The Top 10 Street Food in Rishikesh & Where To Get Them

Rishikesh is a city that lies at the bottom of the Himalayan foothills. The famous Ganga river passes through the town, blessing it with a spectacular view. The town is also known for being highly spiritual. Every year, Rishikesh sees an influx of pilgrims who come here to pray and show their devotion.

Due to this, the cuisine of Rishikesh has become varied and rich, and this is evident especially in the street food varieties available here. Here are our top picks for finding some of the most delicious street foods in Rishikesh.

Street Food in Rishikesh

1. Samosa

Samosa is a deep-fried snack that is stuffed with a savory potato filling. Samosa is the staple breakfast for many people in Rishikesh. The snack is best paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea. It can be found in every nook and cranny of the town.

Some food joints tend to experiment with the fillings so you can try mango-, apple- or even chocolate-filled samosas. We highly recommend that you try these varieties when in Rishikesh.

Where to try: The Rajasthani restaurant near Triveni Ghat

2. Sweets

Rishikesh is known for being a sanctimonious place and for its spirituality. However, the city is also known for the variety of sweets that are made here. The sweets are made of pure ghee and ooze deliciousness with every bite. Besan ki Barfi, Nariyal Barfi and Besan Ladoo are a must-haves while in Rishikesh.

Where to try: Geeta Bhawan Swargashram, Rishikesh

3. Aloo Poori

Aloo Poori is a traditional breakfast that is served across the country and Rishikesh is no different. It consists of potatoes cooked in a savory gravy along with a deep fried bread called a poori. Rishikesh is well known for the aloo poori it serves. This breakfast is usually served in dishes fashioned out of dried leaves, giving you an organic vibe when you eat out of it. Try the Surat Ki Mashoor Aloo at 60’s The Eat Story, it is delicious.

Where to try: 60’s The Eat Story, Tapovan Sarai Badrinath Highway, Green Hills, Rishikesh.

4. Chole Bhature

Chole Bhature is a dish that is as Punjabi as it gets. Often eaten as a breakfast item, Chole Bhature consists of a combination of spicy white chickpeas and a fried bread made out of refined flour. The dish is often paired with a glass of lassi and can be consumed as a full meal. There are several outlets in Rishikesh that serve Chole Bhature but the best chole bhature is served at Chotiwala that has been serving the dish since 1958.

Where to try: Chotiwala, Swargashram, Rishikesh

5. Dosa

Dosa is a popular south Indian breakfast that is made from fermented batter and is somewhat similar to a savoury crepe.The fermented batter usually consists of rice and gram. Due to the growing number of South Indian pilgrims in Rishikesh, many restaurants serving South Indian food have popped up all over the town. You can find a good South Indian restaurant in the Tapovan side of the Ram Jhula to satisfy all your dosa cravings.

Where to try: Madras cafe, near Ram Jhula, Rishikesh

6. Pani Puri

Pani Puri are crispy wheat gram pockets filled with spiced water, with a variety of fillings ranging from mashed potatoes to boiled chickpeas. This is one of India’s favourite street foods and can be sampled in almost every part of the country. Rishikesh has a plethora of hawkers as well as restaurants who serve this snack. The special tamarind chutney in Rishikesh is what most pani puri lovers look forward to.

Where to try: The lane next to Ram Jhula is filled with pani puri vendors

7. Ice Cream

Rishikesh serves some very unique flavors of ice cream that you may not have tasted before. There are flavours such as caramelized banana chip cookies and spiced walnut that will have your taste buds tingling with joy. You can enjoy ice cream that is sold by local hawkers or go at the many cafes around Rishikesh.

Where to try: Freedom Cafe, Rishikesh

8.

Every caffeine addict looks out for places to satiate their need for a hot cup of coffee. Rishikesh offers some exotic coffee combinations, such as one with yak milk added to it. People who have tried this variant definitely stand by the coffee’s unique flavor. You can try this coffee at Devraj Cafe, which overlooks the famous Trimbakeshwar Temple.

Where to try: Devraj Coffee corner, Laxman Jhula Bridge, Shivanand Nagar, Rishikesh

9. Masala Chai

Masala chai is a classic Indian spiced tea served sweet and piping hot around Rishikesh. The age-old beverage is one of the most favored drinks in India. In Rishikesh, you can saveur a hot cup of tea and spend a quiet chilly evening by the banks of the Ganga admiring the serenity the view has to offer.

Where to try: The Prem Namaste Cafe, near the Laxman Jhula.

10. Lassi

Lassi is a beverage which is a thicker version of buttermilk, served cold. North India is famous for this particular beverage, where you can enjoy a variety of sweet and savoury preparations.

In Rishikesh, you can find this beverage at the Pappu Lassi stall that serves them in an earthen pot, adding to the authentic experience and taste. The shop also serves mango and extra malai lassi that are local favourites.

Where to try: Pappu Lassi, Mayakund, Rishikesh.

Rishikesh, apart from being culturally rich, is also a culinary delight. The town has now become a melting pot for street foods from around India. Due to the large number of people visiting the town every year, the cuisine of Rishikesh has adapted itself to cater to everyone’s need. So the next time you are in Rishikesh, do try some of these top picks of street food and share your experiences with us in the comment section below.

Planning to visit the town soon? Do check out our perfect 3 day Rishikesh Itinerary!