North India Food and Sights

My simple list of food and sightseeing recommendations in some parts of North India

Delhi Food

  1. Potbelly Rooftop Cafe (https://goo.gl/maps/khWShXheJjv) - Food from the eastern part of India. Order 'Bhojpuri Thali' and 'Madhubani Thali', should be enough food for 2 people.

  2. Nagaland Kitchen (https://goo.gl/maps/XZE7yRuimGK2) - Food from the North eastern part of India. Order the dry fried pork here, along with 1 starter, which should be enough for 2 people.

  3. Rajinder Dhaba (https://goo.gl/maps/cR2roGsUiit) - This is a very popular place to eat on the street, so you should head out to only in the evening. There will probably be no tourist here, but this is an authentic and raw experience. If you are traveling with someone who does not like crowds, I would avoid this place as it gets a bit rowdy. If you make it, then order the following items (they are all from the coal grill): Paneer Tikka (Cottage cheese grilled), Chicken Malai Tikka (Chicken in cream grilled), Shammi Kebab (Mince lamb cutlets), Mutton Seekh Kabab (Minced lamb grilled), Fish Tikka (Grilled fish). I think 4 of these + 3 Roomali Roti (very thin round bread) should be good.

  4. Dilli Haat (https://goo.gl/maps/Lm2BHZnEsEy) - This is a place made for tourist. You can find art, crafts and souvenirs from all over India, along with Food from all over India. It is touristy, but even Delhi-ites go there often. The art and craft stuff is definitely genuine, but 2-3 times expensive compared to a regular street market. If you end up here, I would recommend you eat the following: 'Pork momos (dumplings) from the Nagaland Food Stall' and 'Sabudana Khichdi (Tapioca cooked like rice) and Modak (sweet dumplings) from the Maharashtra Food Stall'. Nagaland is a state in the north east of India, and Maharashtra is s state in the west of India.

  5. Karnataka Bhavan (https://goo.gl/maps/NgJcQJqYGjP2) - This is a place from the south of India. Order 'Idly Vada with Sambar', 'Masala Dosa' and 'rava kesari'.

  6. Sarvana Bhawan (https://goo.gl/maps/GJh4bD2MBBF2) - Similar to the above, but in the center of Delhi. Order the same stuff as in #5.

  7. Keventers Milk Shake (https://goo.gl/maps/d49eQziQ1gM2) - This is an old and very different milk shake shop. A bit hard to find, but look out for the crowd of people around it. Order any milkshake flavor.

  8. Nizam's Kathi Kebab (https://goo.gl/maps/N4F2XYJd4DS2) - Order any roll from the menu. Be advised, it is very oily.

  9. Haldirams's (https://goo.gl/maps/Z2tj3L94s4L2) - This is the best place to try street food from Delhi, but in sort of hygienic conditions. Order: Aloo Tikki (potato pancakes), Chole Bhature (chick peas with fried bread), Chat Papdi (Crisps with jogurt, mint and some other things), Gol Gappe (Hollow crisy dough filled with water and sauce), Samosa (a snack) and Kachori (another snack). Order tea with any of these.

  10. Gulati's (https://goo.gl/maps/TcT5LZG67sP2) - This is one of the best places to eat Butter Chicken, so either go early (1830/1900) or book a table. Order: Half Butter Chicken with 1 Naan and 1 Pudhina Parantha, and 1 Mutton Biryani (Lamb with Rice). This is will be a good amount of food for 2. Immediately outside the restaurant is a place with some sweets, order Falooda Kulfi, an Indian ice cream.

  11. Khan Chacha (https://goo.gl/maps/CGJGRZgH9Zx) - This is one of the best places to eat wraps. Order: Mutton Kakori Roll (The softest lamb kebab in the world), Chicken Malai Tikka Roll (Creamy Chicken roll) or Fish Tikka Roll. You can add a Chicken Biryani (Chicken and Rice).


6-9 are in the same area, walking distance from each other.

3, 10 and 11 are my favorites.


Delhi see

  1. 1. Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's Estate) - You cannot go in, but you can walk up to a certain point (This point: https://goo.gl/maps/Nyc9UiTMrks)

  2. India Gate (https://goo.gl/maps/n7ux94URbz22)

  3. Qutub Minar (https://goo.gl/maps/MF4qqJMojhn) - Buy ticket online at https://asi.payumoney.com/#/

  4. Birla Temple (https://goo.gl/maps/2w2pGeBE1R72) - A temple in case you want to see one.

  5. Akshardham Temple (https://goo.gl/maps/r43MMzgdCwn) - Supposed to be the best modern temple built.

  6. Jama Masjid - A mosque in the most crowded part of Delhi, called old Delhi. The architecture from outside is great, but the crowd around the area is overwhelming.

  7. Markets: 'Janpath(https://goo.gl/maps/Q7SHkJLfZ492)' and 'Sarojini Nagar (https://goo.gl/maps/ZnNqzJcc2fQ2)' Markets are 2 which I can recommend for shopping like locals. Be prepared for bargaining.


Agra see

  1. Taj Mahal: I would strongly recommend that you go for the sunrise tour on your own or with a guide. I would recommend a guide, so that you get a good overview of the fuss about the building. Ticket can be booked online on https://asi.payumoney.com/#/ . If you want to book a tour from Delhi, try getyourguide. They offer private car + guide in the price. You can buy ticket to the monument on your own.

  2. Agra fort: It is a massive fort but only 20% of it is open to the public. I am into history and forts, so I like it, but I won't recommend if you are into neither of these.

  3. Fatehpur Sikri (https://goo.gl/maps/4XjATHSmrYE2) - This is a small town made of red sandstone. It is on the way from Agra to Jaipur. If you have time, and logistics allow, I would definitely visit this.


Agra eat

I don't know any specific places to eat, but one thing you must try in Agra is 'Petha'. It is a sweet originating from Agra.


Jaipur see

  1. Jaigarh fort (https://goo.gl/maps/uUHZ1pbSuB12) - It houses one of the biggest cannon in the world.

  2. Nahargarh fort (https://goo.gl/maps/XUMAmhSvePP2) - A fort offering great views of the city. Jaipur is called the pink city, but modernization makes it appear dull now. Still the fort offers you some views of the city.

  3. Hawa Mahal (https://goo.gl/maps/fQdR7XutDS22) - A palace with lot of windows.

  4. Jal Mahal (https://goo.gl/maps/CvUTrWoJSXr) - A palace in the middle of the lake. Nothing spectacular, but you may just see it from the outside.

  5. Amber fort and palace (https://goo.gl/maps/5zKc7DHMA8K2) - probably the biggest attraction in Jaipur.

  6. Jantar Mantar (https://goo.gl/maps/J4RgCfAM8342) - 18th century astronomical observatory.


Jaipur eat

I dont know specific places to eat in Jaipur, but you must try to find the following foods:

  1. Laal Maas (Lamb in hot spices and jogurt) - only available in Jaipur.

  2. Kachori (spicy snack) + tea

  3. Ghevar (milk desert from Jaipur)

  4. Dal baati (lentils with flour balls) - only available in Jaipur and surrounding areas.


Udaipur see

  1. City Palace (https://goo.gl/maps/oZgvpU32aDN2) - pretty cool royal palace with lot of different themed rooms and colors.

  2. Lake Palace - This is a hotel, so you cannot go inside it, but you can look at from the outside.

  3. Monsoon palace (https://goo.gl/maps/sA8s7gZ7BD52) - Nothing extraordinary. Offers some views of the city since it is a bit outside the city.

  4. Kumbhalgarh fort (https://goo.gl/maps/R2XAuMyV81n) - If you have time, I would recommend this fort. It has the second largest wall in the world, after great wall of China. It is approx 100 kms from Udaipur, so more like a day trip.

  5. Chittaurgarh Fort (https://goo.gl/maps/gwL8NgSHopA2) - Another cool fort, but a bit further out of Udaipur.


Udaipur eat

  1. There is a cafe my friends and I used to visit whenever we were in Udaipur almost 10 years back because of nice views across the lake. It's on the roof of this place: https://goo.gl/maps/CuBSGjwTkrp. Not sure how it is now though.

  2. Udaipur food is similar to Jaipur food. I would recommend the Kachori and Tea. You can get another snack here called 'Vada Pav' (potato ball in between 2 slices of bread), also with tea.


Dharamshala (McLeod Ganj) see


I would personally prefer to stay in McLeod Ganj rather than Dharamshala because it is cosy.


  1. Dalai Lama temple, house and monastry (https://goo.gl/maps/pokpvLqtS7F2) - This is the official temple of the Dalai Lama and also his residence, but the temple is nothing special. There is a small circular walk around the temple which is a nice way to start the day.

  2. Bhagsu waterfall (https://goo.gl/maps/FNtVbs4ywC92) - A small waterfall close to McLeodganj

  3. Norbulingka Institute (https://goo.gl/maps/r2ehutpGkcu) - Nothing very special, but if you are interested in how the tibetian buddhism paintings are made, this is a nice place to visit.

  4. Triund (https://goo.gl/maps/nZw8f1AnQ362) - If you want to go for a light trek, head to Triund from McLeodganj. This is a great viewpoint for the first row of Himalayas. If you make it here on a full moon night, you might be lucky to see moon peak (https://goo.gl/maps/Vts4hnNcnJo) A 4400 mtr mountain lit entirely by moon light.


Dharmashala (McLeodganj) eat


  1. Carpe Diem (https://goo.gl/maps/BkXHfgGGQkE2) - Started as a restaurant for wanna be hippies, not sure how it is. The view is nice, and they serve a decent pizza.

  2. Noodles in hot sauce - In McLeod ganj, you will find usually middle aged/old asian looking men selling noodles only, with a watery sauce. It is hot as hell, but great to have in winters when it is freezing.

  3. Tibetian food - Since this is a place where Tibetians took refuge, and then stayed over, you will find authentic tibetian food here. Unfortunately the places I knew are not on google maps but I am sure you will find something while walking on the street. The only one I can find was Norling (https://goo.gl/maps/H4yFqVd6rfQ2). Order a 'Thukpa' and Dumplings here.

  4. Lung Ta Japanese restaurant (https://goo.gl/maps/9Ah6hYinYHp) - Since Japanese buddhists visit this town, there are a few Japanese restaurants. This one is vegetarian.

  5. Nick's Italian Kitchen (https://goo.gl/maps/rq6NzfkDNT32) - Italian food.

  6. Chocolate Log (https://goo.gl/maps/RYXYrmSdRE42) - Cafe in a quiet part of the town.

  7. Khaana Nirvana (https://goo.gl/maps/7QLhhczARcB2) - Community cafe (vegan). Their apple cider is pretty good.

  8. Woeser Bakery (https://goo.gl/maps/Rg93Lbp3Xwy) - Cafe.

  9. German Bakery (https://goo.gl/maps/3Ba9vWxxxRB2) - Cafe.