What food is Varanasi famous for?
Varanasi is famous for its breakfast of kachori-sabzi with jalebi, tamatar (tomato) chaat, thick lassi in clay cups, the winter milk-foam sweet malaiyo, rabri, thandai and Banarasi paan. Much of the food near the temple is vegetarian and satvik. Choose busy, clean stalls and drink bottled or filtered water.
On this page
What to try
| Dish | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Kachori-sabzi and jalebi | Fried stuffed breads with potato curry; syrupy sweets | Breakfast |
| Tamatar chaat | Spiced mashed tomato chaat, a Banaras speciality | Evening |
| Lassi | Thick yoghurt drink, often in clay cups (kulhad) | Any time |
| Malaiyo | Airy saffron milk foam | Winter mornings only |
| Rabri and laung lata | Rich milk sweets; clove-pinned pastry | Any time |
| Thandai | Spiced cold milk drink; associated with Holi and Mahashivratri | Festivals |
| Banarasi paan | Betel leaf with fillings | After meals |
| Baati chokha | Baked wheat balls with mashed spiced vegetables | Lunch |
Food near the temple
The lanes around Kashi Vishwanath and Godowlia are full of sweet shops, chaat stalls and simple restaurants. Most food in the temple area is vegetarian; many places serve satvik food without onion and garlic.
Eating safely
- Eat where it's busy and food is cooked fresh in front of you.
- Drink bottled or filtered water; be careful with ice.
- Go easy on street food for the first day.
- Carry oral rehydration salts in summer.
A note on thandai
Some thandai in Varanasi is served with bhang (cannabis), especially around Holi and Mahashivratri. If you don't want it, ask for plain thandai.
Frequently asked questions
Is food near Kashi Vishwanath vegetarian?
Mostly, yes. Many places near the temple serve vegetarian and satvik food.
When can I find malaiyo?
Only in winter, typically on cold mornings from around November to February.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism — Varanasi (opens in a new tab)
Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh — Government source, checked September 2026
Written and maintained by the KashiVishwanathTemple.net Editorial Team. Last updated . Found an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
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