Top 100 Indian Foods

Butter garlic naan is a traditional flatbread and one of the most popular versions of naan. It’s made with flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and dahi. Once the dough has been baked in a hot tandoor oven, the golden naan is taken out and brushed with butter or ghee, then topped with minced garlic. It’s recommended to serve butter garlic naan with a variety of Indian dishes such as curries, butter chicken, dal makhani, malai kofta, or shahi paneer. Expand

Coming from the North Indian city of Amritsari, Amritsari kulcha is a flatbread stuffed with potatoes, onions, cottage cheese, and spices. The flatbread is commonly garnished with coriander seeds, cilantro, and red chili powder. Thin, crispy, and smeared with ghee butter, it is a staple food in Amritsar, with almost every shop in the city sizzling with the sound of kulchas baked in large tandoor ovens. Not much is known about the history of this flavorful dish, and even the locals say that kulcha is just something they have always eaten, a variation on numerous flatbreads that the country is known for.Expand

Parotta is a traditional Southern Indian flatbread, usually sold as street food. It is also popular in Malaysia and Sri Lanka. It is made with oil or ghee, water, refined wheat flour known as maida (unlike parathas, which are made with regular wheat), and occasionally eggs. The resulting dough is pan-fried and served with various vegetable or meat curries. This flatbread may also be incorporated into various dishes such as kothu parotta that combines shredded parotta with meat, eggs, and a spicy saalna sauce. A common variation of this popular flatbread is atta parotta, which is prepared with whole wheat flour.Expand

Probably the best known of all Indian dishes, murgh makhani, internationally referred to as butter chicken, is a staple dish at most Indian restaurants. The dish originated in Delhi during the 1950s, when a man named Kundan Lal Gujral opened his restaurant called Moti Mahal. The restaurant's cooks combined leftover marinade juices with tomatoes and butter, and then stewed the tandoor-cooked chicken in it, without even knowing that they have accidentally stumbled upon one of the most loved dishes ever and a future international delicacy. Moti Mahal became one of Delhi's attractions, and soon after, butter chicken spread throughout the world. With a combination of roasted meat, plenty of spices, a rich gravy made with cream, tomatoes, and butter, this dish is best accompanied by naan bread and garnished with even more butter, coriander, or green chilis.Expand

Hyderabadi biryani is a South Indian dish consisting of basmati rice, goat, mutton, or chicken meat, lemon, yogurt, onions, and saffron. There are two main varieties of the dish – kachchi (raw) and pakki (cooked). It is said that Hyderabadi biryani's richness of flavor is due to the unique process of cooking raw rice and raw meat together with exotic spices, unlike other places where meat and rice are cooked separately. The special cooking style, known as dum, is believed to have come from Persia during the Mughals' regime in India.Expand

A traditional southern Indian dish known as masala dosa is popular throughout the country, made from a batter of soaked rice and lentils that is baked into a thin pancake and usually stuffed with potatoes, onions, and mustard seeds. The dish is often garnished with grated coconut and chopped coriander. With its huge popularity, there are also some variations of the dish, such as mysore masala dosa, rava masala dosa, onion masala dosa, and paper masala dosa. It is usually consumed as a quick snack or as a part of any meal of the day. Masala dosa has even made the list of 10 foods to try before you die, complied by the Huffington Post, alongside famous dishes such as Beijing duck, moussaka, and BBQ ribs.Expand

At its core, chole bhature is a combination of two dishes: chole - a spicy chickpea curry, and bhature - a type of fried bread made with maida flour. Popular throughout North India, the dish was invented in Delhi in the 1940s. It is commonly accompanied by onions, pickles, mint chutney, and chilled lassi. Chole bhature can be found at most street carts in North India, but it can also be easily prepared at home. Although it can be eaten any time of the day, chole bhature is especially popular in the morning, when bhature are filled with potatoes or cottage cheese, making it a heavy, nutritious breakfast.Expand

Dal tadka or tadkewali dal is a traditional legume-based dish originating from the northern parts of India. Although there are variations, the dish is usually prepared with toor dal (split yellow pigeon peas), garlic, ginger, onions, tomatoes, garam masala, chili peppers, ghee, cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, and fenugreek leaves. These ingredients are cooked and mixed with tadka (tempering), consisting of spices such as asafoetida, chili peppers, and garlic that are cooked in ghee. Once prepared, dal tadka is usually garnished with coriander leaves and served hot with jeera rice and roti on the side.Expand

Phirni is a dessert made with ground rice that's cooked in milk and flavored with almonds, saffron, and cardamom. A favorite in North India, it is most often prepared for special occasions or festivals such as Diwali and Karwa Chauth. Traditionally served in small clay bowls known as shikoras, phirni is always eaten well-chilled and garnished with nuts, rose petals, and often with silver paper or chandi warq to make it even more luxurious.Expand

Tandoori chicken or tandoori murgh is one of the most popular dishes in Indian cuisine, its name derived from the Persian word tannur, meaning fire. The dish consists of chicken meat that is marinated in yogurt, seasoned with tandoori masala, nutmeg, and cumin, then placed on skewers. It is a unique dish because of the way it is prepared - traditionally, it is cooked at high temperatures in cylindrical clay ovens called tandoor, resulting in succulent meat with a smokey flavor. One popular theory suggests that it was invented by a man named Kundan Lal Gujral in his restaurant Moti Mahal (Palace of Pearls). He wanted to make a new dish, so he tried cooking the chicken in the tandoor, which was mostly used for baking the famous Indian bread called naan. The dish was an instant hit with the hungry customers, and the crispy, yet succulent chicken dish even caught the attention of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharial Nehru, who often ate at the restaurant and made it a regular dish at official banquets. The aforementioned theory belongs to the recent past, but historians claim that tandoor-cooked chicken actually dates back to the Mughal period, when the dish was merely a part of gigantic Indian feasts at the time. Tandoori chicken's fame led to many derivatives such as chicken tikka masala and butter chicken, both of them commonly found in restaurants across the country.Expand

Amrut Distilleries, founded in 1948 and based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, is a pioneering Indian spirits producer. Renowned for introducing India's first single malt whisky, Amrut Indian Single Malt, in 2004, the company has gained international acclaim for its innovation and quality. Amrut sources indigenous six-row barley and employs traditional distilling methods to craft a diverse range of products, including single malts, rum, brandy, and blended whiskies, earning global recognition as a leader in the Indian spirits industry.Expand

Manam Chocolate is a chocolate producer based in Telangana, India, known for using high-quality ingredients in their products. They specialize in crafting a variety of chocolates, including dark, milk, and white chocolates. The company emphasizes artisanal techniques and aims to provide a unique flavor experience.Expand

Halmari Tea is a renowned tea producer from Assam, India, recognized for its premium-quality Assam black teas. Situated in the lush tea gardens of Assam, the estate has a rich history of over 100 years of tea cultivation and production. Known for its focus on producing fine teas, Halmari Tea has earned a reputation among tea enthusiasts worldwide for its exquisite quality and exceptional flavor profiles. In addition to their traditional black teas, Halmari also produces flavored teas, blended teas, and Masala Chai. These offerings allow tea drinkers to explore a variety of flavors and experiences, from spiced blends to smooth, aromatic orthodox teas. Their dedication to quality is reflected in every step of the production process, from cultivating the tea leaves to carefully processing them for the perfect cup.Expand

Eleftheria Cheese is a Mumbai-based artisanal cheese producer. The company specializes in crafting various types of cheese, including feta, halloumi, and ricotta, using traditional techniques. Eleftheria Cheese focuses on using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. It is known for holding cheese-tasting events and workshops to educate consumers about their products and the art of cheese-making.Expand

Under The Mango Tree is an Indian social-enterprise initiative that connects small beekeepers and farmers from rural communities, enabling them to earn a sustainable livelihood through the production of natural, single-origin honey. Their model combines a commercial arm, which handles the sourcing and sale of honey, with a nonprofit arm that trains producers, provides equipment and promotes the cultivation of the indigenous Apis cerana indica bee. This approach preserves the authentic characteristics of the local flora while ensuring fair pricing and direct benefits for the beekeepers. Their range includes wild and monofloral honeys, special editions and organic variants, all minimally processed to maintain natural aroma, purity and nutritional value. Under The Mango Tree integrates ecological sustainability, biodiversity preservation and social impact, creating a transparent value chain built on responsible production and genuine quality.Expand

Jay Shree Tea & Industries Ltd. is one of India’s major tea producers, established on 27 October 1945 and today operating as part of the B. K. Birla group. The company owns tea estates across several important tea-growing regions, including Darjeeling, Assam, Dooars, Cachar, South India, and East Africa. Its portfolio is built around garden-origin teas, with a strong focus on Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri, green tea, white tea, and specialty blends. Jay Shree Tea is especially significant because it owns historic estates such as Puttabong, often described as one of the earliest tea gardens in Darjeeling. The company combines plantation, manufacturing, wholesale supply, export, and direct consumer sales through its online platform. Its teas are positioned around origin, estate identity, freshness, and quality control from garden to cup. Beyond traditional black teas, the brand also offers flavored teas, wellness blends, and gift packs for retail consumers. With decades of experience and a wide estate network, Jay Shree Tea remains an important name in Indian tea production and export.Expand

Devbhumi is a producer organization from the Indian state of Uttarakhand that brings together local beekeepers and small farmers to market natural, minimally processed products characteristic of the Himalayan region. Their range includes high-purity honey, traditional spices, ghee and herbal products, with a strong emphasis on preserving authentic origin and traditional production methods. Devbhumi operates as a farmer-producer collective, meaning the producers themselves are the owners, ensuring fair pricing, transparency and direct support for the local rural economy. Thanks to the mountain terroir and diverse Himalayan flora, their honeys and spices carry distinctive aromatic profiles and natural purity, free from additives or industrial processing. Devbhumi represents a sustainable model that combines traditional practices, social responsibility and high-quality products for consumers seeking authentic, natural and organically produced items.Expand

Makaibari Tea is a renowned tea producer located in the West Bengal, India, celebrated for its high-quality, organic teas. Established in 1859, Makaibari is the world's first tea factory and is recognized for its commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices. The company produces a variety of exquisite teas, including black, white, green, and oolong teas, all crafted using traditional methods. Makaibari's unique approach to tea cultivation integrates organic farming with biodynamic practices, ensuring the preservation of the environment while delivering superior flavor profiles. Known for its rich muscatel flavors and distinct aroma, Makaibari Tea offers a premium tea experience enjoyed by connoisseurs worldwide. In addition to producing top-tier teas, Makaibari is deeply involved in community welfare and supports local workers and their families. The brand’s ethos centers around environmental stewardship and ethical labor practices.Expand

Vahdam Teas is a premium brand that brings the finest teas from India directly to your cup. Known for their commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation, Vahdam offers a wide selection of handpicked teas that range from classic black and green teas to vibrant herbal infusions and chai blends. Their teas are sourced from the top tea estates in India, ensuring freshness and exceptional flavor. Vahdam also places a strong emphasis on ethical sourcing, fair trade practices, and environmental responsibility, making every cup a mindful choice. Whether you're a connoisseur or new to tea, Vahdam’s offerings are perfect for those who seek both indulgence and wellness in every sip.Expand