Uttarakhand

More popular than burgers, Dehradun’s own dabeli or vadapav, the Bun Tikki, is a exactly what it claims to be: a tikki or patti made with potato and channa dal, flavored with spices, served in a lightly-toasted bun along with tamarind chutney and other condiments.

If you are around EC Road, you can try the best example of this tasty local treat at a stall simply named after the snack.

Where: Bun Tikkiwala, EC Road, Dwarka Store Chowk

Gaining popularity around the country, the bread pakora has come into its own in recent years. A favorite grab-and-go snack of Dehradun locals as well as visitors, it is a vegetarian sandwich, dipped in batter and deep-fried golden, and served hot with chutney.

While available on every street corner, The Buffet snack shop serves one of the best you can get your hands on in Dehradun. Also available here are some great burgers and rolls – all cheap and very tasty.

Where: The Buffet, Rajpur Road

The momo has always been a popular local roadside snack all over the city and around. Made with all sorts of delicious fillings, both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian, wrapped in a thin sheet of dough, steamed or fried, and served with a spicy dipping sauce, these little dumplings can go down fast!

K.C. Momos a little ahead from Silver City is famous for these scrumptious morsels, as well as their soups. Head here for absolutely the best mutton momos in the city.

Where: K.C. Momos, Rajpur Road

What could be more satisfying than a bowl of piping-hot chhole and crispy pooris? This spicy chickpea gravy, or chhole, is a common sight at many roadside vendors all across the city and as such has become one of the more popular street food dishes to make a mini meal of on the go.

If you have a craving for some superb chhole poori while in Dehradun, then you need to head to Chetan Poori Wala at Hanuman Chowk. It is the best in the city and they have been featured on a few food shows, too.

Where: Hanuman Chowk

South Indian food is very popular, not only in the South of the country but all over. Tiny Udipi carts, serving vegetarian fast food by the roadsides have become commonplace even in Dehradun.

For some excellent dosas, idlis, uttapam and the like, go down to Madrasi Dosa on Chakrata Road. Even the humble dosa is outstanding here and worth visiting for.

• Where: Chakrata Road and Parade Grounds

The proximity of Dehradun to China is probably the main reason there are so many influences and similarities in the food and even culture of the two. Chowmein, a delicious stir-fried Chinese noodle dish, with fresh, crisp vegetables and slivers of meat, is a common sight being tossed up around street corner carts all over.

For some great chowmein in the city you have to visit he famous Bobby Fast Food Corner. Open only in the evenings post 5 till midnight, they serve many other great Indo-Chinese delights, too.

• Where: Opposite Orient Cinema, Gandhi Park, Dehradun

Every state, city and even locality seems to have its own version of this deep-fried snack and Dehradun is no exception. The samosa’s flaky pastry, usually stuffed with spicy potato is a hungry travellers delight.

In Dehradun, a little stall near Bindal Bridge has added their own mouthwatering twist to this already delicious delight. The paneer samosas available at Jaina Ke Samose are like nothing you have had, with fresh cottage cheese and light crust, they are a must try if you are in the city.

Where: Chakrata Road

Hot out of the oil, no one can resist a good pakoda with chutney. With so many varieties to choose from, the humble pakoda is just about anything dipped in a gram flour batter then deep-fried crisp and golden.

A great place for this dangerously-delicious delight in the city has got to be Rajpurwale Sardarji Ke Pakode near Rajpur Chowk. Around since 1952, the little kiosk has even been immortalized in stories. Be sure to try the jalebis here, too.

Where: Rajpur Chowk

India’s answer to the Ice-cream sundae, Falooda with Kulfi is a summertime treat all over, especially Northern half of the sub-continent. This milk based shake, topped with rose syrup, kalonji seeds, vermicelli and delicious Indian ice-cream, or kulfi as it’s known, has got to be the most popular cold dessert here. Go to Kumar Sweets near the city’s clock tower and sample a spectacular example of this treat as well as their yummy Paanwala mithai, rasmalai, rasgulla, barfi and much more.

Where: Clock Tower Road, Dehradun