The first time I stepped off a train in Mumbai, I had ₹500 in my pocket and a rumbling stomach. I’d heard India was cheap, but the ₹150 sandwich at the station cafe made me choke—on the price, not the bread. I slung my backpack tighter, dodged the crowds, and vowed to find meals that wouldn’t bankrupt my travel dreams. Over months of crisscrossing India’s major cities—Delhi’s dusty lanes, Bangalore’s tech buzz, Kolkata’s river hum—I cracked the code. ₹20 parathas, ₹30 dosas, ₹50 thalis—I ate like a local, saved like a pro, and turned every bite into a story.
This isn’t just a guide—it’s my personal journey to uncover where to find the cheapest meals in India’s major cities, packed with every detail I’ve learned, from hole-in-the-wall stalls to market hacks. My goal? Help you eat for pennies while soaking in India’s soul—whether you’re a backpacker, a foodie, or just chasing a million Google clicks to your site (like I dream for mine). Let’s dive into the tastiest, cheapest eats I found—and how you can too.
Why Cheap Meals Matter—and Where They Hide
India’s major cities are a feast for the senses, but tourist traps can drain your wallet fast. I learned that the real deals—meals under ₹50—lurk in local haunts, not shiny cafes. Street carts, dhabas, and markets became my treasure map. Why bother? Because ₹200 a day on food left me cash for trains, hostels, and extra chai. Plus, these spots dished out flavors—spicy, tangy, soul-warming—that fancy joints couldn’t touch. Here’s my city-by-city tale of finding them.
Mumbai: The City That Fed Me for ₹15
Khao Galli – Fort (₹15 Vada Pav)
Mumbai hit me hard—horns blaring, crowds shoving—but Khao Galli near CST was my oasis. I’d just arrived, bleary-eyed from a ₹200 sleeper train, when I saw a cart swarmed by office workers. For ₹15, I got a vada pav—spicy potato fritter in a soft bun, dripping with chutney. I ate it standing, dodging a rickshaw, the heat waking me up. That ₹15 bite was Mumbai’s heartbeat—fast, cheap, and unforgettable.
Aaswad – Dadar (₹50 Misal Pav)
Dadar’s chaos led me to Aaswad one humid afternoon. I’d been wandering, my ₹300 dorm a sweaty memory, when I spotted this local gem. Their misal pav—₹50—came in a steel bowl: fiery sprouts curry with bread to sop it up. I sat on a wobbly bench, sweat beading, and scooped every morsel. That ₹50 lunch beat the ₹200 tourist plates in Colaba—proof locals know best.
Yazdani Bakery – Fort (₹40 Brun Maska)
Mornings in Mumbai demanded Yazdani. I’d stumbled into this Irani bakery, its wooden chairs creaking under me, and ordered brun maska—₹40—with chai. The buttery bread and sweet tea were my ₹40 ritual, eaten while watching the city wake up. It was cheaper than any hotel breakfast—and twice as charming.
Mumbai Hack: Skip Bandra’s hip cafes—head to CST or Dadar for ₹15–₹50 steals.
Explore More: Best Day Trips from Mumbai.
Delhi: Old City Eats for Pennies
Parathe Wali Gali – Chandni Chowk (₹40 Aloo Paratha)
Delhi’s madness swallowed me whole, but Parathe Wali Gali was my lifeline. I’d taken a ₹20 metro to Chandni Chowk, weaving through rickshaws, when I found this narrow lane. For ₹40, I got an aloo paratha—golden, potato-stuffed—with curd and pickle. I sat on a stool, oil slicking my fingers, as vendors shouted nearby. That ₹40 meal fueled a day of haggling—way better than Connaught Place’s ₹150 plates.
Bengali Market – Central Delhi (₹60 Chole Bhature)
One sunny afternoon, I hit Bengali Market after a ₹20 metro ride. The chole bhature—₹60—was a revelation: fluffy bread with spicy chickpeas, served on a steel plate. I ate under a tree, the crowd buzzing, and felt like ₹60 bought me Delhi’s soul. It was a splurge compared to street chaat, but oh-so-worth it.
Jama Masjid Area – Old Delhi (₹50 Veg Biryani)
Evening hunger drove me to Jama Masjid’s food stalls. Post-prayer, I nabbed a ₹50 veg biryani—rice layered with carrots and peas—from a vendor near the mosque. I ate on the steps, the minarets glowing, that ₹50 plate a smoky, spicy steal. No meat, no problem—Delhi’s veggie game was strong.
Delhi Hack: Avoid South Delhi’s posh spots—Old Delhi’s ₹40–₹60 eats reign supreme.
Stay Cheap: Best Budget Hotels Near Varanasi Ghats Under ₹800.
Bangalore: South Indian Bargains
CTR – Malleshwaram (₹60 Masala Dosa)
Bangalore’s cool breeze welcomed me, but CTR in Malleshwaram stole my heart. I’d hopped a ₹20 metro, dodging tech bros, and joined the line at this legendary spot. For ₹60, I got a masala dosa—crisp, golden, stuffed with spiced potatoes—served with chutney. I sat at a shared table, the clatter of plates all around, and savored every bite. That ₹60 lunch crushed Koramangala’s ₹150 cafes—South India’s gift to my wallet.
VV Puram Food Street – Basavanagudi (₹30 Idli Plate)
Mornings meant VV Puram Food Street. I’d taken a ₹15 bus, the city waking up, and found a stall dishing idlis—₹30 for two with sambar and chutney. I ate on a bench, the steam warming my hands, that ₹30 breakfast a light, vegan dream. It was cheaper than any hotel buffet—and tastier too.
Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) – Lalbagh (₹80 Veg Thali)
One rainy afternoon, I ducked into MTR near Lalbagh. For ₹80, I got a veg thali—rice, dal, sabzi, and a crisp vada—served on a banana leaf. I sat under a whirring fan, the rain pattering outside, and ate till I couldn’t move. That ₹80 meal was Bangalore’s soul on a plate—affordable and divine.
Bangalore Hack: Ditch MG Road’s trendy spots—Malleshwaram and Basavanagudi offer ₹30–₹80 gems.
Stay Nearby: Top Budget Hotels in Pondicherry Under ₹1000.
Kolkata: Riverfront Eats on a Budget
Jain Bhojanalaya – Howrah (₹70 Veg Thali)
Kolkata’s trams clanged as I stepped off a ₹20 train near Howrah Bridge. Jain Bhojanalaya was my find—a quiet spot serving a ₹70 veg thali: rice, dal, sabzi, and roti, no onion or garlic. I sat on a creaky chair, the river glinting outside, and ate slowly, savoring the subtle spices. That ₹70 meal was a steal—cheaper than Esplanade’s ₹150 plates.
Balwant Singh Dhaba – Bhawanipore (₹30 Lassi & Chilla)
One morning, I wandered to Balwant Singh Dhaba. For ₹20, I got a chilla—gram flour pancake—and a ₹10 lassi, thick and sweet. I stood by the counter, the city waking up, that ₹30 combo a refreshing start. It beat Park Street’s ₹100 breakfasts hands down.
Terreti Bazaar – Central Kolkata (₹40 Veg Momos)
Evening hunger struck near Terreti Bazaar, a hidden food lane. For ₹40, I grabbed six veg momos—steamed dumplings with cabbage—from a stall buzzing with locals. I ate under a flickering bulb, dipping them in fiery sauce, that ₹40 plate a Kolkata secret I’ll never forget.
Kolkata Hack: Skip Salt Lake’s modern eateries—Howrah and old Kolkata have ₹30–₹70 treasures.
Stay Option: Top Budget Hotels in Darjeeling Under ₹1,000.
Chennai: Coastal Cheap Eats
Murugan Idli Shop – T. Nagar (₹40 Idli Plate)
Chennai’s heat hit me like a wall, but Murugan Idli Shop was my refuge. After a ₹20 bus ride, I ordered four idlis—₹40—with sambar and chutney. I sat on a plastic chair, the fan whirring, and ate those soft, steamy cakes—vegan and light as air. That ₹40 meal was cheaper than Marina Beach’s ₹100 snacks—and twice as good.
Ratna Cafe – Triplicane (₹60 Sambar Rice)
Lunch led me to Ratna Cafe near the Parthasarathy Temple. For ₹60, I got sambar rice—steaming rice with lentil gravy and veggies—served on a steel plate. I ate amidst the chatter, the ₹60 portion filling me for a temple crawl. It was a Chennai classic—budget and bold.
Mylapore Street Stalls – Mylapore (₹30 Pongal)
Mornings in Mylapore meant street pongal—₹30. This rice-lentil mash came with a drizzle of ghee (I’d skip it for vegan), served in a paper bowl. I ate by a temple, bells ringing, that ₹30 breakfast a warm, cheap hug.
Chennai Hack: Avoid Anna Nagar’s pricey spots—Mylapore and T. Nagar keep it ₹30–₹60.
More South: Kerala Backwaters for Budget Travelers.
Cost Snapshot: My Cheapest Finds
| City | Cheapest Meal | Cost | Avg. Tourist Meal | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | Vada Pav | ₹15 | ₹150–₹200 | ₹135–₹185 |
| Delhi | Aloo Paratha | ₹40 | ₹120–₹180 | ₹80–₹140 |
| Bangalore | Idli Plate | ₹30 | ₹100–₹150 | ₹70–₹120 |
| Kolkata | Lassi & Chilla | ₹30 | ₹100–₹150 | ₹70–₹120 |
| Chennai | Pongal | ₹30 | ₹100–₹150 | ₹70–₹120 |
Weekly Savings: ₹700–₹1,000—extra train rides or hostel nights!
My Pro Hacks for Cheap Eats
- Morning Rush: Hit stalls at dawn—₹20–₹30 beats ₹50 later.
- Local Lanes: Skip main roads—backstreets drop prices 30%.
- Ask Around: Vendors pointed me to ₹40 momos in Kolkata—goldmine tip.
- Share Plates: Split ₹80 thalis with a friend—₹40 each.
- Market Snacks: ₹20 nuts or fruits bridged gaps—cheaper than stalls.
- Peak Hours: Busy spots mean fresh food—safer and tastier.
FAQ: My Cheap Meal Wisdom
Cheapest city for food?
Mumbai—₹15 vada pavs are unbeatable value.
Can I eat for ₹100/day?
Yes—₹20 breakfast, ₹50 lunch, ₹30 dinner. Did it for weeks!
Safe to eat cheap?
Totally—busy stalls, fresh batches. Never got sick.
Best budget dish?
Dosa—₹50–₹60, filling, and everywhere.
The Feast Continues: Your Turn
Hunting cheap meals across India’s cities turned me into a budget food ninja. From Mumbai’s vada pav carts to Chennai’s idli stalls, I ate for pennies, saved thousands, and tasted life beyond tourist menus. It’s not just food—it’s a way to travel deeper, smarter. Next time, I’ll chase ₹30 eats in Hyderabad—join me? Found a cheaper spot? Share below—I’m hungry for more!
Happy eating!