India’s astonishing culinary heritage is a paradise of plenty for the foodie. Season in and season out the locals across its most popular culinary destinations dip and sip, chomp and chuckle over the yummiest fare that tickles their palates and lifts their spirits.

Here is a quick list on what to sample where and when...

Lucknow

All-season favorites— Kebabs. Take your pick from melt-in-the mouth Galoutis, Kakoris, seekhs and boti kebabs. Vegetarians can go for the kathal jackfruit kebabs or the innovative rajma galouti kebabs.

Tunde Kebabi is your go-to spot at Chowk. Naushijaan is the place for heavenly kakoris. For the best boti kebabs it has to be Sakhawat Restaurant.

The biryanis of Lucknow are as distinctive as are the ones from Hyderabad; but both will teleport you to foodie heaven. Head for Idris Hotel for the sumptuous Awadhi mutton biryani; this is as local as you get, while waiting patiently for your turn!

And the variety of savoury snacks… get a load of this— from aloo tikkis to basket chaat to pani puri.... Hazratganj calls.

In the rainy season, gorge on Malihabad mangoes. Desserts like Makhan Malai/Daulat ki chaat, Kali gajjar ka halwa and the sinful shahi tukre in winter.

Kolkata

A roiling cauldron of culinary cross-culture, Kolkata caters to every budget. From local Bengali fare to regional influences, it will overwhelm you too with its international offerings. The Kolkata Kathi roll at Nizams, the Indian-Chinese offerings at Chinatown, the puchkas of College Street, the puffs, patties, chops and cutlets, — these are just some of the most obvious signposts of Kolkata’s culinary history and heritage. Bengali iconic foodie allurements are aplenty, but you can start with Golbari’s Kosha Mangsho and Macher Jhol and Chittaranjan Misthan Bhandar for its famous Rosogullas and Mishti Doi. Head for the Vivekananda Park area for the yummiest dum aloo puchka and Mitra Café for its legendary mutton kabiraji cutlet.

If you have a sweet tooth Mouchak, Hindustan Sweets and Nalin Chandra Das and Sons should definitely be on your bucket list.

In the winter days of Durga Puja you’ll get opportunities galore to savour a banquet of culinary delights to be enjoyed in local homes and public spaces without missing a beat.

Mumbai

Vada Pav, street corner spiced-up sandwiches to-go, Irani bun maska, goan pao Punjabi tangri kebabs, Parsi hot sellers like dhansak and patra ni machh….

Unmissable foodie hubs— Mahesh Lunch Home for crab masala and fish gassis with neer dosa; K Rustam for classic ice cream sandwich Parsi-style; Haji Ali Juice Centre for all kinds of milkshakes and juices- also snacks and sherbets and its iconic fruit cream; Bade Miya for kebabs , chicken bhuna and rolls; Bombay Canteen for Kejriwala Toast; Pancham Puriwala for the best puri-bhaji, Shree Thakkar Bhojnalaya for classic Gujarati and Rajasthani thalis; Pradeep Gomantak Bhojanalya for the yummiest Malwan and seafood offerings.

Hyderabad

Biryani bounty for both non-veg and vegetarian patrons. And how can you possibly miss the halim, baghare baingan, mutton dalcha and tikka boti —and then there’s the keema samosa, paaya, lukhmi, tootak (spicy keema awash with gram flour batter), sheer khurma— and the fragrant Sulemani Chai. While Paradise may have lost a bit of its sheen as you go -to spot for biryani, Biryaniwalla & Co, Chicha’s and Bawarchi Restaurant have kept the flag flying with their out-of- the-world offerings.

There’re lots of other cities where you can unleash your foodie cravings in India, but as they say, this is just a slice of life and living in a foodie destination in this legendary country. Unravel the stories behind some of its iconic dishes, snacks and beverages and you will thank heaven for those wonderful culinary- and- culture memories for years to come.