Formerly known as Mewar, Udaipur is famous for its stunning lakes, colourful sunsets, traditions, and maintaining a culture of the years gone by. And of course food. It’s become a favourite location for destination weddings, and because of its rich history Udaipur is usually buzzing with tourists. The city’s history features royalty and along with that sumptuous cuisine. Food is a huge part of the city’s past and present. Udaipur’s traditional Rajasthani cuisine is best known through its thali (a set meal usually consisting of rice, breads, vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and a dessert) and recipes that have been passed down generations. Authentic dishes like dal bati churma (cooked lentils with wheat rolls) and lal maas (spicy mutton curry) are popular and loved by all. The cuisine tends to lean towards vegetarian dishes, but also has non-vegetarian delicacies inherited from the Rajputs. With travel and tourism on the rise, many other cuisines, including continental ones have crept into Udaipur. The best restaurants in Udaipur include a variety of authentic Rajasthani cuisine, cafés, dhabas (traditional roadside food stalls), and more.
Also read: Udaipur Is Not The Picture-Perfect Destination Social Media Has Made You Believe It To Be
The Best Restaurants In Udaipur
1. Al Fresco Dining: Ambrai Of Amet Haveli
Situated at the heritage hotel of Amet Haveli, Ambrai Restaurant is where you can dine while looking over Pichola Lake. One of the best restaurants in Udaipur, Ambrai Restaurant offers delicious food from various cuisines in a picturesque location, and is the best place for a relaxing evening. The restaurant also offers a view of aesthetic examples of architecture like Jag Mandir, Lake Palace, and Jagdish Temple. The restaurant has a relaxed ambience, and it is accompanied by a bar. It is one of Udaipur’s restaurants that is famous for its non-vegetarian delicacies.
2. Astounding Views And Interiors: Upré By 1559 AD
Upré takes rooftop dining to another level. The private terrace space in the restaurant offers breathtaking views of the City Palace and Lake Pichola, making it one of the best restaurants in Udaipur. In the mornings you can bask in the sunlight, while the evenings bring in in the charm of a warm glow of lanterns. The interiors are intimate and comfortable. The restaurant serves Rajasthani and international cuisines. One of the recommended dishes is laal maas.
3. Health All-Around: Millets Of Mewar
If you want to indulge on a gastronomic tour and want to keep it organic and healthy, then Millets of Mewar is your destination. It is among the first healthy and organic restaurants in Udaipur. It opened in 2011, and offers an alternative way of eating food with locally procured organic ingredients. The restaurant attracts local and foreign customers with their vegan, organic, and gluten-free options. The restaurant was started by Anoop Poonia, a climate activist, and his friends, to start a sustainable and responsible farm-to-table restaurant. One of the best places to eat in Udaipur, the restaurant serves different dishes like tikki (cutlets) and tacos with a healthy twist. Millets of Mewar is one of the restaurants in Udaipur that despite adding healthy infusions to their food, doesn’t shy away from local dishes like gatte ki subji (steamed gram flour dumplings or roundels cooked in spicy gravy) and besan kadhi (gram flour curry).
4. Off The Grill: Charcoal By Carlsson
Among the best restaurants in Udaipur, Charcoal By Carlsson offers a bit of barbecued flavour and a new addition to your palate. The restaurant’s tandoors also have vegan options along with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. They mainly offer Mexican food but also have Indian cuisine. The restaurant is located in Hotel Pratap Bhawan. They also offer gluten and peanut-free options from their barbecues and Indian dishes. Some of the dishes they pride themselves on include bruschettas, chicken quesadillas, paneer chipotle tikka with coleslaw and salsa. They also have all-time favourite Rajasthani special dishes like ker sangri (sweet and spicy dish made with dried ker and sangri beans). Their coal grilled dishes have flavours from around the world, whereas their tandoori dishes have fused Indian cooking methods with foreign flavours.
5. A Laidback Hangout Place: Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar And Bakery
One of the cafés in Udaipur, Jheel, which means lake, is set against the backdrop of Lake Pichola. It’s located near Gangaur Ghat Marg and offers a cosy place to relax and unwind. With cold coffees and pizzas, the café offers a little bit of a cosmopolitan vibe, along with comfort food. After a whole day of travelling, you can sit back and relax at this intimate rooftop café.
6. From Royal Dining Tables: Royal Repast
As the name suggests, the connection of this restaurant with royalty has firm foundations. The Bedla family, that owns the restaurant, has been cooking for erstwhile royalty and celebrities for many years. The interiors and the food make it one of the best restaurants in Udaipur. The restaurant has bright interiors that pop. Their signature dishes include murg dahi bootha (spicy yogurt chicken) and mitti ki handi (curries cooked in clay pot) that are light and spiced well.
7. Fusion Of World Flavours: Udaipuri Restaurant
Find flavours from all over the world under one roof. Udaipuri Restaurant is a fusion eatery that offers Indian, Oriental, and Mediterranean cuisines. It is a completely vegetarian restaurant and is located in the heart of the city. Started by renowned Chef Vimal Dhar, the restaurant wants to introduce creativity and novelty to their food. They specialise in typical Rajasthani thalis as well as Asian food like asian greens with black bean sauce.
8. Dishes From The Deeper Regions Of Rajasthan: Tribute
The restaurant pays a tribute to Chetak, the iconic horse of legendary 16th-century ruler Maharana Pratap and hence the name ‘Tribute’. Following the theme, the restaurant is filled with statues of horses, and the interiors are decorated with horses integrated in the design and patterns. It is one of the best places to eat in Udaipur as it has a beautiful view of the Rang Sagar Islands and Fateh Sagar Lake. The restaurant serves both famous and lesser-known Rajasthani curries and bread, continental, and north Indian food.
9. From The Highways Or Cities: Dhabology
Dhabology offers both outdoor seating under the stars as well as cosy indoor dining. The restaurant has gluten-free and vegan dishes to accommodate different dietary habits too. It imbibes a true dhaba vibe with delicious Rajasthani dishes. The colourful interiors suggest a fun and relaxed atmosphere. As one of the best restaurants in Udaipur it offers food that is affordable and is infused with great Indian flavours.
10. From Indian Homes: Gordhan Thal
Don’t be fooled by its modest dining area. Gordhan Thal serves delicious thalis that are so authentic that they might as well be homemade food. Their Gujarati and Rajasthani thalis have at least 12 dishes including starters, main courses, desserts, and multiple sides. You might have to wait for some time if you visit the restaurant during rush hour, but the wait is well worth it.
Authentic Rajasthani Food And More
Food is a large part of Udaipur’s culture and heritage. There is tremendous variety in its offerings— high-end Rajasthani restaurants like Chandni at Oberoi Udaivilas, breakfast joints like Jain Nashta Centre, and dessert destinations like Vasudev Doodh Bhandar. Street food in Udaipur is a must-try with spicy mirchi vada (chilli fritters), kachoris (puris stuffed with potatoes and lentils), samosa and more. With a steady influx of tourists there are a lot of cafés and restaurants in Udaipur that you must try.
