Rajkot is the commercial centre of Saurashtra in western Gujarat, a Jadeja-founded city where Mahatma Gandhi spent his boyhood. Visitors come for Gandhi's family home and school, the Watson Museum, Kathiyawadi thali and a base for palace and temple day trips.
Rajkot eats Kathiyawadi food from the Saurashtra peninsula: bold, garlic-heavy and spicier than the sweet Surati or Ahmedabadi styles, with bajra rotla, sev tameta, ringan no olo, buttermilk and jaggery. Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thalis are the city's signature meal; breakfast is fafda-jalebi and gathiya, and evenings go to pav bhaji, dabeli and ice cream at Race Course Road. The state is vegetarian-leaning and dry.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Rajkot.
Kathiyawadi thali
Unlimited thali with bajra rotla, sev tameta, ringan no olo, kadhi, khichdi, chaas and jaggery.
Where to try: The Grand Thakar, Hotel Bhabha Dining Hall, Adingo Foods
Price: INR 250-600 (USD 3-6)
Fafda-jalebi
Crisp gram-flour fafda with papaya chutney and hot jalebi; the classic Sunday breakfast.
Where to try: Sweet shops around Dhebar Road and Limda Chowk in the morning
Price: INR 60-150 (USD 0.62-2)
Sev tameta
Tomato curry topped with sev, eaten with bajra rotla.
Where to try: Ishwariya Post Restaurant, Patel Restaurant
Price: INR 100-250 (USD 1-3)
Ringan no olo
Smoky roasted aubergine mash, a winter staple.
Where to try: Patel Restaurant and thali places in winter
Price: INR 100-250 (USD 1-3)
Pav bhaji
Spiced mashed vegetable curry with buttered pav.
Where to try: Sonali Restaurant, Bhagat Pavbhajiwala, Shree Khodiyar
Price: INR 100-220 (USD 1-2)
Dabeli
Kutchi snack of spiced potato in a bun with peanuts and pomegranate.
Where to try: Evening stalls at Race Course Road
Price: INR 25-60 (USD 0.26-0.62)
Pedha and sweets
Rajkot's milk-based pedas and basundi; Jay Siyaram Pendawala is a known pedha shop on Dr Yagnik Road.
Where to try: Jay Siyaram Pendawala, Dr Yagnik Road
Price: INR 50-400 (USD 0.52-4)
Khichdi-kadhi
Light rice-lentil khichdi with buttermilk curry, a comfort dinner.
Where to try: Chetna Dining Hall and Restaurant, Hotel Bhabha Dining Hall
Price: INR 150-300 (USD 2-3)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Indian
Chinese
Barbecue Buffet
Ice Cream
International
Pav Bhaji
Pizza
Food tours & tastings in Rajkot
Eat your way through Rajkot with a guide.
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Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Race Course Road evening stalls
Pav bhaji, dabeli, pani puri, bhajiya and kulfi around the Race Course grounds.
Bhagat Pavbhajiwala (Gondal Road)
Pav bhaji and biryani from a corner stall, busy late evening.
Shri Satya Vijay Patel Ice Cream (Race Course Road)
Ice cream and soda counter popular for late-night dessert.
Dhebar Road morning fafda-jalebi
Early-morning sweet and farsan counters.
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Dhebar Road and Limda Chowk lanes
Old-city food and sweets cluster; best 07:00-11:00 and 17:00-21:00.
Sadar Bazaar
Spice, dry-fruit and farsan shops near Kasturba Road; closed on the weekly market holiday observed by individual shops.
Race Course ring evening food stalls
Family-friendly evening snacks and ice cream.
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Eat the main meal at lunch: thali restaurants serve unlimited refills until about 15:00 and again from 19:00.
Say 'ocho teekho' (less spicy) if you cannot take Kathiyawadi heat.
Eat with your right hand; wash first.
Gujarat is a dry state, so restaurants do not serve alcohol.
Many kitchens are pure vegetarian; Hot and More Restaurant and Barbeque Nation serve non-vegetarian items.
Tap water is not safe; drink sealed bottled water and avoid ice from unknown sources.
Queues at The Grand Thakar form at weekend lunch; arrive before 12:30.
- Vegetarian
- Rajkot is vegetarian-first: Jain, Vaishnav and Swaminarayan communities make most restaurants pure vegetarian.
- Vegan
- Dairy is everywhere (ghee, buttermilk, paneer); ask for no ghee and no butter; South Indian places such as Sankalp and Tirupati Madras Cafe are easiest.
- Jain
- Jain food without onion, garlic and root vegetables is widely available; ask for Jain preparation.
- Gluten free
- Rice, dal and sabzi are easy; most rotis and farsan contain wheat or gram flour.
- Halal
- Halal non-vegetarian options are limited; ask at Hot and More Restaurant and hotel kitchens.
- Allergies
- Peanuts, sesame and milk are common; carry an allergy card in Gujarati or Hindi.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | INR 100-250 (USD 1-3) per meal | Street snacks, South Indian cafes and basic thali. |
| Mid-range | INR 300-700 (USD 3-7) per meal | Unlimited thali, Punjabi and Chinese restaurants. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |