3 Best Restaurants in Rajasthan, India

Named after the year when Udaipur was founded, 1559 occupies an elegant colonial bungalow, with indoor dining as well as alfresco dining in the large garden. Specialties include Rajasthani game birds (farmed, not hunted), prepared in traditional Indian and European styles, as well as salmon or rack of lamb; the menu also features pasta, pizza, and vegetarian specials such as malai kofta and paneer dishes. There's a café with an authentic espresso machine and a bar with a decent selection of wines.

This four-story, family-run restaurant is a good choice for continental cuisine (think veggie burgers and Israeli salads) as well as Indian classics, with spice levels suited to the Western palate; the pizzas and pastas are popular, too. It's also a good place for breakfast, as it usually stocks a few pastries from a nearby bakery, makes paranthas (potato-stuffed flatbreads) that are fresh and not too oily. The café also serves "real" filter coffee. For views of Pushkar and the surrounding desert, sit on the rooftop terrace.

The majority of the restaurants in Jaisalmer are vegetarian, prompting travelers in search of meat-based dishes to flock to this quiet, charming rooftop restaurant at the Nachna Haveli hotel complex. The menu includes a variety of Indian food, as well as Chinese and Italian options and a large array of all-day breakfast plates, but the emphasis is on traditional Rajasthani dishes, Indian, and tandoor (Indian clay-oven roasts), especially chicken delicacies. It offers a special Nachna thali (vegetarian and nonvegetarian); other specialties include roast chicken with potatoes and a selection of gratins and sizzling platters. The restaurant sells beer, wine, and other alcohol at very affordable prices. Service can be slow when busy.