Rishikesh is a beautiful pilgrim place that attracts many travellers seeking spiritual knowledge as well as adventure in the lap of nature. Situated in the northern region of India, Rishikesh is known for its scenic views and diverse culture.
Did you know that Rishikesh is a haven for street food lovers as well? You will find dishes inspired from all over India, their aromas and tastes adding to the vibe of the place. While catering to the different tastes of the visiting tourists, Rishikesh's food has seen a drastic (but positive) change in its gastronomy.
Food is a big part of the experience when you are exploring the beautiful town of Rishikesh. The town has several popular street food hubs that will serve you the most delectable food that you can find and enjoy in the beautiful weather in the mountains.
If you are on the hunt for some great places to eat at Rishikesh, here are top 10 street foods in Rishikesh that you must indulge in.
1. Samosa
We haven't met an Indian who doesn't love a good samosa. Rishikesh's cold, a hot cup of tea, and a crispy namkeen samosa for company. Could there be anything better? You can have this street food staple as breakfast or as an evening snack, just the way the locals do.
Best place to eat in: The Rajasthani restaurant near Triveni Ghat
2. Sweets
Locals and tourists alike love feasting on the pure ghee sweets that you get in Rishikesh. If you're a sweet tooth, you're in for a treat! Besan laddoo and barfi, along with nariyal barfi have to be on your must-try list when in Rishikesh. The cold weather in perfect to indulge in these rich, creamy delicacies.
Best place to eat: Geeta Bhawan Swargashram
3. Aloo poori
The places to eat in Rishikesh, or any north Indian town for that matter, will never miss out on having aloo poori on their menu card. It is a popular breakfast dish that originated in the north itself. You'll find several food places in Rishikesh that offer the yummiest aloo poori you will ever have! It's a wholesome meal that will keep you satiated for the long hours as you explore the fabulous town and explore adventure activities.
Best place to eat in Rishikesh : 60’s The Eat Story, Tapovan Sarai Badrinath Highway, Green Hills
4. Chole bhature
The older cousin of aloo poori, chole bhature is a staple food of Punjab and is available in virtually every station and food stall of Northern India. A restaurant in Rishikesh has been serving chole bhature since 1958 and never has it disappointed the foodies.
Best place to eat in Rishikesh: Chotiwala, Swargashram
5. Gulgula
A humble sweet made using jaggery, gulgula is often prepared as a delicacy on special occasions and festivals in Uttarakhand. You will find it in many places in the town, and its one local delicacy that you should not miss trying out on!
Best place to eat in Rishikesh: Chotiwala
6. Panipuri
This is undeniably the best street food in Rishikesh. From small street vendors to big restaurants, you will find this quintessential chat topper in various places in Rishikesh. We think nothing beats the joy of savouring crispy spicy pani puris after a long day of shopping!
Best place to eat in Rishikesh: Freedom Café
7. Coffee
Who can survive without good coffee? Not us for sure! If you're a coffee lover, you ought to try coffee in Rishikesh. Local street vendors use yak milk to prepare coffee—worth trying, we think!
Best place to eat in Rishikesh: Devraj Coffee corner, Laxman Jhula, Shivanand Nagar
8. Masala Tea
When in Rishikesh, you can have tea with a breath-taking view of the mighty River Ganga. The cold weather demands a steaming cup of chai, and Rishikesh has various tea stalls and restaurants that offer a great cup of masala tea!
Best place to eat in Rishikesh: The Prem Namaste Café, Laxman Jhula
9. Ice cream
We're totally team 'eats-ice-cream-in-cold-weather'! There is a different kind of joy in eating cold ice cream in Rishikesh's cold weather. You'll even find locals pairing some of the best foods in Rishikesh with one food item: Ice Cream. From big brands to local street vendors, there are so many flavours you can savour in Rishikesh.
Best place to eat in Rishikesh: Freedom Café
10. Lassi
From classic sweet plain lassis to flavoured ones, Rishikesh will never disappoint you. Made using yoghurt, a rich and creamy glass of Rishikesh's finest lassi will not disappoint you! Pair this lassi with a savoury dish like chole bhature, and you have yourself a treat of a full meal!
Best place to eat in Rishikesh: Pappu Lassi, Mayakund
The best part about travelling anywhere in India is that you can enjoy a combination of local delicacies, along with staple food that we Indians cannot survive without. Next time you're in the quaint town, go all out indulging in all the famous street foods found in Rishikesh!
Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead.