The sun was barely up in Pushkar when I realized I’d spent ₹300 on food the day before—two thalis and a lassi that tasted divine but stung my wallet. I’d promised myself a month in India on a tight budget, and here I was, three days in, already slipping. Sitting by the holy lake, watching camels shuffle past, I scribbled a plan on a crumpled napkin: eat for under ₹200 a day, no excuses. It sounded crazy—India’s cheap, sure, but ₹200? Yet, over weeks of zigzagging from Rajasthan’s deserts to Kerala’s backwaters, I made it work. ₹20 parathas, ₹50 dosas, and a lot of grit kept me full, happy, and within budget.
This isn’t just a meal plan—it’s my story of how to eat for under ₹200 per day while traveling in India, packed with real moments, practical eats, and hacks that turned scarcity into a feast. Whether you’re a backpacker counting rupees, a veggie lover, or just tired of overpriced tourist traps, this guide’s for you. Let’s dive into my food-filled adventure!
The Wake-Up Call: Why ₹200 Became My Goal
It all started in McLeod Ganj. I’d been splurging—₹100 momos here, ₹150 thalis there—thinking India’s low costs meant I could wing it. But after a week, my savings were shrinking faster than a monsoon puddle. I sat in my ₹300 dorm, staring at a ₹50 bowl of maggi I’d bought from a stall, and thought, “I can do better.” That night, I cooked rice and dal in the hostel kitchen for ₹30 total—tasty, filling, and a lightbulb moment. If I mixed street eats with DIY meals, I could cap my food at ₹200 a day—less than a single fancy dinner—and still enjoy India’s flavors.
The plan wasn’t just about money. It forced me to eat smarter—less oil, more control—and dive deeper into local life. Markets became my playground, vendors my friends. Here’s how I pulled it off, day by delicious day.
Day 1: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in Pushkar
Morning – Paratha Power (₹20)
Pushkar’s streets woke me with the sizzle of tawa. I found a tiny stall near the ghats, where a man flipped parathas like a pro. For ₹20, I got two aloo parathas—potato-stuffed flatbreads—hot off the grill, with a smear of pickle. I sat on a plastic stool, chai steam rising from a ₹10 cup nearby, and ate as sadhus chanted. That ₹30 breakfast fueled a morning of temple-hopping—cheap, carb-loaded perfection.
Afternoon – Street Chaat (₹50)
By noon, the sun blazed, and my stomach growled. I wandered to Pushkar Bazaar, where a chaat vendor beckoned with a grin. “Pani puri, bhai?” he asked. For ₹50, I got eight crispy puris filled with spicy water and chickpeas—vegan, tangy, and messy in the best way. I stood under a tree, crunching away as camels lumbered past, feeling like ₹50 bought me a front-row seat to Rajasthan’s pulse.
Evening – DIY Dal-Rice (₹60)
Back at my guesthouse, I borrowed a stove for ₹20 and cooked. I’d grabbed ₹15 lentils and ₹15 rice from the market, plus a ₹5 tomato and ₹5 spices—turmeric, cumin, salt. In 20 minutes, I had dal-rice steaming in my pot, the aroma drawing curious looks from bunkmates. That ₹60 dinner was simple but warm—proof I could eat well without a restaurant.
Day Total: ₹130
Stay Nearby: Top Budget Hotels in Rishikesh Under ₹1000—similar vibe, different spot.
Day 2: Mumbai’s Fast and Cheap Eats
Morning – Vada Pav Rush (₹20)
Mumbai’s chaos hit me like a train—which I’d just hopped off, ₹10 ticket in hand. Near CST, I found a vada pav cart swarmed by commuters. For ₹20, I got a spicy potato fritter in a bun, slathered with chutney. I ate standing, dodging rickshaws, the spice waking me up faster than coffee. That ₹20 breakfast was Mumbai in a bite—fast, cheap, and fearless.
Afternoon – Misal Pav at Aaswad (₹50)
By midday, I was in Dadar, sweaty and starving. Aaswad’s sign caught my eye—a local joint buzzing with chatter. Their misal pav—₹50—came in a steel bowl: spicy sprouts curry with bread on the side. I scooped it up, the heat making my nose run, but that ₹50 filled me for hours. I’d dodged Colaba’s ₹200 lunches—local haunts were my saviors.
Evening – Bread and Sabzi (₹70)
Back at my Colaba guesthouse, I cooked again. I’d snagged ₹20 bread, ₹30 potatoes, and ₹10 spices from Crawford Market. With a ₹10 oil splash, I fried a quick sabzi—potatoes with cumin and chili. I sat on my bunk, tearing bread into the warm mix, the city’s hum outside my window. That ₹70 dinner was my Mumbai win—homely and under budget.
Day Total: ₹140
Explore More: Best Day Trips from Mumbai.
Day 3: Bangalore’s South Indian Bliss
Morning – Idli Breakfast (₹30)
Bangalore’s cool dawn drew me to VV Puram Food Street. A stall there served two idlis—steamed rice cakes—for ₹30, with sambar and chutney. I sat on a bench, the soft idlis melting in my mouth, the ₹10 coffee I added sealing the deal. That ₹40 start was light, vegan, and cheaper than any cafe’s ₹100 toast.
Afternoon – Dosa Delight at CTR (₹60)
Lunch called me to CTR in Malleshwaram. For ₹60, I got a masala dosa—crisp, golden, stuffed with spiced potatoes. The place was packed, plates clanging, but I nabbed a corner seat and dug in. That ₹60 dosa was a South Indian hug—way better than the ₹150 versions at hip joints nearby.
Evening – DIY Veg Rice (₹60)
At my Koramangala hostel, I fired up the kitchen. I’d bought ₹15 rice, ₹20 mixed veggies—carrots, peas—from Russell Market, plus ₹15 spices and ₹10 oil. In my pot, I stirred a veg rice mix, the hostel filling with cumin’s scent. That ₹60 dinner was colorful and hearty—proof I could rival Bangalore’s eateries.
Day Total: ₹160
Stay Cheap: Top Budget Hotels in Pondicherry Under ₹1000.
Day 4: Kerala’s Coastal Bites
Morning – Puttu and Banana (₹40)
Alleppey’s backwaters greeted me with mist, and a roadside stall offered puttu—steamed rice flour—for ₹30. I added a ₹10 banana, mashing it into the crumbly mix. I ate by the water, boats gliding past, that ₹40 breakfast a Kerala classic—simple, cheap, and filling.
Afternoon – Appam at a Local Joint (₹60)
Lunch was appam—₹60—at a small eatery near the canals. These lacy pancakes came with a coconut stew, veggie-rich and light. I sat under a fan, the ₹60 plate a steal compared to ₹200 houseboat meals. It was my taste of Kerala’s soul—budget-style.
Evening – Rice and Dal (₹60)
My homestay let me cook for ₹20. With ₹15 rice, ₹15 lentils, ₹5 tomato, and ₹5 spices from a local shop, I made rice and dal. I ate on the porch, fireflies flickering, that ₹60 meal a cozy end to a waterlogged day.
Day Total: ₹160
More Kerala: Kerala Backwaters for Budget Travelers.
My ₹200/Day Meal Plan Blueprint
Here’s how I structured it:
- Breakfast (₹20–₹40): Street eats like parathas, idlis, or bread—quick, carb-heavy starts.
- Lunch (₹50–₹70): Local stalls or joints—dosa, chaat, misal—tasty midday fuel.
- Dinner (₹60–₹80): DIY meals—rice, dal, sabzi—cheap and controlled.
- Extras (₹10–₹20): Chai, coffee, or fruit—small joys to round it out.
Weekly Total: ₹910–₹1,120—well under ₹1,400!
Hacks That Made It Work
- I’d hit morning stalls—₹20 parathas beat ₹50 dinners.
- Markets were my lifeline—₹15 veggies vs. ₹50 packets.
- Shared cooking gear—saved ₹200 on pots in Pushkar.
- Batch-cooked—₹60 dal lasted two meals in Bangalore.
- Asked locals—found ₹30 idlis in Alleppey that way.
- Skipped tourist zones—₹50 vs. ₹150 near temples.
FAQ: My Budget Meal Answers
Can you really eat for ₹200/day?
Yes—I did it for a month, from Pushkar to Alleppey!
Cheapest meal?
₹20 vada pav in Mumbai—fast and full.
Hardest part?
Finding kitchens—hostels and locals solved it.
Tasty enough?
Oh yeah—₹60 dosas rivaled ₹200 plates.
The Journey’s End: Full on ₹200
Eating for under ₹200 a day turned India into my budget playground. From Pushkar’s parathas to Kerala’s puttu, I learned you don’t need cash to taste this country—just a plan and a hunger for more. It saved me ₹2,000 over a month—extra nights in Darjeeling! Try it—your ₹200 feast awaits. Got a budget eat to share? Drop it below—I’m all ears!
Happy eating!