Best Food and Restaurants While Getting Around India: A Comprehensive Travel Guide
When traveling across India—whether by Indian Railways, domestic flights, or local transport—the culinary experience is as much a part of your journey as the destinations themselves. India's diverse food culture transforms every mode of transportation into an opportunity to discover authentic regional cuisines, from the comfort of your train berth to airport lounges and roadside eateries. This guide helps you navigate India's food landscape while traveling, ensuring you experience genuine flavors and trusted dining options across the country.
For travelers from Singapore considering property investments or relocations across Asia, understanding India's travel infrastructure and food culture provides valuable context for exploring regional opportunities. Many international investors use travel experiences to evaluate emerging markets before making property decisions.
Indian Railways: Dining Excellence on Tracks
Train Food Quality and Safety Standards
Indian Railways operates one of the world's largest rail networks, serving millions of passengers daily. The railway food service has significantly improved in recent years, with enhanced safety protocols and quality standards. Indian Railways partners with certified vendors and maintains strict hygiene requirements for onboard food preparation and service.
Train meals are prepared in dedicated railway kitchens that follow food safety regulations. The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) manages food services across major routes, ensuring consistency in quality and safety standards. All food handlers receive mandatory training in food hygiene and safety procedures.
Best Foods to Try on Indian Trains
Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express Meals: These premium trains offer multi-course meals prepared fresh onboard. Breakfast typically includes South Indian items like idli, dosa, and upma, while lunch and dinner feature regional specialties. The Rajdhani Express running from Delhi to Mumbai serves exceptional North Indian cuisine, including butter chicken, dal makhani, and naan prepared in onboard kitchens.
Regional Train Specialties: Different routes showcase local cuisines. The Kerala Express features authentic Kerala meals with fish curry, coconut rice, and appalam. The Deccan Queen offers Maharashtrian thali with puran poli and local vegetables. The Howrah Mail serves Bengali specialties including fish preparations and rice-based dishes.
Budget-Friendly Options: Standard trains offer affordable meals through IRCTC vendors. Popular items include vegetable biryani, paneer curry with rice, and various bread options. These meals are prepared according to food safety standards and represent authentic Indian home cooking.
Ordering and Safety Tips for Train Meals
Book meals while reserving your ticket through the IRCTC website or mobile app. This ensures fresh preparation timed to your journey. Specify dietary preferences including vegetarian, non-vegetarian, or jain options. For premium trains, meals are included in your ticket price. For standard trains, meals are reasonably priced and can be ordered at stations or through the app.
All IRCTC-approved vendors maintain food safety certifications. Meals are served in sealed, hygienic packaging. Beverages are served in sealed bottles or cups. If you prefer additional snacks, purchase from IRCTC vendors at stations rather than unauthorized sellers.
Domestic Flights: Airport and In-Flight Dining
Major Indian Airlines Food Services
India's domestic airlines—including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara—offer diverse meal options on flights exceeding two hours. Each airline partners with certified catering companies that maintain international food safety standards. Meals are prepared in dedicated airline kitchens with temperature-controlled storage and strict hygiene protocols.
Air India: Offers multi-cuisine options including Indian, Continental, and Asian dishes. Breakfast flights feature idli, dosa, and parathas. Lunch and dinner flights offer butter chicken, tandoori preparations, and vegetarian curries. All meals include complimentary beverages and snacks.
Vistara and IndiGo Premium Services: Premium cabin passengers receive elevated meal experiences with chef-curated menus. Vistara offers regional Indian cuisines prepared by award-winning chefs. IndiGo's premium service features curated meals from partner restaurants in major cities.
Airport Dining: Best Restaurants and Food Courts
Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport: Terminal 3 features numerous dining options. Karim's, a legendary Old Delhi restaurant established in 1913, operates an outlet serving authentic Mughlai cuisine including nihari and kebabs. Mainland China offers quality Chinese cuisine. Café Coffee Day and Starbucks provide familiar options. The food court offers budget-friendly Indian meals prepared fresh throughout the day.
Mumbai Bombay International Airport: Terminal 2 includes Trishna, famous for seafood curries and tandoori preparations. Mahesh Lunch Home serves quality coastal Indian cuisine. The terminal's food court offers regional specialties including Maharashtrian thali and South Indian breakfast items. All airport restaurants maintain rigorous food safety standards and are regularly inspected.
Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport: Features regional Karnataka cuisine alongside national chains. Karavali serves coastal Indian specialties. The airport's food court offers idli, dosa, and filter coffee—Bangalore's signature breakfast combination. Fresh juice bars prepare beverages throughout the day.
Pre-Booking Meals on Flights
Most airlines allow meal pre-booking during ticket purchase or up to 24 hours before departure. Specify dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, jain, gluten-free, or religious dietary restrictions. Airlines prepare meals according to specifications and serve them fresh during your flight. This ensures meals match your preferences and dietary needs.
Getting Around Cities: Transport and Food Experiences
Metro and Bus Travel: Street Food and Local Eateries
India's metro systems in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad connect to vibrant food neighborhoods. The Delhi Metro provides access to Old Delhi's legendary food markets. Exit at Chandni Chowk station to discover Paranthe Wali Gali, a narrow lane dedicated entirely to paratha restaurants. These establishments have operated for generations, preparing parathas stuffed with vegetables, paneer, or meat using traditional methods.
Mumbai's local trains connect to Fort area restaurants and Marine Drive eateries. The Mumbai Metro reaches Vada Pav vendors in Dadar and authentic Malvani seafood restaurants near the coast. Bangalore's Metro connects to bustling food streets in Indiranagar and Koramangala, featuring both traditional South Indian cuisine and contemporary restaurants.
Recommended Street Food and Casual Dining
Delhi Specialties: Chole bhature (chickpea curry with fried bread) from established vendors near metro stations. Gol gappa (crispy shells filled with spiced potatoes and tamarind water) from vendors with long queues—indicating popularity and turnover. Aloo tikki (potato patties) from dedicated shops. Momos (dumplings) from Tibetan-influenced vendors. All these items are prepared fresh in front of customers, ensuring quality and safety.
Mumbai Favorites: Vada pav (potato fritter in bread) from established vendors with consistent quality. Pav bhaji (spiced vegetable curry with bread) from restaurants with dedicated cooking areas. Bhel puri (puffed rice mixture) from vendors with fresh ingredients. Seafood options including tandoori pomfret and crab curry from restaurants near the coast.
South Indian Staples: Idli (steamed rice cakes) and dosa (crispy crepes) from dedicated establishments. These items are prepared fresh in commercial kitchens with proper food safety measures. Sambar (lentil vegetable stew) and chutney accompany these dishes. Coffee and filter chai are served in traditional metal tumblers.
Identifying Safe and Trusted Food Vendors
Look for vendors with established locations and consistent customer bases. High turnover indicates fresh food preparation. Observe food preparation areas—cleanliness and organized workspaces indicate professional operations. Vendors using sealed water containers and proper food storage practices maintain better hygiene standards. Popular restaurants with visible health certifications display government food safety ratings.
Avoid vendors with stagnant water, exposed food, or poor personal hygiene. Don't consume raw salads or uncooked vegetables from street vendors unless you can verify water safety. Stick to hot, freshly cooked items from busy establishments. Carry hand sanitizer and wash hands before eating.
