Best Places To Eat in Varanasi

Varanasi is an ancient Indian city that is renowned for its culture, trade and as the world’s oldest living city. Located on the banks of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is a sacred pilgrimage site and one of Hinduism’s seven holy cities.

Varanasi has many restaurants catering to tourists and locals alike. The ancient city is littered with hidden pockets that are perfect for an evening stroll of the town.

In this article, we have gathered together a list of 10 best places to eat in Varanasi arranged by cuisine. We have interviewed several locals and experts to get the best recommendations for the city’s eateries.

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   Canton Royale Restaurant

Canton Royale is a very popular Indian restaurant in the heart of Varanasi. It serves the best Asian cuisine in the city. The restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience with beautiful views of the Ganges River and Ghats from its terrace. The food at this place is very delicious and reasonably priced.

Address: The Mall Road S-20/51 A-5, Hotel Surya, Varanasi 

Timings: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM

2. Roof Top Restaurant, Varanasi

The Roof Top Restaurant is another great place to eat in Varanasi. It has a beautiful rooftop restaurant with a panoramic view of the city and the ghats. The food served here is delicious and extremely affordable.

Address: D 1/45, Lalita Ghat, Lahori Tola, Puja Guest House, Varanasi 

Timings:  10:30 AM to 10:30 PM

3. Kashi Chat Bhandar, Varanasi

Kashi Chat Bhandar is an extremely popular restaurant serving delicious chat. It has all the usual Indian dishes that are served in restaurants across the nation.

Address: Godowlia Chowk (between crossroads and church), Varanasi

Timings: 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM

4. Pizzeria Vaatika Café, Assi Ghat

Pizzeria Vaatika Café is a popular stop for Indian food lovers. The pizzas here are delicious and spicy, with a unique twist in the addition of cheese and seafood. The open terrace at this restaurant is perfect for people watching.

Address: Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe, B 1/178 Assi Ghat, Varanasi

Timings: 9:00 AM to 10:00PM

5. Flavours Cafe, Varanasi

Flavours Cafe serves some of the best ice creams and Indian cuisine in Varanasi. They serve a wide range of desserts including Jalebi, Falooda, Kulfi, Sheera and much more.

Address: 1st Floor Swastik Plaza, Lanka, Varanasi, Varanasi 

Timings:  10 AM To 10 PM

6. Zaika Restaurant, Bhelupur

Zaika Restaurant is just a few blocks away from the main bus stand in Varanasi. It is a small eatery serving delicious Indian cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is known for its authentic Indian cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients.

Address: Durgakund Road, Ravindrapuri Rd, Bhelupur, Varanasi

Timings: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM

7. Bowl Of Compassion, Varanasi

Bowl Of Compassion is another fine example of an eatery in the city. This restaurant has a wide range of vegetarian dishes with a focus on healthy food. The food is served in large portions and very affordable. The restaurant also has a unique air conditioned beer garden that offers the best views of the city.

Address: D.32/162, Devnathpura, Bengalitola

Timings: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

8. El Parador, Varanasi

El Parador is an authentically Mexican restaurant in Varanasi. The food served here is spicy and delicious, with a combination of Mexican and Indian flavors. The restaurant has an extensive menu with all your favorite dishes. They have some beautifully decorated tables on their large terrace that are well worth a visit for the best evening views of the city.

Address: S No.17/331, near Singh Medicals, Maldahiya, Varanasi

Timings: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

9. Shree Shivay Varanasi

Shivay is a beautiful vegetarian restaurant in Varanasi. The food is delicious and affordable. It has an extensive menu with many different Indian dishes and a wide range of breads, salads and desserts to choose from.

Address: Central Jail Rd, Gilat Bazar, Bheem Nagar, Varanasi

Timings: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

10. Aum Café, Varanasi

Aum Café offers some of the most delicious Indian food in Varanasi. The restaurant has an extensive menu with a variety of Indian dishes, including coffee and chai tea. The coffee is very delicious and also priced reasonably.

Address: Assi Ghat B1/201, Varanasi 221002 

Timings: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Best Street Food in Varanasi

1. Kachori Sabzi

The Kachori Sabzi is a famous Indian dish and it is made with coconut, lime and black pepper. It is best eaten as a snack, especially in the evenings at the Ganges River. The restaurants here on the river sell this food which is freshly prepared in large quantities every day. The kachori also comes in larger or smaller sizes that are equally good.

2. Tamatar Chat

This is another great street food that is easily available across the city. The tamatar chat is made with a unique blend of spices and green chillies, and it is best eaten as an evening snack to go with a drink.

3. Chooda Matar

Matar is a popular Indian dish made with chickpeas and spices. The chooda matar is a perfect snack to have with a hot cup of tea and it is best eaten in the evening while sitting by the river.

4. Malai Toast

The malai toast is a very popular Indian dish that is best eaten in the evenings. It is made with a white butter which has a subtle hint of cream to it and it can be eaten as a snack, as well as with breakfast or dinner.

5. Baati Chokha

The baati chokha is made using a mix of spices and dal with the addition of bread and gram flour. It is best eaten as a snack or even for breakfast, as the carbohydrates in it provide essential energy to the body.

6. Launglata

Launglata is another popular Indian dish that is made to a thin consistency and it is usually eaten at breakfast or with the morning tea and is best eaten with jaggery. The launglata tastes extremely delicious and this dish can be bought from many street vendors, especially in the evenings.

7. Malaiyo

This is one of the best street foods that can be found across the city. The malaiyo is made with green chillies and salt and it binds together nicely. It tastes extremely delicious and this dish can be served along with a cup of tea or even a cup of jaggery.

Well, that is quite a list. There are a few places in Varanasi that may not be listed on these pages but still you can find something delicious to eat. But before you step out and try them, do remember to wear the appropriate attire so that you don’t get swarmed by the local people when eating.

And remember, if you are going to eat something here in Varanasi, always make sure it is sanitary and safe to consume.

Tourist attractions in Varanasi :

1. Brihadeeswara Temple 
2. All Saints Cathedral 
3. Kashi Vishwanath Temple 
4. Durga Mandir 
5. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple 
6. Man Mandir Ghat (Shivala) 
7. Dashashwamedh Ghat 
8. Rajendra Prasad Ghat (Rajghat) 
9. Assi Ghat 
10. Sarnath
11. Bharat Mata Mandir
12. Laxman Mandir 
13. Manikarnika Ghat (burning ghat) 
14. Ramnagar Fort (beside Tulsi Ghat)
15. 15.Kainchi Dham Temple, Musinagar, Varanasi

In conclusion

Varanasi is a city that will leave you mesmerized and wanting more. The city has so much to offer, right from the religious sites to the food it serves. Varanasi is one of the best cities to visit in India, especially for those who are looking for some spiritual peace. So, plan your visit to Varanasi now!