Aurangabad is a historically significant city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Paithan and Devagiri are the imperial capitals of the Satavahana dynasty (1st century BCE to 2nd century CE) and the Yadav dynasty (9th century CE to 14th century CE), respectively. Both of these cities fall within the limits of present-day Aurangabad. Under Sultan Alauddin Khilji, the Delhi sultanate annexed the entire Marathwada region, of which Aurangabad was a part. Daulatabad (present-day Aurangabad) was declared the capital of the Delhi sultanate by Sultan Mujammad Bin Tughluq. This decision was reversed in 1334, and Delhi was made the capital again. In 1499, Daulatabad became the capital of the Ahmed Agar sultanate. In 1610, Malik Ambar, an Ethiopian military leader, established a new city called Khadki at the same location as present-day Aurangabad. In 1636, the Mughal Empire annexed present-day Aurangabad, and in 1653, Aurangzeb renamed the city Aurangabad. Nizam Asaf Jah I, the Mughal governor of the Deccan, decided to secede from the Mughal empire and establish his own dynasty, the Asaf Jah dynasty, which also established the state of Hyderabad. Its capital was declared as Aurangabad until 1763, when it was relocated to present-day Hyderabad. Until the end of British rule in India, the state of Hyderabad remained a princely state, after which Aurangabad, a predominantly Marathi-speaking city, came under the state of Maharashtra.
Aurangabad has a semi-arid image, and the winter season from October to February is considered to be the best time to visit. Aurangabad serves as a hub for certain other tourist destinations like the Ajantha and Ellora caves, which were designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1983. The food in Hyderabad is a combination of Marathwadi and Hyderabadi cooking. Like most street food in big Indian cities, the street food in Aurangabad is a combination of sweet and savory dishes. There's an ample supply of chaats, pakodas, vadas, vada pavs, bhelpuri, sweets, and pani puri.
Here are some of the best places to eat street food, which both locals and tourists like to visit.
1. Uttam Mithai Bhandar
Famous for their imrati, a sweet dish that’s made throughout the day by one of their cooks, Uttam Mithai Bhandar is a typical Indian sweet vendor. Even though this place is not very big, it has a huge selection of sweets that many people enjoy. Their bhajis or pakodas are also loved by many.
Address: Machali Khadak, Gulmandi, Shahgunj
Price for two: INR 250
Timings: 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM
2. Gayathri Chaat Bhandar
Started in 1967 by Balkishan Ganpatlal Tiwari, this is an old and small eatery that specializes in just four main dishes that are mostly eaten as snacks. They are kachori, samosa, aloo vada, and mung bhajiya. Their kachori is to die for, especially when eaten with tamarind and/or pudina/mint chutney. Their popularity is a testament to the fact that any eatery can be successful with a small menu.
Address: Rangar Galli, Machali Khadak, Gulmandi
Price for two: INR 100
Timings: 9 AM to 9 AM
3. Madhur Milan Sweets
This eatery, located near the Savarkar statue, is well-known for its excellent pani puri. Their onion kachori, or pyaaj kachori, is also very popular. While they do sell other sweets, confectionary, and savory snacks, their pani puri and pyaaj kachore are the customers' favorites. It is said that their pani puri is particularly popular with women.
Address: Shop Nos. 3 and 5, Bhushan Complex, Savarkar Chowk, Samarthnagar
Price for two: INR 200
Timings: 8:30 AM to 10:30PM
4. Bhole Shankar's Chaat Bhandar
Also known as Appaji ka bhelpuri chaat bhandar, their bhelpuri is famous for its taste. Apart from the bhelpuri, their sev puri, dahi puri, dahi vada, and dahikaasta are also relished by patrons. All the puris, chutneys, sev, and vadas are all made right there by Appaji, the owner and founder of this establishment, keeping all operations of the joint internal and quality consistent. This place is also quite old, having been in business for over 25 years.
Address: Pandariba Road, opposite Appa Halwai, Mahavir Chowk, Shahgunj
Price for two: INR 250
Timings: 9 AM to 10 AM
5. Ganesh SabudanaVada
Serving hot sabudana for over 40 years, this place is not even in a building. Instead, it is on a handcart that is frequented by patrons who swear by the product’s taste and flavor. Ramesh Laharay, the owner and founder of this eatery, says that once someone eats his sabudana vada, they’re sure to come back with their entire family to make them taste it as well.
Address: Amba-Apsara Cinema Road, SwatantryaSainik Colony, Aurangpura
Price for two: INR 100
Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM
6. Sai Panchavati Pav Bhaji and Pulav Centre
Just like the name suggests, this restaurant is famous for its pav bhaji and pulav. With one of the best pav bhajis in Aurangabad, this place is sure to lure one back for seconds. Since 2010, they have grown to become one of Aurangabad’s best pav bhaji and pulavcenters.
Address: Akashwani to Gajanan Mandir Road, Trimurti Chowk, Lomita Colony
Price for two: INR 400
Timings: 10 AM to 11 AM
7. Majhi MatkaMisal
This place serves all dishes in clay vessels. Misal is a curry made with sprouts and topped with onions, tomatoes, lemon juice, coriander leaves, and farsan (a fried spicy mixture). According to Nandaraj, the owner, their masala has just the right amount of spice and heat. He says that he even prepares all the spices in the house and makes sure that the pav that is offered as a side in the misal pav dish is fresh and soft.
Address: Municipal shopping centre, Station Road, Rajnagar, MIDC
Price for two: INR 150
Timings: 8 AM to 11 PM
8. Laxmi Sandwich and Pizza Center
They've been in business at the above-mentioned location for over ten years, serving primarily sandwiches and pizza. They manage to sell anywhere between one hundred and fifty sandwiches and two hundred and fifty pizzas per day. With lots of cheese and mayonnaise in their sandwiches, the taste is second to none and is worth the price.
Address: Tilak Nagar, Basant Bahar, opposite Riddhi Siddhi Hall, near Ulkanagri petrol pump, Ulkanagri
Price for two: INR 200
Timings: 1 AM to 1 AM
9. Perfect GotiSoda
With over twenty different types of sodas, this place is bound to be a go-to on those hot summer days. All the flavors and spices used to make the sodas are homemade. The challenge here is to drink the soda before it fizzles and bubbles over and out of the glass.
Address: Shop No. 1, Shreenagar, Garkheda area, Ulkanagri
Price for two: INR 100
Timings: 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM
10. Anand Barf Gola
Offering juices and desserts predominantly, this establishment started operations in 1990 and is a local favorite in the summers. Their shaved-ice desserts are simply irresistible. Topped with cream, dry fruits, and flavors of our choice, these desserts rival the likes of ice cream and gelato in terms of sweetness.
Address: near Roplekar Hospital, opposite Devgiri Bank, Ravindranagar, Shreya Nagar, New Usmanpura
Price for two: INR 200
Timings: 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
There are plenty of other eateries like Panchavati omelet pav, Puranand bhandar, Usman Bhai Kay bhajiye, Poona vada pav, etc. in Aurangabad that cater to street food lovers. It is up to an individual to step out onto Aurangabad’s streets and explore them all. But I have to warn anyone who wants to try this because they probably won't be able to stop eating at the first place so they can go to the next one and try their food.