Ask any local of Udaipur, where you will find the heart of Rajasthan, and we will not refer you to a palace; we will refer you to a kitchen. It is the smell of ghee, the crackling of tadka, and the happy face of a person serving Dal Baati Churma that is the soul of this city.
Being born and brought up between such flavours, we would like to offer you a tour of the Top 10 Rajasthani Restaurants in Udaipur, where you will not feel out of place with every bite.
1. Shahi Veg – Royal Taste at Rani Road
We shall begin with the number one pick of Shahi Veg. This restaurant, situated on Rani Road and overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake, serves the finest Rajasthani cuisine with the prestige of royalty.
As soon as you walk in, you are greeted with a serene atmosphere and the smell of pure desi ghee. Their Rajasthani Thali containing Dal Baati Churma, Gatte ki Sabzi and Ker Sangri is a pure delight. What is even more special is the detail; all dishes just taste as though they were prepared in a typical Mewari family. So whether you are a local or a tourist, Shahi Veg never fails to disappoint.
2. Natraj Restaurant and Dining Hall
Natraj Dining Hall, located at City Station Road, is a Udaipur classic, which has been serving happiness on steel thalis for decades. This is the place to be in case you want to have a taste of how Rajasthani families actually eat. There is no limit to the number of servings of Dal Baati, Kadhi Pakora, and Churma that can guarantee you a full stomach and a big smile.
3. Gordhan Thali
Talk to any local of Udaipur about where one can order a royal-style thali and you will hear only one name, Gordhan Thal. The employees here are so cosy with their service that one feels like being at home. Baati is lean, Dal is full of spices, and the Churma is sweet enough to make your heart melt. The interiors also portray the splendour of Rajasthan, in terms of golden lamps, traditional artwork and copper dishes.
4. Traditional Khana
Traditional Khana is near the Rkay Mall in Panchwati. It is a small but hearty restaurant, Traditional Khana, where comfort food collides with culture. The restaurant will treat you to Gatte ki Sabzi and Bajre ki Roti after a working day. The food is freshly cooked, the service welcoming, and the environment completely homey.
5. Krishna Dal Bati Restro
Feeling like having a hearty Rajasthani thali, without the crowd? Go to Krishna Dal Bati Restro. The masala baati and Garlic Chutney here boast of a strong customer base. Each bite is rustic and pure, as something your grandmother would prepare on a chulha.
6. Santosh Bhojnalaya
If you are looking for an option that is not so heavy on the pocket, but heavy on the taste, you should go to Santosh Bhojnalaya near Udaipole. They also offer plain, nutritious Dal Baati Churma that best represent the flavours of everyday Rajasthan. It is the type of restaurant you would want to visit, where you are reminded that you do not necessarily have to be in fancy set-ups to get great food.
7. Rajasthani Bhojanalaya
Rajasthani Bhojanalaya is a local treasure that is hidden somewhere close to Surajpole. Their Ker Sangri and Methi Bajra Rotis have a permanent memory. You will frequently meet locals here having lunch in their leisure afternoons – it is a place where time is taken off and food becomes the centre of attention.
8. Hari Vedas Restaurant
In case you would like a taste of fancy Rajasthani touch, then Hari Vedas is the place. It has beautiful interiors and a vast vegetarian menu, which makes it an ideal place to dine with the family. Their Rajasthani plate is well presented, and the tastes are perfect and natural.
9. Paliwal Restaurant
The most natural places are at times the most basic. One such gem is the Paliwal Restaurant situated near Surajpole. Their Sev Tamatar curry is worth going back and their Dal Baati is baked to perfection. It is the type of restaurant that locals recommend and tourists who come across by chance and never leave.
10. Jodhpuri Restaurant
On a royal note to end this list, Jodhpuri Restaurant transports the Marwar to Udaipur. Their Rajasthani Thali has a perfect combination of Jodhpuri and Mewari taste. Spicy Gatte ki Sabzi, sweet Churma, and all dishes have a story of the culinary heritage of Rajasthan.
Conclusion
It is not only about eating in Udaipur, but it is also about connecting. You can be eating by the lake (at Shahi Veg) and sitting cross-legged (at Natraj Dining Hall), and you are savouring centuries of tradition.
The next time you are in the city, when you want fancier buffets, follow the locals – to the smell of ghee, the smile, the comfort of a Rajasthani thali. Food is not merely cooked here in Udaipur, but it is celebrated.
