Vegetarianism is mainstream
About 30-40% of Indians are vegetarian. Every restaurant has extensive veg options. 'Pure veg' restaurants serve no meat or eggs at all. Veg food here isn't a compromise — it's a cuisine.
🍜 Food & drink in India
Food in India is woven into daily life — how you order, when you eat, what you tip, and which dishes locals reach for on a Tuesday night versus a weekend out.
In India, food & drink comes down to a few things: vegetarianism is mainstream, eat with your right hand, and thali — the complete meal.
Eat with your right hand
In traditional settings, food is eaten with the hand — specifically the right hand. The left is considered unclean. Bread (roti, naan) is your utensil for scooping.
Tip: Street food is incredible but build up slowly. Start with cooked items from busy stalls (high turnover = fresh food).
Thali — the complete meal
A thali is a platter with rice, dal, vegetables, bread, pickle, and dessert. It varies by region — South Indian thali on banana leaves is a different universe from Rajasthani thali.