The capital of Punjab state is known for its iconic Golden Temple, the Ram Bagh Palace, the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial, Pul Kanjri, narrow by lanes and, of course, its cuisine. A trip to the city would be incomplete without savouring its delicious food like Amritsari kulcha, lassi, palak paneer and parathas, to name a few items. If you’re one of those people for whom food is an essential part of exploring a destination, then look no further than this two-day guide to Amritsar’s best.
Your breakfast should begin with a plate of Amritsari kulcha. Consisting of North Indian naan bread paired with chickpeas, onion and chutney, this dish is a complete meal in and of itself. There are many variants of kulcha like aloo kulcha, masala kulcha and paneer kulcha so experiment away. The naan is cooked in a tandoor which adds to the authentic flavours of an Amritsari kulcha. Indulge in this hearty breakfast meal at Kulcha Land in Ranjit Avenue and pair it with some hot chai from the Chai Point café at Katra Ahluwalia.
Time to eat Amritsari fish. The fish is marinated in a garlic, ginger and turmeric tangy masala mix, and lightly coated in a mix of rice and gram flour before being deep fried until it is golden and crispy. Spices and herbs like ajwain, chaat masala and kasuri methi are added to the marinade which gives it a fragrant, bold and hot taste. The mouthwatering dish is served with mint and coriander chutney which is equally delicious. Visit the Makhan Fish and Chicken Corner at Majitha Road to sample this.
Don’t forget to wash all this down with a tall glass of kesar pista lassi. The traditional drink is made from yoghurt, sugar, saffron, pistachios and cardamom until the mixture is smooth and frothy. It is best drunk chilled on hot summer days. Find it at the Ahuja Lassi shop at Katra Ahluwalia.
Dine on Amritsari paneer bhurji next. This traditional dish is made with crumbled paneer and cooked in an array of spices like tomato and onion masala with a dash of ginger. This light dish is perfect for dinner after a day of eating heavy meals like kulchas and fish. Buy a plate (or two) from the Tara Chand Paneer Bhurji stand in Katra Ahluwalia.
Pair the paneer bhurji with gur ka halwa, a Punjabi dessert made from semolina, jaggery, ghee and dry fruits. It is primarily made during the Lohri festival but you can find it everywhere in Amritsar. Eat it at the Novelty Sweets and Restaurant on Lawrence Road
Buy a round of Punjabi thali. This dish consists of dal makhani, kadai paneer, jeera rice, raita, missi ki roti, papad and gulab jamun. People can also add palak paneer, makki di roti and gajar aloo matar ki sabzi depending on the season and taste. Eat it at the Bharawan Da Dhaba in Katra Ahluwalia.
Also try the papad warian, a crunchy Amritsar specialty made by sun-drying urad dal papads, crushing them into small pieces, and seasoning them with red chilli powder, cumin and salt.
Take advantage of The Golden Temple’s famous langar—the community kitchen of a gurudwara which serves meals to a whopping 100,000 people every day free of charge. The simple but delicious meal of lentils, roti, chickpea stew, yoghurt and kheer will leave you satisfied and grateful. Afterwards, buy some hot jalebi from the Gurdass Ram Jalebian Wala at Katra Ahluwalia.
Wrap up your food tour of Amritsar with aloo tikki where spiced potato patties are fried until crispy, served with green and sweet chutneys, and topped with freshly beaten yoghurt and spices. One plate won’t be enough to satisfy your cravings so eat until you start feeling full at the New Brijwasi Chat corner in Ranjit Avenue.
Pair this with the rice-based creamy dessert of phirni. Flavoured with lots of saffron, cardamom and dry fruits, it is covered with a thin layer of edible silver paper and served cool in clay cups called matkas. Try it at the renowned Kesar Da Dhaba at Katra Ahluwalia.
Land at the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport (ATQ) or at the Amritsar Central railway station (ASR). NH-3 and the Grand Trunk Road link Amritsar to other parts of Punjab and neighbouring states.