Takshila
Takshila is one of the fine dining restaurants housed within Hotel Chanakya in Birchand Patel Path. It’s the place to go for North Indian food, as well as anything with a touch of North West Frontier Province flavors. The ambiance is somewhat classical with solid furniture and exposed red brick walls. Specialities include meat heavy Mughali, Afghan, and tandoori dishes.
Address: Beer Chand Patel Path, Patna, Bihar 800001, India. +91 612 222 3142
Bansi Vihar
At a short from walk from Patna Junction railway station sits the city’s landmark restaurant for South Indian cuisine. The simple, unassuming décor lets the powerful flavors of the food do the talking. Make sure you don’t leave before trying the sambar, a lentil and tamarind based vegetable stew, or their delicious dosa, paper thin fermented pancakes made from rice batter, black lentils, and best enjoyed with a helping of the house’s own dry chutney.
Address: Frazer Road | Near Petrol Pump, Patna 800001, India. +91 612 2224804
Crown Castle
The upholstery may require an upgrade, and it may come across as a questionable venue on account of its location since there’s hardly any sign posting on the street, but few places pack in surprises as well as Crown Castle. Once up the narrow staircase to the first floor, you’re graciously welcomed by well-mannered staff and encouraged to choose from a selection of popular Thai, Chinese and Indian dishes. Best be warned that authentic as it is, most plates tend to be on the spicy side.
Address: Boring Road Crossing, Patna 800001, India. +919771456904
Biryani Mahal
In true Bihar style, do not expect an ordered queuing system when you reach Biryani Mahal. It is crowded most of the time, so make sure you’re efficient at claiming a table. The atmosphere at this venue screams of local culture, and as the name suggests, their speciality is the popular mixed rice dish biryani, the Kolkata variety in particular. It’s a small and modest joint which serves a whole lot more than rice and is sure to leave you with a warm experience of the city and its people.
Address: Kotwali Chowk, Opp Kotwali Thana, Budh Marg, Patna, Bihar 800001, India. +91 612 326 678
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 – 23:00
Dining area | Courtesy of 17 Degrees
Kapil Dev’s Elevens
Ten years into its journey within Patna’s culinary scene, Kapil Dev’s Elevens has taken its brand into a lounge bar and most recently, a hotel. Their expansion is testimony to an all-round fantastic experience which they have consistently offered diners. Dimly lit and adorned with contemporary décor, this restaurant serves generous portions of North Indian, Thai and Chinese food, as well as a wide array of cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.
Address: Frazer Road, Patna 800001, India. +91 6122230262
17 Degrees
Located on the top floor of the P&M shopping mall, 17 Degrees boasts classy interiors and a spacious outdoor terrace. Closed off by modular glass windows, a seat indoors will take nothing away from the impressive views of the city to be enjoyed here. Setting and serene ambience isn’t the only reason to come here. On the menu, browse through typical Indian and Chinese fare with a focus on different kinds of chicken, quickly prepared and professionally served.
Address: 6th Floor, P & M Mall, Khurji Road, Patliputra Industrial Area, Patna, Bihar 800010, India. +91 92346 69202
Vegetarian Paneer Curry | © Divya Kudua/Flickr
Indian Summer
Bang in the middle of Patna’s commercial center, Indian Summer effectively blends the goods of a café, a bakery, and a traditional restaurant. Quirkily decorated, but in no way lacking in taste, the place occupies a spacious and well-lit open plan floor surrounded by pastel coloured walls and floral patterned furniture. The menu reflects the venue’s cosmopolitan vibe, a much welcome addition to Patna, with dishes ranging from Italian pasta and other continental cuisines, to Indian and Chinese foods. Baked goods are prepared on site giving guests good choices for cakes and desserts.
Address: Satya Narain Building, Exhibition Road, Patna, Bihar, India. +91 6123198833
Sri Basant Vihar
Sri Basant Vihar lays legitimate claim to the city’s best vegetarian restaurant title. It is divided over two floors with North Indian and Chinese dishes tailored to suit the local palate served on the ground floor, and South Indian snacks on the floor above. Décor is nothing out of the ordinary but it’s well compensated for by the experienced staff and the consistent quality of its dosas, paneer cutlets, and vegetarian curries. Since the place accepts no advance bookings, a visit on a weekend may require a short and well worth wait.
Address: Maurya Lok Complex, Fraser Road Area, Patna.
A selection of dim sum | © Jona Park/Flickr
Pind Balluchi
Patna’s Pind Balluchi belongs to an Indian franchise of restaurants spread all across the country, and like each of them, it weds rustic interiors and wholesome food harking back to Punjab’s rural environment. Setting it apart from the lot is its unique setting, high above the city on the 18th floor of Biscomaun Tower, itself one of the tallest buildings dotting Patna’s skyline. With 360 degree views of the city’s trendiest districts, including the vast Gandhi Maidan and the Ganges River, it is a great place for a friendly gathering around Punjabi cuisine and cocktails at the bar.
Address: 16th, 17th & 18th Floor, Biscomaun Tower, Gandhi Maidan, Patna, Bihar 800001, India. +91 612 221 9102
Mainland China
Chinese food is fairly popular in Patna; most generic restaurants are likely to dedicate at least a small section of their menu to it. Though nowhere is it as authentic and varied as Mainland China. Staff are well mannered, the chefs are from China (so expect the real deal), and the ambience is on the classy side. Dishes nod to most of China’s eight culinary traditions, with a particular focus on Cantonese cuisine reflected in an array of seafood and dim sum to choose from.
Address: 5th floor, Central Mall, Fraser Rd, Patna, Bihar 800001, India. +91 9308337007