Agra's food is as Mughal as its monuments. The kitchens that fed the emperors left rich, slow-cooked dishes behind, and the old city has kept its own breakfasts and sweets for centuries. Here is what to look for.

Petha

Agra's most famous sweet: translucent pieces of ash gourd cooked in sugar syrup. The plain white one is the classic; kesar (saffron), paan and chocolate versions are everywhere now. Boxes of petha are the standard gift to take home, and the shops along the main roads near the Taj sell little else.

Bedai and jalebi

The old-city breakfast: bedai, a crisp fried bread stuffed with spiced lentils, served with a sharp potato curry, followed by hot jalebi straight from the oil. It is eaten standing up before 10 am, and it is the best rupee-for-flavour meal in Agra.

Dalmoth

A spiced, crunchy mix of fried lentils and nuts, Agra's savoury answer to petha. It keeps well and travels well.

Mughlai food

Korma, biryani, kebabs and breads cooked in tandoors — Agra does them in the old style. For a special evening, the five-star hotels near the Taj's East Gate serve excellent Mughlai menus, some with a view of the dome.

Eating street food safely

  • Choose stalls that are busy with locals and cook to order in front of you
  • Eat food that is hot, fried or freshly cooked; skip cut fruit and salads on the street
  • Drink sealed bottled water; our cars carry it for you all day
  • Ask your guide — on our tours they will happily point you to the places they eat themselves

Frequently asked questions

What is Agra famous for in food?
Petha (an ash gourd sweet), dalmoth, the bedai and jalebi breakfast, and Mughlai dishes like korma and kebabs.
Where can I buy petha in Agra?
Sweet shops across the city and along the roads leading to the Taj Mahal sell petha in gift boxes.