Eating in Pushkar is a uniquely relaxed and atmospheric experience. As a sacred pilgrimage town, Pushkar is entirely vegetarian and alcohol-free, but far from limiting the food scene, this has helped create one of the most charming and traveller-friendly cafe cultures in Rajasthan. Knowing the best places to eat in Pushkar means discovering rooftop cafes overlooking the holy lake, traditional sweet shops serving the town’s famous malpua, bohemian eateries catering to the international crowd, and lakeside terraces perfect for watching the aarti with a chai in hand. This guide covers where to eat, what to order, and how to experience the best of Pushkar’s food.
For what to order across the state, see our traditional food of Rajasthan guide, and for trip planning, our Pushkar travel guide.
Best Places to Eat in Pushkar: Understanding the Food Scene
As a sacred temple town, Pushkar is strictly vegetarian (no meat is served in the main areas) and alcohol-free. Rather than limiting the food, this has shaped a delightful cafe and street food culture built around excellent vegetarian and traveller-friendly dishes. Pushkar’s food scene has two distinct strands: the traditional Rajasthani sweets, snacks, and thalis served in the town’s local eateries and sweet shops, and the international and fusion food served in the many rooftop cafes catering to the large international traveller community that Pushkar attracts. Together, they make Pushkar a surprisingly rewarding food destination.
Rooftop Cafes Overlooking the Lake
Pushkar’s defining dining experience is its rooftop cafes overlooking the sacred lake. These relaxed, bohemian spots, concentrated around the ghats and the main bazaar, serve a mix of Indian and international dishes, from breakfasts and coffee to pasta, pizza, and Israeli food, in settings ideal for watching the rituals unfold on the ghats below. Sitting on a rooftop terrace with a chai or a meal, watching the sunset over the lake and the evening aarti, is one of the quintessential Pushkar pleasures and a lovely way to spend an evening.
Traditional Sweets and Snacks
Pushkar for Famous Malpua
Pushkar’s most famous speciality is malpua, a sweet, syrup-soaked pancake that is a beloved local treat, best tried fresh at the town’s traditional sweet shops. It is one of the essential Pushkar food experiences and should not be missed.
Street Food and Kachoris
Pushkar’s street food is delectable, with small stalls along the bazaar lanes offering kachoris, samosas, and other vegetarian snacks. These are a delicious and affordable way to eat as you explore the town.
Lassi and Refreshing Drinks
Pushkar is also known for its lassi, including a famous local variety, a refreshing accompaniment to a meal or a snack in the desert heat.
Pushkar for Falafel
Reflecting Pushkar’s large international traveller scene (and a long-standing Israeli backpacker connection), the town has become known for its falafel, widely available at the cafes and eateries, an unusual but beloved part of the Pushkar food experience.
Traditional Rajasthani Dining in Pushkar
For an authentic Rajasthani feast, Pushkar’s restaurants and eateries serve generous vegetarian thalis featuring dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, and an array of local vegetarian specialities. Given the town’s sacred, vegetarian character, these thalis showcase the vegetarian heart of Rajasthani cuisine, which is where much of the state’s culinary richness lies. Our traditional food of Rajasthan guide covers the dishes.
Tips for Choosing the Best Places to Eat in Pushkar
- Choose a rooftop cafe for the sunset. A lakeside rooftop cafe at sunset, watching the aarti below with a chai or a meal, is the quintessential Pushkar dining experience.
- Try the malpua. Pushkar’s famous sweet malpua, best fresh from a traditional sweet shop, is an essential local treat.
- Embrace the vegetarian food. As a vegetarian and alcohol-free town, Pushkar showcases the vegetarian heart of Rajasthani cuisine, which is where much of the state’s food richness lies. Vegetarian travellers will feel completely at home.
- Sample the street food. The kachoris, samosas, and snacks from the bazaar stalls are delicious and affordable, and a great way to eat as you explore.
- Note the local rules. Remember that meat and alcohol are not served in the main areas of Pushkar, in keeping with its sacred status. Plan accordingly and respect the town’s traditions.
Plan your Pushkar food journey with Immersive Trips
At Immersive Trips, we build Pushkar itineraries that make the most of the town’s charming food scene, from lakeside rooftop cafes to traditional sweet shops to bohemian eateries. Get in touch with our team to plan a Pushkar visit rich in flavour and atmosphere.
Frequently asked questions about places to eat in Pushkar
Is Pushkar vegetarian and alcohol-free?
Yes. As a sacred pilgrimage town, Pushkar is strictly vegetarian (no meat is served in the main areas) and alcohol-free. Far from limiting the food, this has shaped a delightful cafe and street food culture built around excellent vegetarian and traveller-friendly dishes.
Where is the best place to eat in Pushkar?
Pushkar’s rooftop cafes overlooking the sacred lake offer the best dining experience, combining good food with atmospheric views of the ghats and the aarti. These relaxed, bohemian spots serve a mix of Indian and international dishes and are ideal for a leisurely meal or coffee. For sweets, the traditional shops serving malpua are essential.
What food is Pushkar famous for?
Pushkar is famous for its malpua (a sweet, syrup-soaked pancake), its lassi, and its street food snacks such as kachoris and samosas. Reflecting its large international traveller scene, the town has also become known for its falafel. As a vegetarian town, it showcases the vegetarian heart of Rajasthani cuisine.
What is malpua and where can I try it?
Malpua is a sweet, syrup-soaked pancake that is Pushkar’s most famous local speciality. It is best tried fresh at the town’s traditional sweet shops and is one of the essential Pushkar food experiences. Its rich, syrupy sweetness makes it a beloved treat among pilgrims and travellers alike.
Are there rooftop cafes in Pushkar?
Yes. Pushkar’s defining dining experience is its many rooftop cafes overlooking the sacred lake, concentrated around the ghats and bazaar. These relaxed, bohemian spots serve Indian and international dishes and offer atmospheric views of the rituals below, ideal for watching the sunset and the evening aarti with a chai or a meal.
Can I get non-vegetarian food in Pushkar?
No, not in the main areas. As a sacred pilgrimage town, Pushkar is strictly vegetarian, and meat is not served near the ghats and temples. However, the vegetarian food is excellent and varied, showcasing the vegetarian heart of Rajasthani cuisine, so vegetarian and non-vegetarian travellers alike will eat very well.
Why is Pushkar known for falafel?
Pushkar has a long-standing international traveller scene, including a significant Israeli backpacker connection, which has led to falafel becoming a widely available and beloved part of the town’s food culture. It is an unusual but characteristic feature of Pushkar’s bohemian, traveller-friendly eateries.
Is Pushkar good for vegetarian travellers?
Exceptionally so. As a strictly vegetarian town, Pushkar is a paradise for vegetarian travellers, showcasing the vegetarian heart of Rajasthani cuisine along with a wide range of international vegetarian dishes at its cafes. Vegetarian travellers will feel completely at home and spoilt for choice.
What street food should I try in Pushkar?
Pushkar’s street food includes delicious kachoris, samosas, and other vegetarian snacks from the small stalls along the bazaar lanes, along with the famous local lassi. The sweet malpua from the traditional sweet shops is also essential. These offer a delicious and affordable way to eat as you explore the town.
Where can I eat while watching the sunset in Pushkar?
The rooftop cafes overlooking the sacred lake are the best places to eat while watching the sunset in Pushkar. Sitting on a lakeside terrace with a chai or a meal, watching the sun set over the water and the evening aarti unfold on the ghats below, is one of the quintessential and most memorable Pushkar experiences.