Top 15 Indian Foods Every First-Time Traveler Must Try

This iconic North Indian dish is rich, creamy, and full of love. Butter chicken is made with tender chicken chunks simmered in a tomato-butter-cream gravy and spiced to perfection.

Pair it with naan bread or basmati rice, and you're in food heaven. It’s perfect for those trying Indian spices for the first time.

Keyword: Butter chicken in India, North Indian food, Indian chicken curry

Thin, golden, and crispy, masala dosa is a rice-lentil crepe stuffed with a spicy potato filling. It’s served with tangy sambar (lentil soup) and coconut chutney.

A breakfast favorite, this dish is vegetarian and gluten-free—bonus!

Keyword: South Indian breakfast, Masala dosa, best Indian vegetarian food

Picture this: fluffy, deep-fried bread and spicy chickpeas topped with onions, lemon, and love. That’s chole bhature for you.

This North Indian dish is bold, filling, and unforgettable—just like the streets of Delhi where it’s most famous.

Keyword: Delhi street food, Chole Bhature, Indian spicy food

Whether it’s Hyderabadi biryani or Lucknowi (Awadhi) biryani, this fragrant rice dish is pure royalty. Layered with marinated meat or veggies and slow-cooked with saffron, spices, and love.

Every bite is a burst of flavor and emotion.

Keyword: Best biryani in India, Hyderabadi biryani, Indian rice dishes

Chunks of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) are marinated in spicy yogurt and grilled until smoky and charred. It’s served hot with mint chutney.

If you’re vegetarian, this is your ticket to Indian BBQ paradise.

Keyword: Vegetarian Indian dishes, Paneer tikka, Indian starters

PTriangular, flaky, and stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas, samosas are the perfect on-the-go snack.

You’ll find these at train stations, weddings, markets—everywhere.

Keyword: Indian snacks, Samosa in India, Indian street food

This rich, red lamb curry from Kashmir is aromatic and hearty. Made with yogurt, garlic, and Kashmiri red chilies, rogan josh is deeply satisfying, especially on cooler days.

Non-veg lovers, this dish is a must!

Keyword: Kashmiri food, Rogan Josh, Indian non-veg curry

Crispy hollow balls filled with spicy, tangy, sweet water and mashed potato mixture. You pop one in and boom!—a burst of flavors.

Pani puri is not just food; it’s an emotion in Mumbai, Delhi, and all over India.

Keyword: Pani puri India, Indian street food, Golgappa in Delhi

Marinated with yogurt and spices, tandoori chicken is roasted in a clay oven until smoky, juicy, and slightly charred. It’s high in protein and full of spice.

Eat it with naan, and you’re golden.

Keyword: Tandoori chicken, Indian grilled food, North Indian cuisine

Stuffed with mashed potatoes and spices, then pan-fried with butter, aloo paratha is the soul food of Punjab. It’s served hot with yogurt, pickles, and sometimes a chunk of butter.

It’s like a warm hug from an Indian grandmother.

Keyword: Punjabi food, Aloo paratha, Indian breakfast dishes

Soft, spongy, and lightly tangy, dhokla is a steamed snack made from fermented rice and chickpea flour. Topped with mustard seeds and green chilies.

Light and healthy, it’s a favorite across Gujarat.

Keyword: Gujarati snacks, Dhokla India, healthy Indian food

From Goa to Kerala, every coastal region has its own spin on fish curry. With coconut, mustard seeds, tamarind, and curry leaves—it’s magic in a bowl.

Eat it with rice, close your eyes, and taste the sea.

Keyword: Goan fish curry, Kerala seafood, Indian fish curry

Simple, soulful, and 100% vegetarian. Red kidney beans cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices—served over steamed rice.

Rajma chawal is an Indian hug in a bowl.

Keyword: Rajma Chawal, Indian vegetarian meals, North Indian comfort food

Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and soaked in sugar syrup—jalebi is a festival in your mouth. Best eaten hot and fresh from the halwai (sweet vendor).

Every bite feels like celebration.

Keyword: Jalebi sweets, Indian desserts, Indian sweets to try

Why try one dish when you can try ten? A thali is a complete Indian meal served on a round platter. It has rice, dal, curries, pickles, roti, dessert, and more!

You get a taste of everything—and the love behind it.

Keyword: Indian thali meal, Indian food platter, traditional Indian cuisine

So, dear traveler, don't hold back. Try the street stalls. Sit cross-legged at a local dhaba. Order something you can’t pronounce. And always eat with your hands—because in India, food isn’t just eaten, it’s felt.

Q. Is Indian food too spicy for first-time travelers?
Not always. Many dishes are mild or can be customized. Ask for “less spicy” when ordering.

Q. Is Indian street food safe?
Choose busy, clean vendors. Hot, fresh food is usually safe.

Q. Can vegetarians find enough food options in India?
Absolutely. India is a vegetarian paradise—paneer, dal, paratha, dosa, and so much more.

Q. What’s the best way to eat Indian food?
Use your hands! Especially for roti, naan, and rice. It's part of the experience.

India will astonish you, put your thinking to the test and fuel your dreams. When you get off the plane, you’ll see lots of beautiful colours, smell tempting foods and receive the hospitality of the locals. Things may move fast on the roads and the spices may surprise you, but that’s just another part of the excitement!

If you organise your visa, pack suitably and follow the country’s customs, you won’t have problems in India. Travelling in India, you might meditate by the Ghats, shop for silk scarves in markets or drink tea with friendly people—each moment will be memorable for you.

Why wait any longer? There are so many magical things waiting for you in India. Purchase your tickets, pack everything you need and prepare to have a wonderful time in this country. I’m sending you my wishes for a good trip as you go forth.