Places in India Whose Local Food You Can't Miss

This one is an absolute stunner. Be it Nahari or Haleem during Ramadan, succulent kebabs and parathas in Old Delhi, awesome Chole Bhature, or simply the golgappas, Delhi has something for every food lover. Having been home to people from all walks of life, Delhi stands in a class of its own food-wise! We assure you, you'll run out of money and room in your tummy exploring food here.

Every foodista's paradise, Aamchi Mumbai! Dig into the best Bombil Fry, sandwiches, falooda, Frankies, the yummy Modaks and a delectable spread of seafood. Who can ignore the bhel puri and sev puri, which have come to be a facet of Mumbai itself! Gujarati, Maharastrian and Parsee influence couple up to rock every foodie's world here. From street food in gallis to food trucks & canteens, easily accessible food has always been Mumbai's promise. The financial capital of India, Mumbai also has some of the best cafes. Keep your search for hidden gems going in the city that is the Queen of Food.

Be it the sumptuous spread of various kinds of chaat, the ghee-dripping baati or the foamy, creamy goodness of the malaiyo, Banaras has something delightful for every food lover! The Malaiyo, a winter speciality of Banaras, is prepared by leaving flavoured milk out for being tempered by the morning dew. For the more nuanced foodies, Chowk - Godowlia, is your destination for this rich, Subah-e-Banaras experience. Non-veg enthusiasts out there, do not miss the Chicken Tikka and Achari Murgh at Hotel Lallan, Madanpura. The steamy, buttery delight of the coal-roasted meat is an affair to remember.

This is another one of those places for food in India which you should visit if you have a taste for unique flavours and distinct local cuisines. Different areas of the state have different preferences when it comes to food, but overall, apang, a rice beer prepared from fermented rice is a favourite beverage here. Rice, meat and fish form the centre of the food system here and none of the dishes will ever disappoint! Thukpa is another Tibetan dish that is amazing in Arunachal.

'Gar Firdaus bar roo-e-zameenast, Hameenast-o hameenast-o hameenast' ('If there is a Paradise on Face of the Earth, it is this, it is this, it is this?'). This stands true for every single facet of the paradisaical land which we mortals call Kashmir. The local cuisine of Kashmir has variety. Non-veg lovers, this is your Elysium. Try the Goshtaba (meatballs in a creamy gravy), Yakhni (lamb in a yoghurt-based gravy) or the famous Rogan Josh to get those juices flowing. Vegetarians, don't be disappointed. Kashmir won't turn you away unhappy. Try the Dum Olav (a potato speciality similar to the dum aloo) and Kashmiri tea for some soulful food love! Food in Kashmir adds allure to the already majestic Kashmir.

Hyderabadi cuisine is an amalgamation of Mughlai, Turkish and Arabic cooking styles garnished with touches of Telugu and Marathawada cuisines. Needless to say, this is a cuisine that has many layers to it. Try the several types of Biryani that the Telangana Capital has to offer, especially the Kachhe Gosht ki Biryani. Among other delicacies are the Haleem, Paaya, Hyderabadi Marag, etc. The sweetmeats are a delight as well. You're sure to come back from Hyderabad after having gained a kilo or two!

The state of colours and love of food, Rajasthan is a delicacy! Bite into the most succulent of dishes like daal-baati choorma, various styles of cooking the yummy gatte, laal maas or kadhi or the honest-to-God, awesome sweet offerings like Balushahi, Ghevar and Gujia. Food is an important part of this state, giving us more reason to love the allure to Rajasthan!

Ever heard of Indori Chaat? The Dahi Vada is a must-try here. The street food of Indore has its roots based in recipes from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. These three combined will serve to give you a delicious mini-meal that will have you smiling all day! While it is popularly known for its chaats, Indore's local cuisine involves so much more. A fusion of Maharashtrian and South Indian flavours, Indore is also known for its poha and imarti.

Momo lovers, unite and travel to Sikkim for the most amazing, breathtaking, supple momos, straight from Heaven. Although found in almost every corner of the country now, the North-East still holds the bragging rights to this one. The vegetable or minced meat-filled dumplings are served with a clear soup and a tangy hot sauce which will take your winter pangs away! Thukpa (Noodle soup with meat, eggs or vegetables) and Phagshapa (Pork fat stewed with vegetables) are other darling dishes to be gorged upon when one is at Sikkim.

Awadhi Cuisine lies at the heart of Uttar Pradesh, waiting to mesmerize and enchant. Try the world-famous Tunday Kabab and come fall in love with Lucknow's food!

A French colony in more than just the name, French cuisine lies at the heart of Pondicherry. Amazing South Indian as well as French cuisine mark the food goodness of this beautiful town. Food in the Auroville Cafeteria is simple, yet salivatingly good, so make sure you give it a try!

Every seafood lover's paradise, this one. At Puri, you will find yourself indulging in a variety of seafood ? fish, crabs, lobsters, you name it! What's more, the beach town offers the best of Bengali and Oriya cuisine for seafood lovers. Strolling along the beach, sweets bathed in the sweetest of syrups await you. Gain a few pounds with the moist weather and the seafood indulgence. If you want some more sweet indulgence, try the prasaad at the Jagannath Temple. Make sure you get a good taste of the khaaja. This is something you'll go back there for!

If there is one thing that Amritsar is known for after the Golden temple, it has to be the generous helping of flavor and richness it has on its menu. One just doesn't leave the city without sitting for a langar, eating at Bharawan da Dhabha and tossing away even the idea of owning a diet plan.

For lovers of an all-rounder cuisine style, Malabar is your dugout. From appam to Beef Kurumulakittathu to awesome duck preparations to different rice delicacies, Malabar has something for every food lover. Eat, eat and eat! Also, have a date with the special Kerala coffee when you're there. That's an affair you'll truly remember.

Have momos or thukpa or have fish delicacies prepared to beat the cold or the lovely alu dum, Darjeeling is a food haven for its fusion of Bengali, British and North-Eastern influence. Try the quaint little cafes for delightful French and British foods that look like tongue twisters on the menu and taste like bites of heaven in the mouth. Delightful experience for all, food-wise! Also, if you love tea, look no further! Darjeeling not only owns acres of tea gardens, but also loves connoisseurs of good tea!

Goa is one of those places that you visit for the whole package. Goan cuisine is awesome for many, many reasons. This one is essentially, a seafood-based cuisine that'll leave you smelling your fingers for days after for the rich intensity of the flavors used. Coconut milk, tamarind and chilli get together to give you an experience you'll remember until you are old and reminisce about the times you've been thankful for dear life. Seafood lovers may find a delectable spread of prawns, mussels, crabs, lobsters, mackerel, tuna and salmon to pamper those taste buds. Vindaloo and prawn curry are our recommendations when you want to embark upon a Goan food journey.

This beautiful town has a lot to offer, food-wise. You can try the awesome bamboo chicken (chicken cooked inside bamboo shoots) at the Tribal Museum and other non vegetarian delights on the way up to Araku Valley. Dosas and uttapams here are worth a shot!

Though the defining Litti Chokha has finally made its way to the most metros? street food scene, this one is classic enough to travel for. And guess what, they also throw in all time favorites like Samosas, Kachori, Aalu Kachaalu, Bhooja, Ghughni Choora, Dahi Choora, Jhaal Moodhi etc, spicy enough to let you to skip to popular desserts like Peda and Kalakand. Patna has some of the best street food in India.

If there's some place in the country that makes the best vegan food out of things other than our precious green veggies, it is Gujarat. Dhoklas, Khakhras, Khandwis, Theplas and ghughra are our mantra of inner peace and contentment. Food is the most important part of a Gujarati household, and we're thankful for that!

Like food? Head to Mysore. Period. The awesome Mysore Pak is sure a delightful offering, but check out the Dosa and Idli as well. Each dish is better than the last, I assure you (of course, dessert comes in last and that IS the best!).

Himachali food is governed by rich, aromatic herbs and spices, abundant roti eating and some amazing dishes that will totally blow you away. Red meat is a big chunk of the food pie chart here. Some dishes to try out are Madra, Pateek and Chouck. Madra takes the cake, having been prepared with chickpeas, yoghurt, coconut and almonds. It's cooked for hours to achieve the perfect consistency and aromatic taste. Make sure you try this one when you're in Himachal!

Inexpensive street food, sweetmeats and fine dining all in a single city? Killer combo, I'd say! Dwellers and visitors alike would swear by the food that separates the City of Joy from the rest! Whether it is the Tibetan food in Tiretta Bazaar, the Chinese-specializing Tangra or the street food in Dalhousie, Kolkata delights every food lover, every time! Moghlai Paratha (mince-filled parathas fried in an egg-batter), another Calcutta favourite, is a must-try when you're in Kolkata! Food tip: Try the Dum Aloo Phuchka at Vivekananda Park and the Mutton Kabiraji Cutlet at Mitra Cafe, Golpark for the experience of a lifetime!

With a specialty it can call its own to a local cuisine that stands out with some of south's most celebrated and even rare preparations. On you trip to Chettinad, don't miss dishes like Chicken Chettinad, Kandarappam, Karupatti and many more such South Indian preparations you didn't know about.

Assam Laksa FTW. If you have a thing for non vegetarian food and if you like Tibetan and Chinese influences, Assam is worth travelling to. Good and inexpensive fish are widely available here and food in India never ceases to delight! If there's one journey worth taking for food, it is this!