The Top 7 Street Foods Joints in Varanasi (Banaras or Kashi) (2024)
The Spiritual capital of India, Varanasi, is not only about culture and monotonous experience. Varanasi is a soulful journey which will leave you ignited and joyous. Part of this real experience is the street food of Varanasi or Banaras or Kashi. Street food here reflects the culture and vibe of the famous streets and people of Varanasi. Just as Varanasi encourages your inner self, the street food of Varanasi will excite your taste buds. Streets of Varanasi has a lot to boast about when it comes to cuisine and variety.
A city situated on banks of holy Ganges offers much diversity, twist, enthusiasm and surprise in terms of its streets and their food.
The whole city of Varanasi (Banaras or Kashi) is painted in Aryan lifestyle, and that’s why most of the vibrant colours are of vegetarian street food. Meat and other non-vegetarian food items are hard to come by except a few. Varanasi, although being a city in Uttar Pradesh, is frequently visited by people from nearby states. This has resulted in a significant influence of the West Bengal and Bihar in its food. Street food is as old as Varanasi. This has led to it being world-famous, and the same is also due to a large number of foreign tourists visiting Varanasi every year.
So if you’re a tourist and an avid connoisseur of the flavour of the streets, Varanasi is the right spot for you. Now let’s know about some fantastic options for street food in Varanasi and where you can get them. These distinct locations and few special treats will surely water your mouth. Whether it’s steaming hot kachoris for breakfast, sweets and lassi for relief from the heating sun, world-famous ‘Banarasi Paan’ or chaats, Varanasi has got something to suit everyone’s taste. Let’s go through this list and find out where you can find the best street food joints in Varanasi(Banaras or Kashi):
The Top 7 Street Foods Joints in Varanasi (Banaras or Kashi)
1. Deena Chaat Bhandar
Deena Chat Bhandar is heaven for chat lovers which is located at Hanuman Mandir, Ramapura Luxa Rd, Luxa, Varanasi. If you’re eating at Deena Chat Bhandar means you’re eating one of the best chaats Varanasi has to offer. The speciality of Deena Chat Bhandar is that if you’re being provided with the same quality and same fare as VIPs or Bollywood celebs. The reason behind it is that this place is often called for catering the important events of Celebs and aristocrats.
Don’t worry, the expected average cost for two people is 150 to 200 rupees. Some of the most famous dishes here are Golgappe, Tiki, Banarsi Chaat, Kulfi And Tomato Chat etc. Whenever you’re in Varanasi and visiting the ‘Vishwanath Temple’, if you see groups of people under a large signboard and smell tantalising Chaat, its Deena Chaat Bhandar.
Dahi Bhalla here has a tendency to be so soft that it melts in your mouth and spreads all its tangy flavours all over your tongue. Gol Gappa is widely loved throughout the Banaras. Tomato chat will be a new experience for food enthusiasts. Dahi chutney variant of Gol Gappe is a spicy and sweet journey of tastes and makes you fall in love with it. Those crispy packets break into your mouth with a punch of several flavours as soon as you eat them. Also, the colourful looks of the chutney are a feast for your eyes. Deena Chaat Bhandar is surely among the top places to visit for some amazing street food in Varanasi.
2. Blue Lassi Shop
Now from a flavourful journey of spices, let’s go to a very sweet one. Located at CK 12/1 Kunj Gali, Kachaudi Gali, Near Rajbandhu, Govindpura, Varanasi, Blue Lassi Shop is the lifeline of Banarasi cuisine.
Thick curd/yoghurt drink with delicious taste is the lassi which seems to sweeten your tongue and cool off your body but feels like its calming your soul in the harsh heat of Varanasi. Although Lassi can be found and are churned in every corner, Blue Lassi Shop in Varanasi is most famous of them all. Tucked in narrow streets and alleyways, Blue Lassi Shop turns out to be a hidden gem for street food lovers in Varanasi.
The shop may be small, but its aura isn’t. Blue Lassi shop is on the bucket list of every traveler to Varanasi. The lassi is very delicious and available in different fruity options. Blue Lassi a lovely place for your kids and you to enjoy the fruit variants such as pineapple, papaya, mango and even blueberry and more. This dessert is not only tasty but also nutritious. They’ve maintained their reputation and the hype in terms of thousands of happy customers with their lassi. Regular timings are 8:30 AM to 11 PM.
3. Deepak Tambul Bhandar
From one dessert to another, the Tambul or better known as Paan is renowned as a dish after the meal. Although quite different from traditional desserts, Banarasi Paan is still quite popular. If you want a ‘Khaike Paan Banaras Wala’ feel for real go to none other than Deepak Tambul Bhandar.
Located at 6/29 Rani Bhawani Gali, Tripura Bhairwi Rd, Lahori Tola, Varanasi this place is very close to the famous Dashashvamedh Ghat.
Here at Deepak’s shop, you can enjoy authentic Banarasi paan which are packed with a punch of strong mint. There are many famous Paan shops near other areas in the city. But If you want original Banarasi taste in Paan do pay a visit here. Let me tell you, that taste is not for everyone, but you should try it once for the sake of the essence of Varanasi’s Heritage in it.
4. Kashi Chaat Bhandar
Kashi Chaat Bhandar takes its name from the city itself and is located at D.37/49 Godowlia Road, Girja Ghar Chauraha, Badadev, Godowlia, Varanasi. Not only this shop has adapted the name but also the reputation of the city as being one of the most excellent street food joints. When you visit this place, you’ll experience why Banaras is so proud of its Chaat.
Kashi Chaat Bhandar in Varanasi offers various Chaats and items such as Dahi puri, Panipuri, Papdi, Chura Matar, and very extraordinary Palak Patta Chat and others. This popular street food joint in Varanasi is quite affordable but it doesn’t compromise with the flavours and taste. Gulab Jamun and Kulfi Falooda are also a charming touch to the existing mouth drooling dishes.
5. Shree Rajbandhu Sweets
Regarded as one of the most famous sweet shops of Banaras, Shree Rajbandhu Sweets is located at Kachaudi Gali, Lahori Tola, Varanasi. This place is in famous Kachori street named after spicy kachoris of Varanasi. So this adds to its aura. This sweet shop offers you some of the best sweet delicacies and confectionaries. Quite famous for its Ladoos, Gulab jamuns, Rasgullas and seasonal delight ‘Malaiyo’ etc., Shree Rajbandhu Sweets is quite affordable with an expected cost for two being 250 INR. Malaiyo is the ultimate delight of this shop available mostly in the winter season. This shop has earned an excellent reputation for its freshness and purity. The hospitable staff is sure going to make you joyful. Banarasi Locals would even vouch for the quality of this shop.
Timings are 10 AM to 10 PM.
6. Kashi Vishwanath Thandai Ghar
Another popular street food joint named after the heart of Varanasi, the ‘Vishwanath Temple’ this thandai ghar is located at Bansphatak, Varanasi. This joint is also known as the Pathak Ji’s Lassi stall, this street food joint is the best place to get an unaltered variant of the milk-based drink ‘Thandai.’ Thandai Gets its name from the ingredients which provide calmness and cool to your body and mind after consumption.
But there’s an exciting twist, as not only Varanasi, but whole Uttar Pradesh is famous for its ‘Bhaang’. The Freshly ‘Bhaang’ Dashed lassi is also the go-to drink at Pathak Ji’s stall. There are many other flavors for you to try such as cream, Kesar-Pista and fruit etc. with a touch of very exciting and powerful ‘Bhaang’. Enthusiasts from all over the country witnesses festival of Holi in Varanasi and Bhaang becomes an essential part of it.
7. Lazawab Paratha
An efficient quick bites and breakfast restaurant is ‘Lazawab Paratha’. It is located at Kuber Complex, Sigra, Varanasi. As the name suggests, Parathas which are made from Indian bread are second to none here.
The average cost for two people here is approximately 150 INR.
It has all the taste of Northern India packed in its Paranthas and when they’re served with chatni and curd it makes you go mama-mia. Various kinds of Paratha options are available here, which are sure to delight your curiosity.
Varanasi is an ancient and spiritual city. Its people, traditions, outings and food is the image of its soul. As banarasi people are energetic, enthusiastic and hospitable, so is their street food.
Whether it’s the tourists from all over the world or students of BHU, their words can’t describe enough their love for milk shakes, lassis, kachoris and chaats of the city. If you ever visit Varanasi, do remember to take a bite of its vibrant and tangy taste of life and streets.
