Amritsar Restaurants

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Do not miss the Langar when you are at the Golden Temple.

I wasn't sure if I should put this under Restaurants, Things to Do, or Local Customs. I decided to put it under Local Customs because it is more then a place to eat or a thing to do, it is a custom of the Sikhs to feed anyone who wants to eat.

I later also decided to put it under this Restaurant so VTers will not miss it. A Sikh friend also told me that I could also stay at a free hostel

They have several big halls where they feed anyone who wants to come. It is well orginised and when one hall is filled up, a different one that just been clean from the last Langar opens up. The line is always moving and you get plenty to eat.

You are under no obligation to help or donate but there was a donation box off to the side when you exit. No one is standing there asking you to give but I gave some US dollars for my appreciation. I used US dollars so that they would know my money was donated by a tourist. Some people were sitting in the distance and they smiled and waved at me and gave me the thumbs up after they saw that I gave something.

See my Amritsar local customs tips about helping with the food preparation or helping with cleanup.

Please rate this tip and my others if you find them interesting, useful, or like the photos. Thanks.

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There are lots of small restaurants throughout India with wonderful breads. This restaurants is next to our Amritsar hotel and we ate there as we arrived late. The hotel was past the train station so I don't think they get too many tourist.

They usually allow you to look in the kitchen and even take photos. As our trip went on, we made it a point to check the kitchens. We had no problems in Amritsar but some places the kitchens were horrible and we refused to eat there.

Also see my "Local Customs" tips for information about Langar (Free Meal) at the Golden Temple Complex. (Link below)

Please rate this tips and my others when you find them interesting, helpful, or like the photos. Thanks.

The food was great and the service was speedy as I was the only in there -- but by the time I had finished eating the place was packed.

Favorite Dish: Tandoori Chicken was just scrumptious. Unfortunately the beer was overpriced and not too cold.

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Part of the Sikh religion is the fact that everyone is welcome to take a meal which consists of dahl (rather bland bean curry), rice and a chipati. The dining hall, which has signs over the entrance such as "The lord himself is the farm, himself is the farmer, himself he grows & grinds the corn", was packed with people when I visited, (even though it was only 10.45am), sitting on the floor in neat rows with silver trays in front of them waiting to be served.

Located round the corner on the road past the Jallianwala Bagh, this pizza place was OK but certainly nothing special. I had a mushroom pizza which was a bit dull as I prefer spicy meat pizza's but they only do vegetarian one's as it's close to the Golden Temple.

The surrounding area around the Golden Temple is deemed to be a religious area and so meat is regarded as a complete no-no. There's actually not many restaurants within the area. In the New Punjabi Rasoi I had a mushroom masala, rice and naan which was good. Neelam's does do breakfast but only after 9am. I came to Neelam's for dinner on my last night in Amritsar and they had meat on the menu, or should that be on the walls and seats near me, as a couple of small cockroaches were around. Not nice whilst eating!

Surjit Chicken House is situated in Nehru Shopping Complex , Lawrence Road. This is about 5 KMs from Golden Temple and a Rickshaw (trishaw) ride will take about 20 mins to reach (for Rs. 20 - one way). Its a basic eatery with no fancy decoration or frills. Just the tables, chairs, a TV and ACs plus the tempting smell of Chicked being roasted in an Oven (tandoor).

Favorite Dish: Tandoori Chicken - Chicken (not boneless) roasted in an Indian Oven (tandoor) and sprinkled with Indian Spices and served with spicy chilly-mint sauce, a slice of lemon and onion.... Try it if you can handle the heat out of your ears.....yummy!

Whether you are in the mood for Indian Food, Chinese or something All-American, Brothers has it for you. This is pretty much the Indian equivalent to a diner.

Favorite Dish: My dad had the saag and makhi roti, which was very good. I opted for pizza. I thought I would give Indian pizza a shot. Up until now, I had been eating only Indian food. I was very pleasantly surprised. It was very good.