Food · Udaipur · India
What to eat in Udaipur
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Udaipur, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Start with Dal baati churma, Gatte ki sabzi and Laal maas. Many old-city guesthouses and havelis have rooftop restaurants looking across to the illuminated City Palace and Lake Palace. Much of Rajasthani food is vegetarian, and many restaurants serve no meat at all.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Dal baati churma
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 9
- Tipping
- Tipping is appreciated: about 5–10% in restaurants where no service charge is added…
- Food experiences
- 4
10 foods to try
Dish · Vegetarian
1.Dal baati churma
Rajasthan's signature meal: hard wheat dumplings (baati) baked over coals and dunked in ghee, eaten with spiced lentils (dal) and churma, a sweet crumble of wheat, ghee and jaggery.
Where: Rajasthani thali restaurants in the old city and around Bapu Bazaar.
Dish · Vegetarian
2.Gatte ki sabzi
Chickpea-flour dumplings simmered in a tangy yoghurt curry, a desert staple created for a region where fresh vegetables were scarce.
Where: Thali restaurants and family-run dhabas across Udaipur.
Dish
3.Laal maas
A fiery red mutton curry made with dried Mathania chillies, garlic and yoghurt, from Rajasthan's royal hunting traditions.
Where: Non-vegetarian restaurants and heritage hotels; ask how spicy it is before ordering.
Dish · Vegetarian
4.Ker sangri
A tangy, spicy dish of dried desert berries (ker) and long beans (sangri), cooked with oil and spices, eaten with bajra (millet) roti.
Where: Rajasthani thali restaurants.
Dish · Vegetarian
5.Rajasthani thali
A platter of several vegetarian dishes — dal, gatte, kadhi, seasonal vegetables, rotis, rice, pickles and a sweet — often refilled until you are full.
Where: Thali restaurants around Bapu Bazaar and the old city, and heritage hotel restaurants.
Snack · Vegetarian
6.Pyaaz kachori
A flaky fried pastry stuffed with spicy onion and lentil filling, served with tamarind and mint chutneys.
Where: Snack shops in the bazaars, especially in the morning.
Street food · Vegetarian
7.Mirchi vada
Large green chillies stuffed with spiced potato, dipped in chickpea batter and deep-fried; less fiery than they look.
Where: Street stalls in the old city and around Fateh Sagar.
Breakfast · Vegetarian
8.Poha
Flattened rice cooked with onion, turmeric, mustard seeds and peanuts, topped with sev and lemon; a light, common breakfast.
Where: Street stalls and cafés in the mornings, especially near Fateh Sagar.
Dessert · Vegetarian
9.Ghewar
A disc-shaped, honeycomb-textured sweet of fried batter soaked in syrup and often topped with cream (malai), especially popular around the monsoon festival of Teej.
Where: Sweet shops in the bazaars, particularly in July and August.
Drink · Vegetarian
10.Masala chai
Sweet, milky tea brewed with ginger, cardamom and other spices, sold in small glasses on every street corner.
Where: Tea stalls across the city.
Food experiences
Rooftop dinner over Lake Pichola
Many old-city guesthouses and havelis have rooftop restaurants looking across to the illuminated City Palace and Lake Palace.
Thali lunch
An unlimited Rajasthani vegetarian thali is the best-value meal in Udaipur, with servers refilling dal, vegetables and rotis.
Cooking class
Home cooking classes in the old city teach dal, curries, chapatis and chai, usually ending with a shared meal.
Fateh Sagar snacks
In the evening, stalls along the Fateh Sagar promenade sell corn, mirchi vada, chaat and ice cream to strolling families.
Quick bites and street food
- Pyaaz kachori — Snack shops in the bazaars, especially in the morning.
- Mirchi vada — Street stalls in the old city and around Fateh Sagar.
- Poha — Street stalls and cafés in the mornings, especially near Fateh Sagar.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 9 are usually vegetarian: Dal baati churma, Gatte ki sabzi, Ker sangri, Rajasthani thali, Pyaaz kachori, Mirchi vada, Poha, Ghewar and Masala chai. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Much of Rajasthani food is vegetarian, and many restaurants serve no meat at all.
- Drink bottled or filtered water and avoid ice in small street stalls.
- Ask for 'kam teekha' (less spicy) if you prefer milder food.
- Rooftop restaurants with lake views charge more; thali restaurants in the bazaars are far cheaper.
- Alcohol is served in licensed hotels and some restaurants, but many places do not serve it.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated: about 5–10% in restaurants where no service charge is added, small amounts for hotel staff, and a tip for guides and drivers at the end of a tour.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Khamma ghani | Traditional Rajasthani greeting |
| Namaste | Hello |
| Dhanyavaad | Thank you |
| Kitne ka hai? | How much is it? |
| Kam teekha | Less spicy |
| Nahin chahiye | I don't want it |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Udaipur famous for?
Dal baati churma, Gatte ki sabzi, Laal maas and Ker sangri. Rajasthan's signature meal: hard wheat dumplings (baati) baked over coals and dunked in ghee, eaten with spiced lentils (dal) and churma, a sweet crumble of wheat, ghee and jaggery.
+Is Udaipur good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Dal baati churma, Gatte ki sabzi and Ker sangri.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Udaipur?
Tipping is appreciated: about 5–10% in restaurants where no service charge is added, small amounts for hotel staff, and a tip for guides and drivers at the end of a tour.