Street Food of Varanasi – A Guide to Kachori-Sabzi, Tamatar Chaat, Thandai, and More
- City Varanasi
- September 22, 2025
- 148 views
Varanasi isn’t just a spiritual destination—it’s also a food lover’s paradise. Walk through its bustling lanes and you’ll be greeted with sizzling kadhais, the aroma of spices, and vendors calling out to hungry passersby. The city’s street food is as timeless as its temples, carrying flavors that have been perfected over generations.
If you’re planning a trip to Kashi, here’s your ultimate guide to the must-try street food of Varanasi.
1. Kachori-Sabzi – The Classic Breakfast of Banaras
Start your morning like a true local with kachori-sabzi. Hot, puffy kachoris are served with a spicy potato curry that will awaken every taste bud. Vendors usually set up shop at dawn, and by mid-morning, the best stalls are already sold out. Pair it with jalebis for the perfect sweet-salty balance.
Best spots: Ram Bhandar (Thatheri Bazaar), Kachori Gali
2. Tamatar Chaat – The Banarasi Twist to Chaat
Forget your regular Delhi-style chaat—tamatar chaat is a Varanasi original. Mashed tomatoes cooked with desi ghee, spices, and topped with sev, coriander, and a squeeze of lemon—this dish is tangy, spicy, and addictive. Served hot in a dona (leaf bowl), it’s an experience in itself.
Best spots: Deena Chaat Bhandar, Godowlia
3. Thandai – A Glass of Bliss
Varanasi is as famous for its thandai as it is for its ghats. This refreshing drink, made with milk, dry fruits, saffron, and rose petals, is perfect after a long day of temple hopping. Around Holi, thandai often comes with a festive twist—yes, the legendary bhang thandai!
Best spots: Blue Lassi Shop, Baba Thandai (Godowlia)
4. Malaiyyo – The Winter Delight
If you visit Varanasi in winter, don’t miss malaiyyo—a delicate saffron-infused milk froth, topped with pistachios and almonds. It literally melts in your mouth like sweet clouds. Sold only in the early mornings, this dish is as poetic as the city itself.
Best spots: Streets of Chowk and Vishwanath Gali (only in winter)
5. Banarasi Paan – The Grand Finale
No food trail in Varanasi is complete without the iconic Banarasi paan. Wrapped in betel leaves with areca nut, gulkand, cardamom, and silver foil, this is more than just a mouth freshener—it’s a cultural symbol. As locals say, “Kashi ka paan, aur Kashi ki shaan, dono lajawab hain.”
Best spots: Keshav Tambul Bhandar, Rajendra Paan Bhandar
Other Must-Try Delights
- Launglata – a crispy sweet filled with khoya and spices
- Choora Matar – Banaras-style poha with green peas
- Rabri-Jalebi – a heavenly dessert combo
Final Bite
Street food in Varanasi is not just about filling your stomach—it’s about soaking in the culture of a city where every dish tells a story. From the spicy kick of tamatar chaat to the cooling sweetness of thandai, each bite is as eternal as the ghats of the Ganga.
So the next time you’re in Kashi, don’t just visit the temples—eat your way through its streets.
