As a child growing up in India, one may have often heard of the fascinating stories from the ancient city of Varanasi. And sweets have always been an integral part of the city’s culinary heritage. This ancient city is the home of countless famous sweet shops. And the interesting part is, these are not the places to just enjoy the food. Be it the Malaiyo at Ksheer Sagar, or the kachoris of Shri Ram Bhandar, the famous sweet shops in Varanasi have their own unique tale woven into the fabric of Varanasi. Their sweets aren’t just indulgences, but take you on a journey through the soul of this timeless city. As you wander along its ghats and narrow lanes, it's impossible not to be captivated by these temples of taste where every bite is steeped in history.
If you have a sweet tooth, Varanasi is really your city. It is sure to leave your taste buds craving for more, as you go about town collecting memories in the form of stories. The ancient city’s deep-rooted culture of offerings at temples is one of the most convenient reasons why sweets have been such an important part of the city's cultural heritage. Moreover, the abundance of dairy is another reason behind the iconic sweet recipes that have been passed down through generations.
With all the old-world charm and the serenity of the ghats, breakfasts are always special in this city that is as old as time. After enjoying a breathtaking sunset over the river Ganges and witnessing how the day begins through the narrow lanes of the city, one needs a solid breakfast to kickstart the day. And when in Varanasi, is it even possible not to try a plate of hot, deep-fried, crispy kachori with some sabzi and jalebi? Moreover, malai toast and kulhad chai have a separate fanbase as well.
Varanasi’s Shri Ram Bhandar is an iconic breakfast spot known for crispy Kachori fired in desi ghee paired with some spicy aloo-black chana sabzi, and fresh jalebis.
This place is also famous for ‘Badi Kachori’, which is filled with dal and spicy black chana subzi.
With a history of over 70 years, Lakshmi Chaiwale is the best place to try malai toast and kulhad chai for breakfast. As the name suggests, the malai toast features a charcoal-toasted bread with a thick layer of cream paired with sugar. The kulhad chai is like a cherry on top that makes the whole experience unique with every single sip.
Malaiyo is at the heart of Varanasi’s winter-special desserts. Start a chilly winter morning with a kulhad (clay pot) of this light, airy, milky delicacy. Made by whipping boiled milk into a delicate, sweetened foam, this dessert defines Varanasi’s love for milk-based sweets. The secret behind the creamy, cloud-like texture is leaving the milk exposed to the cold night air alongside constant churning for long hours. Once ready early in the morning, it is then garnished with cardamom, saffron, and pistachios.
Located in the Godowlia market, Shree Rajbandhu Sweets is renowned as one of the best mithai shops in Varanasi. However, their malaiyo stands out as a masterpiece. Famous for its authentic, traditional Malaiyo, it is the best-selling variety of winter special desserts. However, besides Shree Rajbandhu Sweets, Ksheer Sagar is another place that often sees a crowd for their creamy, fresh malaiyo in the early morning.
Here’s a map for you through the world of the famous sweet shops in Varanasi that not only offer delectable flavors but also hold centuries-old traditions.
If this is your first time in Varanasi, your first stop should be the historic sweet shop called ‘Ksheer Sagar’, located near the iconic Dashashwamedh Ghat. This iconic establishment has been a part of Varanasi’s culinary gems for over 100 years. Stepping inside will make you want to stay on for as long as possible. You’ll come for the aromas and stay for the stories. Wondering what all to try first? It would surely be their malaiyo and kheer kadam.
Ksheer Sagar’s specialty lies in this ‘cloud in a cup’ dessert that wins the hearts of hundreds of people. This delicate sweet features a frothy, cloudy, sweetened milk paired with the subtle flavors of saffron.
Kheer Kadam is another mouthwatering Ksheer Sagar-special sweet that features a soft, juice, syrupy rasgulla encased within a crumbly shell made of khoya and sugar. Known for its authentic taste, this sweet is a must-try if you visit this place.
This nearly 125-year-old legendary Varanasi sweet shop is renowned for its authentic ‘Laal Peda’. This item carries the rich culinary heritage of Varanasi. Made with caramelized sugar, khoya, and ghee, the sweet features a signature red-colored, crunchy exterior and a soft and dense interior. It is often served as a sacred ‘prasad’ (offering) for Mahadev.
Established in the 1960s by Deena Nath Kesari, this iconic street food destination is known for serving a wide array of flavorful chaats. While the menu is quite long, the most popular one is ‘tamatar chaat’ (a tomato-based savory dish). The tangy chaat is made by simmering tomatoes and mashed potatoes in ghee with spices like cumin, ginger, and green chilies.
Owing to a long history of cultural exchange and Bengali people migrating to Varanasi for various causes, Bengali sweets have greatly influenced the dessert platter of Varanasi. Sharing a common love for dairy-rich sweets, Bengali delicacies like rasgulla and kheer kadam have blended really well with Varanasi.
And Bengal Sweet House is one such popular place where all these Bengali delicacies are available.
Lassis and Varanasi share an age-old bond. Deeply rooted in Varanasi’s culinary tradition, it is served as a refreshing yogurt-based drink. However, there are types of lassis that vary in taste, texture, and flavors. And, Blue Lassi and Pahalwan Lassi are the two top places to get introduced to the varieties.
Located in a narrow alley of Govindpura, the famous Blue Lassi Shop is that one place where experiments happen with lassi. Moving beyond the traditional recipes, they offer over 80 fruit-flavored lassis (over 80 varieties), including apple, coconut, and cinnamon lassis.
Pahalwan Lassi, on the other hand, sticks to the traditions and serves the long-time local favorite thick and creamy Rabdi lassi. Besides, this place is also known for savories like samosas and chaat.
Just like lassi, thandai is another cool and refreshing drink coming out of the kitchens of Varanasi. Often served in clay pots, this milk-based, rich beverage blends the goodness of milk, sugar, nuts, and spices. To celebrate the high spirit of Holi, this classic drink occasionally gets a little intoxicating twist with a little ‘Bhang’ (cannabis paste). If looking for the best spots to get some authentic thandai, Shiv Amrit Thandai, Pathak Ji in Vishwanath Gali, and Baba Thandai are the places to try.