Kashi Chat Bhandar

Kashi Chat Bhandar is a chaat shop on Godowlia Road, close to Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and is among the best-known places for Banarasi chaat in the old city. Its reputation rests chiefly on tamatar chaat, a spiced mash of tomato and potato topped with chopped onion, green chilli and fresh coriander, which is a signature of Varanasi rather than a dish found everywhere in India. The shop also serves palak chaat, made with crisp-fried spinach leaves, and other seasonal snacks. Tamatar chaat is priced at around INR 80 and palak chaat at around INR 100, so a full tasting is inexpensive. The cuisine is vegetarian, in keeping with the pilgrimage character of the city, and the flavours are tangy, hot and savoury. The setting is a busy chaat counter rather than a restaurant: customers often stand or share space, food is prepared quickly in front of them, and plates are served on leaf bowls or simple dishes. Noise levels are high because of the traffic and crowds of Godowlia, one of the main approaches to the ghats, and there is no dress code, formal service or wine programme. Drinks are limited to tea, lassi or soft drinks, and alcohol is not typical in this part of the old city. Reservations are not applicable; visitors simply queue at the counter, and the best approach is to arrive in the afternoon or early evening, when the chaat is freshly made and demand is highest. The location makes it easy to combine with an evening visit to the ghats or the Ganga aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Hours, which run from midday to late evening, should be confirmed locally.