Aurangabad India – Best Places to Eat and Dishes to Try

Aurangabad’s culinary scene is a nod to its Mughalai history; many local dishes are made with recipes handed down over the centuries and are spicy, rich and fit for royalty.

Signature dishes in Aurangabad

Aurangabad cuisine carries forward the Mughal tradition of slow-cooking dishes (often over several hours). As well as Mughal influences, the cuisine also combines the Hyderabadi approach to cooking, which relies on heavy garnishing both to elevate flavour and visual appeal. Since Aurangabad is within Maharashtra, it also borrows some techniques and dishes from Maharashtra cooking including using powdered spices to deeply flavour meats and vegetables.

The Mughal kings loved their meats and so non-vegetarian dishes are especially popular across the city. The most iconic Aurangabadi dish is probably Naan Qalia, which pairs slow cooked, delicately spiced, coconut based meat curry with turmeric-brushed naans (flat-bread). Also popular is tahri, similar to pulao or biryani, which tosses spices, red meat and boiled potatoes with white rice.

Vegetarians visiting Aurangabad need not worry; you won’t starve! India has a large vegetarian population and every cuisine has at least a few dishes to appeal to vegetarians. In Aurangabad, dal tadka is one such dish, which is made by tempering lentils with ghee (Indian clarified butter) and spices. One can also look out for thalipeeth, which is a delicious Maharashtrian style pancake made with ground grains and vegetables. Most restaurants and street stalls serve vegetable curries made with seasonal vegetables.

Both non-vegetarian and vegetarian curries are often had with sheermal, a flatbread infused with saffron and ghee.

Traditional desserts in Aurangabad are as rich (both in taste and in history) as the main courses; they’re made with milk, sugar and dry fruits. Particular favourites are jalebis and imarti, deep fried flour pancakes coated in sugar syrup and falooda, a liquid based dessert made with sweet rose syrup, milk and sago pearls. They’re particularly tempting on hot, sweaty days, which travellers see a lot of in Aurangabad!

Street food

Across the world, arguably the best places to sample local food is at street stalls and local markets. In Aurangabad, the destination to put on your map is Buddi Galli, on the outskirts of city in a district called Naralibag.

Buddi Galli is a long, winding road of street stalls that day by day dish up servings of delicious, cheap food. As well as the local dishes outlined earlier, one will find a host of other must try dishes. Be sure to try Aurangabad Cantukky, deep fried chicken with a crispy skin delicately flavoured with Indian spices. One should also sample the tikki kebabs (tiny delights made with beef and potatoes) and the fried rice. Haleem, a slow cooked tender meat stew with wheat and barley is also sumptuous. Finish with mawa jalebis for dessert.

For the quality of food and the quantity you get, Buddi Galli is staggeringly cheap; a full meal will cost between INR100-200. However, be sure to make sure the food is made hot in front of you; at times, it sits out for a whole day which can be unhygienic.

Another foodie street experience worth a visit is the organic food market, which is held at the Shree Mangal Karyalaya, near Aurangabad’s Kranti Chowk. Pick up teas, honey and dried fruits at the market; the dry fruits are energy packed and helpful when you’re spending the day touring. As organic food is typically expensive, expect to spend up to INR500 at this market.

Local restaurants

If you’re not comfortable with the idea of street food or have a sensitive stomach, but still want to sample the wonderful local cuisine, there are a few sit down restaurants you can head to.

Sagar Restaurant on Buddi Lane is an iconic establishment, renowned for its naan qalia and biryani. Prices are reasonable; one will spend around INR500 for a full meal for one person. New Maratha Hotel in Gulmandi is also a great destination for non-vegetarian fare, particularly its mutton curries and mutton biryani. However, most of its dishes are quite spicy, so go prepared!

For vegetarian dining, head to Bhoj Thali Restaurant on CBS Road which serves huge thalis, a type of Indian meal with several types of curries, pickles, desserts, rice and flatbreads all served on one massive steel plate.

For dessert, visit Uttam Sweets, on Aurangapura Road. Its jalebis and imarti are fried hot in front of you, are dripping with sugar and simply divine!

Western and international food

Aurangabad has a few western and international dining options, but they tend to be much more expensive than local restaurants. While some smaller restaurants will have a few international dishes on their menu, the dishes tend not to taste too good; it’s better to stick to more reputed, upscale restaurants.

Latitude, for instance at Vivanta by Taj on Jalna Road is a multi-cuisine restaurant which promises delicious food and excellent service. Try the grilled Norwegian salmon, the pasta and the creamy risotto. A meal for two, without alcohol will be approximately INR2000.

Society at the Ambassador Ajanta is another fine dining restaurant which serves delicious multi-cuisine fare. Try the spaghetti Bolognese and the steak. A meal here is approximately INR1500 for two.

A stand-alone international restaurant, popular amongst locals is Kream N Krunch on Jalna Road which has an eclectic menu featuring pasta, tacos and lasagne. We particularly loved the fact that it has live music. A meal here is approximately INR1000 for two.

Another popular restaurant, especially for Italian dishes is Madhuban Garden Restaurant in Chikalthala which dishes out pizzas, pasta as well as kebabs and tandoori dishes. The ambience at this restaurant elevates the experience; guests dine outdoors under canopied seating.

Cafe and coffee houses

After a long day exploring the caves, monuments and markets in Aurangabad, one may find that they’re not up for a sit-down meal but instead just want a quick snack and a coffee. Look for outlets of Cafe Coffee Day at Jalna Road and Nirala Bazaar to relax and unwind. Cafe Coffee Days are one of India’s most popular coffee shops and one can pick up a large cup of coffee and a sandwich or pastry for under INR300.

A local Aurangabad coffee shop that we stumbled upon was Sugardough Bakery Café in Nirala Bazaar. It’s an intimate warm café which makes delicious frappes, waffles and cakes; try the black forest cake which is moist and velvety.

Bars and drinking venues

Aurangabad does not have many bars and pubs that tourists frequent, possibly because it has so many sites of religious significance. However, a few of the top tier hotels in the city have attached bars, some of which are relaxed places to grab a drink or two.

Head to Slounge at the Lemon Tree Hotel which has an extensive bar, a pool table, a carom board and a great music system. A few rounds of drinks will set you back around INR2000. We loved the laid back ambience and the unique cocktails that bartender whipped up at the wet bar.

The Tandoor Restaurant and Bar on the Station Road is a lot less upscale than Slounge, but still makes for a pleasant bar experience. Pair your drinks with the deliciously creamy butter chicken, tandoori chicken and papad (a thin, wafer like bread topped with onions and chillies). A few drinks and the light bites will cost between INR500-800.