The city of Agra’s strategic location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain in northern India has served as an amazing cross-cultural hub for the country’s diverse culinary pursuits. This fertile region is the setting for the subcontinent’s richest and most densely populated areas; and this, amongst many other factors, has propelled the culinary diversity of this historic city.

Over time a host of different communities who migrated to Agra brought with them their own culinary traditions which merged seamlessly with the city’s indigenous foodways.

TOP RESTAURANTS AND EATERIES

Esphahan

Marked for its great ambience, delicious food and timely service, Esphahan at the Oberoi Amar Vilas, offers its patrons a wonderfully relaxed experience. This specialist tandoor dining space stakes its reputation on its dishes sourced from recipes passed down from the Mughal Emperors' kitchens and its impeccable service.

Peshwari

Located in the ITC Mughal Agra, it's a hot and happening place for Agra’s well-heeled crowd looking for good food and a nice ambience. Tit has made its mark with its dishes from the North-West Frontier region. Their burra kebabs and raan are truly mouthwatering. The baked gulab jamun, we hear, is an ambrosial speciality.

The Nawaabs

Agra wallahs have made the Nawabs give other restaurants in the city who rely on their culinary prowess a run for their money. The restaurant, which is marked for its new-age smart-casual dining vibe is empowered by its exceptional take on Awadhi biryanis and kebabs, curries and traditional Indian breads.

The Salt Cafe Kitchen & Bar

A popular watering hole with the young and restless, it's a lively spot in the city. The terrace area with its assemblage of Grecian aqua shades of blue and white offers peek-a-boo views of the Taj Mahal. Quirky dishes include butter-chicken pasta. The menu also features tasty bites of dimsums and melt-in-the -mouth tikkas.

Pinch of Spice

Fine dining at its most pleasant is the big draw here. A well-stocked bar and menu featuring a mix of Indian, Chinese and some Italian keep the patrons rolling in.

Jahanpanah

This is your go-to eatery for yummy Awadhi fare. Tuck into traditional dum-style Lucknavi dishes created by their well-trained chefs. Equally popular is the range of kebabs and kathis.

Sheroes Hangout Café

This unique café run by women who survived as victims of acid attacks offers Italian, Chinese, Indian, and fast food.

Dasaprakash

It’s been going strong for years with its inimitable range of South Indian favourites. Luckily it has several branches in town so the queues are not as long. Long time bestseller is the generous thali.

Deviram

This is your go-to place for its delicious UP-style breakfast offerings, which are as traditional as it gets. Think bedhai/bedmi puris with thick and crispy textures served with a spicy subzi. They pour the aloo sabzi over the puris, making them squishy and yummilitious at each bite. A spoonful of curd heaped on top helps it all go down in one delicious rush. Servings are also offered in a leafy bowl. Team it all with a clay tumbler of lassi and maze-like whorls of jalebis! The akhrot (walnuts) milk cake is another unique offering.

Ram Babu Paratha Bhandar

The original is located in Belanganj, but you can visit the one on the highway near Sikandra. The eatery has sized up its potential by simply cashing in on its amazing parathas that have scored with some of India’s leading chefs and foodies.

CHAT ABOUT CHAAT

Agra Chat Bhandar

People, residents and visitors all, just can’t resist the diverse offerings of Agra Chaat Bhandar, a treasure trove of street food of the best kind. Lose yourself is the aromas, flavours and textures of dahi puri, bhel puri, papdi chat, aloo tikki, golgappa and lots more.

Turban Master Chef Street Food

Helmed by Mr Jassi , or ‘turban chef’ who participated in Masterchef India, has found a nice slot for his eateries in the Chaat Gali in the city. The menu on offer ranges from all things popular with the street crowd— momos, pizzas, pastas, tikkas. The variety of soyabean items are a big hit.

SWEETS, CONFECTIONARY AND DESSERTS

An outstanding offering for patrons with a sweet tooth is the unmissable city favourite— petha, a delicious mithai made from ash gourd which comes in different flavours and hues. Options available on sale are santra (orange), kesar, angoori and coconut petha.

Panchhi Petha Store

Panchhi Petha is the city’s most iconic brand. But there are many players in the market now. There are several branches scattered across town but most patrons prefer to shop at the main market Sadar Bazaar because they can also pick up other delights such as pedas and ladoos. In winter sales of the desi ghee ki gajak (peanut brittle) are quite brisk.

Pracheen Petha also has several branches but a good one to go to is the one near Noori Gate. It is reputed for its delicious chocolate petha, coconut petha, lal petha and raspberry petha. You can also pick up western-style confectionary items here.

Another popular shop for petha is Bhagat Halwai, located in Nehru Nagar. It also stocks traditional Indian mithais. Gopaldas Pethe Wale at Tajganj is popular for its paan petha, kesar petha and the sandwich petha. You can also tuck into their yummy chole bhature.

Sri Dauji Mishtan Bhandar

This is your go-to spot on Central Bank Road, Kamla Nagar, for yummy kesar pedas, shahi kaju pista barfi, sohan halwa, mysore pak and kaju kalash.

Much favoured as a breakfast joint Deviram Sweets, near the GPO, stocks up on traditional Indian mithais and desserts including jalebis, petha gilori, bundi ke laddu and rabri.

Theobroma Cake Shop

This widely popular shop has opened a branch in Agra on Church Road. Its bestsellers include brownies, cakes, desserts, cupcakes, pastries, tea cakes and breads.

Djlecious Cakeshop

Located also on Church Road, it has made a name for itself for its variety of western confectionery items including flaky pastries, cheese cakes, lemon cakes and other decadent offerings. It also has a nice range of artisan breads and croissants.

Mr Brown Bakery

Set up in Lohamandi, it offers a host of pastries and cakes in the most delicious combination. But it's also popular for its baklavas.

Madhu Ice Cream

An old favourite Agra brand, Madhu Ice Cream has down the decades won the hearts of children and adults alike. It has stood the test of time as a homemade, completely vegetarian (no eggs or gelatine went into its making), offering from the Kapur family who migrated from Lahore.

This is just a small window to Agra’s culinary canvas. Visit the Taj, walk the ramparts of Red Fort, hang out in its Mughal gardens …but make plenty of time to explore its culinary landscape. Better still, let a local lead you into the paths of a foodie paradise… You won’t be disappointed.