India: food and travel guides

India: food and travel guides

India: food and travel guides

by Great British Chefs9 September 2019

See all our foodie travel guides and features about India and Indian cuisine, before delving into our collection of Indian recipes to get a taste of the country at home.

Take a look at all our travel guides:

India: food and travel guides

See all our foodie travel guides and features about India and Indian cuisine, before delving into our collection of Indian recipes to get a taste of the country at home.

Great British Chefs is a team of passionate food lovers dedicated to bringing you the latest food stories, news and reviews.

Great British Chefs is a team of passionate food lovers dedicated to bringing you the latest food stories, news and reviews as well as access to some of Britain’s greatest chefs. Our posts cover everything we are excited about from the latest openings and hottest food trends to brilliant new producers and exclusive chef interviews.

India is, quite rightly, known as the home of spice. No other cuisine in the world relies on such a cornucopia of aromatic powders, fragrant seeds, dried chillies and crushed roots in the same way. The resulting dishes are often colourful, bright and brimming with flavour, often swimming in rich sauces, served alongside fragrant bowls of rice or simple flatbreads.

In the UK, the ubiquitous 'curry house' is often our first experience of Indian food. However, the dishes from these restaurants are often nothing like what you'll actually find served in India. While there's no denying these dishes are delicious, the real dishes served across India are far more balanced, nuanced and interesting. While more and more regional Indian restaurants are popping up across the UK, visiting India is often the only way to truly experience the country's vast array of cuisines. What's cooked and eaten in the north of the country is often completely different from what you'll find in the south, and each city and region has its own unique cuisine. Take a look at our guides to some of India's most celebrated foodie hotspots, then try recreating the recipes at home.

Calcutta (Kolkata)

The capital of West Bengal, Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is a city brimming with sights, sounds, smells and tastes. See what chef Alfred Prasad discovered during his time there, then try some of Asma Khan's recipes from the area.

Chettinad

This remote, relatively undiscovered part of southeast India is home to some of the most flavourful dishes in the country. Covering a collection of just over seventy villages, it is a truly special place to visit – and a good meal is never far around the corner.

Darjeeling

The rolling hills of Darjeeling are home to some of the most beautiful and picturesque tea gardens and estates in the world. Join us as we take a look at what makes the tea from this region of India so special.

Delhi

It's easy to get intimidated by Delhi's vast size and incredibly hectic daily lifestyle – those who persevere, however, are rewarded with some incredible dishes to choose from. Home to favourites such as butter chicken and dal makhani, it also boasts an incredible array of street food.

Goa

The southern Indian region of Goa is famous for its coconut tree-lined beaches and nightlife – but the food there is worth the trip, too. Take a look at the unique ingredients that make this small part of India such a heavyweight on the culinary world stage.

Kerala
Lucknow

Lucknow is the home of Awadhi cuisine – a rich, meaty, luxurious way of cooking originally introduced by the Mughals centuries ago. Biryanis, kebabs and indulgent buttery sauces are among the most famous dishes in Awadhi cooking; get to know more about it from a top chef and try the recipes at home.

Rajasthan

Rajasthani cuisine is unique in the fact that it traditionally focused around game (Rajasthan was home to royal hunting grounds, although hunting is now outlawed in the state). Vivek Singh is a chef passionate about the Rajasthan way of life; see what he experienced during his time there.

Recipes

Provided you have a good collection of spices at your disposal, Indian cooking is easy, accessible and incredibly flavourful. Take a look at our many different recipe collections to expand your repertoire and taste for yourself why Indian food is so popular in the UK.