Introduction: India is a land of diverse flavors, where every state and region boasts its own unique culinary traditions. Food festivals in India are a celebration of this rich gastronomic heritage. They offer a glimpse into the myriad flavors, aromas, and textures that define Indian cuisine. In this article, we will explore the top 10 food festivals in India that promise to tantalize your taste buds and change the way you perceive food.
1. Delhi’s Grub Fest
Delhi’s Grub Fest is one of the most popular and well-attended food festivals in India. The festival is organized by Delhi Tourism and takes place in the heart of the city. It showcases some of the best restaurants, food stalls, and food chains in the country. From delicious street food to fine dining, there is something for everyone. The festival also features live music and entertainment, making it a great place to spend the day. It also has a Kids’ Corner with fun activities like face painting and a food-making workshop. It also has a stall dedicated to organic produce, allowing visitors to try out some of the best organic food in the country.
Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
Price: INR 300
Dates: November 4 to 6
Timing: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
2. Goa Food and Culture Festival
The Goa Food and Culture Festival is one of the most popular festivals in India. The festival is organized by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation and takes place over two days in the state’s capital, Panaji. The festival is a great way to sample the best of Goan cuisine. From traditional curries to seafood dishes, there is something for everyone. The festival also features live music and cultural performances from local and international artists, making it a great place to spend the day. There is also a range of food stalls and restaurants at the festival, serving up some of the best dishes in the state.
Location: DB Bandodkar Ground, Panjim, Goa
Price: Free entry to all
Dates: February 6-10
Timing: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
3. The Streets of Kolkata food festival
You could get the best of Calcutta street food at a single location during the “Streets of Kolkata ” food festival at City Centre Salt Lake and City Centre New Town that takes place from December 2 to 4. While biryanis and chaanps remained popular, other innovative meals made use of bamboo shoots, gondhoraj lemons, and so on. There is also a selection of popular desserts to choose from. The festival at City Center Salt Lake and City Center New Town offers fifteen stalls and thirteen stalls, making it a haven for foodies.
Location: City Centre Salt Lake and City Centre New Town
Price: Free entry to all
Dates: December 2 to 4
Timing: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
4. Navi Mumbai food truck fest
One of the biggest street food festivals in India is undoubtedly the Navi Mumbai food truck festival. This festival allows you to try a huge variety of delicacies cooked in trucks across India. You can enjoy the city’s best food cuisine, flea market stalls, and a variety of other fun activities at the city’s largest and most anticipated event.
You can also have fun at the festival, which includes food trucks, food stalls, shopping stalls, and a dedicated kids’ zone. You will enjoy activities like a pani puri eating competition, a belly dance workshop, a dance competition, and many performances that will make your weekend one to remember for a lifetime. Mascot meets and greets, 100+ food dishes, and exclusive products for women will make your stomach full, merry, and satisfied at the end of the day.
Location: Tandel Grounds in Seawoods, Navi Mumbai
Price: Free entry to all
Dates: March 16 and 17
Timing: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
5. Nommaste Mumbai Food Festival
Do you want to savor artisanal cheese platters, pies, quiches, smoked meats and cheese, artisanal ice creams, Bohri thaalis, Rajasthani meals, or pickles? Nommaste 2023 is an excellent time to narrow down the meals you enjoy and want to order at home in the future. This fest is organized by Nommers – home chefs or cloud kitchens who do not have a physical presence or operate in chains. So, while you eat delicious home-cooked food, Mousumi Datta, Mohit Mukhi, Second Sight, Swadesi Movement and Gaysi Family will perform for you. Local artists and small businesses will also be selling their wares.
Location: D’Monte Park Recreation Club, D’Monte Park Road, Bandra West, Mumbai
Price: Entry fee of INR 299
Dates: January 13-15
Timing: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
6. Asian Hawkers Food Festival
Over three days, you’ll have the opportunity to sample the best of five-star and casual dining restaurants. You’ll find sushi, dim sum, curry, baos, khao suay, and stir-fried meals from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The previous edition featured a variety of high-end five-star restaurants as well as street stalls, so attendance this year is expected to be even higher.
Location: Asian Hawkers Market, Citywalk, Saket, New Delhi
Price: Free entry to all
Dates: October 21 – 23
Timing: 12p.m. – 10p.m.
7. Mei Ramew
The Mawphlang Mei Ramew festival, organized with the assistance of the North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS), is an amazing food festival that seeks to revitalize the cuisines of yesteryear and prepare them in a simple way. This native cuisine sampling occasion in Meghalaya is hosted at the Mei Ramew food festival. The meals are prepared with organic ingredients collected from the jungle. Mei Ramew is a unique food festival in Mawphlang that promotes old and lost cuisines. It has been organized in Meghalaya since 2010 in an effort to bring old, traditional recipes to the forefront and to educate future generations.
Location: Sacred Grove, Mawphlang, Meghalaya
Dates: December (dates change every year)
Price: Free entry to all
Timing: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
8. World Dhaba Pune Food Festival
World Dhaba, Pune’s biggest food festival, is back in 2023 for its latest edition. This event will feature more than 50 food stalls with global cuisines, including home cooks, bakers, restaurants, and food trucks. You will also be able to enjoy live music at this two-day festival that includes home chefs, bakers, restaurants, and food trucks! You’ll get to enjoy original, genuine flavors from Kolkata, Goa, Mangalore, and France, as well as seafood, fusion cuisine, and organic foods. There‘s nothing more to say in order to get you there! Local bands such as MH43, Street Beat Crew, The 5th Veda, Amritaansh, WFM, and Malang will also be performing at the two-day event. For live music, check them out!
Location: Royal Lawns, Pimple Saudagar, Pune
Price: Entry fee INR 100
Dates: 24, 25 & 26th December
Timing: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
9. Bangalore Food Festival
Bengaluru’s popular food festival, “Avarebele Mela,” is back and is usually held in the month of January. Avarekai is the Kannada name for the Hyacinth bean that is grown in Karnataka during the winter and used in a variety of southern Indian dishes such as idlis, vadas, uthappams, bisi bele bath, rasams, and more. All the dishes on the menu are centered on the avarekai and include over 100 items. It will also be used in Chinese dishes such as chow mein and fried rice, as well as fast food like burgers, hot dogs, and pasta.
Location: National College grounds, Basavanagudi, Bangalore
Dates: January 5–9
Price: Free entry to all
Timing: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
10. National Street Food Festival
Over the weekend, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) is hosting an extraordinary gastronomic event. According to several reports, a total of 120 booths have been set up at the stadium, serving a variety of cuisines from all over the country. As a result, visitors will have no trouble finding booths in any zone. There are lots of biryani stalls and kebab restaurants from Hyderabad and Lucknow that are open for business at this food festival, so you can get your pick of these types of cuisine as well as others.
Location: Gate No. 2, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, Pragati Vihar
Price: INR 130 per person.
Dates: January (January 13-15)
Timing: 12:00 p.m.–10 p.m.
