Top 15 Budget-Friendly
Foodie Destinations in India
Where Great Food Meets Affordable
Stays!
India is a paradise for food lovers and
budget travelers alike. From spicy street eats to pocket-friendly hotels, these
15 destinations offer a fulfilling experience without burning a hole in your
pocket. Whether you're a solo backpacker, a foodie couple, or a travel-loving
family, these places will leave you full — in both your heart and your stomach!
1.
Amritsar, Punjab
The holy city of Amritsar isn’t just
about the Golden Temple — it’s a feast for the senses! Enjoy buttery parathas,
hot jalebis, and the legendary langar while staying in budget-friendly
guesthouses near the temple.
Highlights:
- 🍲 Food: Amritsari
kulcha, chole, jalebi, lassi, langar
- 🛏️ Cheap hotels:
₹500–₹1,200/night near Golden Temple
- 🛣️ Route:
Connected via Amritsar Airport & Rail
- 💸 Avg Meal Cost:
₹50–₹200
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Partition Museum
- 🧳 Street food
stalls and dhabas all around old town
- 🛍️ Local bazaars
with Punjabi fashion & juttis
- 🚕 Affordable auto
rickshaws and e-rickshaws
- 🌟 Night view of
Golden Temple is surreal
2. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
India’s spiritual heart, Varanasi, is a
haven for seekers and foodies. Enjoy chaats, kachoris, and creamy lassi, while
lodging in ghatside lodges at throwaway prices.
Highlights:
- 🍲 Food: Banarasi
paan, tamatar chaat, kachori sabzi
- 🛏️ Budget hotels:
₹400–₹1,000/night near Assi Ghat
- 🛣️ Route: Varanasi
Airport, train, and buses
- 💸 Avg Meal Cost:
₹40–₹150
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Ghats, Ganga Aarti, Sarnath
- 🧳 Boat rides at
dawn with local breakfast vendors
- 🚶 Walkable
alleys, perfect for exploring
- 📸 Street food
photography is a delight
- 🧘 Spiritual yoga
and meditation centers
3.
Kolkata, West Bengal
The "City of Joy" serves a
plate full of flavors and emotions. It’s cheap, charming, and full of culture
and sweets.
Highlights:
- 🍲 Food:
Rosogolla, phuchka, kathi rolls, macher jhol
- 🛏️ Hotels: ₹500–₹1,200/night
in Sudder Street
- 🛣️ Route: Kolkata
Airport, Howrah Station
- 💸 Avg Meal Cost:
₹30–₹100 for street food
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Victoria Memorial, Durga Puja, tram rides
- 🚃 Metro &
tram rides are dirt cheap
- 🛍️ College Street
book market & local crafts
- 🧳 Addictive
street eats at New Market
- 🎭 Cultural
evenings and Bengali music
4.
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Pink, spicy, and cultural — Jaipur
offers royal sights with budget bites. From dal baati to ghewar, everything is
bursting with Rajasthani flavors.
Highlights:
- 🍲 Food: Dal baati
churma, kachori, laal maas
- 🛏️ Hostels &
homestays: ₹500–₹1,000/night in old city
- 🛣️ Route: Jaipur
Airport, Bus, Railway
- 💸 Avg Meal Cost:
₹50–₹150
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, bazaars
- 🛍️ Johari &
Bapu Bazaar for affordable shopping
- 🧳 Night food
market near MI Road
- 🐪 Camel rides and
cultural shows
- 🎨 Pink-walled
streets perfect for photos
5. Goa
A coastal paradise for backpackers,
couples, and foodies, Goa is more than beaches and beer — it's about spice and
sunsets.
Highlights:
- 🍲 Food: Goan fish
curry, vindaloo, bebinca
- 🛏️ Beach huts
& hostels: ₹400–₹1,200/night in North Goa
- 🛣️ Route: Dabolim
Airport, train stations in Vasco & Madgaon
- 💸 Avg Meal Cost:
₹80–₹250
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Beaches, forts, flea markets
- 🏝️ Best cheap
seafood shacks in Anjuna & Arambol
- 🛍️ Saturday night
markets for budget shopping
- 🏍️ Scooty rental
for ₹250/day
- 🎶 Live music
cafés and beach parties
6. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is the perfect
combo of yoga, riverside peace, and delicious vegetarian cuisine — all on a
shoestring budget.
Highlights:
- 🍲
Food: Sattvik thalis, aloo puri, pancakes, chai
- 🛏️ Ashrams &
budget hotels: ₹300–₹1,000/night
- 🛣️ Route:
Nearest rail – Haridwar; buses from Delhi
- 💸
Avg Meal Cost: ₹30–₹100
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Yoga, rafting, Ganga aarti
- 🧘
Best for yoga/meditation retreats
- 🌉
Laxman Jhula area packed with food stalls
- 🚴
Adventure sports at budget rates
- 🍵
Cafés with Ganga view and veg meals
7. Udaipur, Rajasthan
The "City of
Lakes" offers scenic beauty, soulful food, and warm hospitality — all at
low cost.
Highlights:
- 🍲
Food: Gatte ki sabzi, dal baati, kachoris
- 🛏️ Budget
hotels: ₹400–₹1,000 near Lake Pichola
- 🛣️ Route:
Udaipur Airport, direct trains & buses
- 💸
Avg Meal Cost: ₹50–₹150
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Lake Palace, City Palace, boat rides
- 🚶
City walk around old town & ghats
- 🛍️ Miniature
painting & handicraft shops
- 🍽️ Rooftop cafés
with local thalis
- 🎻
Cultural shows at Bagore Ki Haveli
8. Mysore, Karnataka
Famous for its royal
history and masala dosas, Mysore is both regal and affordable for couples and
families.
Highlights:
- 🍲
Food: Mysore dosa, idli, vada, Mysore pak
- 🛏️ Lodges &
guesthouses: ₹400–₹1,000/night
- 🛣️ Route:
Bangalore to Mysore by train or road
- 💸
Avg Meal Cost: ₹30–₹100
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills
- 🧘
Yoga capital of South India
- 🛍️ Silk &
sandalwood shopping
- 🏰
Palace lit at night on weekends
- 🍽️ Iconic Mylari
Dosa near Nazarbad
9. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Hill charm, aromatic tea,
and cozy Tibetan food — Darjeeling is romantic and budget-friendly all year
round.
Highlights:
- 🍲
Food: Momos, thukpa, Darjeeling tea, aloo dum
- 🛏️ Homestays
& hotels: ₹400–₹1,200/night
- 🛣️ Route: NJP
Station to Darjeeling by shared taxi
- 💸
Avg Meal Cost: ₹50–₹150
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Toy train, Tiger Hill, tea gardens
- 🧳
Great budget shopping at Mall Road
- 🚞
Joy ride on heritage toy train
- 🧵
Tibetan handicrafts & woolens
- ☕ Tea tasting in Happy Valley
Estate
10. Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu
Pondicherry is perfect for
food lovers and beach bums, with French vibes and cheap hotels everywhere.
Highlights:
- 🍲
Food: French pastries, dosa, baguettes, seafood
- 🛏️ Guesthouses
& Ashrams: ₹500–₹1,200/night
- 🛣️ Route:
Chennai to Pondy by road or rail
- 💸
Avg Meal Cost: ₹80–₹200
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Auroville, Promenade Beach
- 🏖️ Perfect for
couple photography
- 🍷
Local wine & French café experiences
- 🛍️ Auroville
shopping market
- 🚴
Rent-a-bike for ₹200/day
11. Pushkar, Rajasthan
The holy city with hippie
vibes, Pushkar is peaceful, colorful, and has some of the cheapest hotels in
India.
Highlights:
- 🍲 Food: Malpua, poha, Israeli food,
lassi
- 🛏️
Guesthouses near lake: ₹300–₹1,000/night
- 🛣️
Route: Ajmer Station, 11 km away
- 💸 Avg Meal Cost: ₹40–₹120
- 🏞️
Famous For: Brahma Temple, Pushkar Lake
- 🐪 Camel fair & Rajasthani folk
events
- 🧘 Yoga & wellness retreats
- 🛍️
Tie-dye clothes, handicrafts
- 🎶 Street musicians in market area
12. Kochi, Kerala
Spice-laden air,
backwaters, and Portuguese history — Kochi is budget-friendly and
soul-nourishing.
Highlights:
- 🍲 Food: Appam, fish curry, banana chips
- 🛏️
Homestays & lodges: ₹400–₹1,000/night in Fort Kochi
- 🛣️
Route: Cochin International Airport, Ernakulam Station
- 💸 Avg Meal Cost: ₹50–₹150
- 🏞️
Famous For: Chinese fishing nets, backwaters
- 🛥️
Cheap boat tours & harbor views
- 📷 Great spots for heritage photography
- 🎭 Kathakali performances on budget
- 🛍️
Spices and art cafés all around
13. McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
A spiritual retreat
nestled in the mountains, famous for Tibetan food and peaceful vibes.
Highlights:
- 🍲
Food: Momos, thukpa, tingmo, herbal teas
- 🛏️ Hotels: ₹400–₹1,000/night
with mountain view
- 🛣️ Route:
Dharamshala Bus Stop, Gaggal Airport
- 💸
Avg Meal Cost: ₹50–₹120
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Dalai Lama Temple, trekking
- ⛺ Perfect for couples into peace
& nature
- 🧘
Meditation and healing centers
- 📸
Snow-capped views year-round
- 🛍️ Tibetan
souvenirs & incense
14. Hampi, Karnataka
An open-air museum of
ruins, Hampi is dreamy, ancient, and super budget-friendly for history lovers.
Highlights:
- 🍲
Food: Thalis, Israeli dishes, banana pancakes
- 🛏️ Huts &
homestays: ₹300–₹900/night
- 🛣️ Route:
Nearest station – Hospet; buses from Goa/Bangalore
- 💸
Avg Meal Cost: ₹30–₹100
- 🏞️ Famous For:
Vijayanagara ruins, bouldering
- 🧗
Rock climbing & scenic treks
- 📷
Photography & heritage lovers’ haven
- 🌅
Sunset points around Hemakuta Hill
- 🛍️ Handmade
jewelry & hippie gear
15. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
With its delicious street
food and cheap stays, Ahmedabad is a delight for cultural explorers.
Highlights:
- 🍲 Food: Dhokla, fafda, khaman, jalebi,
khichdi
- 🛏️
Budget hotels: ₹500–₹1,200 near old city
- 🛣️
Route: Ahmedabad Airport & Rail
- 💸 Avg Meal Cost: ₹40–₹150
- 🏞️
Famous For: Sabarmati Ashram, Kankaria Lake
- 🧵 Great for traditional textiles &
bandhani
- 🎭 Navratri festivals & folk dances
- 📷 Pol houses and stepwells for photos
- 🛍️
Law Garden market shopping
💑 Average Expense for 15 Days
(Couple)
- Budget Stay
(₹500–₹1000/night): ₹7,500–₹15,000
- Food
(₹100–₹300/day/person): ₹6,000–₹9,000
- Local Travel &
Sightseeing:
₹3,000–₹6,000
- Total Estimate: ₹18,000–₹30,000 for 15 days (for two)
📝 Note:
Expenses may go up or down depending on your style of travel.
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