Pushkar may be a small holy town, but its food scene is surprisingly varied. You can start the day with hot kachori and malpua in the bazaar, eat falafel for lunch and watch the sunset from a rooftop café over the lake. Here is what to eat in Pushkar, and what you need to know about eating in a vegetarian town.
Pushkar is a vegetarian town
Pushkar is one of Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimage towns, home to the rare Brahma Temple and the sacred Pushkar Lake. Out of respect for this, the town follows these rules:
- No meat or fish is sold or served in town.
- Eggs are traditionally not served either. You may find eggless cakes and pancakes instead.
- No alcohol is sold, and drinking in public is not allowed.
Please respect these rules, especially near the ghats and temples. The good news is that vegetarian food in Pushkar is excellent, and many cafés also offer vegan dishes.
What to eat in Pushkar
Malpua
Pushkar’s signature sweet. The batter is made with rabdi and khoya, fried in ghee into thick pancakes and soaked in cardamom-scented sugar syrup. Several sweet shops in the main bazaar fry them fresh through the day. Eat one hot, and if you like it very sweet, try it with rabdi. More about Pushkar malpua.
Kachori and kadhi kachori
The morning favourite, sold hot from sweet shops in the bazaar lanes, such as the well-known shops near Gau Ghat. Try it with kadhi, as in Ajmer’s kadhi kachori.
Lassi
Thick, creamy and often served in clay cups. Pushkar’s lassi shops also make fruit and saffron versions. More about lassi.
Falafel
Pushkar has been popular with Israeli travellers for decades, and the main market has small stalls selling falafel wraps, hummus and pita, all vegetarian. It is a cheap and filling lunch while you shop.
Rajasthani thali
For a proper meal, look for a Rajasthani thali with dal bati churma, gatte ki sabzi, kadhi and bajra roti. Many restaurants serve it at lunch. More about Rajasthani food.
Other sweets and snacks
- Jalebi and rabdi
- Gulkand and rose sweets made from Pushkar roses
- Kulfi and rabri falooda in the evening
- Masala chai at every corner
Pushkar’s café culture
Pushkar has dozens of travellers’ cafés, many on rooftops with views over the lake and the hills. They serve everything from wood-fired pizza and pasta to Israeli, Tibetan and vegan dishes, alongside Indian food. Some cafés to know:
- Sunset Café: a long-standing spot by the ghats, popular for watching the sunset over the lake.
- Lakeside cafés such as Café Lake View and Coffee Temple, for coffee with a view of the ghats.
- Rooftop cafés in the main market, for sunset views over the town and Savitri hill.
- Vegan and health cafés, which serve smoothie bowls, salads and plant-based dishes.
Cafés in Pushkar open and close often, so check recent reviews before you go.
Tips for eating in Pushkar
- Eat malpua and kachori in the morning, when they are freshly made.
- Choose busy stalls and drink bottled or filtered water.
- Rooftop cafés are best at sunset, so arrive a little early to get a good table.
- During the Pushkar Fair, restaurants are busy and prices rise, so be patient.
- Remove your shoes and do not carry food onto the ghats.
Visiting Ajmer too? Read our guide to the best street food in Ajmer and the Pushkar shopping guide.