Dining in India

Indian Cuisine

Despite the use of similar spices in regional cuisines, your dining choices will vary considerably depending on which part of India you’re in.  Each region has a flavor unique to itself.  Hyderabad is famous for its biriyani, (spiced rice cooked with meat) while Bombay is renowned for its chaat (the local fast food).  Goan cuisine borrows heavily from Portuguese eating habits with pork as the meat of choice, while cooking in Kerala involves the heavy use of coconuts, especially in the region’s delicious seafood curries.  Hinduism being the dominant religion in India, vegetarians will be spoilt for choice here. Curries and gravies that include lentils, grains, and pulses are available in most vegetarian restaurants.  Beef is rarely part of restaurant menus because the cow is a deified figure for Hindus.  Poultry, lamb, and fish are the most common non-vegetarian alternatives.

Restaurant Choices

Bustling cities offer a mix of culinary delights from which to choose, including both foreign and local fast food, regional dishes from all over India, coffee shops and cafes, and fine dining restaurants offering international cuisine.  Many of the better restaurants are located in major hotels, which cater to international tastes. Breakfast and lunch buffets are offered at most five-star hotels, while dinner buffets are often themed.  Steak houses that serve grilled chicken and lamb and pizza parlors are located in all major cities. 

Eating with the Locals

Indians take hospitality very seriously, and if you’re lucky enough to get invited to a local home, expect a multi-course meal to be laid out at short notice.  You need not show up exactly on time but it isn’t pleasant to be over an hour late either.  Many Indians use their fingers instead of cutlery while dining at home.  Feel free to request knives and forks if you need to.