What to Eat in Rajasthan | 5 Must-Try Dishes
Rajasthan, famously known as the Land of Kings, is a top travel destination in India—renowned not only for its rich history and majestic forts but also for its vibrant and diverse cuisine. If you’re searching for the best food to eat in Rajasthan, from fiery non-veg curries to flavourful vegetarian and vegan dishes, this guide is for you. Packed with bold spices, hearty textures, and authentic local ingredients, Rajasthani cuisine offers a truly unforgettable culinary experience for every type of traveller.
The mouth-watering dishes showcase the deeply rooted history of both royalty and the common people, who have enjoyed their cuisine for centuries. So if you are looking for what to eat in Rajasthan, here is a summary of the top 5 dishes to try, their flavour profiles and where to find them!
Laal Maans – A Must-Try Non-Vegetarian Dish
A signature dish of Rajasthan – Laal Maans or Lal Maas is a fiery mutton curry with a bold spice blend, and the tender off-the-bone meat. It is known for its succulent, slow-cooked pieces of goat meat in a deep brown-red chilli-based gravy, which has a rich, aromatic flavour to it. It is often eaten with rice, or scooped up with naan, roti or any other type of bread. My personal favourite – enjoying it with an onion salad tossed in salt and lime juice.
We tasted it at about 3-4 places, and honestly? I couldn’t get enough. Don’t get me wrong, it was quite filling, and often I would miss dinner or even breakfast the next day, but I was loving all the different versions.
Where to Eat Laal Maans in Rajasthan:
- Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel in Udaipur – My top recommendation!
- Restaurant Romany in Jaisalmer – Close competitor, but also extremely flavourful
- Ambrai in Udaipur – For the lakeside paradise, and rich taste
To see a full guide to Udaipur including our restaurant recommendations, check out our 2-Day Udaipur Itinerary.
Rajasthani Poha – A Vegan’s Breakfast Paradise
Rajasthani Poha is a delicious regional twist to the classic poha dish, originally popular in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. While it has many versions across India, the one we tasted in Ranthambore was by far our favourite breakfast in Rajasthan. Light, and completely plant-based, it’s also one of the best vegan breakfast options you can find in India, among many others.
Made of flattened rice or rice flakes, Rajasthani Poha is often tossed with onions, boiled potatoes and spices such as turmeric, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. It is garnished with roasted peanuts, fresh coriander and a generous squeeze of lime juice, creating a perfect harmony of savoury, tangy and citrusy flavours! The rice is soft and fluffy with the right amount of zesty balance to awaken your palate.
Where to Try Poha in Rajasthan
This became our go-to breakfast almost every morning and was paired with a nice, hot cup of chai on the side. The best place to try poha was our charming boutique haveli, with its exquisite Rajasthani hospitality, Hotel Tiger Haveli in Ranthambore. So, whether you are a foodie, a vegan traveller or simply someone who wants to try the best places to eat in Rajasthan, I would say make sure Rajasthani Poha is on your list!!
Lassi – Iconic Jaipur Drink
No India trip is complete until you’ve made a refreshing stop to have the renowned Lassi. What is a lassi? It is a yoghurt-based drink which is refreshing yet indulgent to balance out your appetite. A lassi can be of two types – sweet and savoury, while some places add flavours to it – you may have heard of mango lassi, a common variety known around the world.
Lassi is a cool, creamy drink with a velvety texture and a tangy undertone. It is topped with clotted cream, also called malai and is mildly sweet to help the tangyness shine. It is always served in a clay earthen cup, which infuses the drink with the genuine earthiness to enhance its cooling effect. Okay, I know this technically isn’t food—but its rich, creamy thickness absolutely earns it a spot in this flavour-packed conversation!
Where to Try Lassi in Jaipur?
The best place to try lassi is Lassiwala in Jaipur, located on MI Road. There are two with the same name, but the original shop is numbered 312. It gives an incredibly satisfying taste of Rajasthan with every sip. Make sure you catch them either in the mornings or just before lunch, as they sell out quickly!
Dal Baati Churma
The iconic Dal Baati Churma from Rajasthan is a dish with a rich history. What makes it so exciting is that it is a flavourful combination of three food items: a hearty lentil curry dal, crusty wheat ball baati, and a coarsely powdered sweet wheat mixture, churma. If you are someone who loves a blend of sweet and savoury, this is for YOU!
The baati is a round, golden-brown baked ball with a crumbly, hard texture on the outside and a soft, almost fluffy texture on the inside. It can be smoky depending on the cooking style that uses charcoal.
This is where the dal comes into the picture: the spicy-salty, almost greasy compared to other Indian dals, and is a mixture of typically 5 lentils, which adds immense flavour to the otherwise lightly salted, flaky baati. The dal soaks up the baati, turning it into mostly soft pieces with crispy bits of hard bread.
The churma, on the other hand, is a crumbled wheat mixture. It is a delicious addition of a sweet component in the dish to balance the savoury dal and baati, enhancing the taste with its rich, nutty flavour. The dish is served with baati drizzled with warm ghee (clarified butter), dal and the sugary churma on the side.
Where to have Dal Baati Churma in Rajasthan?
As you read further ahead, you will find that we tried the Rajasthani Thali, a buffet-like dish traditional to the state of Rajasthan, in Jaipur, which had Dal Baati Churma as one of its main components. Super decadent and heartwarming, highly recommend!
Rajasthani Thali
Ever tried 10 dishes on one plate? Rajasthani Thali is not just 10, 11 or even 12, but traditionally a buffet-like dish with up to 15 items on a platter. It allows for a variety of flavours and textures to be tasted in one meal! Think of it as a delicious tour of the Rajasthani culinary world.
What’s included in Rajasthani Thali?
We were delighted to have the privilege of trying 11 dishes, of which 6 were authentically Rajasthani. The thali contained:
- Dal – A mixture of 5 lentils
- Baati – Whole wheat dough ball
- Churma – Nutty, sugary wheat mixture
- Rajwadi Handi – A type of mixed veg curry
- Gatte ki Sabzi – Gram flour dumplings in tangy wholesome curry
- Tadka Dal – Savoury yet creamy dal made of traditionally 3 types of lentils
- Jeera Rice – Rice flavoured with ghee and cumin seeds
- Rajasthani Mattar Paneer – Indian cottage cheese curry with sweet peas
- Boondi Raita – Yoghurt-based side dish with droplet-sized chickpea flour pieces
- Papad – North-Indian version of poppadom
- Salad
Where to go for Rajasthani Thali
Other things that can be found on the plate are Pyaaz Kachori, Ker Sangri, Missi Roti, Mirchi Vada, Moong Dal Halwa and many others. There were many options to choose from, but we went with Govindam Retreat after returning from our City Palace. The place had a quaint charm and offered a variety of Rajasthani dishes. It was scrumptious and perfect as a filling lunch after our long exploration of history at the palaces of Jaipur.
Hope this helped!! As a summary on what to eat in Rajasthan, I have created a quick checklist for reference!
Your Ultimate Checklist for What to Eat in Rajasthan
Here’s a summary for you:
- Daal Baati Churma
- Laal Maans
- Rajasthani Poha
- Rajasthani Thali
- Lassi
Other options to try are:
- Pyaaz Kachori (iconic in Jodhpur)
- Rabri Ghevar
- Kachori and Kadhi
- Mirchi Vada
- Mawa Kachori among others
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous dish in Rajasthan?
Daal Baati Churma is the most famous dish in Rajasthan, but Laal Maans, Gatte ki Sabzi and Ker Sangri come next.
What are the top tips for tourists travelling in Rajasthan?
1) Eat at boutique havelis and heritage properties for authentic recipes
2) Ask for spice levels – Rajasthani food can be mild but also quite intense!
3) Pair your food with light, cooling local drinks such as lassi and buttermilk (called chaas)
What is the best Rajasthani dish?
This totally depends on the flavour profiles you enjoy the most. For me, the best Rajasthani dish is Laal Maans as I absolutely love goat meat and the rich, deep flavours of the meal. Some may enjoy Dal Baati Churma, which is a delicacy with a sweet and savoury combination. There are a variety of dishes available – just gotta try it out!
Is Rajasthani food vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, very much so – Rajasthani food is vegetarian-friendly! Rajasthan, in fact, is often referred to as a vegetarian state in India, as a survey indicated 74.9% of the population in Rajasthan is vegetarian.
Does Rajasthan have vegan food options?
Yes, Rajasthan has vegan food options – just ask to not garnish your food with ghee (clarified butter) or cream.
Is Rajasthani food spicy?
Rajasthani food can be spicy when it comes to some dishes like Laal Maans, but mainly others are mild or can have the spice level adjusted if asked at the restaurant.
Is Rajasthan safe for women?
Overall, yes, Rajasthan is relatively safe for women as it has major tourist cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, and Jodhpur. However, it is always best to stay alert and take the basic precautions. Read our article on What to Wear in India as a Female Traveller that highlights safety measures to take when travelling across the country.
So come hungry and and leave with a full heart. Rajasthan has a lot in store!! Hope you enjoyed this post but if you have any questions, feel free to comment below. Or if you have been to Rajasthan and know a dish we missed trying – let us know!
But if you are yet to visit the ‘Land of the Kings’, read our blog the Best 7-Day Rajasthan Itinerary that would give you the full highlights of what you CANNOT miss in this beautiful state of historic memories!
