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7-Day Foodie Itinerary in Varanasi

Friday, September 1: Arrival in Varanasi

Welcome to Varanasi! After checking in to your hotel, start your culinary adventure by exploring the vibrant streets of the city. In the morning, head to Kashi Vishwanath Temple and witness the ancient rituals. For lunch, savor the local delicacies like Kachori Sabzi and Malaiyyo in the bustling lanes of Godaulia. In the afternoon, take a boat ride along the sacred Ganges River and enjoy the scenic views. As the evening sets in, attend the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ceremony, where priests perform rituals accompanied by chanting and music.

  • Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Entrance fee - Free, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Godaulia Market: Food cost - ₹200-500, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Ganges River Boat Ride: Cost - ₹200-500, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Ganga Aarti Ceremony: Free, Time spent - 1-2 hours
Saturday, September 2: Varanasi Street Food Exploration

Start your day with a visit to Assi Ghat and enjoy a hearty breakfast of piping hot kachoris and jalebis from the local food vendors. In the afternoon, wander through the narrow alleys of Varanasi's Old City and indulge in a variety of street food delights such as chaat, samosas, and lassi. Don't forget to try the famous Banarasi Paan for a unique flavor experience. In the evening, head to Dashashwamedh Ghat and witness the grand Ganga Aarti while treating yourself to some more street food.

  • Assi Ghat: Food cost - ₹100-300, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Old City Food Exploration: Food cost - ₹200-500, Time spent - 2-3 hours
  • Dashashwamedh Ghat: Free, Time spent - 1-2 hours
Sunday, September 3: Authentic Benarasi Cuisine

Today is all about experiencing the authentic flavors of Benarasi cuisine. Start your morning with a traditional breakfast of Aloo Puri and chai at a local eatery. Explore the hidden gems of Varanasi's food scene by visiting famous restaurants like Deena Chat Bhandar and Blue Lassi for their mouthwatering chaat and lassi. In the evening, enjoy a lavish dinner at a heritage restaurant like Banares or Kashi Chat Bhandar, where you can savor the rich flavors of dishes like Malai Kofta and Benarasi Biryani.

  • Local Eatery: Food cost - ₹100-300, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Deena Chat Bhandar: Food cost - ₹100-300, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Blue Lassi: Food cost - ₹50-150, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Banares or Kashi Chat Bhandar: Food cost - ₹500-1000, Time spent - 2-3 hours
Monday, September 4: Vegetarian Food Tour

Embark on a vegetarian food tour and explore the diverse flavors of Varanasi's vegetarian cuisine. Start your day with a visit to the famous Ksheer Sagar sweet shop and savor their delectable sweets like Malai Peda and Gulab Jamun. In the afternoon, visit Govinda's restaurant for a wholesome vegetarian thali meal. Spend the evening exploring the local markets and street food stalls to try unique dishes like Tamatar Chaat and Banarasi Paneer Pakora.

  • Ksheer Sagar: Food cost - ₹100-300, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Govinda's Restaurant: Food cost - ₹300-500, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Local Markets and Street Food: Food cost - ₹200-500, Time spent - 2-3 hours
Tuesday, September 5: Cooking Class and Cultural Experience

Immerse yourself in the local culture and learn the art of cooking traditional Benarasi dishes. Start your day by attending a cooking class where you can learn to prepare dishes like Dum Aloo, Baati Chokha, and Rabri. Enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch and savor the authentic flavors. In the afternoon, explore the colorful silk markets of Varanasi and witness the weaving process. In the evening, attend a classical music or dance performance to complete your cultural experience.

  • Cooking Class: Cost - ₹1000-2000, Time spent - 4-5 hours
  • Silk Markets: Free, Time spent - 2-3 hours
  • Classical Music or Dance Performance: Cost - ₹500-1000, Time spent - 2-3 hours
Wednesday, September 6: Day Trip to Sarnath

Take a day trip to Sarnath, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site located near Varanasi. In the morning, visit the Dhamek Stupa and explore the ruins of the ancient monasteries. Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at a local restaurant and savor the flavors of traditional Buddhist cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the Sarnath Museum to gain insights into the rich history and art of the region. Return to Varanasi in the evening and relax at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Ganges.

  • Dhamek Stupa: Entrance fee - ₹20-50, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Local Restaurant in Sarnath: Food cost - ₹300-500, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Sarnath Museum: Entrance fee - ₹5-50, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Rooftop Restaurant: Food cost - ₹500-1000, Time spent - 2-3 hours
Thursday, September 7: Morning Boat Ride and Departure

On your last day in Varanasi, start early and take a serene boat ride on the Ganges River during sunrise. Witness the breathtaking views and the spiritual rituals taking place along the ghats. After the boat ride, enjoy a traditional breakfast of Kachori and Jalebi while bidding farewell to this enchanting city. Check out from your hotel and depart with wonderful memories of your foodie adventure in Varanasi.

  • Ganges River Boat Ride: Cost - ₹200-500, Time spent - 1-2 hours
  • Local Breakfast: Food cost - ₹100-300, Time spent - 1-2 hours

Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

When exploring Varanasi as a foodie, don't miss out on trying the local specialty, "Banarasi Paan," which is a betel leaf filled with a variety of ingredients like sweetened cherries, nuts, and spices. Visit Ram Bhandar near Godaulia for their famous Kachori Sabzi and Thandai. Also, explore the lanes around Vishwanath Gali to find hidden gems serving mouthwatering street food like Tamatar Chaat and Pani Puri. Don't be afraid to venture off the beaten path and try the lesser-known local food stalls and sweet shops to truly experience the flavors of Varanasi.

For hotel and flight bookings, visit Kayak.com.

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