deservedly popular. Your food might take a while to arrive but it will be worth it, and you can enjoy a cold beer while you wait.
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Jagannath Mandir
This mighty temple belongs to Jagannath, Lord of the Universe and incarnation of Vishnu. The jet- black deity with large, round, white eyes is hugely popular across Orissa. Built in its present form in 1198, the temple (closed to non-Hindus) is surrounded by two walls; its 58m-high sikhara (spire) is topped by the flag and wheel of Vishnu.
Guarded by two stone lions and a pillar crowned by the Garuda that once stood at the Sun Temple at Konark, the eastern entrance, or Lion Gate, is the passageway for the chariot procession of Rath Yatra. The southern, western and northern gates are guarded by statues of men on horseback, tigers and elephants, respectively.
Jagannath, bro…
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Bamboo
A traveller-oriented place with muesli, pancakes and other usual suspects, all in the open air with thatched umbrellas and friendly staff who’ll give you a game of chess when things are quiet. Ask the price of off-menu seafood suggestions before you order; they can cost three times more than anything on the menu.
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Xanadu Restaurant
Another garden setting with a sandy floor, Xanadu is for the early riser - enjoy a breakfast fry-up or muesli from under the shade of coconut and banana palms. In the evening, over a cold beer and some crunchy pappadam, you can choose between prawns or fish curry or try one of numerous continental dishes.
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Dakshin
Standing out in CT Rd’s string of ageing sand-floor banana-pancake joints, this clean new place has a simple menu of well-prepared South Indian dishes. The excellent thali includes puri (flat dough that puffs up when deep fried) and dessert. There are nice touches like lime-scented finger bowls.
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Raghunandan Library
Non-Hindus can spy on the Jagannath Mandir from the roof of Raghunandan Library. Ask permission; a 'donation' is compulsory (about Rs10) and your amount is entered in a book. On Sunday a nearby hotel takes over the scam and demands Rs50- easily negotiated down to Rs20.
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Wildgrass Restaurant
With mismatched sculptures and precarious tree-huts scattered through its grounds, Wildgrass is a secret garden gone wild. The garden surrounds a small restaurant with an Indian and continental menu enlivened with excellent seafood dishes and Orissan specialties.
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Tribe Tours
Organises Chilika Lake day tours (Rs. 600 to Rs. 2100 per person depending on group size, stops, food and transport) and overnight camping trips (about Rs. 6000 for two people all-inclusive).
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Honey Bee Bakery & Pizzeria
The pizzas aren’t bad, the pancakes are great, the real coffee, toasted sandwiches and fry-up brekkies (including bacon!) might be just what you’ve been craving, and the lassis are excellent.
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OTDC
OTDC runs day trips. Tour No 1 skips through Konark, Dhauli, Bhubaneswar's temples, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves plus Nandankanan Zoo. Tour No 2 goes for a boat jaunt on Chilika Lake.
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Achha
Another sand-floor garden restaurant, with lilting background sounds of Indian music. Sit under a thatched pavilion and choose seafood and veg dishes from the extensive Indian menu.
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Chung Wah Restaurant
The Chung Wah is a first-rate Chinese restaurant serving the real thing. Favourites on the menu include spring rolls, sweet-and-sours and a commendable Sichuan chicken.
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Adventure Odyssey
Adventure Odyssey runs a Chilika Lake tour for two people for a combined US$100. Includes a night camp on Rajhansa beach.
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Heritage Tours
Organises customised tours of tribal villages and markets for about US$60 per person (based on twin share) per day.
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Golden Green Restaurant
A cosy little restaurant where the best, freshest seafood is not on the printed menu.
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Harry's Cafe
Harry's serves tasty Marwadi basa, strictly vegetarian food without onions or garlic.
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