Top 10 Indian Street Foods & the Cities That Made Them Famous!!

Posted on Friday, June 6th, 2025 by Neha Sharma Leave a Comment

When it comes to famous Indian street food, you’re entering a world where every bite is an explosion of spices, textures, and tradition. From the narrow gullies of Old Delhi to the busy beaches of Mumbai, Indian street food culture is vibrant, flavorful, and simply irresistible.

Let’s take a delicious journey across India through its most famous street food names — whether you’re a spice lover, a sweet tooth, or a vegetarian, India has something sizzling for every taste bud.

Aloo Tikki (North India)

Location: Delhi, Lucknow
Main Ingredients: Mashed potatoes, peas, spices, tamarind chutney

Aloo Tikki is a North Indian superstar. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, these spiced potato patties are often served with tangy tamarind and mint chutneys. You’ll find them sizzling on giant tawa in Delhi markets like Chandni Chowk. A true icon of Indian vegetarian street food!

Aloo Tikki is sometimes stuffed with paneer or chana for extra punch!!!

Pani Puri / Golgappa / Puchka (All Over India)

Location: Mumbai (Pani Puri), Delhi (Golgappa), Kolkata (Puchka)
Main Ingredients: Semolina balls, spicy mint water, tamarind chutney, mashed potato or chickpeas

Possibly the most famous Indian street food, these little crispy balls are filled with flavoured water and tangy fillings. Locals queue up to devour these by the dozen!

Each region makes them differently. Kolkata’s Puchka uses tamarind pulp and is spicier, while Delhi adds a sweet-sour chutney twist.

Pav Bhaji (Mumbai)

Location: Mumbai beaches, especially Juhu Chowpatty
Main Ingredients: Mashed vegetables, butter, pav (bread rolls)

One of the best street foods in India, Pav Bhaji is a buttery mix of mashed vegetables served hot with grilled buns. The sound of the bhaji sizzling in butter, the scent of spices – it’s a sensory celebration!

Ask for “extra butter” if you’re feeling indulgent.

Momos (Northeast India, Delhi)

Location: Sikkim, Delhi NCR, Darjeeling
Main Ingredients: Flour dumplings stuffed with vegetables or meat

Originally Tibetan, momos are now a must-try Indian snack in metro cities. Served steamed or fried, with a fiery red chutney, they’ve become a modern street favorite.

🌶️ The chutney is spicy — not for the faint-hearted!!!

Kathi Rolls (Kolkata)

Location: Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai
Main Ingredients: Paratha, grilled meat or paneer, onions, sauces

Invented in Kolkata, Kathi Rolls wrap juicy fillings inside flaky parathas. These portable delights are perfect when you’re on the go.

Vegetarian delight: Try the spicy paneer roll or aloo tikki roll.

Chole Bhature (Delhi, Punjab)

Location: Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, Amritsar
Main Ingredients: Spicy chickpeas, deep-fried bhature (fluffy bread)

For lovers of spicy Indian food, Chole Bhature is a rich and filling treat. Typically served for breakfast or lunch, this dish will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

It’s often served with raw onions, pickles, and even a glass of lassi!

Dabeli (Gujarat, Maharashtra)

Location: Kutch (Gujarat), Mumbai
Main Ingredients: Spicy potato mix, pav, pomegranate, and sev

This sweet-spicy snack looks like a burger but tastes like a burst of Indian flavors. Originating from Gujarat, Dabeli has gained fans across India.

The pomegranate seeds give it an unexpected juicy crunch.

Poha-Jalebi (Madhya Pradesh)

Location: Indore, Bhopal
Main Ingredients: Flattened rice with spices + crispy sweet jalebi

A strange but magical combo — soft, tangy poha served with sugary jalebi. It’s a famous breakfast in Indore and a must-experience if you love contrasts in food.

Don’t knock it till you try it!

Tunday Kababi (Lucknow)

Location: Lucknow
Main Ingredients: Melt-in-the-mouth mutton kebabs, soft parathas

For non-vegetarian food lovers, this is the crown jewel of Indian street food culture. Made with over 100 spices, the kebabs are so soft, you won’t need to chew!

Tunday Kababi was created for a Nawab who had weak teeth but loved meat!

Bhutta (Grilled Corn) (Pan-India)

Location: Monsoon streets across India
Main Ingredients: Corn on the cob, lemon, chilli powder, salt

Simple yet magical — roasted on open coals, rubbed with lemon and masala. This monsoon treat is a must-try Indian snack!

Tastes best when it’s raining!

Conclusion

Indian cuisine is known globally, but famous Indian street food is where you’ll find its soul. It’s bold, it’s colorful, and it tells stories of history, migration, and innovation. Whether you’re craving Indian vegetarian street food or fiery meat-based dishes, these flavors will leave you wanting more.

So, the next time you’re in India, forget the fancy restaurants — hit the streets, follow the crowd, and let your taste buds explore the true heart of Indian food culture!

So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to explore the mouth-watering world of Indian street food with Travanya! It’s time to treat your taste buds to a food journey you’ll never forget!

And guess what? If you’re dreaming of trying street food in other countries too, we’ve got your back! Our domestic and international tour packages are just a call away.

Dial +91 869-999-5345 and let Travanya turn your food trip into an unforgettable adventure!