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The Top 10 Restaurants In Bhopal, India

Indian Spice
Indian Spice | © sara marlowe/Flickr

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, India, where you’ll find ancient Mughal influences side by side with sleek cutting-edge architecture showcasing the planned development of a thoroughly modern Indian city. Bhopal’s restaurants also offer a striking range of contrasting flavors, from the sweet and sour of Indian street snacks to the spicy intensity of the kebabs, biryanis and tikkas drawing from those Mughal roots. Here’s a guide to help you pick the best places to eat while you’re dining in Bhopal.

Greek Food & Beyond

Greek Food & Beyond is the best place in Bhopal to savor authentic Greek cuisine, though their menu spans the whole globe with a range of Italian, Lebanese, and Chinese dishes as well. The space is very charming, with a cool, relaxing ambiance and a stellar outdoor seating area. From your table, you can watch the kitchen in action as they prepare tasty lunch dishes like their Big Greek Salad and delicious warm panini, or tempting dinner entreés like vegetable tangine and risotto. After you’ve sampled their tasty ‘Greek Food,’ go ‘Beyond’ with a sinful slice of their Death by Chocolate cake.

La Kuchina

La Kuchina is a delightful Italian restaurant in Bhopal, dimly lit and decorated with ceramic art and rustic culinary touches, like dried grains and garlic adorning the walls for a homey kitchen feel. This atmosphere is complemented by the warm, excellent service. The food is equally homey, with Italian classics like ricotta spinach ravioli, penne alfredo, and delicate thin crust pizzas. The smoked chicken carbonara is a must-try here.
Shymala Hills, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh +91 755 2661100


Pasta Carbonara | © Gwendolyn Richards/ Flickr

Rice 'n' Bowl Thai & Chinese

Restaurant, Thai

Rice ‘n’ Bowl is the go-to place in Bhopal for Chinese and Thai cuisine. This is also a great choice for a sit-down restaurant with a warm ambiance that won’t rack up a massive bill. Tuck into some scrumptious dishes like the crispy chicken or the paneer satay for starters, then choose from the mee goreng noodles, crispy lamb, or chicken fried rice for a flavorful main course. End your meal with a cold lemon soda for a refreshing palette cleanser.

Za-aiqa

Hotel

Found within the upscale Noor-Us-Sabah Palace heritage hotel, Za-aiqa is one of the finest restaurants in Bhopal (appropriately located on ‘VIP Road’). Here you’ll have a chance to enjoy exquisite Mughlai and Peshwari cuisine alongside gorgeous views overlooking the lake. On the other side, guests have an equally entrancing view of the see-through live display kitchen, where you can watch the chefs prepare sumptuous biryanis and fresh fish tikkas before your very eyes.

Kebabsville

Though the name has the sweet, hokey ring of a more casual family establishment, Kebabsville may actually be the best place for a fine dining experience in Bhopal. Tucked inside the Sayaji Hotel, guests here can dine al fresco right by the pool, not far from the live grill stations where you can watch your kebabs as they’re carefully cooked to perfection. Order your favorite kebab combinations, then sit back and lounge poolside as the chefs work their magic.

Bhopal Express

Restaurant, Indian

Once known as Shan-E-Bhopal, this is the world’s first restaurant to be built inside of a renovated broad gauge railway coach, located in the Hotel Ashok’s greater compound. You can choose to sit inside the coach or outside – we’d recommend the indoor seating here, as there are special TVs fitted to the walls so as to make it appear the train is moving. The menu is simple and affordable, providing straightforward, tasty local treats like seekh kebabs, pineapple salad, and fried lady fingers with raita. Don’t miss your chance to check out this one-of-a-kind venue.

Manohar

Bakery, Restaurant, Indian

Though it began as a simple shop selling milk in 1978, Manohar has expanded and flourished into a bustling operation that can seat up to 180 people – which they do in droves, at all hours of the day. You can expect a crowd here whether you’re in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and an additional tempting bakery section is a hit with Bhopal’s residents. One of Manohar’s true specialties is tasty Indian street food. Try the papdi chaat, dahi wada, or chole samosa. Those with larger appetites should order their famous thali (set meal) for lunch, then pick out a fresh dessert straight from the bakery. The Tiramisu is particularly good here.

Under The Mango Tree

Under The Mango Tree is a superb open-air fine dining establishment, located inside one of the best hotels in Bhopal, The Jehan Numa Palace. This ultra-chic space is all about openness, from the surrounding views of greenery and tranquil water fountains to the un-walled kitchen, which offers customers a view of the food as it’s skillfully prepared. The chicken kebabs here are some of the best in the city, but you’ll have equally great luck with their kadhi pakoda, butter chicken, or gobhi paneer bhurji.

Da Pizzeria

Da Pizzeria is is a great stop in Bhopal for those craving cheap, delicious pizza and other satisfying Western snacks. Their low rates attract a big crowd, but their regulars come back for the quality of the food. Be sure to try the tandoori paneer pizza, or the corn o mania pizza for veggies. Those seeking a hearty dinner will find a satisfying pasta menu here as well. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t forget to grab a chocolate brownie on your way out.

Sankalp

Restaurant, Indian

Ondu Plate Idli Vada
© Harsha K R/Flickr
For great Indian cuisine that’s still a little off the beaten track for Bhopal, Sankalp‘s menu is dominated by South Indian dishes. This is a sweet family restaurant open for lunch and dinner, known for its classy ambiance and fast, friendly service. Start with a flavorful snack like the tandoori potatoes or telengala aloo, then dig into their broad variety of tasty dosas and idlis. Another standout is is their fresh green chutney, which comes with complimentary khakra, a crispy, crunchy flatbread hailing from Western India.

About the author

Shreyas Kulkarni has a BA where he studied History, Political Science and Economics. He holds an interest in writing and the use of game theory to develop a better and just world. Why write for The Culture Trip? It's a great place to read and write about the simple and important things in life. Literature, travel, food, culture, and art are the fields which can make humans better and more developed than money or a nine to five job. He hopes that you enjoy his writing.

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