Food has always been a source of happiness. For a foodler (foodie + traveler), a country like India is the best place to savour some delectable dishes because of the country’s diverse culture that gives people a range of tastes on to their plates. In fact, there ain’t a better way to experience the soul of India than trying out its variety of food on offer. Top food festivals of India.
Now we all know, how huge India is, and it is practically impossible to visit every state and city for a culinary experience. But what if we tell you that you no longer have to travel like crazy to get that perfect food experience in India. What if we say that all the Indian food along with top international cuisines can be made available under one roof! Yes, from the scrumptious food to refreshing drinks to grooving music to the cozy ambiance are all coming for you in varied food festivals in India. Below is the list of some top food festivals in India.
FOOD FESTIVALS OF INDIA
National Street Food Festival
Of those numerous food events celebrated in Delhi, National Street Food of India is a popular name that witnesses the footfall of thousands of food connoisseurs from every nook and corner of the world. Far away from the sophisticated restaurants, the festival is purely known for the street food of Delhi ranging from spicy momos to street style samosas to tangy golgappas. Here at National Street Food Festival, you have the opportunity to take a plunge into the delectable street delicacies. Also, giving the entire event of NSFS a different charm is music and the vibrant ambiance.
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
Where: December/January
Mei Ram-ew Festival
If you love Meghalaya for its culture and food, then Mei Ramew festival is one of the not-to-miss out attractions in the the state. The festival is organized by North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society. Little known yet one of the most enthralling events of its kind, Mei Ramew is a traditional food festival which can be an amazing experience for food buffs. The festival proffers a chance to relish the finest taste of the authentic delicacies that are prepared and served by different communities of Meghalaya.
Venue: Sacred Grove, Mawphlang, Meghalaya
Month: December
Asian Hawkers Market
While vacationing in India, if you also want to eat a range of Asian food then all Asian Hawkers Food Festival in Delhi is the best place to be. Held for three consecutive days, AHFF brings the best of best to your plates from various Asian countries. From Japanese to Korean to Chinese, this outdoor fiesta serves some popular Asian dishes like sushi, peking duck, pad thai, tempura and much more. Thai and Vietnamese cuisines are also the star highlights of this entire food festivals.
Venue: Select Citywalk, Saket, New Delhi
Month: October
Great Indian Food Festival – Dilli Haat
Great Indian Food Festival, an annual event celebrating the best street foods from different parts of India, takes place in late January at Dilli Haat, New Delhi. Famous vendors with generations of experience represent their best dishes, from paranthas to kebabs, halwas to ice creams, butter chicken to chaat.
Venue: Dilli Haat, New Delhi
Month: January
The Grub Fest
A perfect amalgamation of food, fun and entertainment, The Grub Fest is one of the largest food events in India. Held in Mumbai, Delhi and Pune, The Grub Fest includes popular restaurants, an organic food market, music performances, and culinary workshops. Apart from this, for the food lovers, the festival also holds a dedicated arena, called Grub Mile, for mini-food trucks. Adding altogether a different charm in the entire festival are the food-based films. Just imagine how cool it would be to eat your favourite food while watching a movie like Ratatouille!
Where: Delhi, Mumbai and Pune
When: March/April
Goa Food and Cultural Festival
Goa is counted among the topmost happening destination in India. And adding charm in the entire tourism scene here is the Goa Food Cultural Festival which enjoys a huge gathering of people from round the country as well as the world. GFCF is an initiative of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation which celebrates the rich heritage, traditional cuisine and beautiful culture of the state. The festival comprises more than 70 stalls serving the authentic delicacies.
Where: DB Bandodkar Grounds, Campal, Panaji
When: April
Palate Fest
Another three-day long festival celebrated in the capital city of Delhi is Palate Festival. First organized in the year 2014, the festival brings all the finest restaurants and food stalls at one place. Besides, the festival also showcases some embassy kitchens from across the city. From food stalls to restaurants to big hotels like The Oberoi, The Taj and Radisson, you can expect to see a lot of big names at Palate Fest. Apart from the food, it’s the live performances of some of the leading artists in that country that make the whole ambiance a lot more exotic.
Venue: Nehru Park, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Month: December
Ahare Bangla
An interesting venture that was started by the Government of West Bengal is the Ahare Bangla Festival. The aim of this festival is to create awareness amongst the people about the traditional and modern tastes of Bengal. It’s a cultural fiesta that brings the irresistible taste of different Bengali delicacies to your plates. From Alur Tarkari to Tangra Macher Jhol to Illish Macher Jhol to Mishti Doi, you can get a taste of classical Bengali delicacies. Besides food, this week-long festival also hosts a fair and entertainment performances.
Venue: Newtown Mela Ground, Kolkata
Month: October/November
Foodistan, 10 Heads Festival
As compared to other food festivals, Foodistan is not a massive super-festival, rather, it’s a part of 10 Head Festival. A multi-dimensional festival that gives you a perfect option for a family outing. From food, music, and culture to drinks, shopping, parties and fun activities, 10 Head Festival offers a range of experiences at one place. Created by 10 handpicked curators, the festival focuses on 10 key interest areas, food being one of them. At Foodistan, you can expect to see amazing restaurants and food trucks serving some delectable delicacies and reviving drinks accompanied by music, entertainment and shopping.
Venue: Dhanchiri Camping Resort, NH-8, Gurgaon
Month: October
Bengaluru Food Fete
From laid-back restaurants to bars to cafes to food trucks, Bengaluru is one of the most loved South Indian cities when it comes to food! And Bengaluru Food Fete is a popular event that brings all these under one roof. The festival is not only a treat to food connoisseurs but is also an ideal platform for chefs, aspiring restaurateurs and bakers to please visitors with their impeccable tastes. The entire fiesta is not just about food but live music, stand-up comedy, and various dance performances can also be expected while at Bengaluru Food Fete. Well, that’s something grand!
Venue: KTPO Trade Centre & Itpl Main Road, Bangalore, 560066 India
Month: April
Sattvik Food Festival
This festival is organised annually by Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (SRISTI). The highlights of the festival will be traditional food, conservation of agro-biodiversity as well as highlight the demand for rare nutritional crops. The festival will also be promoting millet and to do so at least two millet dishes will be available at each stall. The farmers will also be able to sell directly to the consumers via a dedicated corner called the ‘Khedut Haat’.
Venue: Ahmadabad
Month: December
Itsy Bitsy Food Festival
The festival, which will take place tomorrow and day after at the High Street Phoenix is also being called India’s first Zero Wastage Food Festival. 30 food stations, set up by some of the city’s most popular eateries like Ellipsis Bakery, Di Bella Coffee, Papacream, Loco Chino and Brewbot will be serving bite sized portions of regular dishes. These will allow customers to enjoy a wider spread of dishes as well as ensure food waste is cut down on. After the festival, all non-reusable material will be donated to Roti Bank and the Robin Hood Army and will then be passed on to the needy.
Venue: Mumbai
Month: February
Navi Mumbai Food Truck Fest
One of the best food festivals in entire India is Mumbai Food Truck Fest. The event is perfect for all the food junkies to come and enjoy a good time amidst delectable food, drinks and music. As the name suggests, the event brings some fabulous street food trucks from around the country to serve their best delicacies to the visitors. Navi Mumbai Food Truck Fest is also one of the kids-friendly food festivals in India as there is a dedicated section for the children where they can enjoy playing games.
Where: Tandel Ground, Seawoods, Sector 40, Nerul, Navi Mumbai
When: March
International Mango Festival
Let’s be honest for a moment, mangoes are the reasons why we wait for the summer season, especially in North India. Administered by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, International Mango Festival is truly one of the most enticing food events held in Delhi. You would be astounded to hear that the festival is known to display more than 500 varieties of mangoes. Interesting isn’t it! From Alphonso, Langda and Fazli to Bombay Green Mango, Dasheri and Chausa, International Mango Festival gives you an opportunity to plunge into a mango party. While at this popular event, you will also be able to savour mango desserts, juices and much more.
Venue: Dilli Haat, Janakpuri, New Delhi
Month: July
Horn OK Please
Fourteen or Forty, Horn Ok Please Festival is for anyone or everyone who loves to hunt for different cuisines. The festival displays a new and unique taste of Indian culture. Celebrating the best food from across Delhi NCR, Horn Ok Please Festival is one of the most amazing events in the capital city. If you want to see yourself getting lost in the aroma of various delectable delicacies, then HKP is the place where you should mark your presence. Apart from this, the festival also organizes various fun activities like skateboarding, karting and bull riding that are quite enthralling. Adding a source of entertainment at the festival are the various artists, including singers and dancers. Not just this, the gala also provides an opportunity to shop from quirk bazaars.
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
Month: November
GoBuzzinga Momo Festival
All the momo lovers out there, here is a festival that is solely dedicated to you – Momo Festival. Though this gala is just about momo, it is still reckoned to be one of the major food festivals in the capital city of Delhi. Known for serving more than 300 varieties of momos, Momo Festival is one of those few festivals that are hard to resist even if you are not a big-time foodie. The festival serves some sizzling momos in the form of kurkure momos, vodka momos, rogan josh momos, tandoori momos, chocolate momos and many other unimaginable varieties. Keeping the main focus of serving some top varieties of momos, the festival also offers other delectable delicacies from across the city along with great music, ambiance and booze.
Venue: Ansal Plaza, Khelgaon, New Delhi
Month: October
Sula Fest
SulaFest, India’s first vineyard music festival is back with a two-day extravaganza of heady world music, wines and food in the heart of the wine capital of India; Nashik. Set against the most striking backdrop of the rolling hills and the tranquil of the Gangapur Lake, the 13th edition of this vineyard music festival will witness high voltage performances by acclaimed artists & bands. The much awaited music festival promises some new experiences and attractions like wine games, grape stomping, master classes by our winemakers and much more! Add heaps of adventure as you camp in the vines under the starry sky or enjoy a luncheon with wines and make new friends! The festival checks all boxes on your wander-wine-music-lust!
Venue: Sula Vineyards, Nashik
Month: February
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Frequently Asked Questions About Food Festivals Around The World
Q. Which food festival is celebrated in the whole world?
A. While there isn’t a particular food festival that is celebrated around the world, but you will find many beer fests and wine festivals almost everywhere in the world.
Q. What is the biggest food festival in the world?
A. All of these food festivals mentioned above are popular around the world and each of these offers something unique to visitors. No particular food festival out of these can be classified as the biggest.
Q. What are the different types of food festivals?
A. From wine festivals, beer festivals, gourmet fests, food tasting events, to mega cooking competitions, there are various types of food festivals around the world. They can be as simple as a normal pancake festival or garlic festival, or they can be as crazy as the Cheese Rolling festival where people can be seen chasing a ball of cheese down the hill.
Q. Which country has maximum food festivals?
A. Owing to its diverse cultures and cuisines, India is one of the countries with the maximum number of food festivals around the world.
Q. How many Indian food festivals are there?
A. There are well over 20 major food festivals in India that you must attend at least once in your life. Some of the best ones include:
National Street Food Festival, Delhi
Mei Ram-ew, Meghalaya
Asian Hawkers Market, Delhi
Great Indian Food Festival, Delhi
The Grub Fest, Pune, and Mumbai
Goa Food and Cultural Festival, Goa
Ahare Bangla, Kolkata
Foodistan, Gurgaon
Bengaluru Food Fete, Bangalore
Q. Which is the biggest festival of India?
A. Diwali is considered to be the biggest festival of India that is celebrated all over the country in different styles and traditions.
