Udaipur offers some of the most spectacular dining settings in India, and knowing the best places to eat in Udaipur means combining wonderful Rajasthani food with unforgettable views across the lakes to floodlit palaces. The City of Lakes is defined by its rooftop restaurants overlooking Lake Pichola, its lakeside havelis where you dine with the Lake Palace shimmering across the water, and its traditional thali houses serving generous Mewar cuisine. This guide covers where to eat across the city, what to order, and how to secure the best tables and views.
For what to order across the state, see our traditional food of Rajasthan guide, and for trip planning, our Udaipur travel guide.
Lakeside rooftop dining
Ambrai Restaurant
Ambrai, at the Amet Haveli on the shore of Lake Pichola, offers arguably the finest unobstructed view of the Lake Palace across the water, combined with excellent Rajasthani and Indian cuisine. Dining here at sunset or after dark, with the illuminated palaces reflected in the lake, is one of the most atmospheric dining experiences in India. It is deservedly popular, so book a table in advance, particularly for the sunset window.
Upre by 1559
Upre by 1559 AD, on the rooftop of the Lake Pichola Hotel, offers an equally romantic setting with panoramic lake views taking in the City Palace, the Lake Palace, and Jag Mandir. It is a favourite for a special dinner, combining good food with one of the best terraces in the city.
Other rooftop options
Numerous rooftop restaurants and cafes around the old city and the ghats offer lake or city views at a range of price points, from budget backpacker cafes to upscale terraces. Watching the sunset over Lake Pichola from a rooftop, with a meal or a drink, is one of the essential Udaipur pleasures.
Traditional Rajasthani dining
Natraj Dining Hall
Natraj Dining Hall is a long-established Udaipur institution serving generous, authentic vegetarian Rajasthani thalis. Away from the lakeside tourist scene, it offers an unlimited thali of local dishes at excellent value and is popular with local families, a sign of its authenticity and quality. It is the best choice for a traditional, no-frills Rajasthani feast.
Heritage hotel dining
For a refined experience, several of Udaipur’s heritage and palace hotels offer dining in beautiful royal settings, from courtyard restaurants to lakeside terraces. A meal at one of these properties combines Mewar cuisine with the atmosphere of a palace, and some offer private dining experiences on islands or terraces. Our heritage hotels in Rajasthan guide covers the finest properties.
Jag Mandir island dining
For a truly special experience, the restaurant on Jag Mandir island, accessible only by boat, offers dining in a 17th-century palace setting in the middle of Lake Pichola. A meal or drink here, surrounded by water and marble, is a memorable and romantic Udaipur experience.
What to eat in Udaipur
Udaipur’s cuisine reflects the broader Rajasthani tradition with a Mewar accent. Essential dishes include dal baati churma (the iconic combination of baked wheat balls, dal, and sweet churma), gatte ki sabzi (gram flour dumplings in yoghurt gravy), and ker sangri (the desert-bean speciality). The traditional Rajasthani thali brings these together in a single feast. Udaipur also has a strong cafe culture, with many rooftop spots serving international dishes alongside Indian food, catering to the city’s large international visitor base.
Cafes and the international scene
Udaipur’s old city, particularly around Lal Ghat and the lanes leading to the ghats, has a thriving cafe culture aimed at the many international travellers the city attracts. These rooftop cafes serve a mix of Indian and international dishes, from breakfasts and coffee to pasta and pizza, alongside Rajasthani specialities, in relaxed settings with lake and city views. They are ideal for a leisurely breakfast, a coffee break between sightseeing, or a relaxed evening.
Tips for eating well in Udaipur
- Book lakeside restaurants in advance. The best tables at Ambrai and Upre, particularly for the sunset window, fill early. Reserving ahead is strongly recommended, especially in peak season.
- Choose the setting to match the meal. For a romantic dinner, choose a lakeside rooftop such as Ambrai. For an authentic thali, choose Natraj Dining Hall. For a special occasion, consider Jag Mandir island or a heritage hotel.
- Time your meal for sunset. Dining as the sun sets over Lake Pichola and the palaces light up is the quintessential Udaipur experience. Aim to be seated well before sunset to enjoy the changing light.
- Explore the cafe culture. Udaipur’s rooftop cafes are perfect for a relaxed breakfast or coffee with a view, a lovely way to start or break up a day of sightseeing.
- Request your spice level. As across Rajasthan, dishes can be prepared milder on request, and many local specialities are naturally mild.
Plan your Udaipur food journey with us
At Immersive Trips, we build Udaipur itineraries that make the most of the city’s extraordinary dining settings, from sunset dinners overlooking the Lake Palace to authentic thali feasts to private island dining. Get in touch with our team to plan an Udaipur journey rich in flavour and atmosphere.
Frequently asked questions about places to eat in Udaipur
Where is the best place to eat in Udaipur?
Ambrai Restaurant at the Amet Haveli, with its unobstructed view of the Lake Palace across Lake Pichola, is widely considered the best dining setting in Udaipur, combining excellent food with one of the most atmospheric views in India. Upre by 1559 offers a similarly romantic rooftop lake view, and Natraj Dining Hall is best for a traditional thali.
Where can I eat with a view of the Lake Palace?
Ambrai Restaurant offers the finest unobstructed view of the Lake Palace across Lake Pichola. Upre by 1559 and numerous other rooftop restaurants around the old city and ghats also offer lake views, taking in the Lake Palace, the City Palace, and Jag Mandir. Booking a table for the sunset window is recommended.
Where can I find an authentic Rajasthani thali in Udaipur?
Natraj Dining Hall is the best-known place in Udaipur for an authentic, generous, unlimited vegetarian Rajasthani thali at excellent value. Popular with local families, it offers a traditional dining experience away from the lakeside tourist scene. Heritage hotels also serve refined thali experiences.
Can I dine on Jag Mandir island?
Yes. The restaurant on Jag Mandir island, accessible only by boat across Lake Pichola, offers dining in a 17th-century palace setting in the middle of the lake. A meal or drink here, surrounded by water and marble, is one of the most special and romantic dining experiences in Udaipur.
Is Udaipur good for vegetarian food?
Excellent. Like the rest of Rajasthan, Udaipur is highly vegetarian-friendly, with most iconic dishes being vegetarian. Natraj Dining Hall serves an entirely vegetarian thali, and vegetarian options are abundant at rooftop restaurants and cafes throughout the city.
Does Udaipur have a good cafe scene?
Yes. Udaipur’s old city, particularly around Lal Ghat and the ghats, has a thriving cafe culture serving a mix of Indian and international dishes, from breakfasts and coffee to pasta and Rajasthani specialities, often in rooftop settings with lake or city views. These are ideal for a relaxed breakfast or coffee break.
Do I need to book restaurants in advance in Udaipur?
For the popular lakeside rooftop restaurants such as Ambrai and Upre, particularly for the sunset window, booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially during peak season (October to March). The best tables with lake views fill early. More casual cafes and thali houses generally do not require booking.
What Rajasthani dishes should I try in Udaipur?
Essential dishes include dal baati churma (baked wheat balls, dal, and sweet churma), gatte ki sabzi (gram flour dumplings in yoghurt gravy), and ker sangri (the desert-bean speciality). The traditional Rajasthani thali brings these together in a single feast, best experienced at Natraj Dining Hall or a heritage hotel.
Where is the most romantic place to eat in Udaipur?
For a romantic meal, a sunset dinner at Ambrai overlooking the Lake Palace, a table at Upre by 1559, or private dining on Jag Mandir island are the most romantic options in Udaipur, and indeed among the most romantic dining experiences in India. Our honeymoon tour packages in Rajasthan guide covers romantic Udaipur.
Are there budget places to eat in Udaipur?
Yes. Alongside the upscale lakeside restaurants, Udaipur has many budget-friendly cafes and eateries, particularly the rooftop backpacker cafes around Lal Ghat and the old city, and local thali houses such as Natraj Dining Hall. These offer good food and often lovely views at very reasonable prices.