14 Best Restaurants in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Considered one of the city's best (and most expensive) restaurants, Peshwari entices with melt-in-your-mouth, exquisitely spiced and marinated kebabs and other North-West Frontier foods; menu highlights include paneer tikka, chicken makhani, and the dal bukhara, served with an assortment of rotis and naans. The dining area has an outdoorsy, dhaba look—wood beams, shining copper platters, and pots hanging on the walls, with seating at log tables matched with stools. Part of ITC, a luxury hotel chain known for its excellent cuisine, Peshawri has branches in other cities in India.

Once the maharaja's throne room in the original palace, this grand hall within the Taj's Rambagh Palace Hotel---easily one of India's most elegant restaurants---has a soaring, frescoed ceiling, tapestry-covered walls, gold-plated silverware, and a staff eager to serve. It serves dishes from royal kitchens across India, from Punjab to Rajasthan, including both meat and vegetarian entrées; alcohol is available.

The Jaipur version of a Nordstrom Cafe, this little eatery, attached to the Anokhi store, has a relaxed air and is a perfect place to rest limbs weary from sightseeing or shopping, enjoying a drink for as long as you like. Try the caramelized onion, goat cheese, and tomato pizza or opt for one of the freshly made salads (washed in filtered water); also among the selection are vegetarian sandwiches and pastas, and a variety of cold drinks (the ice cubes are safe to drink).

If you're looking for freshly roasted coffee brewed to perfection, head to this lively café with indoor and outdoor seating. The café attracts a steady stream of Jaipur's jet-set, who hang out and even work from here. There's also a small menu of salads, omelets, sandwiches, and desserts available. There's another outlet about 2 km (1 mile) away.

The glass- and wood-dominated environment of this regional chain is the best place to tuck into South Indian specialties such as dosas, idlis, upma, and vadas.

For a break after a morning of sightseeing at Jaipur's fortresses, go to this pretty restaurant in the Trident hotel to sample a mix of Indian and European fare—pastas, kebabs, salads, sandwiches—washed down with cold Indian beer, or try the grilled red snapper or the Rajasthani thali (traditional laal maas or spiced mutton), two of the best dishes on the menu. It also offers a sizeable breakfast buffet.

Across the street from Niros restaurant, under a green-and-white-striped awning, and on the periphery of a long chain of imposters, the real thing, Lassiwalla, can only be found under the sign "Kishan Lal Govind Narain Agarwal"; it's so well-known that you may have to wait behind a line of locals waiting to get their daily serving of the sweet probiotic. Served in disposable red-clay cups, the delicious lassis come with a dash of thick cream on top and are available in medium and large sizes.

Popular with locals for its thalis, this all-vegetarian restaurant is also one of the few places that opens early (10 am)—if you're in the mood for stuffed paranthas (whole-wheat flatbread) or idlis (South Indian steamed rice cakes). The house specialties are bundi laddu (sugary, deep-fried chickpea-flour balls) and the rasgulla (cottage cheese balls in a sugary syrup); other sweets include ras malai (sweet cheese dumplings smothered in cream), which melt in your mouth. The decor is bland, but the sweets make up for it. No alcohol is served.

This bustling and often boisterous Jaipur institution might be the most popular restaurant among the middle class, and it is the place to grab dinner before a Bollywood movie at the Rajmandir Cinema around the corner. Dine on decent Indian and Chinese food (the range is extensive), as well as continental dishes; to drink, the options include beer and wine, and cold coffee topped with ice cream. During peak tourist season reservations are advisable.

An upgraded dhaba (roadside eatery), this unprepossessing spot located on the way to Amer Fort is a convenient stop after a heavy morning of fort viewing. Air-conditioned and kept spotlessly clean by its house-proud and attentive owners, it serves North Indian specials; favorites on its mostly vegetarian menu include palak paneer (spinach with soft white cheese), garlic naan, kadhi pakoda (yogurt curry with chickpea dumplings), achari aloo (spiced potatoes), vegetable curry (stuffed potato dumplings in gravy). Salads, sandwiches, and a handful of Chinese dishes are also available.

The pizzas here are as memorable as the locale—the restaurant is located within an out-of-service steam engine; hop aboard and settle into an interior booth (a must in hot months) or dine on the Victorian-era platform. It's located on the grounds of the Rambagh Palace hotel, part of the Taj Hotel empire, and buzzes at night with locals and in-the-know travelers.

Housed in a pink-walled bungalow off the busy M.I. Road, this restaurant-bar channels the spirit of British architect Samuel Swinton Jacob, who designed many of Jaipur's iconic buildings like Rambagh Palace and Albert Hall Museum. The food menu includes everything from Indian chaat to pan-Asian to Italian—there's something for everyone. The space is divided into two distinct units: The Yard, with a retractable glass roof and delicate pink furnishing, is awash with natural light while Albion has a speakeasy vibe with deep colors, vintage furniture, and chandeliers. The bar shakes up some interesting cocktails—the Sassy Jamun with gin, jamun (Malabar plum, type of stonefruit), and yuzu foam is a deliciously tart and spicy purple-colored concoction.

With several tea varieties, juices, and plenty of snacks---including samosas, pizza, and pav bhaji (vegetable curry with bread)—Tapri is Jaipur's modern café where friends, ladies who lunch, and visitors come to spend a few hours relaxing while overlooking Central Park. The tea is served with a timer to ensure yours is steeped perfectly to your liking; the ice tea (you can order a whole pitcher) is perfect for blazing hot days. There are also three other locations around the city.