A foodie’s guide to Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Agashiye, The House of MG, Ahmedabad.

Gopi Dining Hall: With two locations in the city (Ashram Road, Satellite Road), the 44-year old family-run Gopi Dining Hall only serves Gujarati thali (morning, 15 items, Rs 425) and Kathiawadi thali (evening, 15 items, Rs 475).

Mirch Masala: One of the best places in Ahmedabad to eat north Indian fare, especially non-vegetarian food.

1944 The Hocco Kitchen: What started as a pop-up ice-cream handcart in 1944, has transformed into a network of 14 restaurants across India. Their kitchen features contemporary Indian cuisine clubbed with some continental delicacies with a modern twist. Try Chana Poori and Chana Masala, Paneer Tikka, Dum Biryani and sizzlers.

Vishalla: A Gujarati-themed restaurant with traditionally decorated mud huts where artisans demonstrate their skills.

Rajwadu: A Gujarati/Rajasthani-themed restaurant, dinner is served here between 7 and 11 pm (adult: Rs 1,024; children, 3-10 years, Rs 499). There are nearly 25 items in the thali and also has the day's selection of dishes. Rajasthani music/dance, puppet and magic show keep the guests (referred to as Hukam by the servers) entertained. Playing cards is strictly prohibited in Rajwadu.

Agashiyae: The rooftop restaurant of the House of MG, is known for its elaborate thali dinner that features vegetarian regional dishes of Gujarat. If you are not in the mood for an entire thali, The Green House is their coffee shop where you can munch on Gujarati snacks, sweets and hand-churned ice cream.

Tomato’s, The American Diner: Opened in 1994, it is styled as a '60s American diner. There’s a smiling Marilyn Monroe at the end of chequered flight of stairs, rock and roll memorabilia adorns the walls, juke box, bubble gum machines, neon clocks and Cadillac license plates. The hot favourites are nachos, Mexican Hot Pot, Garden Skillet, House Special Tangy Sour and Pepper Soup, Chimi Changa, Quesadilla, Stroganoff Baby Corn and the Oriental All Stir Fry.

Nini’s Kitchen: Reasonably priced and vegetarian, Nini’s Kitchen is known for paneer, roti and mushroom soup. Try blueberry cheesecakes, blueberry pie and pudding.

New Irani Restaurant: More than 60 years old, known for its breakfast.

Chandra Vilas: Opened in 1898, this restaurant introduced the first ‘Gujarati thali’ of Ahmedabad in 1901.

Project OTenga: Getting its name from Ou Tenga, the elephant apple that, along with other fruits, is used to make an Assamese sour dish called ‘Tenga’, Project Otenga is must-visit for Northeastern cuisine with its seasonally-inspired menu.

Kake Di Hatti: Serves Punjabi and North Indian food, Tandoori Pineapple, Kesari Kheer and Gosht Halwa are highly-recommended.

Revolving Restaurant: Perched 221ft above the ground, Patang (officially Neelkanth Patang) is the only revolving restaurant in the city. A vegetarian buffet restaurant, it serves Indian, Mexican and Chinese dishes. There is a garden restaurant on the ground floor.

Best in town:

Induben Khakrawala, Ahmedabad.

Vada pav: Bhawani Vada pao

Dabeli: Dabeli Karnawati

Paratha: Om Sai Parantha

Bhaji pav: Honest Bhaji Pao

Tibetan food: Amdo’s Kitchen

Dal vada: Ambika’s Dal Vada

Kulfi: Asharfi Kulfi

Samosa: Bera Samosa Centre

Ragda pattice: Arpit Ragda Patties

Maggi bhajiya: A1 Maggo Bhajiya

Jalebi fafda: Oswal’s Jalebi Fafda, ChandraVilas

Fafda, Jalebi and Khaman

Baraf gola: Nazarena Baraf Gola

Khakhra: Induben Khakhra

Khaman, dhokla, khandvi and other local snacks: Das Khaman

Khandvi

Non-vegetarian food: Baghdad Fry Centre (Chicken Amreen, Keema Chops, Cutlets, Kharode Soup)

Paan: Ashok Paan House

Moongdal sheera: Mohandhal

Peda: Das Pendha

Local ice cream brands: Shankar Ice cream. Apsara ice cream. Patel ice cream. Rajasthan ka ice cream (homemade).

Food Streets & what to eat there:

Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad

Manek Chowk: Methi Na Gota, Chocolate Sandwich, Sev Puri

Law Garden: Crispy Vadas, hot dhoklas, pav bhaji, Jasuben’s pizza

Bhatiyar Gali: A must-visit for non-vegetarians. Known for kebabs, Chaap Fry, Bheja Masala, Tava-Biryani.

HL College Road: Manchurian Frankie, Paneer Tikka Frankie, BBQ Frankie, Cheese masala Maggi.

Ahmedabad Street Food Park: Dosa, Ice Cream Sundae, Momos, Fafda, Khandvi

Municipal Market: Chole kulcha and ice cream

Food Truck Park: Samosa, Chole bhature, Chulha dosa, Bhaji pao.

Vintage Restaurants/Shops:

Swati Snacks, Ahmedabad.

Raipur Bhajiya House (Khokhra Circle, Ahbab Nagar): Popular for Gujarati snacks. Sells delicious bhajiyas, farali treats (on days of fasting) and a lot more.

Swati Snacks: Outlets in Law Garden and Ambli Road: Started in 1963 as a small shop selling homemade chaat and ice creams in Mumbai. The Ahmedabad outlet has panki chatni, satpadi roti with gatta nu shak, thalipith, dal bati, bajri/makai khichu, churmu, sukhdi, among several others.

Juna Share Bazar Chavanawala (L 12, Swastik Residency Plaza, Mahadev Nagar Society) is one of the oldest namkeen shops in Ahmedabad. Known for serving over 80 varieties of namkeen,

Rasranjan: One of the biggest sweets vendors of Ahmedabad, also famous for its chaat.

Gajanand Pauwa House: Go there in the morning for pauwa (masala tea) and dahi-bundi.

Multinational pizzerias: London Yard Pizza, La Pinno’s, La Milano, KS Charcoal.

Tea and Coffee:

Lucky Tea Stall, Ahmedbad

Lucky Tea Stall (Mirzapur Road): It might sound spooky but this hugely popular tea joint is built over a graveyard (12 graves and a tree). One of the oldest tea favourites in the city, Lucky Tea Stall had humble beginnings on a handcart but is now known for its tea and masks bun combo.

Fresh Roast in Welcomheritage Mani Mansion: This heritage mansion built in 1923 houses a charming garden café called Fresh Roast that is most known for afternoon tea, coffee & snacks.

Java+ in Courtyard by Marriott: The coffee is seriously good here. Known for single origin coffee, smoothies, and estate teas.

Kulhad chai

Chai Shop in Hyatt Regency: An upscale tea lounge, Chai Shop serves delightful Gujarati snacks with a variety of teas from Darjeeling, as well as regular kadak chai and kulhad chai.