Lucknow
This is the cleaner, more tourist-friendly outlet of Lucknow's renowned, 100-year-old, impossible-to-find kebab shop in Chowk, where buffalo-meat kebabs…
Must-see restaurants in Uttar Pradesh
Agra
There are only two sittings each evening at Agra's finest restaurant, so booking ahead is essential, especially as non-hotel-guest tables are limited. The…
Varanasi
This restaurant's fabulous menu includes more than 40 varieties of European-quality cheese and more than 30 types of bread, cookies and cakes – along with…
Lucknow
If you want to savour the flavours of the Nawabs performing at their culinary best, look no further than Oudhyana, where Chef Nagendra Singh gives Lucknow…
Agra
This superstar dhaba (casual eatery) is a must: duelling veg and nonveg glorified street stalls employ 24 cooks during the rush, each of whom handles…
Varanasi
Seriously some of the best Indian food we've ever had. The palak chaman (paneer in spinach and spices) is heaven in your mouth and the aloo chaat (fried…
Agra
This modern North Indian superstar is the best spot outside five-star hotels to indulge yourself in rich curries and succulent tandoori kebabs. The murg…
Vrindavan
This mellow, well-run restaurant on the 2nd floor of the MVT Guesthouse is a great place to get a break from Indian food. The menu runs from Thai to…
Prayagraj (Allahabad)
This standing-room-only food shack does only one thing, but does it so well and so cheaply that queues of hungry punters spill out into the surrounding…
Lucknow
Even if you don’t step inside this classy restaurant, don’t miss its exceedingly popular chaat (spicy snack) stand at the front. The sweet and savoury…
Lucknow
If Mughlai meat country has got you down, seek refuge in this popular veg hideaway on MG Rd. It's perfect for an Indian-style breakfast, a snack or a…
Lucknow
This charming hidden corner at the back of Sanatkada has a unique concept: persuading Lucknow’s oldest households to cook their cherished family recipes…
Uttar Pradesh
Clean and hip, this out-of-place restaurant does a seriously good all-veg menu that runs the gamut from Chinese to Italian to Indian. The special thali …
Agra
Fabulously tasty and religiously clean, Dasaprakash whips up consistently great South Indian vegetarian food, including spectacular thalis (₹250 to ₹360),…
Lucknow
This highly recommended hole-in-the-wall doesn't look like much, but the daily-changing kebabs (galawat etc) at this locals' haunt are grilled to smoky,…
Varanasi
This casual courtyard restaurant near Tulsi Ghat is an offshoot of Brown Bread Bakery, featuring excellent vegan dishes, including a full page of salads…
Agra
This classic chaat (snack) house is the oldest of a dozen street stalls just off Sadar Bazaar. Choose several dishes such as the aloo tikki chat (fried…
Varanasi
Housed in a nearly 200-year-old heritage building, the excellent main restaurant at Hotel Surya has colonial elegance; on warm evenings eat on the large…
Varanasi
This easy-to-miss three-table cafe woos travellers with Chef Ranjana's out-of-the-box South Indian preparations such as chocolate idli (fermented rice…
Agra
It's worth taking a taxi out to this excellent new vegetarian restaurant in the east of town near the Trident Hotel. The tangy and tasty paneer dhaniya…
Varanasi
Atmosphere trumps food at Dolphin (the rooftop restaurant at Rashmi Guest House), which is perched high above Man Mandir Ghat, but it's still a fine place…
Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Cure your homesick hungries in a heartbeat among a forward-thinking Indian crowd. Breakfast for lunch (cinnamon pancakes, waffles, the best coffee in town…
Agra
The best of three eating options at Clarks Shiraz Hotel, this top-floor restaurant serves up sumptuous Mughlai and regional cuisine. Come for a predinner…
Lucknow
This 100-year-old Lucknow institution serves beef (buffalo) kebabs for just ₹20 for four – a real treat if you can find it in the maze of streets that is…
Lucknow
The stylish 9th-floor dining room at Hotel Clarks Avadh has fabulous bird’s-eye views (including of the Saadat Ali Tomb) and serves up sumptuous Nawabi…
Prayagraj (Allahabad)
This refined but casual restaurant serves up wonderful Indian (the chicken-chilli-garlic kebab is every bit as delicious as it sounds), tasty-looking…
Varanasi
Carnivores will appreciate the range of meat dishes here in veg-loving Varanasi. It has a great range of tandoori kebabs (though beware the reshmi kebab…
Mathura
At the Hotel Brijwasi Royal, this classy place serves up some tasty Indian veg plates, and is deservedly popular. Go for the tandoori platter (₹375).
Varanasi
Known as much for excellent cuisine as for gruff service, this atmospheric spot (carved-wood panelling adorns the walls and ceilings) has been famously at…
Agra
This pocket-sized institution whipped up its first creamy lassi in 1978 and continues to please despite cooking its meals in what must be Agra's smallest…
Varanasi
Run by an American woman who has been coming to India for more than 20 years, this colourful cafe has good lemon pancakes, astounding lemon or organic…
Uttar Pradesh
Run by the welcoming Mr Roy, this Kushinagar institution has a simple, traveller-friendly menu that includes toast, omelettes, fried rice and thukpa …
Agra
This chilled-out, 1st-floor cafe has wicker chairs, sports channels on TV, DVDs shown in the evening and a good range of meals, from good-value set…
Agra
With cute tablecloths, dozens of potted plants and a bamboo pergola for shade, this is the most pleasant rooftop restaurant in Taj Ganj. It also has the…
Varanasi
Hotel Pradeep's rooftop dining space, complete with cityscape sunset views, manicured lawns and wrought-iron furniture, is a very pleasant place for a…
Uttar Pradesh
This bilevel madhouse is packed with locals taking in an extensive array of delicious Indian and Chinese veg dishes in a diner atmosphere, including…
Agra
Most restaurants in Taj Ganj ooze a distinct air of mediocrity – Shankara Vegis is different. This cosy old-timer, with its red tablecloths and straw…
Varanasi
Excellent, no-nonsense choice off the tourist path for South Indian masala dosa, and its spicier cousin, the Mysore dosa. Also one of the few cheapies to…
Agra
Up a flight of steps and overlooking Taj Ganj’s busy street scene, this friendly, family-run restaurant is a nice choice if you’re not fussed about Taj…
Uttar Pradesh
At the Royal Residency Hotel, this restaurant is a fun homage to Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachhaan, featuring a wall full of headshots and a mural of the…
