Top 12 Foods You Must-Try When in Amritsar, India

Written by Ishani Roy.

Good food can set your day right and while thinking about a land full of people where the joy of food is celebrated to its core, your thoughts will always bring you to Amritsar, Punjab. 

While in school you must have just known that in Amritsar is located the Golden Temple, the most important spiritual site of Sikhism. But when you actually travel to Amritsar or start thinking about it you will come across the second biggest wealth of this city, its cuisine. Amritsar is the culinary capital of India and therefore get ready to come across one of the most amazing food experiences you will ever have. 

Among all the foods that drool the palates of the eateries in Amritsar, here is a list of the top foods that you must try while travelling to Amritsar. 

1. Amritsari Kulcha

A local variation of naan, whenever anyone thinks about Kulcha the city of Amritsar comes into their mind. A famous sought after and must-try breakfast option in Amritsar and in the whole of North India is Kulcha, a prominent and proud member of the Punjabi cuisine. 

There are many variants of Kulcha like Aloo Kulcha, Masala Kulcha and Paneer Kulcha which are served with chole/chana which is made of chickpeas along with a savoury chutney made from tamarind and onion. Kulcha is a favourite for its spicy and crisp texture and when layered with fresh produce of butter sets the tone of the day in the right direction. 

Here are the top 4 places which are famous for making amazing Kulchas in Amritsar,

• Bhai Kulwant Singh Kulchian Wale
• Geela Kulcha – Pappi Di Hatti
• All India Famous Amritsari Kulcha
• Kulcha Land

2. Dal Makhani

The pride and delight non-vegetarian have over Butter Chicken is shared by vegetarians through Dal Makhani. Dal Makhani might sound like a simple dish made from lentil, has a profound history and legacy. 

It is often said that Dal Makhani and Butter Chicken, two of the most savoured dishes in the Punjabi cuisine, was curated by one single person named Kundan Lal Gujral who was the founder of Moti Mahal chain of restaurants. Though Dal Makhani initially used to be made in the Western Part of Punjab which is now in Pakistan by the Peshawaris, this man revolutionised the humble dish and is the sole proprietor of the fact that Dal Makhani is now a well-known delicacy all over the globe. 

There are many Dhabas in Amritsar which are known for its amazing Punjabi cuisine.

The following Dhabas are the places where you should definitely try out Dal Makhani and other dishes as well,

• Kesar Da Dhaba
• Bharawan Da Dhaba
• Makhan Fish and Chicken Corner
• Beera Chicken House

3. Sarson Da Saag & Makki Di Roti

This is not just a traditional dish of Punjab but also a seasonal dish and is best available during the winter season. This wholesome meal when consumed along with white butter or ghee, jaggery or honey provides all the essential nutrients the body requires during the winters. 

If you are wondering what do the words of the dish mean and what the dish actually comprises, then let me tell you that Sarso means Mustard, Saag means lentils and Makki means corn, therefore its a corn flatbread and a lentil (mustard leaves) meal. 

Sarson Da Saag & Makki Di Roti remains available in most of the above-mentioned restaurants and Dhabas but specifically, Bharawan da Dhaba is most famous and recommended for this winter delicacy.

4. Lassi

Going to Amritsar and not indulging in Lassi is quite similar to visiting Santorini, Greece and not tasting wine. This yoghurt drink which originated in the lands of Punjab is filled with lots of love, good bacteria, malai and a lot of sugar is the most wanted refreshing drink during the hot summers not only in Amritsar but all across India. 

Lassi is also considered to be an ancient smoothie and the first yoghurt smoothie in the world. Apart from the refreshing elements of the drink, Lassi is filled with Ayurvedic healing properties and provides a cooling and calming effect on the mind and body. 

Here are the top 5 recommended places in Amritsar where you will get to taste the best made Lassi,

• Ahuja Milk Bhandar
• Gian Chand Lassi
• New Munim Di Hatti
• Bharawan Da Dhaba
• Surjan Singh Milk Bhandar

5. Guru Ka Langar & Kada Prasad

One of the major reasons for travellers visiting Amritsar is to visit The Golden Temple, the holiest place of the Sikh religion. Guru Ka Langar at The Golden Temple is a massive community feast prepared in the kitchen of the temple and feeds around 40,000 people every day. Here everyone comes together to sit down and share food. 

It doesn’t matter whether you are a billionaire or a beggar, everyone is treated equally in the premises of The Golden Temple and also served equally by volunteers with equal respect. To sit at the Langar amidst people from different communities and walks of life along with the feeling that every human soul in this world is equal is a major experience to have in a lifetime. 

The food served here is free of cost, simple and the most satisfying. It contains an unlimited serving of dal, roti and rice. Kada Prasad is the temple prasad served after devotees have visited the temple and it tastes so mouth-watering that it is ensured that you will keep coming back for more. 

6. Kulfa

Amritsar, the land of foodies, has an amazing alternative to ice creams in the form of delicate and rich Kulfas. Kulfa is made with phirni, layered with badam pista kulfi and then topped with faluda, rabri, crushed ice, gun katira and then strewn with the mild essence of syrup and kewra also known as rooh kewra or rose water. 

The most recommended place to have Kulfa in Amritsar is at A-One Kulfa located at Queens Road, Crystal Chowk, INA Colony.

7. Amritsari Fish

Though Punjabi cuisine is known for its eminent variety of savoury Chicken dishes, Punjab geographically is the land of five rivers and therefore the abundance of high-quality freshwater fish mixed with the culinary talents of the people of this state has resulted in a dish made of fish which is as good as the other delicacies. 

Amritsari Fish, locally known as Amritsari Macchi is a snack made out of gram flour batter and is served with a mouth-watering chutney made from mint and coriander. The secret ingredients that mark this dish as one of the best are carom seeds (ajwain), gram flour (besan) and the use of either singhara or sole fish. While the dish might look similar to Fish Pakoda, in reality, it is not so. Fish Pakoda and Amritsari Fish are not the same and the difference lies in their recipes.  

Here are the top 4 places which are famous for making amazing Amritsari Macchi in Amritsar,

• Makhan Chicken Corner, Lawrence Road, Amritsar
• Bubby Fish & Chicken Corner
• Beera Chicken House
• Amar Fish

8. Butter Chicken

This dish of flavoursome pieces of chicken dipped in a soulful curry of butter, cream and other ingredients has come a long way and definitely is here to stay in the culinary palates all across the globe. Butter Chicken was an experimental making of Kundan Lal Gujral who hit the masterstroke by fitting right the taste of tangy tomatoes and other dairy elements along with crispy chicken pieces. 

Butter Chicken has complimented many other famous delicacies like biriyani, naan bread and forms of rice dishes. 

Here are the top 4 places which are famous for making amazing Amritsari Macchi in Amritsar,

• Kesar Da Dhaba
• Bukhaaraa
• Sakhi’s Watz Kukin
• Crystal Restaurant Plaza

9. Tandoori Chicken

The word “Tandoori” is derived from a Persian word “tannur” which means fire and thus Tandoori Chicken is a dish consisting of moderate-sized pieces of chicken marinated in yoghurt, seasoned with the tandoori masala and other ingredients and then the chicken is cooked in a tandoor by placing it on skewers. 

Punjab is a state which offers all varieties of dishes from spicy to sweet, and Amritsar has some of the best spots in India to try out Tandoori Chicken. 

Some of the most well-reviewed places in Amritsar to gorge on Tandoori Chicken are

• Beera Chicken House 
• Surjit Food Plaza 
• Makhan Chicken and Fish Corner

10. Nutri Kulcha

Unlike other forms of Kulchas in Amritsar, Nutri Kulcha has a different fan base in the city due to its nutrilicious taste and nutrients that is gulped down after having a platter full of Nutri Kulcha which is a dish made up of soft soya chunks and flatbreads. While visiting Amritsar do take a dig into this amazing local street food and is recommended to have it as a breakfast option. 

Here are some places where you can try out Nutri Kulcha,

• Jaan Nutri Kulcha
• Sabri Bhatura Shop
• Ashok Nutri kulcha near DAV College

11. Gajar Ka Halwa

Sweetness is in every corner of the city and is more found in its desserts. The variety of desserts available in Amritsar can make anyone feel like a happy child. Gajar Ka Halwa is one of the best sought after desserts amidst this whole world of sweetness which is a carrot-based dessert made from grated carrots, milk, ghee and sugar. 

Gajar Ka Halwa is available in almost all the sweet shops in Amritsar and therefore becomes quite difficult to choose the best among them. This is a dessert which almost has a ubiquitous presence in almost all the major occasions and festivals in North India.

Among all the most recommended eatery would be at Novelty Sweets, Lawrence Road, Amritsar.

12. Besan Ladoo and Pinni

Pinni is a classic traditional dessert in Amritsar made from desi ghee, jaggery, almonds, wheat flour and loads of love. It is considered to be a perfect winter dessert which is both healthy and nutritious. Pinni has a lot of varieties out of which Atte ki Pinni is considered to be the most common one. Pure desi ghee which is an essential element of Pinni is used to keep the body warm from within during cold winter months.

Another popular dessert is the Besan Laddo which does not fail to lure any individual. This mouth watering desert is made especially during festivals and consists of gram flour, ghee, cardamom and sugar.

For both the desserts we would recommend two famous sweet shops in Amritsar Bansal Sweets and Kanha Sweets.

Although there are many more amazing food choices in Amritsar, each of which are equally delectable, these top 12 foods remain unmissable and any traveller must try them to get the ultimate food experience from the culinary capital of India.

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Ishani Roy is the Marketing Head at The Strong Traveller. Dr Instagram, she is a lifestyle and wellbeing writer, an avid reader, fond of minimalism and an ardent supporter of leading a sustainable lifestyle. Being a fitness enthusiast, she loves to work out when she’s not working. Apart from that, she also loves to check out delicious recipes from the internet while waiting for the perfect day to try that out by herself!

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