Vegetarian Guide to India Local & Street Food

Find authentic meat-free options, learn essential phrases, and get local tips for plant-based dining.

Local Foods

Cities

Filtered results are based on automated analysis of common food data. This is for general guidance only. Ingredient variations, preparation methods, cross-contamination risks, and data accuracy can differ significantly. Always verify all information directly with vendors before consumption, especially for allergies or strict dietary needs. See full disclaimers for filtered results.

Not all dishes marked vegetarian are strictly vegan. Some may contain eggs or dairy. Always confirm specific ingredients with the vendor.

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Essential Phrases

I am vegetarian

मैं शाकाहारी हूँ

main shakahari hoon

Indicates vegetarian diet preference

No meat or fish please

मांस या मछली नहीं चाहिए

maas ya machli nahi chahiye

Specifies no animal protein

Watch Out For

Ghee (clarified butter)
Meat stock in gravies
Fish sauce in some Indo-Chinese dishes
Lard in certain street foods

Safe Options

Dosa (fermented rice crepe)
Chana Masala (chickpea curry)
Vegetable Biryani
Aloo Paratha (potato-stuffed flatbread)

Important Notice

While vegetarianism is widely understood in India, some restaurants may use the same cooking implements for vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Look for 'Pure Veg' restaurants for stricter separation.