Food In Surat

Food History of Surat, Gujarat, India

Surat, known as the "Silk City" and "Diamond City" of India, has a rich culinary history deeply influenced by its diverse population and its past as a significant port city. The Surati cuisine is a unique blend of Gujarati flavors with an array of spices, herbs, and a hint of sweetness. It has been shaped by a number of communities such as the Parsis, Jains, Marathis, and Gujarati Muslims, each bringing their own cooking styles and palate preferences to the table.

Historically, the city's proximity to the sea has also meant an abundance of seafood for those who consume it, although the majority of the traditional Surati gastronomy is vegetarian, due to the large Jain and Hindu population that practices vegetarianism. The cuisine is noted for its variety and the complexity of flavors offered by simple ingredients, often with a touch of sugar that adds a distinctive sweet note to many dishes. Street food and snacks, known as "nashta", are an integral part of Surati food culture, reflecting the city's bustling lifestyle.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Surat for Tourists

1. Locho - A savory steamed snack made from gram flour, it's often served with sev, chutney, and onions. This snack is vegetarian.
2. Undhiyu - A mixed vegetable dish that is slow-cooked to perfection with spices. It contains yam, sweet potatoes, beans, and bananas, making it a vegetarian delight.
3. Khaman Dhokla - These light and fluffy steamed cakes made from chickpea flour are a popular vegetarian snack enjoyed with green chutney.
4. Ghari - A sweet treat made from purified butter, milk, sugar, and nuts, especially popular during the festival of Chandani Padva. It is a vegetarian dessert.
5. Surti Sev Khamani - A spicy and tangy vegetarian snack made from grated steamed cakes with the addition of sev (fried chickpea flour vermicelli).
6. Surat Paani Puri - Surati version of the popular Indian street food, filled with a mixture of tamarind juice, spices, potato, and chickpeas, this snack is vegetarian.
7. Ponk Vada - A winter snack made from tender roasted jowar (sorghum) grains; these fritters are served hot and are vegetarian.
8. Patra - Rolled colocasia leaves stuffed with a savory paste and steamed, finished off with a tempering of spices, it is a vegetarian dish.
9. Nankhatai - This flaky and buttery biscuit is a popular tea-time snack and is entirely vegetarian.
10. Khaja - A deep-fried pastry made from refined wheat flour and sugar, this crispy sweet is vegetarian.

Top Famous Restaurants in Surat with Their Specialties

• Jalaram Khichdi
  Address: Rander Road, Tadwadi, Surat, Gujarat
  Famous for: Their range of delectable vegetarian khichdis and Gujarati Thali.
• Sasumaa Gujarati Thali
  Address: Ring Road, Surat, Gujarat
  Famous for: Authentic Gujarati Thali filled with a variety of vegetarian dishes.
• Leonardo Italian Mediterranean Dining
  Address: Adajan, Surat, Gujarat
  Famous for: Italian and Mediterranean cuisine that offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options without cow meat.
• Kansar Gujarati Thali
  Address: Varachha Road, Surat, Gujarat
  Famous for: A scrumptious all-you-can-eat vegetarian Gujarati Thali experience.
• Black Pepper
  Address: VIP Road, Vesu, Surat, Gujarat
  Famous for: An eclectic mix of Indian and international cuisine, with plenty of vegetarian specialties.
• The Lime Tree
  Address: Rooftop, Lords Plaza, Delhi Gate, Surat, Gujarat
  Famous for: An array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes in a rooftop setting, avoiding cow meat.
• Sugar N Spice
  Address: Several outlets across Surat
  Famous for: Their fast food and bakery items, which include both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options that exclude cow meat.