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Situated on the banks of the iconic Sabarmati River, Gandhinagar holds a prestigious position in the state of Gujarat. Popularly considered the state capital, the city is a tourist hub, being the home of the famed Akshardham Temple as well as the Dandi Kutir Museum that explores the life of the legendary Mahatma Gandhi. The city’s cultural heritage is further enriched by its wholesome culinary delicacies, which include juicy keri no ras and hearty muthiya.
Like other Gujarati cities, the cuisine of Gandhinagar, too, is characterised by authentic vegetarian thalis that typically comprise a variety of dals, flatbreads, pickles, and sweet treats. The thali at the Agashiye Restaurant is generally considered a favourite among food enthusiasts.
Beyond these aforementioned specialties, the cuisine of Gandhinagar is notable for being predominantly vegetarian, making use of local produce and using traditional cooking methods. It tends to be rich in foods such as lentils, vegetables, and spices.
Check out the top 7 local delicacies of Gandhinagar.
Kadhi
Image Credits: By Srivatsava Sabniveesu - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
Kadhi is a mouthwatering gravy-based dish, the hero ingredient of which is yoghurt or curd. Identified by its distinctive white colour, the dish is flavoured and seasoned with a host of ingredients, including mustard seeds, cumin and curry leaves, which ensure that the specialty is packed with flavour. This dish is usually served as a part of the traditional Gujarati thali; it can also be ordered individually and savoured with rice, flatbreads, or by itself.
Recommendations: Shree Radhe Thal
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200–₹400, approx.
Bharela Bhinda
Image Credits: Freepik
Also known as “Bharwa Bhindi” and “Bharela Bhinda nu Shaak,” bharela bhinda is a dish that is treasured across most Gujarati households. This crunchy and succulent specialty is prepared by stuffing okra with several appetising ingredients, including spices, nuts, sesame seeds and gram flour, and cooking the concoction in a skillet. The dish wonderfully balances the contrasting crispy and chewy textures of the okra, helping craft a satisfying and indulgent meal.
Recommendations: Jay Jalaram
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200, approx.
Dal Dhokli
An authentic Gujarati one-pot meal preparation, dal dhokli is regarded as a classic comfort food. The finger-licking dish is typically composed of wheat flour dumplings that have been doused in a tempting and aromatic lentil curry. Dal dhokli is a fulfilling meal in itself; it can also be consumed alongside a helping of plain rice, kachumbar, pickles, and roasted papads to infuse the food with punchy and crispy flavours.
Recommendations: Haalo Kathiyawad Family Restaurant
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹600, approx.
Fafda-Jalebi
Image Credits: Freepik
Fafda-jalebi is a revered “farsan” snack across Gujarat, and specifically, Gandhinagar. Fafda are flaky sticks that are made from frying gram flour, whereas jalebis are spiral-shaped melt-in-the-mouth delicacies that have been drenched in a sweet syrup. Together, these foods form an impressive medley of contrasting sweet and savoury flavours and textures, resulting in the creation of an explosive dish that is typically enjoyed as breakfast or as an evening snack.
Recommendations: New Saurashtra Farsan Corner
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹100, approx.
Muthiya
Image Credits: Freepik
Muthiyas are crispy and flaky melt-in-the-mouth treats that are popularly relished as breakfast or evening snacks throughout Gujarat. Resembling dumplings, these bite-sized specialties are crafted from gram flour and fenugreek leaves; the muthiya batter also comprises spices, such as sesame seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, pepper, curry leaves, and red chillies. Muthiyas can be savoured, fried or steamed, with the latter making for a tasty as well as a healthy snack.
Recommendations: Shree Marutinandan Kathiyawadi Restaurant
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200, approx.
Gujarati Samosa
Image Credits: Freepik
The samosa is one of the most famous snack offerings throughout India, with every region having its own spin on this classic food. The Gandhinagar special samosa comes with a delightfully spicy potato and green pea filling. The hard exterior of the samosa crust creates a symphony of textures with the soft filling, helping craft a pleasurable eating experience. This dish is usually served with a robust green chutney and is typically consumed with evening tea.
Recommendations: Pooja Parlour & Fast Food Centre
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200, approx.
Keri No Ras
Image Credits: By Rutvi Mistry - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
Any list of the top Gujju specialties would be incomplete without a sweet dish or two. One dessert that is beloved in Gandhinagar is keri no ras. Prepared using mango pulp, there are two varieties of this rich concoction—the sweet version created using yellow mangoes and the tangy version prepared from sour mango. Both of these variations are equally delicious; this summertime specialty can be enjoyed as a side dish to a main course or as a dessert.
Recommendations: Quality Ras Corner
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹100, approx.
