Deep fried dough cutlets in hot oil in a big frying utensil
A bedroom featuring a four-poster bed, a large window with sheer curtains, a wall mural, and polished wooden floors, under a recessed ceiling with soft lighting | Dileep Kothi, Jaipur

A room at Dileep Kothi, Jaipur with a double bed, side tables with night lamps, French windows and a red wall behind the bed

A well-lit bedroom at Fort Barli, featuring a vibrant orange bedspread, a crystal chandelier, and antique furniture, offers a spacious and elegant retreat.

A bright dining area at Fort Barli, featuring arched doorways, checkered floors, and a window seat, blends architectural charm with a cosy meal setting.

A luxuriously decorated bed at Umaid Vilas Jaipur with ornate elephant sculptures at its foot, showcasing traditional Indian design.

A bedroom with a red sofa, decorative wardrobe, wooden doors, and arched architectural details | Dera Rawatsar, Jaipur

A living room with green and yellow sofas, colourful cushions, framed artwork, a chandelier, and a dark rug at Dera Rawatsar, Jaipur

A bedroom with a four-poster bed, patterned bedding, and ornate armchairs | Dera Rawatsar, Jaipur

A room with a window seat, colourful cushions, a coffee table, and arched architectural details | Dera Rawatsar, Jaipur

The Royal Flavours of Rajasthani Cuisine: A Journey into Culinary Heritage

Rajasthani cuisine is known for its royal origins, bold flavours, and distinctive cooking styles. Shaped by the lives of kings, warriors, and desert communities, the food was created to be filling, flavourful, and long-lasting. Slow cooking methods, rich spices, and the generous use of ghee are key features that give Rajasthani cuisine its strong and memorable taste.

Red chillies under the sun being dried in three separate plates.

Authentic Rajasthani food closely reflects the culture, geography, and traditions of the region. Due to the dry desert climate and limited access to water and fresh produce, local cooking relies on ingredients that can be stored for long periods. These include gram flour, pulses, and traditional desert vegetables such as ker and sangri. Over time, these ingredients became central to many classic dishes. Together, they represent the resilience, hospitality, and heritage of Rajasthan, offering visitors an authentic experience of the region through its food.

Must-try Rajasthani Dishes

When exploring Rajasthan, you can try several iconic dishes to understand the depth of flavours in this region. These items hold the timeless essence and history of the state’s rich roots in food and cooking.

The famous dishes are:

  • Dal Baati Churma: The most renowned trio of Rajasthani food, comprising hard, baked wheat dumplings (baati), various types of lentils (dal), and a sweet, coarsely ground dessert (churma).
  • Laal Maas: A signature fiery red mutton curry, traditionally prepared with generous quantities of chillies and yoghurt, showcasing the region's rich non-vegetarian heritage.
  • Ker Sangri: A delectable vegetable dish utilising indigenous desert beans and berries, proving that even harsh environments yield unique and delicious ingredients.

Red meat curry in a bowl with a tomato slive, chilly and lemon beside.
Deep fried indian dessert on a plate.

  • Gatte Ki Sabzi: A classic Rajasthani staple featuring tender, poached gram flour dumplings simmered in a rich, tangy yoghurt-based gravy. Infused with aromatic spices like carom seeds and dried fenugreek, this dish is a masterpiece of texture and a testament to the region’s creative use of pantry essentials.
  • Malpua & Ghevar: The crowning jewels of Rajasthani confectionery; Malpuas are delicate, syrup-soaked pancakes with crisp edges, while Ghevar is a honeycomb-textured disc made from flour and desi ghee. Often topped with creamy rabri and silver leaf, they represent the pinnacle of festive indulgence.
  • Papad Ki Sabzi: A brilliant example of desert ingenuity, this dish transforms crisp roasted or fried lentil discs (papad) into a succulent curry. Cooked in a spiced, tempered yoghurt sauce, it is a quick yet deeply flavourful preparation traditionally served when fresh vegetables were scarce in the arid landscape.
  • Safed Maas: The elegant counterpart to the fiery Laal Maas, this 'White Meat' curry is a luscious, regal preparation. It features succulent meat slow-cooked in a creamy blend of yoghurt, cashew paste, and fresh cream, delicately seasoned with whole white spices to create a velvet-smooth, mild finish.

Explore the Best Delicacies in Ajmer

Ajmer is a delight for food lovers seeking authentic Rajasthani cuisine, and the city is dotted with eateries that proudly showcase its rich culinary heritage. Some of the best food in Ajmer includes:
  • Khandelwal ki Kachori: Famous for its crisp and spicy curry kachori, this iconic spot is perfect for sampling a classic Rajasthani street food favourite that locals have loved for generations.
  • Desi Chulha Rabri Wala: Known for serving an authentic Rajasthani thali, this restaurant offers traditional staples such as bajre ki roti and wholesome daal bati, prepared using age-old cooking methods.

Indian deep fried bread with fillings on a paper with ketchup kept beside
Sweet balls kept one after the other on top of each other

  • Jodhana Ri Handi: A must-visit for non-vegetarian food lovers, especially for its rich and fiery Laal Maas, a signature dish that reflects the bold spices and royal roots of Rajput cuisine.
  • Kamlesh Sweets: Ideal for a hearty vegetarian meal, this popular eatery is loved for its Bedmi Poori served with paneer makhane ki aloo wali sabzi, a comforting combination full of homely flavours.

Together, these restaurants represent the best of Ajmer’s Rajasthani food scene, offering visitors a chance to savour traditional dishes that truly capture the spirit of the region.

Enhancing Your Culinary Journey in Rajasthan

  • Who will enjoy it: Families, food explorers, and culture lovers can all savour a culinary adventure that goes beyond just tasting.
  • Best time to enjoy meals: Cool evenings or a hearty lunch are ideal for sampling Rajasthani dishes.
  • Pairing tips: Heavy meals go well with local accompaniments like refreshing buttermilk (chaas) or masala soda, which help cleanse the palate and aid digestion.
  • Cultural dining experiences: Try a traditional thali served in a heritage setting for a complete experience of the region’s diverse flavours.
  • Extra travel tip: Exploring meals in authentic local settings—such as street-side eateries or palace restaurants—adds a rich cultural dimension to your culinary journey.

Man wearing white chef toque and scarf stands in commercial kitchen holding frying pan over gas stove with flames visible preparing dish during culinary event in Jaipur.
A four-poster bed dominates a room at Fort Barli, Ajmer, with arched doorways leading to other areas.

Explore a Definitive Heritage Stay at Fort Barli

Majestic Fort Barli is a 16th-century heritage hotel near Ajmer in rural Rajasthan, meticulously restored to retain its historic character and offer authentic regal experiences. The property features elegantly appointed suites in two categories — Royal Suite and Super Deluxe Suite — each combining traditional décor with modern comforts and views of the surrounding countryside.

Fort Barli’s dining celebrates Rajasthani and regional cuisine, with meals served in its Heritage Dining Room or under the open sky, reflecting local flavours and age-old recipes. Guests can also enjoy facilities such as a tranquil spa offering Ayurvedic therapies, guided heritage tours of the fort, and cultural activities like bullock cart rides and cooking demonstrations, all designed to showcase Rajasthan’s rich heritage and hospitality.

FAQs

1. Is Rajasthani food generally vegetarian or non-vegetarian?

While a significant portion of traditional Rajasthani cuisine, particularly Marwari food, is vegetarian due to religious and geographical reasons, famous dishes like Laal Maas confirm that excellent non-vegetarian options are also widely available.

2. Is the food at the Best restaurant in Ajmer typically very spicy?

Authentic Rajasthani food is known for its bold spice profile, particularly in dishes like Laal Maas and certain curries. However, most places catering to travellers can adjust the spice levels upon request.

3. 3. What are the must-try dishes in Rajasthani cuisine?

Rajasthani cuisine is known for its rich, bold flavours and hearty dishes. Must-try favourites include Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, Gatte ki Sabzi, Ker Sangri, and popular snacks like Pyaaz Kachori and Mirchi Vada.

4. Can special arrangements be made to try local cuisine at Fort Barli?

Yes, guests at Fort Barli can enquire about a special dining experience, which often includes traditional cooking demonstrations or tailored menus featuring the region's best historical dishes.

5. What makes Rajasthani cuisine unique?

Rajasthani cuisine is unique for its bold flavours and clever use of spices, developed to suit the region’s dry climate and long shelf life. It makes extensive use of lentils, gram flour, ghee and dried ingredients, resulting in rich, hearty dishes with a distinctive taste.

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