This post is about the foodie delights of Amritsar. Amritsar, apart from being the home of the revered Golden Temple, is also an absolute heaven when it comes to Punjabi cuisine. I recently had the good fortune of spending a day and a half here with my parents. While the primary aim of the trip was a visit to the Temple, the side attractions of various food outlets that we tried out were equally enticing!
So here's a quick run-down of the places I tried out (too many on the list were left out due to paucity of time and inability of the system to handle so much food):
Gian Chand Lassi
Delicious lassi served in metal tumblers, topped off with butter and cream. People struggle to finish one serving, and once done, you are sorted hunger-wise for hours together. They also have something called "pede waali lassi" where they add bits of sweet pedas to the lassi! Located near the Temple in the narrow market lanes.
Bharawan da Dhaba
The place to have a vegetarian meal in Amritsar. While my parents raved over the dal and bharta and the crisp tandoori rotis, I went straight for the one thing I wanted here - the onion kulcha thali! The kulchas were hot, crisp, nicely stuffed and accompanied by some very delicious chholey. While most people head to the outlet near the Golden Temple, we went to the newer branch at Ranjit Avenue. Comfortable seating, good ambience, decent service. My dad still remembers this meal fondly!
Kanha Sweets
The Sunday brunch here is legendary - a fixed menu of pooris, potato curry and chholey. The potato curry is like nothing you would ever have tasted before - tangy and sweet-spicy. It's a challenge to stop at two pooris, and you will definitely ask for refills of potato curry as well as chholey. Don't go here for ambience, there's none - just focus on the amazing food! The sweet shop outside also sells a variety of traditional mithai (sweets), of which the most famous seemed to be the pinnis. After having eaten one, I could see why.
Prasaad at the Temple
While the Gurudwara visit was obviously not food-centric at all, I cannot help but mention the kara prasaad here. It's one of the best suji halwas you will ever have, and even though we were not able to join the Langar, I am glad I could have this famous prasaad and be blessed.
Lubhaya Ram
Different from the Ram Lubhaya shop, this is a small kiosk under a tree near the Girls' College on Lawrence Road. We tried out a range of delicious aam papad, choorans and interesting mouth fresheners before settling on a few to buy. Worth a visit if you're there. Chef Vikas Khanna's list of food recos for Amritsar includes this little cart.
I realise the list is way too short given the scores (hundreds?) of amazing food joints in Amritsar. Unfortunately we barely had 24 hours, and of course being vegetarian means that I did not try any of the fish and meat dishes that I've heard people rave about. A second visit (soon, I hope) would be needed in order to scratch the surface further.
What are your favourite places to eat in Amritsar?
Getting there
Most airlines now fly to Amritsar; there are also multiple convenient Shatabdi trains at different times of the day.
Stay
We stayed on Ranjit Avenue - good restaurants around, calm and quiet, and only a short Ola ride away from the bustle of the old town. If you would prefer to stay closer to the Golden Temple, you could opt for any of the hotels in the older part of town