Winter is the season of warmth. It is time you slow down and enjoy your life a little more. Winter is the best time to go on a food trip with your foodie friends or family. In this blog, we are going to explore the best food cities in India so you can plan your next culinary trip to uncover these amazing foodie travel destinations.
India is the country of cultures. With the variety of cultures, they offer a wide variety of cultural food experiences as well. Let’s dig into the best food experiences you can have while visiting the top 3 food cities in India, including Gujarat, Kerala, and Hyderabad. Each of these countries offers rich culture, iconic food, and mesmerising cultural experiences. You will get to enjoy everything from street food to delicious snacks and fancy dining. Keep reading to find out more.
The best time for a Kerala cuisine tour is January. The weather of Kerala is cool, less humid, and perfect for food exploration. The pleasant weather in January makes it easy to explore all areas and try a variety of foods.
You can enjoy the iconic dishes of Kerala, including seafood (Karimeen Pollichathu), Malabar biryani, coconut-rich dishes (Appam & Stew, Puttu & Kadala curry), and exclusive Kerala dishes like toddy (palm wine), which is served especially on banana leaves. And the best thing about the winter food trip in Kerala is that you can stroll freely in search of good food while visiting beaches, backwaters, without the fear of monsoon rains or uncontrollable sweating.
Gujarat is known for its flavorful and versatile cuisine. The mesmerising part of Gujarati cuisine is that it perfectly balances all six tastes (sweet, sour, astringent, salty, spicy, and bitter), a complexity you may not find anywhere else.
If you want the best cultural food experiences, don’t forget to try Gujarat street food, including dhokla, khandvi, thepla, fafda-jalebi, and undhiyu. A Gujarati thali is a must for anyone looking for traditional food: rice, pickles, chapati, and various vegetables on one plate.
Hyderabad is one of the best food cities in India. Food tourism in India is incomplete without a visit to Hyderabad for the best culinary experience. Hyderabad offers a variety of options for meat lovers, so if you are one, it should be your next stop.
January is the ideal time to visit Hyderabad. You can enjoy winter food festivals and explore flavorful eateries in pleasant, warm, and breezy weather. Visit food stalls for iconic dishes like biryani, kebabs, haleem, and Osmania biscuits.
Gujarat is famous for its sassy food, a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and a thriving street-vendor culture.
Hyderabad’s cuisine is a mix of Mughlai, Persian, and South Indian traditions, known for its spices and slow-cooked dishes.
Shadab Hotel and Nimrah Café in Old City (Charminar Area) – Shadab Hotel is famous for biryani and mutton dishes, and if you want to try Iranian chai and Osmania biscuit, go to Nimrah Café.
Alpha Hotel (Secunderabad) – Famous for Dum biryani and kebabs, but you can also try Hyderabadi biryani, haleem, mirchi ka salan and double ka meetha
The food here is influenced by the use of coconut, spices and fish, all used with your traditional cooking techniques.
Don’t forget to try these foods in Kerala: Kerala sadya, appam & stew, puttu & kadala curry, Malabar biryani, seafood curries
A few tips to make your trip go smoothly are:
Planning your next culinary trip to India? Enjoy the flavorful eateries on your next family food trip. You can also plan with your foodie friends, or take your foodie wife to a romantic, delicious, foodie honeymoon.
Travassa food tours have customised packages for each one of you. So, however and whoever you are planning to go with, partner with Travassa for the best travel packages in India.
“Neeti from Kathmandu says, ‘Travassa have been the best travel tour organiser. I couldn’t believe how budget-friendly and convenient they made my trip. It was the ultimate experience.’”
Q. Is January the right time to visit Gujarat, Kerala, and Hyderabad?
Yes, January is the best time to visit these places for food tours.
Q. Is street food safe to try in January?
Yes, mostly. Because cold weather prevents food spoilage.
Q. Are there food festivals in January?
Yes. Gujarat celebrates Uttarayan, Kerala has post-harvest food traditions, and Hyderabad frequently hosts winter and cultural festivals.
Q. What should I pack for a January food trip?
Stash light layers and hiking shoes in your suitcase along with hand sanitiser, basic meds and a refillable water bottle.
Gujarat, Kerala, and Hyderabad are three essential destinations for culinary adventures in India. For a truly unforgettable experience of India’s diverse food offerings at their finest, embark on this cross-country culinary journey with Travassa. In the cool winter weather, you can enjoy the festive street food of Gujarat and traditional thalis; Hyderabad’s renowned biryanis and royal flavours; as well as Kerala’s coconut-infused cuisine and fresh seafood. For a more engaging and organised experience, Travassa Food Tours offer opportunities to explore local flavours with guidance from locals, personalised food walks, and cultural insights.
