There is no
sincere love than the love of food. The words of Bernard Shaw are timeless. One
of the most unexplored cuisine in India, if any, is northeastern cuisine.
Gastronomic happiness is indeed one of the most humble ways to pamper yourself.
And so the next
time you find your good food trail, head on to the food capital of Northeast i.e.
Guwahati. The city is one of the most important and first destination for all
visitors to the Northeast.
People from
other parts of India especially vegetarians have usually a grossly wrong idea
regarding Northeastern cuisine. A large part of Northeastern cuisine is of
course non-vegetarian but the vegetarian cuisine remains unexplored. It is
common for most eating places to have a standard vegetarian thali.
The distinction between
a vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali is very strong. Restaurant owners are
invariably conscious of and respectful about vegetarians. A first time visitor
can inquire and tell people about their dietary needs and requirements.
I now present a
list of some of the best places to visit in Guwahati. Forget dieting when you
come to Guwahati because the city has so much to gorge on. Happy Eating!
Authentic
Northeast Ethnic Cuisine
1. Heritage Khorika: Silpukhuri. Run by
an award winning and world renowned Chef.
2. Mising
Kitchen: Hengarabari. The best place to experience ethnic Mising tribe food.
3. Nagameez: Goswami
Service. The best Naga veg and non-veg thali.
4. Naga Kitchen:
Well known for Naga cuisine and Chinese food.
5. John Kitchen:
Six Mile and Beltola. Ethnic northeast, serves delicious pork preparations.
6. Parampara:
Paradise Hotel, Silpukhuri.
7. Morung
Restaurant: Bhangagarh. Well known for Naga, Chinese and North Indian cuisine.
8. Bhut
Jholokia: Zoo Tiniali. As the name suggests, the place is named after the hottest chili in the world i.e. Bhut
Jholokia. One can experience the ethnic feel of Assam here.
9. 16 Anna
Bengali: One of the best outlets to experience East Bengali Cuisine.
10. Maihang:
Shanti House, GS Road. It is said to be one of the best restaurants where one
can experience an amazing assortment of Assamese and Northeastern ethnic
cuisine.
Fine
Dining Experience (a bit costly)
1. Mocha: Anil
Plaza, GS Road. Menu is full of mouth-watering European cuisine.
2. Red Hot
Chilli Pepper: Ganeshguri.
3. The
Socialite: Christian Basti.
4. Terra Maya:
Anil Plaza, GS Road.
5. Kalita
Spectrum Dine.
6. XS: Anil
Plaza, Christian basti. Awesome Continental, Chinese, Italian, & Thai Food.
7. Topaz Bar and
Lounge: Ulubari. High end outlet that serves quality food.
8. Gam’s Delicacy: Vegan and Gluten Free diet available.
9. Alfresco
Grand: Panbazar - Fancybazzar area. Restaurant
is inside a boat floating 24x365 on Brahmaputra River, bar and disc available.
Indian
and Western Cuisine: Cafeteria and Street Food
1. 11th Avenue Café Bistro: Dighaliphukuri, Uzan Bazaar. O/s English breakfast options.
2. Food Villa:
One of my favourites. Has a wonderful ambience and a great family outing space.
3. JB’s: Uzan Bazaar.
4. Café Hendrix: Six Mile.
5. The Yellow
Chilli: The Hub, Bhangagarh.
6. Three Guys:
Zoo Tiniali.
7. Chung Fa: Zoo
Tiniali.
8. Back Benchers Café: Commerce College Point, Zoo Road. Well known for its music scene and gigs. Gives space to new and budding
musicians.
9. Urban
Junction: Chandmari.
10. Makhan Bhog:
A pocket friendly outlet serving
North Indian, Chinese and fast food.
11. Patisserie
Opera: A favourite place for young people, pastries are fantastic
Sweet
Shops
1. Ashok Sweets: Lachit nagar, Bye Lane 7.
The best rosogulla of Guwhati.
2. Poornima
Sweets: Silpukhuri. One of the best rosogulla makers after Ashok Sweets.
3. Loyans:
Beltola. Amongst the best bakery in town.
4. Repose: has outlets
all over Guwahati. The bakery was started
by an entrepreneur who comes from a very humble background and is of Assamese
origin. Today it has the highest number of outlets which serves cake, sweets
and fresh baked bread.
5. Misti Mukh:
GS Road.
6. Govindam: Rukminigaon. It is one of the best sweet and street food shop. This place is so filled in the evening that you don’t get a place to stand.
7. Bhartiya
Jalpan: Near Railway Gate 3, SRCB Road, Fancy Bazaar.
8. Shubham
Sweets: Beltola, Near Old CID Office, Basitha Road. A well known dessert and
sweet parlor.
9. Tea Lovers: As a tea fanatic myself I
love sipping good tea and to my mind the best shop is Trinayan Sarma Mithai in
Rajgarh Road-Big Bazar Junction. One of the best handmade tea made with good
amount of milk.
Hope you find
this useful.
Enjoy Guwahati.
Look forward to seeing you soon.
Local
Market
Assamese
snacks
Also
see
1. Brahmaputra Cruise
2. Kamakhya Temple