Hampi India – Best Places to Eat

The mini-universe of Hampi caters to the chill-seeking tourists and backpackers it attracts with restaurants and cafes designed for a relaxed atmosphere. The few food options may not be the best in India, but you’re sure to have a good time. Love a rooftop restaurant? Well, you’re in luck.

General information on food in Hampi

As Hampi is a religious town known for its ancient temples, most restaurants offer vegetarian options only. To be honest, when in India, this is probably for the best. However, if you simply must have your portion of protein, try to head out of the main temple areas and across the river, where non-veg is easier to come by. But when the veg options are this varied and delicious, we say relax and enjoy the dosa.

What to eat and drink in Hampi

The town of Hampi is located in the Southern state of Karnataka, where the food is fresher and lighter than the cuisines to the north. Traditional breakfasts in this part of India largely consist of idly, vada, and sambar, while lunch and dinner are typically an array of curries in a thali. While we are of the opinion that all of the above are utterly delicious, if you’re starting to think that if you have one more curry you’ll scream, then don’t fret, because as a tourism hub, Hampi can offer visitors all of the usual ‘international menu’ options that you’ve grown to know and love.

During your travels in India you have no doubt come across men on the street with what look like lawnmowers chewing through bamboo. This, my friends, is sugarcane juice. While sugarcane juice may be an acquired taste, it is highly popular in Hampi due to the sugarcane fields that surround the area, and even better, it’s said to be a great relief from that oppressive South Indian heat, so we suggest you give it a go!

Street food and markets

Trying to find cheap, delicious street food in India is like looking for a kid who likes candy; you’re not going to have much trouble. And Hampi is no different, with street food stalls lining the main bazaar with sizzling pans of ghee frying all sorts of spicy treats.

The main street of Hampi runs from the bus station up to Virupaksha Temple (you can’t miss it, it’s the really really big one). You can drop into any of the stalls or restaurants along here for a meal or snack that will fill your belly without emptying your wallet. We’d recommend the idly sambar for breakfast, or a ubiquitous masala dosa. Nothing along here should set you back more than INR100. Even better, a steaming hot cup of chai will leave you satisfied for only around INR10.

Recommended local restaurants

But perching on a stool on a dusty road isn’t your only option for a meal. If you’d prefer something a little more atmospheric, Hampi has you covered. Here are some great places to sit back, relax, and keep the lassies coming.

Mango Tree – Hampi Bazaar Street, first right off River Road
The original and the best. Mango Tree is Hampi’s most popular restaurant, and the perfect place to try a variety of local dishes. Though there are western options on the menu, in our opinion you’d be crazy not to try the local fare. The aloo gobi, palak paneer, and veg manchurian are all terrific. Can’t decide? Why not get a thali and have a little bit of everything. Mango Tree might be slightly more expensive than some other places around town, but in our opinion, it’s definitely worth it.

Laughing Buddha – Virupapur Gaddi
Laughing Buddha is another classic Hampi food destination, and a splendid place to relax and unwind. To get there is a journey in itself, as you have to take a small boat across the river and then follow the signs along the winding path in order to gain entry into this colourful haven. Though the service definitely has room for improvement, the magnificent view over the river and temples more than makes up for it. The menu at the Laughing Buddha follows the lead of most other tourist restaurants across India, with a wide range of local and international dishes. It may not be the best you’ll try, but it definitely does the trick.

Gopi Guesthouse and Restaurant – Janatha Plot
We loved this little place on the rooftop above the guesthouse almost as much for its view of Virupaksha Temple as its scrummy food. Though it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s the perfect place to sit for breakfast as you plan the day’s activity. The breakfast menu is extensive and the Indian fare is just as great as the Western options. Don’t miss out on the crispy fried momos later in the day.

The Bridge Restaurant – Clarks Inn Hotel, Kalampur (10 minute drive from Hampi)
Though a little out of the way and a bit fancier than most restaurants around Hampi, the Bridge deserves to be mentioned for several reasons. Firstly, if you’re sick to death of veg only restaurants, this is where you should go. The Bridge serves mostly North Indian cuisine, and its dishes also include fish and chicken. Its fine dining atmosphere might seem a little stuffy, but the food at the Bridge is excellent, and if fine dining always includes air conditioning then sign us up!

We’ve all been there. Sometimes you just can’t bear the thought of one more meal of curry. You might feel guilty, but, if you really can’t hack it, Hampi can offer you a not-too-shabby slice of home. Here are some decent options for Western and international food.

Western and international food

Goutami Guest House - Virupapuragadde
Most of the ingredients used in Goutami’s dishes are grown on site, so it’s got to be good, right? Right. The pizzas, pastas and sandwiches on offer here are simple and fairly tasty, and will definitely satisfy your cravings for cheese. Pull up a mattress, grab a book and a cup of one of Goutami’s herbal teas, and settle in for a relaxing time.

Durga Huts Roof Restaurant – Janatha Plot
It might not look like much from the outside, but at night Durga Huts comes alive. Though it offers some truly great toasted sandwiches and pastas, Durga Huts is mostly a fairly run of the mill backpacker haunt. However, if you like live music, head up at night time and either watch or take part in a communal music jam with people from all over the world.

Cafes and coffee houses

If you’ve got a coffee-sized hole in your heart that chai just can’t seem to fill, Hampi might not hold the answer. Though all of the cafes that offer breakfast also make coffee, it’s unlikely to be anything to write home about. The possible exception to this is German Bakery, which is attached to Goutami Guest House (above), where you can use your cuppa to wash down one of the wide variety of pastries baked on site.

Good luck on your culinary adventures in Hampi!