Mouthwatering Desserts You Need To Try in Agra, India

Known to have originated from the kitchens of Mughal emperors, petha is one of the two prime attractions (the first being Taj Mahal) that brings thousands of people to Agra.

Petha is soft and chewy with a candy-like texture. It is made of ash gourd or white pumpkin and is often devoured in dried form or dipped in sugar syrup. Long ago, petha was also used as a form of medicine and was considered beneficial for blood pressure and hydration.

Agra has around 50 different flavors to offer, with angoori (grape), kesar (saffron), pineapple, mango, paan (betel leaf), and strawberry being some of the well-liked ones. However, dry petha, also known as Agra petha, is the original and basic form that is most liked by people.

Of course, you’ll find petha in every nook and cranny of Agra’s streets but the best pethas are found at Panchhi Petha. You enter the shop and you will find rows of colorfully arranged pethas, with someone waiting to greet you and carefully explain the specialty of this basic sugar, water, and fruit delicacy. Gopal Das Pethewale, as the name suggests, is also another option that is widely suggested by the locals of Agra.

Panchhi Petha, C-91, MM Darwaza Rd, Noori Gate, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282003, +91 98970 63434

Opening hours: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Gopal Das, Gopal Das Pethewale, Johri Bazaar, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, +91 92194 60712

Opening hours: 8:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

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A dry delicacy that is made using sesame seeds, jaggery, oil, and sugar, this sweet is perfect for the cold Agra winters in December and January, as it is considered to have warming properties. It comes in various varieties, such as round bite-sized pieces called rewadis or small square-shaped chikis, without the sesame seeds, which are made especially for children.

Bedariya Ram Gajak Wale is one of the most well-known pioneers of Gajak in Agra, offering different kinds of gajak such as special mewa gajak and khasta chikki gajak. Manohar Lal Daulat Ram Garg is also one of the famous places to go and try this specialty.

Bedariya Ram Gajak Wale, Johari Bazar Rd, Jama Masjid, Kinari Bazar, Hing ki Mandi, Mantola, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, +91 93191 19130

Opening Hours: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Manohar Lal Daulat Ram Garg, 44 A, Hari Parvat Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, Hariparwat Rd, Sector 1, Civil Lines, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282002, +91 89587 56666

Opening Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPVh8IjBt9S/?tagged=gajak

A round-shaped flour mold that is mildly fried, dipped in sugar syrup, and coated with dry fruits, ghewar is especially enjoyed during the Teej festival, which is a fasting festival for Hindu women. It also marks the advent of monsoons in July and August, and that is when the sweet is readily available in all shops around the city, as it requires a certain degree of moisture to be prepared.

Although ghewar initially originated in Rajasthan, it has become quite popular in Agra, especially in Seth Gali, where one can find a line of sweetmeat makers and see ghewar being made live.

Agra’s Bikanervala is best known for having a variety of different kinds of ghewar, and have frequently won the Times Food Award.

Bikanervala have two branches –

Bikanervala, opposite Hotel ITC Mughal, Fatehabad Road, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, +91 562 222 8140

Opening hours: 10 a.m.–11 p.m.

Bikanervala, Kalyani Point, Near Tulsi Cinema, Bye Pass Road, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282002, +91 562 401 3344

Opening hours: 8 a.m.–11 p.m.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJaVSLODsRI/?tagged=ghewar

Although they are not specific to Agra, laddoos are very common and popular among the locals. Laddoos are mainly made with gram flour, semolina, and coconut and come in various types, including boondi laddoo and besan laddoo. Shahi laddoos are considered to be the fanciest of the lot, filled with saffron and dry fruits. They are the main choice of sweets that are served at celebratory and religious festivals, especially during Diwali. Most people will send their family and friends decorated boxes filled with these yellow-colored delicacies.

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Even though Petha and Gajak are the two main sweets to have originated from Agra, you will never fail to find some of India’s best sweetmeats around the city. Some of the best-known places are Bikanerwala (address above), Bhagat Halwai, Gopaldas, Deviram, and Brijwasi.

Bhagat Halwai, Khel Gaon, Dayal Bagh, Heerabagh,, Dayal Bagh Rd, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282005, +92 92195 70000
Opening Hours: 7:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Deviram Sweets & Restaurant, 1Heritage Tower Near Anjana Cinema, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282002, +91 98975 90393

Opening Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m.

Brijwasi sweet house & restaurant, D-2 shoping arcade sadar bazar, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, +91 562 222 7417

Opening Hours: 9 a.m.–11 p.m.