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7 min
02/12/2025
If you want to eat the iconic foods in India’s major cities, you need not spend more than ₹100. From Mumbai’s vada pav to Delhi’s aloo tikki and Chennai’s sundal, every city has budget-friendly options that have good taste. You just have to look carefully for the perfect shops that give you the best taste without compromising on hygiene, and your wallet. This article looks at how you can plan a budget-friendly food tour in India’s major cities under ₹100. Dive deeper to know more.
India’s street food is all about affordability and bold flavours. Some of the best dishes are surprisingly very inexpensive. Whether it is out of colleges, offices, railway stations or neighbouring lanes, street food is always flavourful, fresh, and filling. Eating under ₹100 is not a task in India, but the most common way to explore the authentic food from different regions.
The secret lies in choosing stalls that have the highest crowds, visiting during peak hours for freshness, and knowing what each city or stall is known for. You get to eat everything under ₹100, from rice-heavy meals to protein-rich snacks and sweet treats. Read this article to know the right tricks and thoughtful choices that will help you enjoy diverse, satisfying meals across India’s major cities without overspending.
Mumbai’s street food is legendary and incredibly budget-friendly. A classic vada pav for ₹20–30 is still one of the best value bites in the country, especially near stations like Churchgate, Dadar, Andheri and Thane. Misal pav from small joints usually costs ₹60–80 and gives you a filling, spicy meal that lasts for hours. Cutting chai, which is priced around ₹12–15, is perfect between stops and tastes best. By sticking to high-footfall areas and eating just outside train stations, you get fresh food at the lowest prices while experiencing Mumbai’s authentic flavours.
Delhi’s snacks are spice-loaded and often portion-heavy, making them perfect for budget eaters. Chole kulche are priced at ₹40–60 in areas like Lajpat Nagar, Janpath and Daryaganj. They are full of flavour for the money paid. Aloo tikki chaat costs ₹20–40, especially around Chandni Chowk and Rajouri Garden, and delivers the perfect crisp-soft balance. For dessert, kulhad rabri or sweetened milk, which costs around ₹30–50 in North Campus, is unmatched in taste and value. The key here is again to stick to busy vendors, opt for morning batches. Carry your water bottle to save more rupees!
Bengaluru’s darshinis are a blessing for anyone eating on a budget. A soft, cloud-like thatte idli costs just ₹25–35 and comes with unlimited chutney at most places in Jayanagar and Indiranagar. Khara bath or upma for ₹20–30 is a quick breakfast option which is both filling and affordable. Filter coffee costs ₹20–30 at traditional joints and makes any meal complete. Combo counters that sell idli–vada–coffee packs often give more food and make it easy to eat well under ₹100.
Chennai’s budget eats are flavourful and satisfying. Mini ghee dosas for ₹40–60 at family-run tiffin centres are fresh and come with generous chutney refills. Beachside sundal that costs around ₹20–30 on Marina Beach, is a light, protein-rich snack perfect for evenings. A parotta with salna for ₹30–50 from local military hotels delivers the flaky-spicy comfort Chennai is known for. Avoid tourist-heavy lanes and stick to everyday neighbourhood tiffin rooms for maximum value.
Kolkata offers some of India’s best street eats under ₹100. Egg kathi rolls for ₹40–60 in Esplanade or Park Street pack smoky, meaty flavour in every bite. Ghugni, a comforting lentil-and-pea snack costing ₹20–30, keeps you full for hours. For dessert, rasgulla or mishti doi from small sweet shops often costs just ₹10–20 per piece and tastes fresher than boxed sweets. Buying single pieces instead of larger portions helps you enjoy variety without overspending.
A few smart strategies can help you make the best of your ₹100 budget. Eating early gives you fresher food and better prices, while late-night student hubs offer value combos. Sharing portions across vendors helps you taste more without spending extra. Rice-based dishes like lemon rice, egg rice, and curd rice make you full for ₹40–60. Using metro routes as food trails helps locate a bunch of affordable stalls. Carrying small-denomination cash and carrying your own water bottle reduces unnecessary spending and keeps your food tour seamless.
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