Lassi, a yogurt drink topped with fruits and spices, is hugely popular in the Northern side of India, and Varanasi has the atmospheric Blue Lassi Shop to boast an exclusive shop. Painted in blazing blue, the small outlet is on the narrow alley leading to the mighty Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The small seating area has a nice display of photographs. Served in earthen pots, the drink is a must-try while in India; look no further than this blue laden charmer to try it out.
Kashi Chat Bhandar is one of the famous fast food restaurants serving snacks and Chats. Some of the items they serve are Dahi Bhalla, Aloo Tikki, Paani Puri, Papri Chat, Mixed Chat and Dahi Masala Chat. In their sweet menu, Rabri Jalebi is the best. It has a typical Banarasi taste. The place is very small but is well maintained and clean. The prices are kept as low as possible so you can come here often with a gang of friends and enjoy munching some tasty snacks.
Perched on the rooftop of Kautilya Society, Filocafe is a neighborhood bistro frequented by the society's residents. The breezy terrace coffee shop offers an exciting selection of hot and cold beverages, frappes and light bites. Apart from the delicious espressos and cappuccinos, it also serves up about 45 different kinds of teas.
The Bread of Life Bakery is undeniably a haven for home-sick Western tourists who crave their hearty breakfasts consisting muffins, warm pancakes with syrup, steaming hot chocolate, croissants and fresh omelets. Not just this, Chinese dishes are also served at this relaxed cafe where one can lounge around writing postcards or letters for hours on end. An art gallery and silk shop upstairs stocks some interesting things that can be taken home as souvenirs. A good idea would be to drop in after a sunrise boat ride. Only cash accepted.
Kerala Cafe in the heart of the sacred city serves up delectable South Indian grub in a relaxed setting. The no-frills eatery offers an exciting menu featuring South Indian standards like lemon rice, masala dosa, filter coffee and other classics. Hop in for a typical Kerala-style feast and enjoy the generous portions and friendly service.
Found a few steps away from Anand Mandir Road, Baati Chokha welcomes food connoisseurs to relish delectable local cuisine in a rustic setting. Handicraft accents, clay pots and white mud walls create an earthy atmosphere to savor the holy city's traditional grub. The cooks rely on age-old, secret recipes to doll out some toothsome local eats like the baati chokha, choorma and Banarasi kheer.
Found a few steps away from Anand Mandir Road, Baati Chokha welcomes food connoisseurs to relish delectable local cuisine in a rustic setting. Handicraft accents, clay pots and white mud walls create an earthy atmosphere to savor the holy city's traditional grub. The cooks rely on age-old, secret recipes to doll out some toothsome local eats like the baati chokha, choorma and Banarasi kheer.
Located a few minutes away from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Raj Bandhu Sweet Shop is buzzing with activity during all times of the day. Selling the choicest sweetmeats in town at fixed rates, you can even sample a few of the usual suspects such as gulab jamun, jalebi, motichur laddoo and others. Spicy deep-fried snacks that Indians consume at tea time are also on offer. This shop is hard to miss because of the line of policemen who sit right by the entrance to guard the little streets leading up to the temple.
Jyoti Cafe is a neighborhood spot to relish authentic local cuisine preparations in a no-frills setting. The friendly owners are quite welcoming of their guests, which usually comprise foreign tourists and locals alike. Stop in for a hearty breakfast of mueseli curd honey, cornflakes or the wholesome porridge, even as you get to choose from a wide selection of lunch and dinner options like aromatic curries, rice dishes, noodles and chopsuey.
Located at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple area, Shanti Cafe offers a refreshing change from the South Indian cuisine which is usually found in the area with some exotic Japanese delicacies along with a couple of Korean dishes. The restaurant's menu consists of delicacies like Miso Soup with Pork, Kimchi Cold Soba and Pork Curry which is a far cry from the vegetarian food found in the area. A range of traditional Indian beverages like masala chai and lassi are served alongside Japanese teas and coffee to provide some variety. Although the decor is minimal, the food alone is quite a draw for tourists.
Tucked away in the by-lanes of Varanasi's Old City lies the Vishnu Tea Emporium whose hand-painted signs are seen on almost every wall of the ghats area and its alleys. Young Vishnu who speaks a smattering of French proudly discusses how he explains the tea-making process to French tourists in their own language. Home-made spices and coffees are up for sale, while those wanting to sample a hot tea before buying it can do so too.
Lassi, a yogurt drink topped with fruits and spices, is hugely popular in the Northern side of India, and Varanasi has the atmospheric Blue Lassi Shop to boast an exclusive shop. Painted in blazing blue, the small outlet is on the narrow alley leading to the mighty Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The small seating area has a nice display of photographs. Served in earthen pots, the drink is a must-try while in India; look no further than this blue laden charmer to try it out.