4 Best Restaurants in Aurangabad, and the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Mumbai

You'll have to drive a bit to reach Buddi Galli (a lane selling a bunch of local, meat-forward street food), but once you reach it, your taste buds will thank you. Try the naankhaliya, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's slow-cooked beef or mutton curry, fried tikki kebabs, and if you come during Ramzan, the harees (a hearty meat and lentil stew). If you can, go after sunset, when the lane truly comes alive.

A convenient place to stop for a cold drink and a hot samosa. The outdoor patio has fruit trees (home to many monkeys) and pink bougainvillea flowers. The restaurant closes before the caves do.

Walk straight out of Kailasa Cave (number 16), past the umpteen souvenir stalls on your right, and you'll see the Hotel Kailas with its attached restaurant, Kailas: it's a simple cafeteria-style restaurant serving basic vegetarian Indian food until 9:30 pm. The food isn't great, but it's a hygienic spot, and a bit nicer than the Ellora Restaurant.

Located at ITC's Rama International, this restaurant has plenty of North Indian as well as local Maharashtrian dishes on offer. Get the chef to make you the local special, the meaty naan khaliya, a throwback to the Mughal era. The decor is elegant but unremarkable.