Rishikesh town and ghats along the Ganga with forested hills behind

Food in Rishikesh: What to Eat & Where to Eat

Rishikesh is a vegetarian, alcohol-free town, but it eats well: aloo puri and jalebi for breakfast, kachoris in the bazaar, simple ashram thalis and riverside cafes cooking for travellers from around the world. Here is what to eat and where.

Food rulesVegetarian, no alcohol
Must tryAloo puri, kachori, lassi
CafesTapovan & Laxman Jhula
SweetHot jalebi

What to eat in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a vegetarian town, and its food ranges from dhaba thalis and sweet shops to riverside cafes cooking for yoga students from around the world.

Breakfast

Aloo puri

Veg

Fluffy fried puris with spiced potato curry, the classic morning meal at sweet shops and dhabas near Triveni Ghat and the bazaar.

Best with: Jalebi and tea
Snack

Kachori and aloo sabzi

Veg

Crisp, stuffed kachoris served with a tangy potato curry. A favourite quick bite in the main bazaar.

Best with: Lassi
Dessert

Jalebi

Sweet

Hot, syrupy jalebis fried fresh in the mornings and evenings at sweet shops across town.

Best with: Rabri or tea
Main course

Ashram thali

Veg

Simple sattvic meals of dal, sabzi, rice and roti, cooked without onion or garlic in many ashram kitchens.

Best with: Buttermilk
Drink

Lassi

Veg

Thick sweet or salted yoghurt drink, often topped with cream. Welcome on hot afternoons.

Best with: After a walk by the ghats
Cafe food

Falafel and hummus plates

Veg

Middle Eastern dishes are common in Tapovan and Laxman Jhula cafes, along with pancakes, smoothie bowls and wood-fired pizza.

Best with: Mint lemonade

Where to eat in Rishikesh

Tapovan and Laxman Jhula

Rooftop and riverside cafes serving Indian, Middle Eastern and continental food to yoga students and backpackers.

Best for: Cafes with river views

Swargashram and Ram Jhula

Ashram canteens and traditional eateries serving thalis, puris and sweets, in a calm, pedestrian area.

Best for: Simple vegetarian meals

Main bazaar and Triveni Ghat

Sweet shops, chaat and kachori stalls, and family restaurants near the bus stand and ghat.

Best for: Street food and breakfast

Food tips

  • Rishikesh is vegetarian and alcohol-free; no meat, eggs or alcohol are sold.
  • Many ashram meals are sattvic, cooked without onion and garlic.
  • Drink filtered or bottled water and refill where cafes offer it.
  • Cafes in Tapovan fill up at sunset; arrive a little early for river-view tables.

Food in Rishikesh: FAQs

Can I get eggs or non-veg food in Rishikesh?

No. Meat, fish and eggs are not sold in Rishikesh. Many cafes offer vegan and egg-free versions of continental dishes instead.

Where can I find cafes with a river view?

Most riverside cafes are in Tapovan and around Laxman Jhula and Bajrang Setu.

Updated 11 Oct 2026 · By · How we check facts · Suggest a correction