The street food in Prayagraj (once known as Allahabad) is so amazing that you will forget any dinner plans you had. The city has a long history due to the fact that it sits on the confluence of three rivers. Each type of food has its own distinct taste, and each dish is usually made from a family recipe which has been handed down for generations.
Every evening, food vendors crowd the streets of Civil Lines, Chowk and Colonelganj. Their cooking oil, roasting spices and hot, fresh, fried jalebis fill the air for blocks around their stalls. The best part of street food is that you can sample from several different food vendors and still have some money left in your pocket.
The Chaat Scene
Prayagraj takes its chaats seriously, and after taking a single bite, you will understand the pride the locals take in them and why they want them to be exactly perfect.
- Basket Chaat, a local speciality, is unique to Prayagraj. Vendors create an edible potato basket by grating potatoes, shaping them into a basket, deep-frying them to achieve a crisp texture, and filling them with spiced chickpeas. The combination of crispy potatoes and soft chickpeas, topped with tangy chutneys, is delicious and can be found at the highest quality in the Loknath area and outside of Alfred Park.
- Palak Patta Chaat is made with deep-fried spinach leaves that are topped with yogurt, chutney, and spices. Despite being topped with wet ingredients, they remain crispy and exhibit the skills and artistry of the vendor who prepared them. The Chowk area has several vendors who have honed this skill over several decades.
- The local aloo tikki is as good as those in almost any other North Indian city. The aloo patties are spiced just far enough and served with tamarind chutney and curd on top. The areas of Loknath and Civil Lines have long been known for their great tikki vendors.
Sweet Tooth Heaven
Sweet dishes in Prayagraj provide the ideal counterpoint to the spice of the chaats here and are also unique to the region, with a long historical significance.
- On its own, combining khasta kachori with rabri may seem strange, but hot flaky kachoris served with thick sweet rabri create an amazing contrast of savoury and sweet. Civil Lines has some of the best vendors in the area for this combo.
- You can find makhan malai only during the winter months from December to February; this frothy, creamy dessert made with the foam of milk literally melts in your mouth. When you are staying at hotels in Prayagraj in the winter months, ask the hotel staff where to find fresh makhan malai.
- The jalebis in Prayagraj are definitely thicker and have a crispier texture than in most other places. The sugar syrup gets absorbed thoroughly into them. There are some of the best jalebis available when they come right from the kadhai and are still piping hot. There are many shops near Allahabad University selling jalebis made as they were generations ago to this day.
Where to Find Everything
Civil Lines remains the most accessible area with clean streets and established vendors. Most hotels in Prayagraj are located near Civil Lines, making evening food walks convenient.
The Chowk area is representative of old Allahabad, with its narrow streets and all the old-school types of eateries. The whole experience of the Chowk feels more authentic, but it gets crowded.
Wrapping Up
Prayagraj’s street food offers proper depth beyond usual tourist fare. From basket chaat to makhan malai, each dish tells a story of local tastes. Make sure your budget is around ₹200-₹300 to be able to eat well at several street stalls during your stay, and be prepared to fill your tummy because you’ll be craving many of your new favourite dishes from Prayagraj long after you’ve left.
